Sprint Power of Birmingham has teamed up with AMTE Power and Eltrium to accelerate the development of next-generation battery technologies to meet the growing and complex needs of the electric vehicle market.
The collaboration will aid global car makers and start-ups as they ramp up development of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
The group will provide OEM customers with an end-to-end solution for battery systems development, manufacturing and supply.
Sprint Power is an established global leader in realising breakthrough technical developments in power electronics, battery management systems and battery module and pack design, while AMTE brings its rich experience in battery cell technology and production. Completing the partnership is Eltrium’s battery module and pack manufacturing capabilities.
The group is ideally placed to help the EV industry navigate new rules of origin. Legislation coming into force in just two years’ time will stipulate that batteries need to contain up to 50% of locally sourced materials – be that from the UK or the EU. With all three organisations based in the UK, the partners offer OEMs an immediate solution to this looming regulatory change.
Next-gen battery systems will be designed and optimised for mass market EV applications as well as high-performance projects. The scope of the partnership will cover automotive, marine, aerospace, commercial and off-highway vehicles.
Sustainability will be at the heart of Sprint Power, AMTE and Eltrium’s approach. Critical systems, components and subsystems – including all cells, modules and packs – and production processes at Eltrium will be designed for second-life battery reuse and recyclability.
Richie Frost, founder and CEO at Sprint Power, said: “Our new collaboration agreement with AMTE Power and Eltrium will deliver a game-changing support network to how next-generation battery tech – from the initial planning and design stages through to start of production – is undertaken within the industry.
“By teaming up with AMTE Power and Eltrium, we have leapt forward to be right at the vanguard of battery technology development. We offer the industry complete bespoke solutions, tapping into our unmatched tech, engineering and production expertise.
“As the EV market grows and OEMs come under increasing pressure to meet new and challenging demands, including tough legislation, Sprint Power along with AMTE Power and Eltrium will be on-hand to boost programmes, enhance development and optimise battery technologies.”
Fergal Harrington-Beatty, head of electric vehicles at AMTE Power, said: “There is huge potential for growth in the EV market as the Government gears up for its 2030 deadline to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars. A reliable and secure supply of battery cells that can hit the right performance for OEMs is absolutely vital to underpin that growth. With Sprint and Eltrium, we’re developing the essential blend of technology, engineering expertise and manufacturing know-how to deliver for them.”
Sprint Power and AMTE Power are also working together on Project CELERITAS, a £9.7 million UK Government-backed project to develop ultra-fast charging cells and battery packs for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEVs). The project, headed by the UK’s Advanced Propulsion Centre (APCUK), also includes BMW, bp and Clas-SiC.
