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R&D focus is to develop a lighweight alternative to aluminum for electric-vehicle battery cases.

PlasticsToday Staff

July 22, 2021

2 Min Read
electric car at charging station
Image: Buffaloboy/Adobe Stock

Funded by the UK’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) through the Niche Vehicle Network, Trelleborg will undertake a research and development project focused on electric vehicle (EV) battery material and design, as part of a collaboration with Far-UK Ltd., Great British Sportscars Ltd., and Engenuity Ltd. The early-stage R&D stream initiative provides a platform for collaborative research in zero -mission vehicle technologies within the UK niche vehicle sector.

The focus of the R&D project is to develop an alternative to aluminum that can be integrated into an EV battery to reduce the overall weight of the battery case, supporting the decarbonization of vehicles on the road and reducing emissions through lightweighting.

“We are actively developing new materials within the EV sector, and we know that collaboration is key to understanding industry challenges and speeding up the development process," said Neil O’Keeffe, Technical Director of Trelleborg’s applied technologies operation in Rochdale, UK. "Electric vehicle production is a critical emerging market for Trelleborg, and we are keen to support the progression to electrification. The networking opportunities offered by the Niche Vehicle Network fosters a collaborative approach to industry challenges, leading to the inception of the project team.”

“Building a working proof-of-concept within a vehicle is the end goal for the project,” added Richard Hall, Director, Great British Sportscars. “Working with other like-minded companies that are focused on innovation is key for us. There is a synergy in our outlook, with this project providing a great basis for knowledge sharing and collaboration.”

The R&D project is for a six-month period, with findings and results to be published in 2022.

The Niche Vehicle Network (NVN) is a free-to-join, independent network of UK niche vehicle manufacturers and specialist technology organizations active in the niche vehicle sector. The network plays a role in bringing together companies, helping small but innovative businesses to navigate a complex landscape.

Supported by Innovate UK, OZEV, and the Advanced Propulsion Centre, NVN provides a collaborative R&D program supporting innovative, SME-led projects focusing on developing and demonstrating zero-emission and low-carbon vehicle technologies in niche vehicle applications.

NVN also facilitates collaboration and knowledge sharing, providing its members with the opportunity to network and showcase innovation to the industry at industry events.

Far-UK is a composite engineering research and development company based in Nottingham, UK, focused on the design and manufacture of lightweight structural composite components.

The engineering arm of HRC group, Engenuity provides engineering services to help in the development of lightweight, durable, cost-efficient components in short time scales.

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