Nov. 7, 2025 | The week’s top stories and NextStar CEO Danies Lee on a sudden change of battery plans
About this episode
A conversation with Nexstar Energy CEO Danny Lee reveals significant updates on the new EV battery plant in Windsor, Ontario, co-owned by Stellantis and LG Energy Solution. Lee discusses the plant's shift to producing energy storage systems due to a slowdown in EV demand, while confirming that the facility will still be capable of manufacturing batteries for various vehicle types, including hybrids. The episode also covers recent Canadian automotive news, including a federal budget that lacks support for the EV sector and a major dealership merger in Ontario.
Federal budget breakdown; OpenRoad buys into NewRoads; October sales. Plus, NextStar CEO Danies Lee talks about why the Stellantis-LG Energy Solution joint venture is now making energy storage systems instead of EV batteries in Windsor, Ont.
EV battery plant
"at the joint venture EV battery plant"
A factory that makes the batteries used in electric cars, which power them instead of gasoline.
An industrial facility that manufactures batteries for electric vehicles, often involving large-scale production and specialized technology.
LG Energy Solution
"co-owned by Stellantis and LG Energy Solution"
A company that makes the batteries used in electric cars and for storing energy.
A South Korean company specializing in battery technology, producing lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage.
joint venture
"co-owned by Stellantis and LG Energy Solution"
When two companies team up to run a business together, sharing costs and profits.
A business arrangement where two or more parties share ownership, risks, and profits of a new entity.
Stellantis
"co-owned by Stellantis and LG Energy Solution"
A big company that owns many car brands like Jeep and Peugeot.
An automotive conglomerate formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group, owning brands like Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, Citroën, and more.
luxury tax
"Ottawa will roll back Canada's luxury tax on planes and boats, but maintain the levy on vehicles worth more than $100,000."
A special tax that people pay when they buy very expensive cars or boats. It’s meant to make the government raise money from those who can afford it.
A government-imposed tax on high‑value items, in this case applied to vehicles over a certain price threshold.
New Roads Automotive Group
"Open Road Auto of British Columbia has acquired a majority stake in Ontario's New Roads Automotive Group."
Another company that sells cars in Canada. It owns several dealerships and now is partly owned by Open Road Auto.
A Canadian automotive dealership network based in Ontario, operating multiple franchise locations.
Open Road Auto of British Columbia
"Open Road Auto of British Columbia has acquired a majority stake in Ontario's New Roads Automotive Group."
A company that owns several car dealerships in Canada. They sell cars to people who want a new or used vehicle.
A dealership group based in British Columbia that sells new and used cars through multiple franchise locations.
auto retail market
"The merger will triple Open Road's footprint in Canada's largest auto retail market and expand its portfolio to 37 franchise locations."
The part of the car business where people buy cars from stores or dealers, not from factories.
The segment of the automotive industry that involves selling cars directly to consumers through dealerships.
electric vehicles
"as many Quebecers rushed to get electric vehicles before the province reduced EV incentives there."
Electric cars run on electricity from batteries instead of gas, so they don’t need a gas tank or an engine that burns fuel.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are cars powered by electric motors using energy stored in batteries, eliminating the need for gasoline.
EV incentives
"before the province reduced EV incentives there."
Governments sometimes give money back or lower taxes to people who buy electric cars, hoping more people will choose them.
EV incentives are government subsidies, tax credits, or rebates designed to encourage people to buy electric vehicles.
auto sector
"Derosier managing partner, Andrew King, says the auto sector continues to waver as the trade situation shows no sign of being resolved."
The auto sector is the big group of companies that make, sell, and service cars.
The auto sector refers to the entire automotive industry, including manufacturing, sales, and related services.
Auto Forecast Solutions
"Still, in its latest monthly report, U.S.-based Auto Forecast Solutions"
Auto Forecast Solutions is a company that studies car sales and trends to help others understand the market.
Auto Forecast Solutions is a U.S.-based firm that provides market research and forecasting for the automotive industry.
batteries
"Where will these batteries head? Which vehicles will this plant supply when it comes to electric vehicle batteries?"
Batteries are like big rechargeable batteries that keep electric cars running. They store electricity and give it to the car’s motor when you drive.
Batteries are the energy storage units that power electric vehicles, converting stored chemical energy into electrical energy to drive the motors.
battery cell production
"we are going to start with a battery cell production for what is called energy storage system application."
Making a battery cell means creating the tiny units that store electricity; many of these cells are put together to power an electric car.
Battery cell production refers to the manufacturing of individual cells that make up a battery pack, which are then assembled into larger packs for use in electric vehicles.
energy storage system application
"we are going to start with a battery cell production for what is called energy storage system application."
An ESS is like a big rechargeable battery that can save power when it’s cheap or plentiful and then give it back when needed, such as in cars or for the power grid.
An energy storage system (ESS) application involves using batteries or other storage technologies to store electrical energy for later use, often in electric vehicles or grid services.
EV
"So initially we planned to start with a battery for the EV, but everyone knows that currently the market for the EV is going through what is called a cat's limb."
An EV is a car that runs on electricity stored in batteries, so it doesn’t use gasoline or diesel.
EV stands for Electric Vehicle, a car powered primarily by electric motors and rechargeable batteries instead of internal combustion engines.
battery types
"[738.3s] to build a variety of battery types?"
Cars that use electricity need batteries; there are different kinds of batteries, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Battery types refer to the different chemistries and designs used in electric or hybrid vehicle power packs, such as lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride, or solid-state batteries.
hybrid vehicles
"[743.8s] for hybrid vehicles in Windsor?"
A hybrid car uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor to move, which helps it use less gas and produce fewer pollutants.
Hybrid vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors and a battery pack to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
plug-in hybrid
"There are different types of EV, like a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, as well as battery electric vehicle."
A plug-in hybrid is a car that can be plugged in to charge its battery and drive on electricity for short trips.
A plug-in hybrid can be charged from an external source and has a larger battery, allowing it to drive longer distances on electric power alone.
battery electric vehicle
"There are different types of EV, like a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, as well as battery electric vehicle."
A battery electric vehicle is a car that only uses batteries for power, no gas tank.
A battery electric vehicle (BEV) runs solely on electricity stored in batteries, with no gasoline engine.
nickel manganese cobalt cells
"I know the plant had planned on building nickel manganese cobalt cells for electric vehicles. And now I believe this is the LFP version for energy storage systems, is that correct?"
This type of battery uses three metals—nickel, manganese, and cobalt—to store electricity. It’s common in many electric cars because it can hold a lot of charge, but it’s more expensive and relies on mined metals.
These are lithium-ion battery cells that use a combination of nickel, manganese, and cobalt oxides as the cathode material, offering high energy density but higher cost and resource concerns.
LFP version
"And now I believe this is the LFP version for energy storage systems, is that correct?"
LFP batteries use iron instead of nickel or cobalt, so they’re cheaper and safer. They don’t last as long on a single charge as some other types, but they’re popular for stationary storage and some cars.
LFP stands for lithium iron phosphate, a battery chemistry that uses iron and phosphate instead of nickel or cobalt, offering lower cost, better safety, and longer cycle life.
energy storage systems
"And now I believe this is the LFP version for energy storage systems, is that correct?"
An energy storage system is basically a big battery that can hold electricity and release it when needed, like in electric cars or to help power the grid during peak times.
Energy storage systems (ESS) are setups that store electrical energy for later use, such as batteries in electric vehicles or stationary storage for grid balancing.
EV market
"to sort of change with the EV market if in the future electric vehicles"
The EV market is the part of the car business that deals with cars powered by electricity instead of gasoline.
The EV market refers to the industry and consumer segment focused on electric vehicles, including sales, manufacturing, infrastructure, and regulatory trends.
LFP battery
"Obviously, there's pros and cons of the LFP battery for the purpose of EV."
An LFP battery is a kind of rechargeable battery that uses iron and phosphate. It’s cheaper and safer than some other batteries, but it can’t store as much energy in the same space.
LFP stands for lithium iron phosphate, a type of battery chemistry used in electric vehicles that offers lower cost and improved safety compared to lithium‑ion batteries, but with slightly less energy density.
kilowatt per kilogram
"a kilowatt per kilogram, the weight of this LFP is almost twice"
It tells you how powerful a battery is for its weight—higher numbers mean more power without adding much weight.
Kilowatt per kilogram (kW/kg) is a measure of power density, indicating how much electrical power can be delivered per unit weight of a battery or vehicle.
NCM
"[870.9s] as heavy as NCM technology. [876.2s] So for the EV purpose,"
NCM is a kind of battery that uses nickel, cobalt, and manganese. It can store a lot of power and stays safe at high temperatures, but it costs more than some other batteries.
NCM stands for Nickel Cobalt Manganese, a type of lithium-ion battery chemistry used in electric vehicles. It offers high energy density and good thermal stability, but can be more expensive than other chemistries.
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