QuantumScape begins shipping Cobra-based B1 samples – its most advanced solid state battery to date

Solid-state battery developer QuantumScape announced it hit another key goal for 2025, beginning shipments of its B1 sample cells featuring separators produced using its proprietary Cobra process. The B1 battery samples are QuantumScape’s most advanced to date, moving the company a step closer to EV integration.

We are now in Q4 2025, which means we have been due for a progress update from solid-state battery specialist QuantumScape ($QS). Our last few updates from the company, while still interesting, haven’t pertained much to solid-state battery production or samples of its QSE-5 cells. This design could eventually reach scaled output for commercial use in actual EVs.

As you may recall, QuantumScape’s cell development was centered around unique separator production techniques. First was Raptor, which helped birth the low-volume production of QuantumScape’s B Sample battery cells as it worked to implement the necessary equipment for its next phase – Cobra.

In late 2024, QuantumScape announced that it had completed the development and installation of Cobra and was ready to begin initial separator processing for solid-state battery cells. By June of this year, Cobra will have been fully integrated into QuantumScape’s baseline production processes, reducing the time by a factor of ten while enabling the technology to be manufactured at a gigawatt-hour scale.

Now, four months later, QuantumScape is finally shipping out those B1 battery samples produced on the Cobra line out to OEMs for further testing.

QuantumScape ships Cobra-based battery samples

While QuantumScape confirmed the start of shipments of its Cobra-based B1 sample battery cells this week, it revealed that the milestone actually took place in Q3 2025. This was a key goal for the solid-state battery developer for 2025.

Per QuantumScape, these Cobra-based QSE-5 samples are being tested in the company’s first vehicle program with VW Group, as well as in the Ducati V21L motorcycle we reported on in September. QuantumScape’s chief operating officer, Dr. Luca Fasoli, spoke about the latest milestone:

We are proud to announce the start of deliveries of these QSE-5 samples. We are working together with our partners to bring our groundbreaking solid-state lithium-metal battery technology to market as quickly as possible. This announcement is another critical step toward achieving our goal of revolutionizing energy storage.

The shipment of solid-state battery cells produced using Cobra is the next step toward bringing QuantumScape’s technology to scale and achieving bona fide automotive integration. Beyond that, the company announced that it is also installing a highly automated cell production pilot line, it’s calling “the Eagle Line,” at its San Jose headquarters.

We expect a full Q3 2025 report from QuantumScape soon, which will certainly recap the Cobra-based battery milestone outlined above alongside a clearer look at the company’s financials. Spoiler alert: it should still have plenty of runway to keep going.