Battery technology pioneer Britishvolt has announced it is developing larger format batteries aimed at top range sports range, as part of the UK’s move to net zero.
The company is now on site at the former coalyards of the old Blyth Power Station in Northumberland, building the electric vehicles battery plant in a £3.8bn project set to create 3,000 jobs.
As well as creating electric batteries for mainstream markets, the firm said it now has plan for the creation of larger format, 46900, high-performance lithium-ion cell technologies.
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The programme of works will involve EAS, its German electric battery innovator which it acquired last month in a £30m deal, before transferring work to its Hams Hall scale-up facilities in the Midlands for prototypes and production.
The larger cell format is seen as a more cost-effective and efficient way to deliver the combined energy and power needed for some vehicles, and the cells will be initially aimed at the high end sports car market, before filtering down to mainstream markets.
So far Britishvolt has cell chemistry development and optimisation pathways under way, alongside cell mechanical design engineering, which builds upon the expertise at EAS in Germany.
The moves comes after Britishvolt signed memorandums of understanding with both Lotus Cars and Aston Martin. The work with Lotus Cars will see Britishvolt and the Norfolk-based carmaker develop an electric sports car powered by Britishvolt cells and with advanced electric propulsion technologies developed by Lotus Cars.
Britishvolt’s collaboration with Aston Martin, the ultra-luxury carmaker, further supports its plans to launch its first battery electric vehicle in 2025.
Orral Nadjari, founder and CEO of Britishvolt, said: “Britishvolt understands the importance of larger format cells, which is why our recent acquisition of EAS, of which the importance needs to be fully grasped by the market, and our scale-up facility in the Midlands will help us deliver 4690 cells that our customers require. Critically, we will be able to build these game-changing cells a in truly sustainable, low carbon way.
“We start with digital twin/simulation modelling with our partner, Imperial College, exactly the same way we did with our 21700 cell development, and then move on to physical prototyping. This improves efficiency, reduces waste, lowers costs and makes us leaner and more agile. We can also tailor the length of the cell to suit specific applications. This is a unique Britishvolt proposition that will also help anchor the UK as a global battery leader and home to leading battery innovation. We are helping reindustrialise the UK.”
Graham Hoare, deputy CEO and global president of operations at Britishvolt, added: “It’s great to be announcing the development roadmap of our 4690 battery technology. Britishvolt will be a leader in the most important race facing humanity and our planet – the race to net zero.
"We will be a positive force not just for our customers in helping them to achieve their decarbonisation goals, but also to those in the communities where we and our suppliers operate, ensuring that they too have a brighter future. The time has come to transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable, low carbon electricity. The world deserves a clean air future for all. This is our mission at Britishvolt.”
