Nanotech Energy’s American-made, graphene-powered battery cells. (Image: Nanotech Energy)
The new plant in Chico will eventually produce 30,000 battery cells per day, the company said.
SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Fla.—If all goes according to plan, American-made graphene-based battery cells will go into full production in early 2024 at Nanotech Energy’s new 150MW manufacturing facility (Chico 2) in Chico, California, the company’s leadership confirmed in a release.
Nanotech Energy reported that it successfully completed trial weeks at Chico 2 in November and December 2023. With nearly all the equipment in place at the site, final processes are being refined ahead of a launch that will eventually generate thirty-thousand 18650 battery cells per day, the company said in the release.
“Right now, our materials, quality, operations, and program management teams are all collaborating together to make sure we’re ready to run and deliver production-worthy cells in April 2024,” said Troy Zerbe, Nanotech Energy’s chief operating officer, in the release.
Production will start at 10 cells per minute before rising to 20 cells per minute before the end of the year. By 2025, Chico 2 will be able to manufacture its 21700 battery cells at the same rate of 30,000 per day, the company said.
“When we look at our key metrics, such as capacity, resistance, and open circuit voltage (OCV), a major point of encouragement is that our trial runs have already produced a high percentage of A-grade cells,” Zerbe said. “Realistically, we’re ahead of the curve and we can feel the excitement building across the whole organization.”
Work at the 50,000-square-foot facility began in November 2022. In fall 2023, Nanotech Energy released the first images of the new fit out taking shape.
Over the coming months, Chico 2 is expected to create up to 100 new jobs, the company said.