Abstract: Embodiments are directed to contact plates configured to establish electrical bonds between battery cells in a battery module. In a first embodiment, the contact plate includes at least one primary conductive layer including a hole that is aligned with two or more terminals of two or more battery cells in a group of battery cells that are configured to be connected in parallel with each other, and a bonding connector configured to provide direct electrical bonds between the contact plate and the two or more terminals of the two or more battery cells. In a second embodiment, a contact plate includes at least one primary conductive layer and a set of bonding connectors made from at least one material that is selected to match at least one material used for the terminals of the at least one group of battery cells.