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Axeon, Europe’s largest independent
lithium-ion battery systems supplier, is to develop a new high capacity
battery for the electric Citroën C1 ev’ie, manufactured by the UK-based
Electric Car Corporation, with a view to supplying between 300 and 500
batteries in the 12 months following a successful trial.
Axeon, based in Dundee, is Europe’s
leading designer, developer and manufacturer of customised advanced
lithium-ion battery packs and charging systems for a wide range of
automotive and other applications, with its core business in developing
and supplying such systems for use in electric and hybrid electric
vehicles.
Axeon will provide a pre-production
battery pack that combines an advanced battery with an energy density of
230Wh/kg and innovative mechanical design, meaning not only improved
battery efficiency, but also improved performance and extended range in
a smaller, lighter and less rigid package.
Key to the package will be Axeon’s
proprietary battery management system (BMS), which plays an essential
role in any multiple cell battery pack. It monitors the state of a
battery, measuring and controlling key performance parameters, which
ensures the battery operates safely and prolongs its useful life.
Lawrence Berns, CEO of Axeon, said: “We
are delighted to be working with the Electric Car Corporation. This
agreement is an endorsement of our technology development plans, further
underlining our capabilities in the battery sector and our dominant
position in the market, allowing us to capitalize on opportunities and
continue to grow the company.”
David Martell, Chief Executive of the
Electric Car Corporation commented: “ECC is committed to stimulating the
use of electric vehicles across the UK and we aim to supply our
customers with high quality, comfortable, safe and reliable vehicles. We
are excited to see how the new Axeon battery performs and believe it
will help improve the already class-leading C1 ev’ie.”
The existing Citroën C1 ev’ie has a
range of more than 60 miles and a top speed of 60mph. It has been
described by Car magazine as “the electric car class leader” and by
Autocar as “the first 'respectable' electric city car on the British
market”. |
