The shift arrives as U.S. demand for electric vehicles stalls following the expiration of federal tax credits, leaving automakers with excess capacity and shifting priorities. Honda’s decision to pivot follows a $15.7 billion write-down last fiscal year, a move necessitated by both domestic market uncertainty and a weakening competitive position in China. Rather than dissolving its partnership with LG Energy, the company is following a path blazed by Tesla, Ford, and GM, treating battery production as a standalone revenue stream.
In section Startups & Technology
Honda pivots battery production from driveways to data centers
Three months after canceling its primary U.S. electric vehicle programs, Honda has launched production of batteries specifically for energy storage systems. By diverting cells originally intended for the Ohio joint venture with LG Energy Solution toward infrastructure projects, the automaker is recalibrating its strategy to capture a rapidly expanding stationary storage market.
Stationary storage is currently experiencing a 32% year-over-year growth rate, with 9.7 gigawatt-hours installed in the first quarter of this year alone. Analysts from SEIA and Benchmark Minerals project this sector will nearly triple by the end of the decade, reaching 110 gigawatt-hours annually. Beyond the sheer volume, the economics are increasingly attractive; Tesla has reported gross margins on its Megapack and Powerwall units reaching 30%, significantly outpacing the profitability of its vehicle sales. As battery costs continue to decline, these systems are becoming vital components for grid stabilization and the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources.
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