Sourced from two separate grants, the project will develop new aluminium heat exchangers which are quicker, cheaper and greener to manufacture. Harsh Canadian winters will also provide the ideal environment to test a new generation of thick-film electric surface heaters, which will be integrated into the battery cooling heat echanger.

Both products are aimed at extending the lifespan and reliability of electric vehicle batteries in hot and cold conditions, and the projects are expected to last three years.

Dwayne Matthews, president of the Dana Power Technologies Group, said: ‘Dana is excited to work with NRCan on this important issue as we aim to increase the life and operating reliability of batteries, which will lead to greater market adoption of electric vehicles.

‘We will be using these grants to build on our foundational knowledge of electric-vehicle thermal systems to help achieve higher levels of efficiency.’