Do you need a lithium battery tester? Swedish battery maker Northvolt is auctioning off the equipment from its subsidiary Cuberg’s San Leandro facility. Left behind are former employees, a CEO who las
Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt is set to auction off the assets of its U.S. subsidiary, Cuberg, following its recent shutdown in San Leandro. The first auction is scheduled for September 24-26, followed by the second October 2-3, and the third October 8-10.
Cuberg, once seen as a pioneer in next-generation battery technology, was acquired by Northvolt in 2021. However, a series of setbacks—for both Northvolt and its subsidiary—culminated in the decision to close Cuberg’s operations in California.
Shauna McIntyre, who replaced co-founder Richard Wang after his departure in February, managed the company through its final months.
Laurent Therrien, Northvolt North America's Director of Communications, stated when Cuberg’s closure was announced in late August that the company’s unique lithium battery development, primarily aimed at the aviation industry, would continue at Northvolt’s Swedish facilities.
“We have already secured a number of key R&D personnel,” Therrien wrote in a text message.
However, he expressed uncertainty about how many of the remaining 200 engineers with specialized expertise would follow the move.
"We’ve distributed lists where employees can express their interest, but I can't comment yet on how many will relocate or seek other opportunities within Northvolt."
According to an article in The Information this week, nearly all 200 of Cuberg’s employees are now expected to leave the company.
Meanwhile, Northvolt is facing broader challenges in Sweden. The company recently suspended cathode active material production at its Skellefteå factory and has abandoned plans for further expansion due to production delays and canceling a major contract with BMW. Northvolt is now cutting costs and negotiating potential layoffs with unions.
Founded in 2016 by Swedish entrepreneurs Peter Carlsson, a former executive at Tesla in Palo Alto, and Paolo Cerruti, Northvolt was established with the vision of creating a sustainable European battery industry. Carlsson and Cerruti aimed to develop lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage, positioning Northvolt as a key player in Europe’s transition to clean energy. The company quickly gained attention for its ambitious plans to build large-scale gigafactories and secure major contracts with automakers.
In 2021, Northvolt acquired Cuberg, hoping to integrate its next-generation lithium-metal battery technology into its broader strategy for the electric vehicle market.
The San Leandro auction marks the final chapter in Cuberg’s short but eventful journey in the battery tech world. Cuberg was founded by Richard Wang in 2015 with a focus on developing next-generation lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles and aviation.
When the decision to close Cuberg became official, Richard Wang expressed his sorrow on LinkedIn, praising the highly skilled employees who had contributed to the company’s work.
