Who is Envision AESC?

Origins and Ownership

Envision AESC (Automotive Energy Supply Corporation) is a global battery manufacturer focused on powering electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems.

• Founded in 2007 in Japan as a joint venture between Nissan, NEC Corporation, and NEC Tokin.
• In 2018, China’s Envision Group acquired a majority stake. Nissan retained a minority share.
• Since then, the company has operated as Envision AESC, expanding into one of the world’s fastest-growing battery producers.

Products and Technology

Envision AESC designs lithium-ion battery cells and packs for both cars and stationary energy storage.

• Chemistries: The company produces both NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) and LFP (lithium iron phosphate) cells, depending on the application.
• EV Batteries: Its Gen5 platform (based on NCM 811 chemistry) targets higher energy densities, approaching ~300 Wh/kg in development.
• Energy Storage: In 2025, Envision AESC announced 315 Ah and 530 Ah large-format cells, designed for long cycle life (~12,000 cycles) and high efficiency (>95%). Mass production is targeted for 2025.
• Safety: The company highlights passing over 200 global safety tests, including a CSA-supervised 49-hour fire safety trial. It also claims a record of “zero major safety incidents” in its ESS products.

AESC: 530Ah Battery Cell

Envision AESC has unveiled a 530Ah energy storage cell delivering over 1.6kWh per unit. With 12,000-cycle longevity and 95% energy efficiency, it’s fully compatible with mainstream ESS solutions. Mass production and deliveries are set to begin in 2025.

Global Footprint and Capacity

Envision AESC is aggressively scaling with gigafactories worldwide:

• Japan: Original facilities supplying early Nissan Leaf batteries.
• UK (Sunderland): Expanding capacity to support Nissan’s EV hub.
• France (Douai): A ~9 GWh plant near Renault’s ElectriCity, backed by EU funding.
• Spain (Navalmoral de la Mata): €1.1 billion LFP factory, with production targeted for 2026.
• China (Cangzhou, Hebei): “Zero-Carbon Intelligent Industrial Park,” with 10 GWh in production and another 10 GWh under construction.
• USA: Plants announced in Tennessee and South Carolina; however, the Florence, SC site was paused in June 2025 due to policy and tariff uncertainty.

Past company roadmaps projected hundreds of GWh of global capacity by 2030, but actual targets depend on market conditions and government policy.

Partnerships and Customers

Envision AESC supplies some of the world’s biggest automakers and energy companies:

• Nissan: Longstanding partner for Leaf and future EV platforms.
• Renault: Supply through the Douai factory in France.
• BMW: Planned supply for Spartanburg, USA production.
• Energy storage integrators: Recent announcements of over 40 GWh of ESS cell supply contracts in China.

Challenges and Risks

Despite its growth, Envision AESC faces several challenges:

• Policy Risks: Trade disputes and changing subsidy rules (especially in the U.S.) can stall investments.
• Intense Competition: Rivals such as CATL, BYD, and LG Energy Solution currently dominate global market share.
• Technology Race: Sodium-ion and solid-state batteries are emerging as future competitors.

Future Outlook

Looking forward, Envision AESC is focused on:

• Expanding global capacity to the hundreds of GWh scale by 2030.
• Delivering EV batteries with longer ranges (targets >1,000 km per charge).
• Scaling grid-scale storage cells for renewable energy and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) projects.
• Achieving zero-carbon manufacturing across multiple new gigafactories.

Key Takeaways

• Envision AESC is a Chinese-owned, globally active battery maker with Japanese roots.
• It is not affiliated with Cornex (a separate Chinese company).
• The company is rapidly scaling with gigafactories across Europe, Asia, and North America.
• While facing risks from policy and competition, Envision AESC is positioning itself as a key global player in the EV and ESS battery market.

Official Website – https://www.aesc-group.com/