OSAKA, Japan - Panasonic Energy, a Panasonic Group Company, has signed an agreement with Zoox, the Amazon-owned autonomous ride-hailing company, to supply cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells to power its robotaxi fleet deployments. Under the multi-year agreement, Panasonic Energy will deliver its latest 2170 battery cells beginning in early 2026 to support Zoox's growing robotaxi service and operations.
Zoox created a purpose-built robotaxi and recently opened its first robotaxi serial production facility in Hayward, CA, to produce these vehicles at scale. The company also launched its robotaxi ride-hailing service in Las Vegas, making them the first company in history to provide a fully driverless ride-hailing service in a purpose-built robotaxi.
Panasonic Energy's 2170 cells offer superior energy density, safety and reliability, according to the company.
As of September 2025, Panasonic Energy had supplied approximately 20 billion lithium-ion EV battery cells globally, equivalent to powering 4 million EVs, without any vehicle recalls due to battery-attributed issues.
Supply of these advanced cells will start from Japan and is planned to expand to Panasonic Energy's Kansas factory in the near future.
Kazuo Tadanobu, CEO of Panasonic Energy, said, "Zoox is truly unique. This represents a pivotal step for Panasonic Energy with the opportunity to contribute towards the next generation of mobility innovation. Zoox is reshaping urban transportation and Panasonic Energy is helping power these robotaxis for a safer, more sustainable, and connected future."
