QuantumScape 2025: Latest News, Solid-State Battery Breakthroughs, Financials & Outlook (June 27th, 2025)

QuantumScape Skyrockets 200% on Solid-State Battery Breakthrough – Revolution or Risk?

  • Stock Rally: QuantumScape (NYSE: QS) shares have surged ~200% year-to-date 2025, hitting multi-year highs, driven by breakthroughs in its solid-state battery technology [1] [2].
  • Cobra Separator: The new Cobra ceramic separator process was integrated into production, delivering ~25× faster throughput than previous methods [3]. This paves the way for high-volume fabrication of QSE-5 solid-state cells.
  • Partnership & Funding: Volkswagen’s battery arm PowerCo agreed to invest up to $261M (original $130M + new $131M) in milestone payments over two years, accelerating QS’s San Jose pilot line and extending its cash runway to ~2029 [4] [5]. QS maintains a non-exclusive licensing deal allowing VW to produce 40–80 GWh of QS batteries/year [6] [7].
  • Live Demo: In Sept 2025 a Ducati V21L electric motorcycle equipped with QS QSE-5 cells (made with Cobra) showcased ≈844 Wh/L energy density, 10–80% charging in ~12 minutes, and 10C discharge [8] [9]. This marks the first real-world vehicle demo of anode-free solid-state cells.
  • Financials & Risk: QS remains pre-revenue and loss-making (Q2 2025 GAAP loss ~$115M, Adjusted EBITDA loss ~$63M [10]). It has ~$800M cash but expects no meaningful sales until at least 2026 field tests [11] [12]. Analysts warn execution, scale-up yield, and competition are key risks [13] [14].
  • Industry Race: Major automakers are also pursuing solid-state batteries. Toyota targets production around 2026 (1,000 km range, 10-min charge [15]), Samsung SDI aims for ~900 Wh/L cells by 2027 [16], and startups like Solid Power (partners BMW, Ford) are scaling pilot lines [17]. QS’s lead is notable, but others are fast behind.
  • Expert Views: QS’s CEO Siva Sivaram says the tech has “moved closer to commercial reality” [18]. VW’s Thomas Schmall calls solid-state batteries “a game changer” and notes VW’s Unified Cell design is “solid state-ready” for rapid integration [19]. Yet analysts emphasize that until production and profitability arrive, the stock will swing on milestones vs. skepticism [20] [21].

Solid-State Batteries: The Next Big Leap in EVs

Solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte of Li-ion cells with a solid ceramic or glass separator, promising big performance gains. They boost energy density (QS demo shows ~844 Wh/L vs. ~600 Wh/L for top Li-ion today) and could extend EV range to ~600 miles [22]. They also enable faster charging and vastly longer lifespans – some developers claim 10–15 minute 10–80% charges and 8,000–10,000 charge cycles [23]. Crucially, a solid electrolyte is non-flammable, enhancing safety over liquid batteries. These advantages could “revolutionize” EVs if scaled. However, mass production is a bottleneck: manufacturing solid electrolytes and achieving uniform interfaces (avoiding dendrites) at scale has proven difficult [24] [25].

QuantumScape’s Technology and Progress

QuantumScape’s approach uses a lithium-metal anode and proprietary ceramic separator. Uniquely, its cells are anode-free – lithium metal plating occurs during charging – which can cut weight and cost. In June 2025 QS announced it fully integrated its Cobra separator process into baseline production [26]. Compared to its earlier “Raptor” furnace method, Cobra slashes heat-treatment time by ~25×, enabling gigawatt-scale output [27] [28]. CEO Sivaram says Cobra, along with partners like Corning and Murata, will “build the foundation for scalable production” of QS’s batteries [29] [30].

The current flagship is the QSE-5 cell (5 Ah). In tests, multilayer QSE-5 samples have achieved >80% capacity retention after 800 cycles, and fast-charge to 80% in ~12–15 minutes [31] [32]. In fact, at the IAA Mobility show (Sep 2025) a Ducati motorcycle ran on QSE-5 cells manufactured with Cobra separators [33] [34]. That bike’s battery demonstrated ~844 Wh/L and 10C continuous discharge. Audi-designed battery pack for the Ducati used 980 QSE-5 cells [35]. QS highlights this as proof of concept: an anode-free solid-state cell powering a fast-charging vehicle. Siva Sivaram proclaimed “we’ve crossed the threshold from possibility to reality” [36]. PowerCo’s CEO Frank Blome likewise said solid-state “will redefine what’s possible” for high-performance EVs [37].

Beyond VW, QuantumScape is forming an ecosystem of suppliers. In Sept 2025 it announced a joint development deal with Corning to co-develop high-volume ceramic separator manufacturing [38]. Murata and other electronics giants are also on board (via separate agreements) to ensure reliable separator supply. These moves aim to de-risk QS’s production line: one analyst noted that partnerships (with VW, Corning, Murata) “de-risk” the ceramic separator challenge in scale-up [39] [40].

QuantumScape ($QS) Stock 🚀 Solid-State Battery Breakthrough Explained. Full Investor Breakdown #nyse

References

1. www.nasdaq.com, 2. www.techi.com, 3. www.techi.com, 4. ir.quantumscape.com, 5. electrek.co, 6. www.greyb.com, 7. electrek.co, 8. ir.quantumscape.com, 9. tokenist.com, 10. electrek.co, 11. www.fxleaders.com, 12. electrek.co, 13. www.techi.com, 14. www.fxleaders.com, 15. evmagazine.com, 16. evmagazine.com, 17. evmagazine.com, 18. www.volkswagen-group.com, 19. www.electrive.com, 20. www.fxleaders.com, 21. www.techi.com, 22. evmagazine.com, 23. evmagazine.com, 24. www.techi.com, 25. www.electrive.com, 26. ir.quantumscape.com, 27. www.techi.com, 28. www.fxleaders.com, 29. ir.quantumscape.com, 30. ir.quantumscape.com, 31. www.techi.com, 32. ir.quantumscape.com, 33. ir.quantumscape.com, 34. tokenist.com, 35. www.electrive.com, 36. ir.quantumscape.com, 37. ir.quantumscape.com, 38. ir.quantumscape.com, 39. www.fxleaders.com, 40. ir.quantumscape.com

AI Frenzy Fuels Record Wall St Rally as Shutdown Drags On – Key Market News (Oct 6-7, 2025)
Previous Story

Stock Market Today 12.10.2025

Quantum Rivals Clash: D-Wave vs Rigetti – Which Stock Will Skyrocket in 2026?
Next Story

Quantum Rivals Clash: D-Wave vs Rigetti – Which Stock Will Skyrocket in 2026?

Stock Market Today

  • My definition of 'bearish' is different from yours — a long-term view on drawdowns and volatility
    October 12, 2025, 9:17 AM EDT. Despite fresh all-time highs, the author argues that most forecasts of a pullback (roughly 5%–15%) aren’t necessarily bearish in his framework. He defines bearish as a scenario where prices trend lower with intermittent rallies and fall by 20% or more from a recent high, while bullish means a path higher with drawdowns followed by 20%+ gains. He notes the S&P 500 has rallied to records yet experienced multiple drawdowns in history; JPMorgan’s Guide to the Markets shows an average intra-year max drawdown around 14%, with many big drops occurring even when the index closes higher. The piece argues that volatility is normal and necessary for a longer-term bull thesis. Long-horizon investors should expect bouts of volatility and keep their seat belts fastened. Feedback welcome.
  • ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (NYSE:ZIM) Valuation Under Debate After Weakness Shapes Outlook
    October 12, 2025, 8:46 AM EDT. ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (NYSE:ZIM) has drawn renewed investor attention after a sharp stock slide driven by softer quarterly results and persistent global headwinds. Over the past year, ZIM's stock tumbled and 1-year total return slipped, with 2024 momentum clouded by macro headwinds and tariff expectations. The debate now centers on whether the valuation already prices in downside risks or embeds untapped upside catalysts, such as a broader market turnaround or strategic moves like fleet expansion and new trade lanes. Analysts point to a fair value near the mid-teens, while a bull case via a detailed DCF suggests meaningfully higher upside. Investors should weigh volatility, regulatory risk, sensitivity to Transpacific volumes, and potential takeover chatter as they assess future earnings trajectory.
  • Is the stock market open on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day? Schedule details
    October 12, 2025, 8:29 AM EDT. On Oct. 13, Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, US stock markets will be open as a regular business day, with no closure for these holidays. The U.S. bond market will be closed, per SIFMA. Columbus Day has long been a federal holiday (since 1892), while Indigenous Peoples' Day was proclaimed in 2021 and is not federally observed, though some cities and states mark it. Wall Street is expected to run normally through late November; the next market closure is Thanksgiving (Nov. 27). Other major closures listed include Christmas (Dec. 25).
  • Do You Qualify for Spousal Social Security Benefits? Key Rules and Numbers
    October 12, 2025, 8:28 AM EDT. Spousal benefits can add inflation-protected retirement income for married couples. The Social Security Administration (SSA) notes nearly 2 million people receive a spousal benefit, which can be as much as 50% of the higher earner’s full retirement benefit and averages about $950/month. Eligibility rests on four areas: age (must be at least 62, with an exception if you’re caring for a qualifying child), your own benefit, filing requirements, and marriage requirements. Benefits reduce if claimed before full retirement age (FRA), and there’s no inflation boost for delaying. You’ll receive the higher of your own benefit or the spousal benefit; the SSA won’t pay both in full. Example: if your own is $800/month and your spouse’s is $2,500/month, the spousal benefit could be about $1,250/month at FRA.
  • How Much to Invest Each Year to Reach $1.26 Million by Retirement
    October 12, 2025, 8:27 AM EDT. Americans now target about $1.26 million to retire comfortably. Your annual investment depends on your time horizon and the portfolio’s average annual return. A simple table shows required yearly contributions across four growth scenarios (9%, 10%, 11%, 12%) for ages with 25–40 years left to retirement. For example, with 25 years left, you’d need roughly $13,648 at 9% or $8,437 at 12%; with 40 years left, the figures fall to about $3,421 (9%) or $1,467 (12%). If the target feels high, you can delay retirement or rely on other income in early years. To pursue above-average returns, consider a growth-oriented ETF strategy—e.g., tracking the S&P 500 or a top growth fund like Invesco QQQ Trust.
Go toTop