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QuantumScape and PowerCo Deliver First Public Solid-State Battery Demo in a Ducati at IAA

The on-stage run signals a shift from lab results toward scaling under Volkswagen’s PowerCo partnership.

Overview

  • QuantumScape and Volkswagen Group’s PowerCo showed QSE-5 solid-state lithium‑metal cells powering a Ducati V21L during VW’s IAA Mobility press event in Munich.
  • Company-reported performance figures include 844 Wh/L energy density, a 10%–80% fast charge in just over 12 minutes, and 10C continuous discharge capability.
  • The Ducati used QSE-5 cells produced with QuantumScape’s Cobra ceramic‑separator process, which the company says is now integrated into its baseline production.
  • PowerCo recently expanded its non-exclusive collaboration with QuantumScape with up to $131 million in milestone-based payments over two years to support technology transfer and scaling.
  • QuantumScape shares jumped as much as 36% intraday after the demo, while large-scale manufacturing, broader third-party validation and additional customer agreements remain key next steps.