Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC) is a manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. It was established in 2007 as a joint venture between Nissan and Tokin Corporation. China's Envision became a joint venture partner in 2018.
History
In 2007, NEC Corporation, Nissan Motor Company, and NEC Tokin agreed to establish a lithium-ion battery company for electric vehicles, focused on development to production.[1] In 2008, the company was established with a capital of ¥1.5 billion ($14.3 million) with a Nissan, NEC, and NEC TOKIN holding shares of 51:42:7 respectively. The aim was to establish a manufacturing facility at Nissan's site in Zama, Kanagawa (c.2009) with an initial capacity of 13,000 units per year. The eventual annual goal was 65,000 units through an investment of ¥12 billion ($114.6 million). The plant was to be supplied with lithium manganese electrode from NEC TOKIN's factory in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, which would be upgraded at a cost of ¥11 billion ($128 million). The intended markets were forklift trucks, which would be followed by electric and hybrid vehicles manufactured by Nissan.