Volvo Cars to Take Full Control of Battery Joint Venture with Northvolt

Volvo Northvolt's factory
Image Credit: Northvolt

Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X

Volvo Cars announced Wednesday that it plans to invoke its redemption rights to acquire Northvolt AB’s shares in the NOVO Energy joint venture, following the Swedish battery maker’s failure to fulfill its financing obligations.

The original joint venture, launched in June 2021, was designed to support the development of next-generation battery technology for Volvo’s electric vehicles.

The move comes as Volvo evaluates the impact of these changes on NOVO Energy’s future operations.

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The company is considering a range of potential scenarios for the facility, including multifunctional use, as it contemplates full ownership.

Any continuation of battery production at the site is likely to depend on third-party collaborations or new partnerships, as Volvo Cars has stated that it will not be assuming full responsibility for large-scale battery production independently.

Despite this shift in ownership, Volvo Cars expects minimal impact on its broader investment plans or financial targets, according to the statement released on Wednesday.

The company maintains a diversified battery supply chain that it says is resilient enough to support its vehicle production targets and electrification rollout plans without disruption.

Volvo Cars has expressed intentions to handle the transition constructively with Northvolt, highlighting its commitment to maintaining an open dialogue.

The joint venture has operated in two parts including a Research & Development division focused on advanced cell design and a production arm dedicated to battery manufacturing.

Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X

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Cláudio Afonso
Cláudio Afonso is the Founder and Editor of EV, an independent electric vehicle news publication owned by CARBA Investments, the company he founded in early 2021. Between 2022 and 2024 he worked in European corporate communications at Nio, and he returned to lead EV in April 2024. He is based in Portugal.