Subaru is in discussions with Panasonic to form a partnership for the supply of next-gen cylindrical lithium-ion batteries for its future EVs. The first model to get the Panasonic batteries could be a yet-unnamed Subaru-branded EV that is expected to enter production in the second half of 2023.
The talks aim to result in a “medium- to long-term partnership” between the two brands. Subaru wants to build a new battery EV factory at the Gunma Prefecture in Japan, where it will use the battery packs supplied by Panasonic Energy. The plant will be ready in the 2020s, supporting local jobs and production in Subaru’s country of origin.
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Subaru might have a single EV in its current lineup – the Solterra which is a twin to the Toyota bZ4x – but has ambitious plans for the near future. Last May, Subaru CEO, Atsushi Osaki confirmed that four new electric crossovers are coming by 2028.
We don’t know if the first Subaru EV with Panasonic batteries will be one of the aforementioned crossovers, but judging from the timing of the start of production within 2023, we expect to learn more about it soon.
Panasonic recently announced plans of building four additional EV battery plants around the world, as part of the forthcoming battery production ramp-up to a capacity of 200 gigawatt-hours by 2031. Besides Subaru, the company which makes cylindrical batteries for Tesla EVs is already in talks with the likes of Mazda, BMW, and Stellantis for becoming their supplier.
