COPENHAGEN, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Northvolt's CEO Peter

Carlsson is stepping down, the Swedish maker of battery cells

for electric vehicles said on Friday, one day after the group

filed for U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

"The Chapter 11 filing allows a period during which the

company can be reorganised, ramp up operations while honouring

customer and supplier commitments, and ultimately position

itself for the long-term," the outgoing CEO said in a statement.

Northvolt on Thursday

filed

for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States,

dealing a blow to Europe's hopes that its most developed battery

player would reduce Western car makers' reliance on Chinese

rivals.

The lithium-ion battery maker on Thursday said it only

had cash to support operations for about a week and that it had

secured $100 million in new financing for the bankruptcy

process, allowing operations to continue.

Northvolt, which employs around 6,600 staff across seven

countries, in its Chapter 11 filing said it expects to complete

the restructuring by the first quarter of 2025.

Carlsson will take on a role as senior adviser and

remain a member of the board, the company said, adding that the

search for a new CEO has started.