UK partnership targets 30% cheaper EV batteries

The UK-based project is being run by Faradion, which is developing the sodium-ion technology, and manufacturer AGM Batteries, which is looking to commercialise it.

With funding in place, including additional investment by Finance Yorkshire, the partnership will look to develop a prototype to OEM standards by 2018.

Sodium-ion batteries use abundant elements, and are said to be 30% cheaper to manufacture than lithium-ion alternatives. It’s claimed that this could be production-ready by 2025, and help to improve the competitiveness of electric vehicles.

Faradion’s CEO, Francis Massin, said: “This project will help the automotive industry to develop a more stable, sustainable and cost-effective solution to electric vehicle power than is currently available. Faradion’s leading role in this is demonstrates its position as the driving force in the development of sodium-ion battery technology.”

Kevin Brundish, CEO of AGM Batteries, added: “AGM is uniquely positioned to take such technologies to market; in addition to the automotive industry, a low cost and safe battery technology has wide ranging opportunities including grid storage and oil and gas applications.”

For more of the latest industry news, click here.

Alex Grant

Trained on Cardiff University’s renowned Postgraduate Diploma in Motor Magazine Journalism, Alex is an award-winning motoring journalist with ten years’ experience across B2B and consumer titles. A life-long car enthusiast with a fascination for new technology and future drivetrains, he joined Fleet World in April 2011, contributing across the magazine and website portfolio and editing the EV Fleet World Website.

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.