Panasonic Energy has announced a multi-year agreement to supply its 2170 cylindrical lithium-ion batteries to Zoox, the Amazon-owned autonomous ride-hailing company. Beginning in early 2026, these batteries will power Zoox’s growing fleet of purpose-built robotaxis, which recently entered serial production at the company’s new facility in Hayward, California. Zoox also launched a fully driverless ride-hailing service in Las Vegas, marking a key milestone in its commercial rollout.
Panasonic Energy’s 2170 cells provide the energy density, reliability, and safety needed for Zoox’s high-performance autonomous vehicles. The company has produced approximately 20 billion EV battery cells globally without any recall linked to its batteries, underscoring the stability of the technology. Initial supply will come from Japan, with plans to expand production to Panasonic’s factory in Kansas.
The robotaxi market in the United States, valued at around USD 0.45 billion in 2024, is projected to grow rapidly, driven by urban policy support and rising demand in cities such as Phoenix, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. Globally, the sector may exceed USD 40–50 billion by 2030. Panasonic Energy aims to expand its presence in this market and support the growth of next-generation mobility solutions.
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