Electric freight battery project wins funding

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Innovate UK is backing a collaborative project aiming to develop a lightweight, fire-safe battery enclosure for electric freight vehicles.

The nine-month project will see manufacturer Composites Evolution Ltd collaborate with Wolverhampton University’s School of Engineering, MEP Technologies Ltd and Carr Reinforcements Ltd to produce a new high-temperature composite material suitable for large battery enclosures for zero-emission trucks.

The resulting battery pack aims to be lighter and safer than those currently available, addressing road freight sector concerns regarding range/payload and lithium-ion battery safety. 

“Lithium-ion batteries present a substantial fire risk in the event of a thermal runway caused, for example, by overcharging, short-circuits, impacts or collisions,” said Stuart Morrison, founder and CEO at MEP Technology. “Therefore, electric trucks with large battery tractions present a potential risk of severe fire and injury, particularly when in urban areas and/or carrying hazardous cargo.”

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According to Dr Klaudio Bari, principal lecturer in composite engineering at Wolverhampton University, the novel battery module design’s new lightweight material will work with C-rated power cells, passive thermal and cell management systems. He added that the university will be using its VFE autoclave for the first time to produce and customise the prototype.

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