25x Speed! QuantumScape Achieves Major Breakthrough in Solid-State Battery Manufacturing, Stock Soars 36%!

TradingKey - On June 24, American solid-state battery company QuantumScape (QS) announced significant advancements in solid-state battery technology, successfully integrating the Cobra separator process into its standard battery production line. This new technology boosts heat treatment speed by 25 times compared to the previous Raptor process, while also significantly reducing equipment footprint

Upon the release of this news, the stock price surged 36% before the market opened on the 25th. QuantumScape also stated that QSE-5 samples have begun shipping. Additionally, all equipment installations have been completed, and the progress of qualification certification has exceeded expectations, laying a foundation for gigafactory-scale production and accelerating the commercialization of its solid-state batteries.

(Source: Yahoo Finance)

The global competition in solid-state batteries is intense. Besides QuantumScape’s goal to achieve mass production by 2027, China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) claims its solid-state battery technology maturity level is at 4 out of 9, with a goal for small-batch production by 2027. BYD plans to launch batch demonstration applications of solid-state batteries in 2027 as well. Meanwhile, Samsung SDI has delivered its first batch of solid-state batteries for testing by automakers and is expected to start mass production by 2027.

However, QuantumScape still faces significant financial pressure. In Q1 2025, it reported a net loss of 114.4million, and projected annual capital expenditures are estimated between 45 million and 75 million. Although an $860 million cash reserve can support operations until 2028, ongoing losses and high R&D investments remain potential risks.

Wall Street analysts maintain a cautious stance regarding the company's latest technological breakthrough; while the Cobra process addresses separator manufacturing efficiency issues, industrialization still faces challenges related to process stability and cost control. Furthermore, tariffs and geopolitical risks could impact supply chain stability, leaving the ultimate trajectory of the solid-state battery revolution awaiting validation through both technological breakthroughs and commercial realization.