TSB to fund development of lightweight battery for city cars

The aim of the project is said to be the development of an innovative high energy density battery system for an emission free electric small city car. The battery, which will use new cell chemistry, will be lighter and smaller than those currently available. It will also support faster charging. Other members of the consortium include Ricardo and Allied Vehicles. Ricardo will develop the battery management system architecture and application software, Axeon will engineer and construct the battery system, perform cell testing for calibration and electronic system integration, and Allied Vehicles will design, build and test the vehicle platform. John Laughlin, the TSB's Low Carbon Vehicles programme manager, said: "We are investing to put the UK at the forefront of low carbon vehicle technology. A major barrier to the widespread acceptance of electric and hybrid vehicles is the difficulty in balancing the range of the vehicle against the available stored energy. The work we are funding will focus on developing ultra efficient electric and hybrid vehicle motive and ancillary systems that will make the best use of this energy. Increasing the market acceptance of low carbon vehicles will contribute to achieving UK and EU climate change targets, whilst creating significant market opportunities for UK-based companies."