Stellantis N.V. STLA and Zeta Energy Corp. have signed a joint development agreement to advance electric vehicle (EV) battery cell technology. The collaboration focuses on developing lithium-sulfur batteries, which promise breakthrough gravimetric energy density while matching the volumetric energy density of current lithium-ion batteries.
For customers, this could mean significantly lighter battery packs with the same energy capacity as today’s lithium-ion options, leading to greater range, improved handling and enhanced performance. The technology may also allow up to 50% faster charging, making EV ownership more convenient. These batteries are also expected to be more cost-effective, potentially cutting costs per kWh to less than half of existing lithium-ion batteries.
Production will utilize waste materials and methane, resulting in significantly lower CO2 emissions compared to existing battery technologies. Zeta Energy's batteries are designed to be manufactured in existing gigafactories, relying on a short, localized supply chain within Europe or North America.
The partnership encompasses pre-production development and production planning. Post the completion of the project, the batteries are expected to equip Stellantis EVs with lithium-sulfur batteries by 2030. Lithium-sulfur batteries offer superior performance at a lower cost than traditional lithium-ion batteries. The abundance and affordability of sulfur help minimize production costs and mitigate supply-chain risks. Zeta Energy’s lithium-sulfur technology incorporates waste materials, methane, and unrefined sulfur, an industrial byproduct, while eliminating the need for materials like cobalt, graphite, manganese and nickel.
Stellantis’ Dare Forward 2030 strategy emphasizes producing high-performing, affordable EVs, including more than 75 battery EV models. The company is adopting a dual-chemistry approach to meet diverse customer needs while exploring cutting-edge battery cell and pack technologies.
Stellantis currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
Some better-ranked stocks in the auto space are Dorman Products, Inc. DORM, Tesla, Inc. TSLA and Blue Bird Corporation BLBD, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DORM’s 2024 sales and earnings suggests year-over-year growth of 3.66% and 51.98%, respectively. EPS estimates for 2024 and 2025 have improved 75 cents and 88 cents, respectively, in the past 60 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TSLA’s 2024 sales suggests year-over-year growth of 2.97%. EPS estimates for 2024 have improved 22 cents in the past 60 days. EPS estimates for 2025 have improved 7 cents in the past seven days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BLBD’s fiscal 2025 sales and earnings suggests year-over-year growth of 10.97% and 12.14%, respectively. EPS estimates for fiscal 2025 have improved 18 cents in the past 30 days.
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