Stellantis Ventures, the investment arm of Stellantis, invested in Tiamat, a French company at the forefront of developing sodium-ion battery technology, which could be a more sustainable and cost-effective energy storage solution in the electric vehicle (EV) sector.
Sodium-ion technology, unlike the prevalent lithium-ion batteries, offers a lower cost per kilowatt-hour and is devoid of lithium and cobalt, two materials often criticized for their environmental and ethical mining issues. Sodium's abundant availability presents an attractive alternative, promising greater sustainability and material independence.
Tiamat, recognized among 11 high-achieving technology startups with the Stellantis Ventures Award in 2023, has achieved a world-first by commercializing sodium-ion technology in an electrified product. This move aligns with Stellantis' mission to deliver clean, safe and affordable mobility worldwide.
"Our customers seek emission-free vehicles that balance robust range, performance and affordability," said Ned Curic, Stellantis’ chief engineering and technology officer. "This is our guiding principle as we and our partners develop innovative technologies for the future."
The transition to electric propulsion is a cornerstone of Stellantis' Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan. The plan aims for a complete transformation in Europe to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and a 50% shift to BEVs in passenger cars and light-duty trucks in the U.S. by 2030. In line with these targets, Stellantis is ensuring a supply of approximately 400 GWh of battery capacity and is on course to become a carbon net zero corporation by 2038.
Stellantis has secured essential EV raw material supplies through 2027 and is investing in alternative energy storage technologies. These include collaborations with Factorial Energy on solid-state batteries, Lyten Inc. on lithium-sulfur chemistry, and now Tiamat on sodium-ion technology.
Tiamat, originating from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), is leveraging its top-tier innovations. The company plans to use the funding, including contributions from Stellantis Ventures, to build a sodium-ion battery plant in France. Initially focusing on power tools and stationary storage applications, Tiamat aims to scale up production for BEV applications in the future.
