Subaru And Panasonic Collaborate For New Hybrid And EV Batteries, New Models Are Coming

In July, I covered the story of Subaru and Panasonic entering into talks with Panasonic Energy to build cylindrical Lithium-Ion batteries for Subaru's new EVs. Now, Subaru Corporation has announced that it has signed a basic cooperative agreement covering the supply of cylindrical lithium-ion batteries.

Related Story: Subaru Announces A New Partnership With Panasonic For Its EV Batteries

In July, Subaru Corporation said the partnership with Panasonic Energy will help the Japanese automaker to meet the growing demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and automotive batteries in a rapidly expanding market. 

Subaru Is Ramping Up New Electric Vehicle Production 

Subaru Corporation also recently announced that its Saitama manufacturing plant (formerly an industrial product manufacturing facility) is now a dedicated facility for producing transmissions for the next generation of Hybrid and EV models, which will be made starting in 2025.

The change reflects Subaru Corporation's ramp-up of designing, developing, and manufacturing its new hybrid and electric vehicles. The new electric Subaru models will fall organizationally under the Gunma, Japan plant. 

Achieving A Carbon-Neutral Society

Subaru Corporation says, "Through this agreement, both companies reaffirm their commitment to contributing jointly to the resolution of various societal challenges, such as achieving a carbon-neutral society, promoting sustainable growth within the automotive and battery sectors, supporting local employment, and developing human resources."

Related Content: Subaru's Hybrid And Electric Vehicle Production Is One Year Away

New EVs Are Coming For U.S. Customers

Tomoaki Emori, Subaru's senior corporate planning division vice president, said the Japanese automaker will ramp up its electrified offerings in the critical U.S. market to include "several" new battery EVs by 2025.

I reported that the first will be a Forester Hybrid compact SUV. The next-generation Outback will likely be another hybrid model coming in 2026 or 2027, along with the Crosstrek subcompact SUV to follow. 

Subaru's first new Forester hybrid compact SUV is one year away. We know Panasonic Energy will supply the EV batteries for Subaru's new hybrid and all-electric models. Stay tuned. 

New Update: The Next-Generation Subaru Outback: It's Delayed Until 2026

I am Denis Flierl, a Torque News senior writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand, and I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

photo credit: Subaru