Northvolt says it has paid tax bill due Monday
STOCKHOLM, Oct 14 (Reuters) – Swedish battery maker Northvolt said on Monday it had paid a monthly tax bill for October, in line with a company statement last week, as doubts had emerged in media on whether the cash-strapped group would be able to do so.
Northvolt in recent months has gone from being Europe’s best shot at developing electric-vehicle battery independence from China to racing to raise money, reining in expansion plans and cutting jobs due to production problems and slowing demand.
The Swedish Tax Authority said last week Northvolt was due to pay 287 million Swedish crowns ($27.61 million), and the company on Oct. 10 said it would pay on time.
The deadline had been closely watched after media speculation in recent weeks about whether the company would be able to pay the bill.
A Northvolt spokesperson said on Monday, without elaborating.
We have paid taxes, as we said we would,
Sources on Friday told Reuters Northvolt was in talks with investors and lenders to secure around 200 million euros ($219 million) in short-term funding and that it had received oral commitments for 150 million euros so far.
The company earlier this year sought to raise as much as 1.5 billion euros, according to Swedish media.
Northvolt reiterated on Friday it had made significant progress in recent weeks in its effort to raise cash.
On Thursday, sources told Reuters that Northvolt is trying to sell its stockpile of battery-making materials as part of efforts to shore up its finances.
($1 = 10.3944 Swedish crowns)
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Northvolt says it has paid tax bill due Monday, source