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Subaru isn't standing still.
From the outside, it looks like Subaru is doing little in the transition to electric vehicles, but there's a lot going on behind the scenes. A new announcement from Subaru has revealed its latest game plan. They only have one battery electric vehicle (BEV), the Solterra, but they have plans for more, and Panasonic will help them get there.
Subaru Corporation and Panasonic Energy have strategically joined forces. Their plan is to collaborate on the supply of automotive lithium-ion batteries and the joint establishment of a new battery factory in Oizumi, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.
Subaru accelerates its plans toward electrification.
Atsushi Osaki, President and CEO of Subaru, said, "Subaru is accelerating its efforts toward electrification to contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society. With a history of manufacturing that spans over 100 years, both Subaru and Panasonic Energy will continue to enhance their world-leading competitiveness and create the next 100 years of history."
Subaru Corp. says it is launching a new 20GWh production capability, a significant increase in its battery production capacity. Collaborating with Panasonic Energy will expand Japan's battery manufacturing base and accelerate EV adoption.
Panasonic Energy says it will supply its next-generation cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries for Subaru's new battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which Subaru plans to produce in the latter half of the 2020s. Read more in my report here.
Kazuo Tadanobu, President and CEO of Panasonic Energy, said, "Through this collaboration, we are poised to drive the expansion of EVs and boost the competitiveness of Japan's battery industry. Our ultimate goal is to foster a sustainable society, and we are dedicated to achieving this mission."
The revamped game plan follows their conclusion of a basic cooperative agreement I covered in my report here last year. This agreement was concluded this week and reflects their aim of establishing a medium- to long-term partnership, according to the Subaru announcement.
Subaru's EV game plan.
Subaru's goal is ambitious. They aim to have 50 percent of their 1.2 million global sales in 2030 be battery electric vehicles. This, in conjunction with Panasonic Energy, will address the expanding demand for BEVs and automotive batteries.
A report from Automotive News (by subscription) says Subaru and Panasonic will build a new battery factory near the automaker's Japanese production hub north of Tokyo. This factory, which is expected to be operational by the end of the decade, will be a key part of Subaru's EV manufacturing strategy.
The plant will manufacture cylindrical lithium-ion batteries for a lineup of EVs that Subaru plans to produce in the late 2020s. Battery capacity at the new plant will be on top of batteries already slated for delivery from a separate Panasonic plant in 2027.
The annual production capacity for battery cells at the two Japanese plants for this project will reach 20GWh by 2030, significantly increasing Panasonic Energy's domestic production capacity.
Backed by Japanese government subsidies
Subaru says the Japanese government has strategically positioned storage batteries as a key asset in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and is working to expand the domestic battery supply chains and improve industrial competitiveness.
Through this collaboration, Subaru and Panasonic Energy are poised to contribute to strengthening the domestic supply chain for cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries while also expanding and enhancing Japan's manufacturing base.
Subaru says, "Furthermore, the initiative to increase battery production and develop battery technology as part of this partnership was approved by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on September 6, as part of its plan for establishing a stable supply of batteries."
Subaru isn't standing on the sidelines waiting to see what will transpire with the evolution of EV vehicles. They've made a significant jump forward with the help of Panasonic Energy.
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Subaru
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