Latest news with #PowerCo
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Why QuantumScape Popped 29% During the First Half of 2025
QuantumScape has installed the Cobra process as its new manufacturing baseline. Cobra will demonstrate the company's ability to produce cells at a near-commercial pace. QuantumScape's partnership with Volkswagen subsidiary PowerCo will be instrumental in its plan to progress toward commercial production scales -- and revenue. 10 stocks we like better than QuantumScape › When looking at the risk vs. reward balance, QuantumScape (NYSE: QS) might offer the wildest range of any company out there. QuantumScape is hard at work developing its technology for solid-state batteries -- a type of battery that no company has produced at commercial scale for the electric vehicle (EV) market yet. If it succeeds, it will be a game-changing breakthrough for EVs, but for now, the company lacks not only profits, but any commercial revenue at all. That should change in time, but what should matter to investors is that QuantumScape is installing all of its new equipment for new processes to reach commercial production volume. And on that front, QuantumScape is making sound progress. In late June, the company announced a major milestone in its scale-up effort: the successful integration of its Cobra separator process into baseline cell production. Cobra is its next step toward commercialization, and the process enables faster and more energy-efficient production. QuantumScape noted that the process treats key battery cell components 25 times faster than earlier processes, and with a fraction of the equipment and operational footprint. The Cobra process will replace the company's previous process, dubbed Raptor, which was used for sample cells and B0 cell production. Essentially, part of this development is demonstrating that QuantumScape's improved manufacturing process will work on a fast-paced assembly line. "Cobra is a step-change innovation in ceramic processing, enabling a major improvement in productivity compared to Raptor -- which was already a considerable advancement compared to the previous generation," said QuantumScape co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Tim Holme in a press release. "This advancement is central to bringing our high-performance solid-state battery platform to market at gigawatt scale." The announcement of that milestone was almost solely responsible for the company's 29% surge during the first half of 2025, but where is QuantumScape likely to go during the second half? While QuantumScape works on newer iterations of Cobra to inch closer to commercialization of its solid-state batteries, the next step for the company is already in the works. But to put that in context, we have to rewind to almost exactly one year ago, when it announced a partnership with Volkswagen Group's battery company, PowerCo. Essentially, that partnership deal says that after the battery start-up makes satisfactory technical progress, then -- in exchange for royalty payments -- QuantumScape will grant PowerCo a license to mass-produce battery cells for EVs based on its technology. The deal will combine QuantumScape's technical innovations with PowerCo's extensive and high-quality production operations. QuantumScape's next goal is to begin shipping QSE-5 B1 samples, and it remains on track to do so. Those are the cells it will use to show how its tech works in real-world applications, and the B1 version is expected to be distributed for the testing phase of its launch program next year. QuantumScape stock is not an investment for the faint of heart. Anyone who buys it has to accept the considerable level of risk that comes with a company that is years away from generating revenue through the commercial manufacture of its core products. That said, QuantumScape has slowly but surely progressed, implementing each new process and hitting each new milestone on schedule. As the company continues on its quest to manufacture the "holy grail" of EV batteries, we can expect the hype train to chug forward every time it improves its Cobra process significantly. The Motley Fool's expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. They've just revealed their to buy now — did QuantumScape make the list? When our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is up 1,053% vs. just 180% for the S&P — that is beating the market by 873.17%!* Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $680,559!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,005,670!* The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 15, 2025 Daniel Miller has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why QuantumScape Popped 29% During the First Half of 2025 was originally published by The Motley Fool
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Why QuantumScape Stock Jumped 68% in June
QuantumScape's new separator process, Cobra, takes it closer to commercializing its EV battery technology. QuantumScape expects to start field testing and mass production of solid-state batteries in 2026. 10 stocks we like better than QuantumScape › QuantumScape (NYSE: QS) is building solid-state lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles (EV) that are seemingly far better than the traditional lithium-ion batteries in terms of energy density, charging, cost, and safety, among other things. QuantumScape has yet to commercialize its technology, but that hasn't deterred investors from piling into the stock at every hint of progress. In June, shares of QuantumScape jumped a whopping 68%, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. QuantumScape is presently working with its prospective launch customer and has shipped test samples of Raptor-powered QSE-5, its first planned commercial battery cell. Although QuantumScape has relied on its Raptor heat treatment process to produce separator films for QSE-5 solid-state battery cells so far, it has been working to transition to a new separator production process called Cobra for several months now. In June, QuantumScape met its primary 2025 goal by integrating the Cobra process into its baseline cell production to replace Raptor. Since Cobra is faster and more energy-efficient, QuantumScape calls it a "step-change innovation" in ceramic separator manufacturing and believes it should help it scale production faster. There are three reasons why investors saw this development as a huge milestone and sent QuantumScape stock soaring over 60% in the last week of June alone. First, QuantumScape has been able to bring the Cobra separator process into its production system ahead of schedule. Second, the company should now be able to install higher-volume cell assembly equipment in line with Cobra's higher throughput, allowing it to improve the quality and quantity of its QSE-5 B1 samples. The B1 version of QSE-5 cells are near-production prototypes. Third and most importantly, QuantumScape should be able to send QSE-5 B1 samples this year to potential customers for field testing in 2026. After testing QuantumScape's prototype cells for several years, Volkswagen's battery subsidiary PowerCo is all set to become QuantumScape's anchor customer. Last year, PowerCo agreed to mass-produce battery cells based on QuantumScape's technology under a non-exclusive license. With Volkswagen's backing confirming the viability of QuantumScape's solid-state battery technology, the latter is now trying to expand its licensing partnerships with other automakers. So there are a lot of catalysts ahead for QuantumScape stock to keep humming, including forging agreements with other automakers, producing cell samples at scale, and sending them out for field testing in 2026. If QuantumScape's battery cells pass field testing, there could be no stopping this stock as the company then proceeds to commercialize its technology. However, a lot could still go wrong in between, and even commercial production of solid-state battery cells doesn't guarantee their success. That's the biggest risk to keep in mind if you're thinking of buying QuantumScape stock now. Before you buy stock in QuantumScape, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and QuantumScape wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $695,481!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $969,935!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,053% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 179% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 7, 2025 Neha Chamaria has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Volkswagen Ag. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why QuantumScape Stock Jumped 68% in June was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
QuantumScape: What's Happening With QS Stock?
CANADA - 2025/03/24: In this photo illustration, the QuantumScape logo is seen displayed on a ... More smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) QuantumScape Corporation (NYSE: QS) recently achieved a significant manufacturing milestone, leading to a 35% surge in its stock during after-hours trading. The solid-state battery developer successfully integrated its advanced Cobra separator process into its baseline cell production, a crucial step toward commercial viability. The Cobra platform marks a substantial improvement over QuantumScape's previous Raptor process. It allows for approximately 25 times faster heat treatment speeds and requires significantly less physical space. This ceramic solid-state separator production technique is vital for mass production, as it dramatically improves both scalability and cost-efficiency. QuantumScape anticipates further enhancements in these production metrics with future iterations of the Cobra process. Separately, if you want upside with a smoother ride than an individual stock, consider the High Quality portfolio, which has outperformed the S&P, and clocked >91% returns since inception. Also, see – Should You Buy RKLB Stock At $33? Commercial Path Forward QuantumScape's primary commercialization partner is PowerCo, Volkswagen Group's battery subsidiary. Their non-exclusive license agreement, announced last year, allows PowerCo to manufacture up to 40 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year using QuantumScape's technology, with an option to expand to 80 GWh. This capacity is sufficient to power approximately one million vehicles annually and supersedes an earlier joint venture structure, providing a clearer path to mass production. The technology has already shown promising results. PowerCo in early 2024 confirmed that QuantumScape's solid-state cell significantly exceeded requirements in A-sample testing, completing over 1,000 charging cycles. This is equivalent to more than half a million kilometers for an electric vehicle with a 500-600 kilometer WLTP range. Financial Position and Market Outlook Currently, QuantumScape is a pre-revenue company and reported an operating loss of $517 million over the last twelve months, consistent with its development stage. However, the successful Cobra integration positions the company to deliver higher-volume samples of its first planned commercial product, QSE-5. Solid-state battery technology offers significant advantages over conventional lithium-ion batteries, including longer ranges, faster charging times, and enhanced safety. As QuantumScape transitions from development to production preparation, the successful Cobra integration validates its manufacturing capabilities and commercial prospects. With this technical foundation established, QuantumScape's ability to meet its 2025 production targets will be crucial for capitalizing on the growing demand for next-generation battery technology in the electric vehicle market. Investment Risks Investing in QuantumScape, a pre-revenue company, carries inherent risks across manufacturing, scaling, and finances. The solid-state battery market is highly competitive, with established players like Toyota, Samsung SDI, LG Chem, and Solid Power possessing significant resources and manufacturing capabilities. Competitors like BYD are already in low-volume production and testing, suggesting they might achieve commercial scale before QuantumScape. Furthermore, established companies benefit from existing infrastructure, supply chains, and financial backing, potentially allowing them to scale faster. Macroeconomic uncertainties also pose a threat; for instance, during the 2022 inflation crisis, QuantumScape's stock plunged 85% from its highs, far exceeding the S&P 500's 25% decline. Investors should carefully consider these risks. In fact, we apply a risk assessment framework while constructing Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio which, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming the S&P 500 over the last 4-year period. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Weather: More than a hundred homes without power in Bay of Plenty
Stormy weather is passing over the North Island. Photo: RNZ/ Calvin Samuel Power is out in parts of the upper North Island as bad weather passes over . Earlier severe thunderstorm warnings have now been lifted, but a heavy rain watch remains in place for Bay of Plenty. PowerCo's outage map shows about 170 properties in Western Bay of Plenty are without electricity. Earlier outages in Auckland and Northland appear to be resolved. Niwa principal scientist Chris Brandolino told Checkpoint the place you don't want to be when there is lightning in and around your area is outside. "You definitely don't want to be on the water or on the beach or under a single tree in a paddock. Lightning is lazy, lightning is going to go for the tallest thing out there." He said the safest place to be is inside, away from windows: "There is an expression - when thunder roars, head indoors." Brandolino explained that thunder is a result of lightning. "Lightning is so hot - roughly five times hotter than the surface of the sun - it expands the air quite violently and then the air comes back, and it's that process that creates the thunder and loud noise." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
National Observer
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- National Observer
Volkswagen's EV battery-maker charges ahead with $7 billion gigafactory as rivals' plans stall
Volkswagen-owned EV battery manufacturer PowerCo is 'confident' the state-of-the-art gigafactory it is building in southern Ontario will move into production in 2027, despite market headwinds that have led the province's five other auto majors to pull back from multi-billion-dollar sector investments over the past year. PowerCo, which has a $7 billion battery plant under construction in St, Thomas, credited a flexible technology manufacturing strategy with helping it weather regional sector uncertainties in Canada created by the combination of a slow-down in EV demand and the impact of US auto sector tariffs. Earlier this week, Honda Motors became the latest international automaker to pump the brakes on its EV supply chain development plans in Ontario, blaming "changing conditions' for the postponement of its $15 billion investment in the province. The decision adds to the mounting woes faced by Canada's EV manufacturing ambitions, which have already encountered setbacks with Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, and Toyota having paused or shelved factory construction plans, leaving the government's $100 billion strategy in limbo. 'Different companies will have different strategies for the markets and plants they serve. For PowerCo, Gigafactory St. Thomas is a strategic, long-term investment with strong fundamentals,' Tegan Versolatto, PowerCo's Canada spokesperson, told Canada's National Observer. She said the company remained 'on track' to start battery manufacturing in 2027, followed by a ramp-up of commercial production if there was market demand. Verolatto noted that key infrastructure work on the factory site, including a rail spur and substation, is 'well underway.' 'Technology agnostic' battery cell PowerCo's batteries are engineered around what the company calls a "unified cell' — a design that is not limited to current battery cell chemistries like lithium-ion — that would be produced in a standardized factory to reduce costs. 'Different companies will have different strategies for the markets and plants they serve. For PowerCo, Gigafactory St. Thomas is a strategic, long-term investment with strong fundamentals,' Tegan Versolatto, PowerCo's Canada spokesperson 'Our product and production is as simple as possible and at the same time highly flexible. This enables us to react to potential market changes and always have the right product in place,' Versolatto said. All PowerCo battery plants — along with St. Thomas, in Salzgitter, Germany, and Valencia, Spain — will produce the company's cell design, she added. 'That makes our global production network highly flexible and compatible to all scenarios. This enables us to react to potential market changes and always have the right product in place.' Between October 2021 and April 2024, a total of $46.1 billion in investments across the Canadian EV supply chain was announced by automakers including Honda, Volkswagen, GM and Ford, with a further $52.5 billion in support coming from federal and provincial coffers, according to Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer, who is responsible for providing economic and financial analysis to the government. But dark clouds have gathered for months over the long-term future of auto manufacturing in Ontario as the Canada-US trade war has dragged on. Auto plant lay-offs and closures Stellantis sent home 3,000 workers after closing its Windsor, Ont. assembly plant where it manufactures Chrysler Pacifica minivans and electric Dodge Charger pony cars — and also temporarily laid off 900 employees at its US facilities, while General Motors shuttered its CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ont., home to its Brightdrop Zevo electric delivery van, leaving 500 employees out of work. A high-profile EV battery gigafactory being built in Quebec by technology developer Northvolt was mothballed in March when its Swedish parent company filed for bankruptcy. More bad news came this week with data from StatsCan. in the last year, with 12,347 new zero emission vehicles sold in March 2025, compared to some 22,390 in the same month in 2024. During the federal election campaign, Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged a $2 billion fund to develop an 'all-in-Canada' auto supply chain. In 2023, Canada imported $2.3 billion in EVs and plug-in hybrids from China. The longer-term outlook for EVs in Canada looks brighter. Statista, a data provider, is forecasting the country's market will still expand to be worth over $11.5 billion in 2025 and grow at almost 10 per cent a year to $17 billion by 2029, by which time almost 250,000 EVs will be on Canadian roads. Newly appointed federal Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly said during a press scrum yesterday that she aimed to have 'good conversations with [all six automakers] before the end of the week' to discuss their future EV market plans in the country.
