Acquisition of Varta's high-performance division by Porsche

Porsche strengthens battery expertise Acquisition of Varta's high-performance division by Porsche

2025-03-06 By Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Michael Richter | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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Electromobility is at a turning point—and Porsche is making a clear statement. With the acquisition of Varta's ultra-high-performance lithium-ion round cell business unit, the sports car manufacturer is taking a significant step towards independent battery technology.

Production: At the Ellwangen and Nördlingen plants, Porsche is expanding production capacities for ultra-high-performance lithium-ion round cells to meet the demand for high-performance energy storage systems.(Image: Porsche AG) — Production: At the Ellwangen and Nördlingen plants, Porsche is expanding production capacities for ultra-high-performance lithium-ion round cells to meet the demand for high-performance energy storage systems.
(Image: Porsche AG)

Porsche has acquired the subsidiary V4Drive from Varta. It will now be integrated into its own corporate structure under the new name V4Smart. With this move, the sports car manufacturer aims to expand its capabilities in high-performance batteries. The ultra-high-performance lithium-ion round cells, previously mainly used as boosters in the 911 GTS models, are to be made available for other applications in the future. These cells feature high power density and fast-charging capability.

"With the booster cells, we are transferring motorsport technology into our production vehicles. As part of the T-Hybrid drive, the cells provide exceptional driving dynamics in our sports car icon 911. We are carrying this speed into the V4Smart," says Albrecht Reimold, Board Member for Production and Logistics at Porsche AG.

Expansion of production and new jobs

The cells are already being produced in Ellwangen. It is now planned to extend production to Nördlingen (Germany) in the near future. From April onwards, the round cells are expected to be produced at a new facility at the Nördlingen site. In the course of this expansion, Porsche plans to create approximately 375 new jobs by the end of 2025.

With the acquisition of this business unit, Porsche is pursuing a long-term strategy. This should allow the company to become more independent of external battery manufacturers. By integrating V4Smart into its own structure, Porsche not only secures technological know-how but also valuable production capacities. Additionally, controlling cell production allows for better adaptation to the specific needs of the company's vehicle fleet.

Technological advantages of the V4Smart round cells

The ultra-high-performance lithium-ion round cells from V4Smart are characterized by particularly short charging times and high power outputs, making them ideal for sports cars and performance-oriented applications. Thanks to their special design, heat generation is minimized and efficiency is increased. Their compact form also allows for flexible use of the round cells. These advantages highlight Porsche's efforts to not only take a leading role in the premium segment of e-mobility but also to set new standards in battery technology.

Collaboration with Varta

Porsche intends to continue supporting Varta even after the acquisition to advance its restructuring. This collaboration underscores the importance of batteries for Porsche's strategy. The cooperation enables the utilization of synergies and the combination of both companies' know-how. The goal is to make battery technology more efficient and cost-effective, thereby making e-mobility more attractive.

Outlook for the future

Porsche has made a statement and taken a strategic step towards its e-mobility strategy with the acquisition of the ultra-high-performance lithium-ion round cell business unit. This will likely make Porsche more independent of suppliers in the future. (mr)

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