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QuantumScape and PowerCo Debut Solid-State Batteries in Ducati Motorcycle at IAA Mobility

By: QuantumScape Corporation via Business Wire

September 08, 2025 at 07:00 AM EDT

Revolutionary Battery Technology Sees First Live Vehicle Demonstration

QuantumScape Corporation (NYSE: QS), a global leader in next-generation solid-state lithium-metal battery technology, and PowerCo SE, the battery company of the Volkswagen Group, today premiered the world's first live demonstration of QS solid-state lithium-metal batteries powering an electric vehicle. The breakthrough technology was showcased in a Ducati motorcycle equipped with QSE-5 battery cells, produced using the QS Cobra production process, during the Volkswagen Group's press conference at IAA Mobility in Munich.

This demonstration represents a significant advancement in battery technology, showcasing the first anode-free solid-state batteries to move from laboratory discovery to real-world vehicle. QS’s revolutionary technology is ultimately aimed at meeting the EV industry's long-standing need for batteries that excel in five critical battery performance metrics – energy density, charging speed, safety, lifespan and cost-effectiveness.

The world premiere took place at IAA Mobility, where a modified Ducati V21L race motorcycle powered by QS solid-state technology rode across the main stage during an address from Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Components. The demonstration bike contains a first-of-its-kind battery system designed by specialists at VW Group-owned Audi specifically for QS solid-state battery cells, and highlights the potential capabilities of the technology on the racetrack. This will be a rigorous proving ground for QS technology, which has shown unique capabilities, including 844 Wh/L energy density, just over 12-minute fast charging from 10% to 80% state of charge, and 10C continuous discharge.

"Today we've crossed the threshold from possibility to reality," said Dr. Siva Sivaram, CEO and president of QS. "We believe that our partnership with PowerCo, together with Ducati as our demonstration launch partner, positions us to scale our transformative technology to gigawatt-hour production. Our world-leading battery innovation, combined with Ducati's uncompromising craftsmanship and legendary commitment to performance, will help usher in a new era of electrified transportation."

“The EV revolution is the biggest transformation the automotive industry has ever seen,” said Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo. “Solid-state batteries will redefine what's possible for high-performance, premium vehicles, and today’s historic demonstration is just the beginning. We’re combining QuantumScape’s world class battery scientists with PowerCo’s manufacturing expertise to bring game-changing solid-state battery technology to the world as soon as possible.”

The demonstration follows a series of major achievements from QS. In June 2025, the company integrated the proprietary Cobra separator manufacturing process – which was used to produce the separators within the cells that powered today’s demonstration – into baseline production. QS and PowerCo also recently expanded their strategic non-exclusive collaboration and licensing arrangement that includes up to $131 million in new milestone-based payments over the next two years, an essential step in scaling manufacturing and enabling higher-volume prototype cell deliveries to PowerCo, while executing the technology transfer required to bring QSE-5 to global markets.

About QuantumScape Corporation

QuantumScape is on a mission to revolutionize energy storage to enable a sustainable future. The company’s next-generation solid-state lithium-metal battery technology is designed to enable greater energy density, faster charging and enhanced safety to support the transition away from legacy energy sources toward a lower carbon future. For more information, visit www.quantumscape.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this press release may be considered “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding the development and commercialization of QS’s battery technology, the anticipated benefits of QS’s technology, QSE-5 battery, and the expanded collaboration and licensing arrangement with PowerCo, including financial benefits to the company, the company’s plans and objectives for future operations and growth, the expected performance of its technology and its applications, the achievement of technical milestones, and the potential impacts of the company’s technology, among others. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, assumptions, hopes, beliefs, intentions and strategies regarding future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to various risks, including the successful development, production, scale up and commercialization of our solid-state battery technology, achieving technical and financial milestones, building out of high volume processes and otherwise scaling manufacturing, achieving the performance, quality, consistency, reliability, safety, cost and throughput required for commercial production and sale, changes in economic and financial conditions, market demand for EVs, retaining key personnel, competition, regulatory changes, broader economic conditions, and other factors, including those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report and Quarterly Reports and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the company disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements.