Panasonic Energy has signed an agreement with Zoox, the Amazon-owned autonomous ride-hailing company, to supply cylindrical lithium-ion batteries to power Zoox’s robotaxi fleet.

Under the multi-year-agreement, Panasonic Energy will deliver its latest 2170 batteries beginning in early 2026. At first, Panasonic will supply Zoox’s cells from Japan, but plans to expand production to Panasonics Kansas factory “in the near future.”

Zoox has created a purpose-built robotaxi, and recently opened a serial production facility in Hayward, California. The company has also launched its robotaxi ride-hailing service in Las Vegas.

Panasonic Energy says its 2170 cells offer superior energy density, safety and reliability. The company is no newcomer to the EV industry. As of September 2025, Panasonic Energy says it had supplied some 20 billion lithium-ion EV batteries globally, enough to power 4 million EVs, without any vehicle recalls due to battery-related issues.

“This represents a pivotal step for Panasonic Energy with the opportunity to contribute towards the next generation of mobility innovation,” said Kazuo Tadanobu, CEO of Panasonic Energy. “Zoox is reshaping urban transportation and Panasonic Energy is helping power these robotaxis.”  

“Panasonic Energy’s commitment to innovation and quality aligns well with our mission to create a safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable way for people to get around cities,” says Bruce Baumgartner, Vice President, Supply Chain, Quality & Reliability at Zoox.

Source: Panasonic Energy