Varta also wants to produce battery cells for electric cars in the future

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Cell with the form factor 21700 is currently offered to automakers

Varta also wants to produce battery cells for electric cars in the future-cells

The battery manufacturer Varta (an abbreviation for sales, charging, repair of portable accumulators), founded in 1887, wants to equip electric cars with a new battery cell for the first time. This was reported by Wirtschaftswoche.

Varta plans to present a new battery cell called V4Drive with the form factor 21700 in 2021. Along with 18650 cells, this large-format shape (21 by 70 millimeters) is one of the most important cylindrical cells. A pilot line is currently being set up at the main addiction of the company founded in 1884 in the Swabian town of Ellwangen. In three years, from 2024, Varta plans to produce between 100 and 200 million new cells annually.

Varta boss Herbert Schein now wants to offer the new cell to car manufacturers, first of all to those "resident here". That could mean: First be Porsche and asked Mercedes, because both are also based in Baden-Wurttemberg. The profile of these brands is an ideal match for the strengths of the new cell, which according to Varta is particularly suitable for sports cars and the premium segment. Because: "The battery delivers a lot of power in a very short time, for example for acceleration." For Schein, there is no question that customers are found: "I assume that we will be able to present the first customers this year," the Varta boss told the magazine.

The Varta cell 21700 can be fully charged within six minutes, which no other battery can do create in this category. It is suitable for high-voltage batteries in electric cars, ideally in combination with a range extender motor or a fuel cell. The battery cell is also suitable for a brief boost function.

Compared to the widespread 18650 cell, the 21700 format is even larger – this cell type measures over two centimeters in diameter and is seven centimeters high. This leads to a better use of space because little space is lost for the jacket.

This is how the energy density increases: That in the Tesla Model S. The 18650 format used offers 250 Wh / kg, with the 21700 format up to 300 Wh / kg are possible, according to a study by the mechanical engineering association VDMA from 2018 (quoted from an article in Elektronikpraxis). Volumetrically (i.e. in Wh / liter) the increase in energy density is even greater. On the downside, cooling becomes more difficult and possibly a greater tendency to thermal runaway.

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So far, Varta has mainly produced small lithium-ion batteries for electronic devices, especially button cells for wireless Apple headphones, but also household batteries for remote controls, flashlights and much more (see our cover picture). The new cell could be added as a third pillar to the "Microbatteries & Solutions" and "Household Batteries" divisions. This would also reduce the dependency on Apple.

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