The PowerDrive Line project being led by
Southampton-based company Ilika is focusing on sold
state battery cell development, in particular how to
manufacture at scale in the UK and how to build in
ultra-fast charging technology of less than 25 minutes
for a vehicle as is seen in some current battery
systems.
In total £22 million
grants are being rewarded to consortia across
the UK as part of the latest round of funding through
the Faraday Battery Challenge, part of the
government’s Industrial
Strategy Challenge Fund.
The funding is key to realising the government’s
ambitions for innovative energy solutions as set out in
our modern Industrial Strategy. The Faraday Battery
Challenge brings together world-leading research and
business to accelerate the research needed to develop
battery technologies.
Other major R&D projects funded include:
- a revolutionary approach to battery management led
by Williams Advanced Engineering
- a McLaren Automotive led consortium project that
aims to accelerate the development of electrified
powertrains
- a revolutionary battery recycling project that will
develop the first UK industrial scale capability to
reclaim and reuse battery essential metals. This
project is being led by Cheshire-based ICoNiChem and
involves Jaguar Land Rover
- an Aston Martin Lagonda project into the
development of better performance battery packs.
Business and Energy Secretary said:
Innovative battery technology is changing the way we
live, travel and work and the Government is committed
to putting Britain at the heart of this energy
revolution.
Today’s £22 million investment in world-leading
R&D projects is an example of our modern
Industrial Strategy in action and will help
pioneering companies realise the economic benefits
the global transition to a low carbon economy offers.
UK Research and Innovation chief executive Professor
Sir Mark Walport said:
Effective, efficient and sustainable transport is key
to addressing so many of today’s challenges from
industrial growth to social inclusion. Through
advanced battery technology, we will unlock a new
generation of electric vehicles, further improving
vehicle performance and uptake, opening doors to
innovative new transport ideas and significantly
reducing environmental impacts. Today’s investment
shows we are catalysing collaboration between
research teams and commercial partners across the UK
to make this a reality.
Battery Challenge Director Tony Harper said:
This latest round of cutting-edge research and
development projects illustrate the quality of
innovations coming from our research and industrial
base, and reinforce why the UK is a world-leader in
battery technology development.
