In a groundbreaking move, Stellantis Ventures, the corporate venture fund of Stellantis N.V., has revealed its strategic investment in Tiamat, a France-based company at the forefront of developing and commercializing sodium-ion battery technology. The sodium-ion technology, championed by Tiamat, is set to revolutionize the energy storage landscape by providing a lower cost per kilowatt-hour while being devoid of lithium and cobalt. This marks a significant step towards increased sustainability and material sovereignty, given the abundance of sodium as a widely available raw material.
Tiamat, recognized as one of the standout performers among technology start-ups, received the prestigious Stellantis Ventures Award in 2023. Notably, it is the first company globally to have successfully commercialized sodium-ion technology in an electrified product.
The investment from Stellantis Ventures aligns seamlessly with Stellantis’ commitment to delivering clean, safe, and affordable mobility solutions worldwide. Sodium-ion technology holds the promise of more cost-effective energy storage compared to the widely used lithium-ion battery technology prevalent today.
Ned Curic, Chief Engineering and Technology Officer at Stellantis, emphasized the significance of exploring sustainable and affordable battery options that utilize widely available raw materials. He stated, “Exploring new options for more sustainable and affordable batteries that use widely available raw materials is a key part of our ambitions of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan that will see us reach carbon net zero by 2038. Our customers are asking for emissions-free vehicles that offer a combination of robust driving range, performance, and affordability. This is our North Star, as Stellantis and its partners work today to develop ground-breaking technologies for the future.”
As part of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, Stellantis aims to shift towards electric propulsion, with a target of achieving a 100% passenger car battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales mix in Europe and a 50% mix in the United States by 2030. To meet these targets, Stellantis is securing approximately 400 GWh of battery capacity. The company is on track to become a carbon net zero corporation by 2038.
Stellantis has already taken steps to secure supplies of electric vehicle raw materials through 2027, signing key agreements worldwide. Additionally, the company is investing in the development of alternative technologies for energy storage. Apart from Tiamat’s sodium-ion technology, Stellantis is collaborating on solid-state batteries with Factorial Energy and exploring lithium-sulfur chemistry with Lyten Inc.
Tiamat, a spin-off of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), is set to leverage its best-in-class innovations with the support of funds from Stellantis Ventures. The upcoming sodium-ion battery plant in France, funded by this investment, will initially focus on power tools and stationary storage applications before scaling up production for second-generation products intended for BEV applications. This strategic move positions Stellantis at the forefront of driving innovation in the electric vehicle sector and advancing sustainable mobility solutions.
