The University of Kansas will help develop the next generation of batteries for electric vehicles. KU and Panasonic Energy announced an agreement yesterday, July 10th, to work together on lithium-ion batteries. They say the project is significant for reducing CO2 emissions by increasing use of electric vehicles. Panasonic is building its second North American factory in DeSoto, which is expected to start production by the end of March 2025. Panasonic Energy says the facility is crucial to their strategy of boosting EV battery production capacity in North America.
KU says it is working as part of the 2011 University Engineering Initiative Act to meet demand for engineering graduates. The university has an energy and battery-related research lab and high-level research capabilities. KU and Panasonic say they will collaborate on innovative battery-related technology, and work to grow specialists in the area. They continue discussions on how the partnership will continue to move forward.
