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The Bolloré group, former operator of Autolib, car-sharing cars made available to individuals, is relaunching in the sector of batteries for electric cars. It wants to become the world leader in solid-state batteries for the particular automotive market, thanks to new generation batteries that are more profitable to produce and better for the environment.
If electric cars are mostly equipped with lithium-ion batteries, Vincent Bolloré relies on its so-called solid batteries, which work with Lithium Metal Polymer (LMP) and which, according to the group, are more efficient. Easy to manufacture, they no longer require the use of cobalt or nickel, they offer better autonomy, are resistant to high temperatures and are recyclable. The only constraint: to work, they must be kept at 60 degrees.
If these batteries which already equip buses do not pose a problem because they drive without stopping and are recharged in the evening at the depot, it is more complicated for private cars which only drive intermittently.
giant factories
To conquer the passenger vehicle market, Bolloré relies on its Breton factory, Blue Solutions, a pioneer in solid-state batteries. In addition, the group announces the recruitment of 70 engineers and a partnership with the Canadian company Li-Metal, at the forefront of the latest generation batteries.
With a budget of 145 million euros for research and development over the next three years, Vincent Bolloré wants to start mass production in 2026, then ramp up two years later. As for the giant factories to produce these batteries, they will require an investment of four to six billion euros for which Bolloré will seek partners.
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