eVehicle Technology
Britishvolt has a development roadmap for larger format, 4690, high-performance lithium-ion advanced cell technologies, starting with digital-twin modelling before being transferred to EAS, and subsequently to its Hams Hall scale-up facilities in the UK, for prototype and production, the company said June 24.
We start with digital twin/simulation modelling, 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.
Orral Nadjari – Founder/CEO, Britishvolt
The 4690 cell pathway is in development at Britishvolt, where the company is leveraging its digital-twin simulation and modelling capabilities to drive engineering and bring technology to market quicker and more efficiently. The use of digital twin, via our simulation and modelling capabilities, provides Britishvolt with analytical data and tools, coupled with our manufacturing expertise, to effectively tailor the 4690 cell. This customization can be in aspects including the variation of dimension, i.e. to shorten or increase the cell length against the 4690 format, in order to maximise performance and system integration delivering the product our end customers require.
The battery technology pioneer has cell chemistry development and optimisation pathways underway, coupled to cell mechanical design engineering, which builds upon the expertise in prototyping and cell design at EAS and is linked to development programmes with Britishvolt’s cell manufacturing equipment suppliers.
This accelerated roadmap to production allows for reduced waste and increased speed of delivery, resulting in potentially lower carbon application. Successful production of its first 21700 A-samples at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre, following prototyping at WMG, University of Warwick, having tracked the same process from digital to physical, gives Britishvolt confidence that the data captured digitally will manifest as a market-leading new cell format, perfectly tailored to customer requirements. The first batch of 21700’s will be in customer’s hands for testing later in 2022.
Further benefits will be obtained by working in close cooperation with customers to fully tailor the cells to their specific requirements. More customer announcements are scheduled in coming months.
Digital learnings will be transferred to the EAS manufacturing facility in Germany to be developed and put into prototype production before being scaled-up towards the highest end customer quality level at Britishvolt’s state-of-the-art campus at Hams Hall in the Midlands.
Earlier this year, 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. Aston Martin is targeting new standards of repeatable on-track performance, charging time and range, as it brings its renown for engineering mastery, beautiful design and extreme personalization to all-electric driving.
IMAGE SOURCE: www.britishvolt.com
