France\'s Saft targets new generation battery production from 2020

Paris, Reuters-
Saft, owned by French energy company TOTF.
PA), expected Fourth
The European Union of batteries has begun mass production of a new generation of lithium
Ion batteries in early 2020.
Saft, Siemens (SIEGn.
DE), SOLB.
BR) and Manz (M5ZG.
DE) cooperation and development in February
Lithium-density liquid electrolyteion and solid-
The National battery was used in a competition aimed primarily at Asian players.
\"We aim at a much better level of performance than we have today.
Jean-\"We are looking at a better 50% performance level in terms of energy density.
Batist Pernot, Saft\'s business director, told Reuters.
In the first half of 2020, the Alliance aims at mass production third
Liquid electrolyte lithium-
It\'s an ion battery, says Pernot.
In 2022, it aims to launch what he calls the 3B generation liquid electrolyte lithium-
Ion battery before providing solid batterystate lithium-
Ion battery in 2024
Pernot denied industry analysts questioning the alliance, telling Reuters
The company agreement is in progress and confirmed the plan for Saft to invest 200
0. 3 billion euros ($232-
0. 347 billion) in R & D.
Pernot said that the fourth-generation battery will bring benefits in terms of safety and design constraints, which has an impact on costs, especially for electric vehicles.
At present, most electric vehicles use liquid electrolyte lithium-ion batteries.
The battery market is currently dominated by Asian companies including China\'s BYD (002594.
SZ) and CATL (300750.
SZ), South Korea Samsung SDI (006400.
KS) and LG Chem (051910.
KS), they all want to put into production in Europe.
Swedish Northwater Motor Company, led by former Tesla (TSLA.
O) executives, aiming to build the largest lithium in Europe-
The ion battery plant produces 32 gigawatts of batteries per year by 2023.
\"By 2025, the European battery market will be between 150 GW (GWh) and 200 GW --
About twice as much as 2030.
The largest factory in the world today is about 20 GWh.
That means there\'s room for a few actors, \"said Peno.
Market analysts estimate that by 2025, the value of the European automotive battery value chain is expected to be as high as 250 billion euros.
\"To be competitive in the mass market for electric vehicles, it needs factories that are larger than 10 GWh,\" says Pernot . \".
The third generation of Saft\'s batteries will provide the automotive industry with the first step and the company has already negotiated with a number of automakers and other terminal companies, said Peno.
Users understand the needs of the future.
He declined to give details.
\"Automakers are currently considering about 2022 models --
2023, so it\'s still the right time.
Mr Pernot said Total\'s support would enable the company to invest. Total acquired Saft in 2016 for about $1 billion.
\"By 2030, the amount of investment to become a battery champion was as high as billions of euros, close to tens of billions of euros,\" he said . \".