Samsung SDI’s EV batteries will drive JAC’s new SUV
Earlier this week, Samsung SDI, the battery-making business of Samsung Group, announced it will supply electric vehicle batteries to Chinese automaker JAC Motors. From early 2016, Samsung SDI will begin shipping millions of its high-performance, circular battery cells on a monthly basis to power JAC's new iEV6S. The Chinese automaker unveiled the iEV6S on Friday at the Guangzhou Motor Show, it will be the first electric SUV in China to offer a range of over 155 miles. "The company will start supplying circular batteries, in addition to square-shaped batteries, as it seeks to maintain its leadership in China's growing electric vehicle market," said Cho Nam-seong, CEO of Samsung SDI, in a press release.

The battery pack for the iEV6S will comprise approximately 3,000 of Samsung SDI’s high-performance 18650 battery cells. Additionally, JAC Motors signed an MOU with Samsung SDI for the supply of 50 million battery cells next year alone.

In a departure from its usual approach of supplying high-capacity prismatic Li-ion cells for automotive applications, Samsung SDI will supply cylindrical 18650 format Li-ion batteries for JAC Motors’ new electric SUV iEV6S, unveiled at the 2015 Guangzhou International Auto Parts & Accessories Exhibition. JAC Motors says that its iEV6S will be the first electric SUV in China to offer more than 250 km (155 miles) of range.

Beginning early next year, millions of batteries will be supplied from the Cheonan Plant in Korea and the Tianjin Plant in China.The two companies promised to collaborate as tactical partners to exchange technology and establish a solid supplier relationship.

The Samsung SDI 18650 battery to be provided to JAC Motors features a high energy capacity of around 3,000 mAh. Samsung SDI has mainly applied its small cells (cylindrical, prismatic and polymer) for applications such as small IT devices or power tools such as laptops, cordless drills, electric screwdrivers, e-bikes, power banks and so on.

Samsung SDI has developed a complete electric drive battery cell platform portfolio and is capable of mass-producing various advanced automotive prismatic Li-ion battery cells based on a nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) chemistry. The offerings include a 5Ah-class for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV); 20Ah-class for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV); 60Ah-class for pure battery electric vehicles (EV); and 4.0Ah/11Ah “Hi-Cap” batteries for Micro-/Mild-HEV.

Samsung SDI will be one of the suppliers (LG Chem being the other) of prismatic cells for the production version of Audi’s battery-electric e-tron quattro SUV.

Among global electric vehicles, Tesla has been the only major brand to use 18650 batteries.

China’s electric vehicle market is rapidly growing and since it is crucial to maintain our position as a leading manufacturer, we are supplying cylindrical 18650 batteries along with the existing squared [prismatic] ones. We will aggressively respond to the demands of Chinese customers and target from various angles. —Samsung SDI’s CEO Nam-Seong Cho

JAC Motors iEV6S. Click to enlarge.

Founded in 1964, JAC Motors is one of China’s top 10 domestic automakers. The company produced around 500 thousand units last year, including trucks, commercial/personal vehicles and SUVs.