Foxconn Enters Solid-State Battery Market with Focus on Two-Wheeler Industry
Foxconn, a subsidiary of Hon Hai, has recently established Foxconn New Energy Battery (Zhengzhou) Co., Ltd. in Henan, China, to delve into battery manufacturing, sales, and R&D for automotive components. According to recent reports from TrendForce, Foxconn’s approach to solid-state batteries involves partnerships with other manufacturers, starting with simpler manufacturing processes and targeting the two-wheeler market.
The global focus on solid-state batteries as the next-generation technology has attracted significant attention from battery manufacturers. However, the challenges of high manufacturing complexity and costs have hindered large-scale production. Companies like QuantumScape, Solid Power, and SES in the U.S. have invested heavily in automotive-grade solid-state batteries without achieving mass production yet. Currently, only polymer-based automotive solid-state batteries and solid-state micro batteries for specialized applications are commercially available.
TrendForce predicts that Foxconn, as a newcomer to solid-state batteries, will face difficulties in mastering the entire development and manufacturing chain. To address this, the company is expected to collaborate with established manufacturers and focus on simpler processes initially, acting as a pack manufacturer. This strategy aligns with Foxconn’s existing EV manufacturing business and sets the stage for a comprehensive supply chain covering materials, cells, and battery packs.
In its solid-state battery venture, Foxconn announced the establishment of SolidEdge Solution in Taiwan for materials R&D and broke ground on an LFP battery plant in Kaohsiung. The company also formed a partnership with SolidEdge Solution and Blue Solutions to develop a solid-state battery ecosystem for electric two-wheelers, targeting the Indonesian market initially.
Choosing to focus on electric two-wheelers instead of cars, Foxconn and Blue Solutions aim to refine solid-state battery technology. Two-wheeler batteries require lower power output, have less manufacturing complexity, and can accommodate the current higher cost of solid-state batteries, making them an ideal entry point for Foxconn’s foray into solid-state battery manufacturing.
