SES AI, Hyundai Motor, Kia enter next phase of joint development contract

SES AI announced that it signed an agreement to enter the next phase of its existing joint development agreement with Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation to start developing B samples. As part of the agreement, Hyundai Motor and Kia – SES AI will build a dedicated B-sample cell development, assembly and testing facility in Ui-Wang, South Korea starting later this year, and SES AI will build and operate one of the largest capacity Li-Metal lines in the world within this new facility. This collaboration is the first of its kind in the Li-Metal battery industry and represents an important milestone in achieving commercial production. The expansion of the relationship with Hyundai Motor and Kia means that SES AI is the first Li-Metal battery company in the world to have two B-sample development JDAs underway. SES AI previously announced its first B-sample JDA with another major automaker in December 2023. In addition to these two B-sample lines, SES AI is also converting another A-sample line to produce Urban Air Mobility battery cells.