Renault's Ampere unveils cobalt-free LXMO EV battery tech
Renault and Ampere develop cobalt-free LXMO batteries for EVs
Renault's Ampere unveils cobalt-free LXMO EV battery tech
Renault and Ampere are testing LXMO, a cobalt-free EV battery with Stratus Materials, targeting NCM-like energy density, lower costs, and cleaner production.
2025-11-04T07:25:09+03:00
2025-11-04T07:25:09+03:00
2025-11-04T07:25:09+03:00
French automaker Renault, together with its Ampere unit, is developing a fresh battery chemistry meant to blend the strongest traits of today’s solutions. Building on experience with NCM and LFP cells, engineers have outlined a hybrid concept called LXMO—lithium manganese oxide.The standout trait of LXMO is a cathode completely free of cobalt. That choice reduces environmental impact and cost, and eases dependence on scarce inputs, while targeting an energy density close to NCM cells. The project is being developed with U.S.-based startup Stratus Materials.Initial trials will take place at Ampere’s research site in France, where the team will assess whether the technology is ready for industrial scale. If the results hold up, these batteries could power future Renault EVs—potentially successors to the Mégane E-Tech and Scénic E-Tech.Renault is not yet sharing figures for capacity or driving range, but the LXMO concept points to a meaningful cut in manufacturing cost, which in turn could lower the entry point for electric cars. In a market where rivals such as Toyota and Chery tout record-breaking density and ranges of up to 1,500 km, this looks like a pragmatic bet on price discipline, durability, and cleaner production over headline numbers.
Renault, Ampere, LXMO, lithium manganese oxide, cobalt-free EV battery, Stratus Materials, NCM, LFP, energy density, cost reduction, Mégane E-Tech, Scénic E-Tech, trials in France
2025
Michael Powers
news
Renault and Ampere develop cobalt-free LXMO batteries for EVs
Renault and Ampere are testing LXMO, a cobalt-free EV battery with Stratus Materials, targeting NCM-like energy density, lower costs, and cleaner production.
Michael Powers, Editor
French automaker Renault, together with its Ampere unit, is developing a fresh battery chemistry meant to blend the strongest traits of today’s solutions. Building on experience with NCM and LFP cells, engineers have outlined a hybrid concept called LXMO—lithium manganese oxide.
The standout trait of LXMO is a cathode completely free of cobalt. That choice reduces environmental impact and cost, and eases dependence on scarce inputs, while targeting an energy density close to NCM cells. The project is being developed with U.S.-based startup Stratus Materials.
Initial trials will take place at Ampere’s research site in France, where the team will assess whether the technology is ready for industrial scale. If the results hold up, these batteries could power future Renault EVs—potentially successors to the Mégane E-Tech and Scénic E-Tech.
Renault is not yet sharing figures for capacity or driving range, but the LXMO concept points to a meaningful cut in manufacturing cost, which in turn could lower the entry point for electric cars. In a market where rivals such as Toyota and Chery tout record-breaking density and ranges of up to 1,500 km, this looks like a pragmatic bet on price discipline, durability, and cleaner production over headline numbers.
