Under a multi-year agreement, Panasonic Energy will supply its latest-generation 2170 battery cells to Zoox, an autonomous mobility service provider owned by Amazon. The deal marks the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at supporting Zoox’s expanding fleet of electric robotaxi vehicles.
The 2170 battery cells, measuring 21 mm in diameter and 70 mm in length, are currently used in Tesla’s well-known electric vehicles. However, Panasonic Energy has announced that the cells destined for Zoox will be next-generation models with advanced materials that increase cell capacity by approximately five percent.
Deliveries to Zoox are scheduled to begin early in 2026 and will initially come from Panasonic’s facilities in Japan before transitioning to the new plant in Kansas, USA. This strategic move reflects Panasonic’s commitment to local production as it scales up its operations to meet growing demand for high-capacity battery cells.
According to Kazuo Tadanobu, CEO of Panasonic Energy, this partnership with Zoox represents a significant step towards contributing to the next generation of mobility innovation. The company’s lithium-ion cells currently achieve a volumetric energy density of 800 Wh/L, setting a high standard for efficiency and performance in battery technology.
Zoox recently opened its first production facility for serial manufacturing of robotaxis in Hayward, California, this summer. With plans to scale up significantly in the medium term, Zoox’s collaboration with Panasonic Energy is expected to support rapid fleet expansion and enhance operational efficiency.
Bruce Baumgartner, Vice President of Supply Chain, Quality, and Reliability at Zoox, emphasized that the partnership with Panasonic Energy marks an exceptionally exciting period for Zoox. The shared commitment to innovation and quality aligns perfectly with Zoox’s mission to redefine urban mobility through autonomous transportation solutions.
