Ampere to add LFP batteries for Renault Group

Ampere is introducing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology to complement nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) batteries in the Renault Group and provide cell-to-pack solutions for pouch-type batteries with partner LG Energy Solution.

A European value chain will be created (also involving CATL) ensuring efficiency and price competitiveness, says Ampere, adding its complete range of batteries for vehicles gives customers the best autonomy at the best price, depending on their usage.

“With these technologies, Ampere will reduce by around 20% the cost of batteries in its vehicles from the beginning of 2026,” the company says.

“This plan is in line with Ampere’s roadmap to reduce costs and improve margins. It confirms its ability to lead major transformations in record time.”

LG Energy Solution and CATL will provide Ampere with LFP batteries that will equip several models of Renault and Alpine brands and will cover battery needs for this technology until 2030, says Ampere.

Cell-to-pack technology (which removes battery modules and integrates the cell directly into the case) improves the range of vehicles by integrating more cells, and therefore more on-board energy in a given space and helps reduce battery costs, Ampere says.

NCM batteries are produced by AESC within the Ampere ElectriCity hub in Douai (France), CATL LFP technology comes from its Hungary plant, NCM and LFP batteries are built by LGES in Poland, and Verkor uses NCM technology from its Dunkerque (France) gigafactory.

Batteries are assembled at Ampere ElectriCity in the Assembly Battery Shop of Douai Manufacture.

Ampere says LFP technology is now a real alternative to NCM and is less energy-intensive and well suited to certain applications such as small and midsize cars.

“Less expensive, it is an important part of the economic equation for affordable electric vehicles and their democratisation in Europe.”

“In a fast-changing and competitive environment, our battery strategy is proof of the efficiency of Ampere’s open and horizontal approach with best-in-class partners, ensuring smart capital allocation, flexibility and rapid execution,” says Ampere chief operating officer Josep Maria Recasens.

 This plan is in line with Ampere’s roadmap to reduce costs by 40% before the next generation of vehicles.

Ampere powertrain and EV engineering senior vice president Philippe Brunet says innovation in batteries is ongoing.

“We are working far upstream – in particular with our Innovation Battery Cell Laboratory to open in Lardy in 2025 – to engage our partners early on with us, on the major transformations to come.”