Solid-state batteries: QuantumScape ready to launch its pilot line

The Eagle Line is QuantumScape’s automated pilot production line for battery cells, designed to serve as the foundation for future series production. However, QuantumScape does not plan to undertake mass production itself. Instead, it aims to realise gigawatt-hour-scale projects through licensing agreements with partners such as Volkswagen. The pilot line is a critical milestone for subsequent large-scale projects, and QuantumScape now expects it to be inaugurated in February 2026.

“Completing this annual goal and inaugurating the Eagle Line is a crucial step forward in our scale-up strategy,” said Dr Siva Sivaram, CEO and president of QS. “The Eagle Line features our groundbreaking Cobra separator process combined with highly automated battery cell production. It is intended, upon ramp-up, to satisfy customer demand for QSE-5 cells and support future technology demonstrations.”

In October, the US company announced it had begun delivering B1 samples of the QSE-5 cell. These samples represent QuantumScape’s most advanced solid-state battery cells to date and will be used in a similar form in the company’s first vehicle programme with Volkswagen.

The B1 samples feature separators produced using the ‘Cobra’ process mentioned by Sivaram. This refers to a new production method for ceramic separators, which was implemented at the San José site this year. The separators are a key component of QuantumScape’s planned lithium-metal battery cells with solid electrolyte. The new manufacturing process is expected to enhance the scalability of the cells, laying the groundwork for large-scale production of B1 samples.

At the time, the company did not specify to whom the new samples were delivered from October onwards. However, Volkswagen is likely among the recipients, as the ties between QuantumScape and the German manufacturer are close and were further strengthened this summer. Moreover, such ‘Cobra-based QSE-5 cells’ are, according to QuantumScape, also being used in the first vehicle programme with the VW Group, which was recently reported on. The focus here is on the Ducati V21L motorcycle, which is being equipped with solid-state batteries and extensively tested.

For context: The QSE-5 cell is set to become QuantumScape’s first commercial product—with a capacity of 5 Ah, an energy density of over 844 Wh/l, and a charging time of 12.2 minutes from 10 % to 80 % state of charge (SoC). In October 2024, the manufacturer reportedly began small-scale production and delivery of B-samples for testing by automotive customers.

The company specifically designed the QSE-5 as a solid-state battery cell measuring 84.5 mm × 65.6 mm × 4.6 mm. It is also designed to function at low temperatures down to -30 °C. The QSE-5 was preceded by two earlier cell prototypes at QuantumScape: The ‘A0’ cell samples were delivered to automotive manufacturers for testing just before Christmas 2022. In March 2024, the so-called ‘Alpha-2’ cells followed.

ir.quantumscape.com

This article was first published by Cora Werwitzke for electrive’s German edition.