Axeon is one of nine companies to join the EU’s SmartBatt consortium programme. Led by the Austrian Institute for Technology’s Mobility Devision, it aims to make battery packs easier to incorporate into future vehicle structures.

The targets for a 20kWh battery pack, which is larger than the 16kWh packs used in cars such as the Ampera, include a 10-15% reduction in weight, 20-30% reduction in volume and 5-10% reduction in cost. Axeon will be involved throughout the development process.

Axeon’s Chief Mechanical Engineer, Simon Dobson, said: 'Axeon is delighted to be part of this exciting consortium. This project provides an opportunity to explore how we can shift the current constrictions in battery integration and ultimately provide new solutions for vehicle manufacturers.'