The consortium has been set up to support a research project to develop a new design process for electric vehicles. The project funding comes from UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to support the development of battery technology in the UK.
The new process will leverage Altair’s platforms and technology to develop vehicle prototypes. The new vehicle models will have a new, lighter body that offers more room for the battery without adding additional weight.
JLR will also apply Altair’s C123 process, a three-stage concept development process for body-in-white structures and will perform optimisation with Altair OptiStruct – an FEA solver in the Altair HyperWorks design and simulation platform – utilising the solution’s newly developed electrothermal features.
“We are excited to collaborate with JLR and Danecca on this innovative project to support the next generation of electric vehicles, with innovative, efficient designs,” said Royston Jones, senior vice president of automotive, Altair. “Altair’s simulation and data analytics tools will enable the consortium to develop a new design process of electric vehicles and batteries, which will help make these vehicles lighter and more energy efficient.”
Commenting Paul Haney, battery technology senior manager, JLR said, “This research project marks an important step forward in creating electric vehicles that deliver sustainable e-mobility for the future.”
"Danecca - together with Altair and JLR - has the chance to advance the development of electric vehicles and battery technology," said Danson Michael Joseph, managing director, Danecca. "Our expertise in battery manufacturing, combined with Altair's simulation and optimisation tools, will enable us to create more efficient battery installations that can power the next generation of electric vehicles."
The project runs to January 31, 2025, and will explore how to make improvements through simulation after the components for the prototype vehicles have been ordered. All research results will stay with JLR, Danecca, and Altair after the funded project period and can be used for other customers or projects.
