Australian Vanadium Eyes New Fast-Charge Battery Demand Through Tyfast Testing Deal
Key Takeaways
- Australian Vanadium has signed a non-binding, non-exclusive 18-month MOU with US-based Tyfast Energy to evaluate its vanadium oxide for Tyfast's lithium vanadium oxide (LVO) battery anodes.
- No minimum supply volume, price or purchase commitment has been agreed, so the MOU is an evaluation framework rather than revenue.
- Tyfast reports charging to more than 80% in under six minutes and a cycle life above 10,000 cycles, though these figures are unverified by AVL and partly from small test cells.
- The work program runs from sample lots through bench and pilot testing to possible demonstration projects and offtake talks, with no dates disclosed.
- The deal complements AVL's vanadium flow battery strategy via VSUN Energy and supports considering higher-purity products in the Optimised Feasibility Study, though no project change has been decided.
Australian Vanadium signs MOU with Tyfast to evaluate vanadium for heavy-duty batteries
Australian Vanadium (ASX: AVL) has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with US-based Tyfast Energy Corp. to evaluate and qualify its planned Australian vanadium oxide products for Tyfast’s lithium vanadium oxide (LVO) anode technology. The announcement was dated 8 October 2026, and the MOU also provides a framework to explore potential future supply and offtake arrangements.
No deal has been agreed. What the MOU does is open a possible new demand channel for vanadium in heavy-duty lithium-ion batteries, alongside steel and vanadium flow batteries (VFBs).
Graham Arvidson, Chief Executive Officer, AVL
“…We see strategic alignment between Australian critical minerals, Tyfast’s US-developed battery technology and the increasing focus on secure and resilient supply chains across Australia, the United States and other markets seeking supply chain diversification.”
Arvidson also described vanadium as “an exceptionally versatile critical mineral”, and said the collaboration gives AVL an opportunity to evaluate participation in advanced battery technologies in addition to its established VFB market.
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What the MOU covers and what it does not
The MOU is an evaluation framework. It sets out how the two companies will test whether AVL’s planned vanadium products suit Tyfast’s battery chemistry.
Staged pathway to potential offtake
The parties intend to define target product forms and specifications, including vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) or other mutually agreed oxide or intermediate forms. The work program includes:
- Exchange of technical information on vanadium oxide chemistry, impurity profiles, processing routes and material optimisation
- Supply and evaluation of sample lots, followed by bench-scale and pilot-scale qualification testing
- Definition of target specifications, quantities, product forms and ramp-up requirements
- Assessment of demonstration projects, mine-site pilots, fleet trials and OEM partnerships in Australia and other agreed markets
- Evaluation of Australian, United States and allied government funding opportunities supporting critical minerals, battery manufacturing, defence technologies and heavy-duty electrification
Subject to successful technical qualification and commercial evaluation, the parties may progress to demonstration projects, pre-commercial supply and negotiations for commercial supply or offtake arrangements.
Key terms
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | 18 months |
| Exclusivity | Non-exclusive |
| Binding status | Principally non-binding; does not oblige either party to purchase, sell or supply product or enter into any transaction |
| Commercial terms | No minimum supply volume, price, purchase commitment or other financial consideration agreed |
| Future arrangements | Subject to successful technical and commercial evaluation and definitive agreements |
For investors, the message is simple. This is an evaluation framework, not revenue, and any future supply would depend on testing outcomes and separate agreements.
Why vanadium in fast-charging lithium-ion batteries matters
What is an LVO anode?
The anode is the part of a battery that stores lithium during charging. Tyfast’s proprietary lithium vanadium oxide (Li₃V₂O₅) anode is being developed to address the traditional trade-offs between fast charging, energy density and battery life.
AVL’s stated strategy is a diversified customer base across steel, specialty products, VFBs and now prospective lithium-ion applications. That matters because it spreads demand across more than one end market.
Tyfast’s reported performance
All figures below are reported by Tyfast and are not verified by AVL. Tyfast has reported that its latest high-energy LVO technology has demonstrated, in 3 Ah pouch cells:
- Charging to more than 80% state of charge in under six minutes at room temperature, and under 11 minutes at -20°C
- Core energy density of approximately 200–250 Wh/kg and 500–650 Wh/L
Tyfast has also reported that its broader LVO development program has demonstrated, in smaller-format test cells:
- Continuous charge and discharge rates exceeding 10C
- Operation across -40°C to +70°C
- Cycle life exceeding 10,000 cycles
The target applications are mining, trucking, construction and defence, where charging downtime can directly affect equipment utilisation and productivity.
Defence and funding angle
Tyfast reports that its LVO technology is being developed across several US defence applications:
- US Army ground vehicles
- US Army aviation
- US Air Force directed-energy systems
- Defense Logistics Agency
- US Navy expeditionary energy
Founded in 2021 in San Diego, California, Tyfast holds four granted patents and has received development support and R&D contracts from US defence and government agencies. Under the MOU, the parties will also evaluate Australian, United States and allied government funding opportunities.
AVL is not described as part of any defence program. The announcement says Tyfast’s existing defence engagement provides a potential pathway for AVL to participate.
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Strategic fit for the Australian Vanadium Project
The MOU complements, rather than replaces, AVL’s VFB strategy. AVL will continue to advance vanadium electrolyte manufacturing and VFB project development through VSUN Energy.
Arvidson linked the opportunity to the Optimised Feasibility Study, saying emerging opportunities “reinforce the rationale for considering the potential production of higher-purity vanadium products as part of the Optimised Feasibility Study.” No change to the project has been decided.
GJ la O’ PhD, Chief Executive Officer and Cofounder, Tyfast
“…Working with AVL gives us a pathway to evaluate Australian vanadium as we move our LVO technology toward larger-scale validation, pilot programs and commercial applications.”
The Australian Vanadium Project at Gabanintha hosts a Mineral Resource of 395.4Mt at 0.77% V₂O₅, including a high-grade zone of 173.2Mt at 1.09% V₂O₅ (JORC Code 2012).
As a next step, AVL and Tyfast intend to establish a work plan covering sample delivery, testing and acceptance criteria, data sharing and requirements for subsequent stages. No dates were disclosed.
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