Electric vehicle batteries need replacing when their usable capacity decreases. At this point they can be recycled or re-purposed to another industrial application such as domestic energy. The problem is knowing whether a battery is good or bad. The Battery Passport is equivalent of an odometer for the electric vehicle batteries. It provides a robust mechanism that records battery usage over its life and assures future buyers of the worth of the batteries, thus reducing the net cost and CO2 footprint of an electric vehicle. The Battery Passport must be tamper-proof and uses innovations such as Blockchain and CAN Cybersecurity.

ACRIM-Wheel is a proof-of-concept project to produce the world’s first commercially viable, low cost, lightweight, all-composite, modular wheel system for niche and electric vehicle applications. It will demonstrate the durability of composite wheels and quantify improvements made to vehicle efficiency. During frequent start/stop duty cycles it is predicted that lightweight, optimised wheels can improve efficiency by up to 10%. Cost will be minimised via a unique modular configuration and by utilising cutting edge composite processing technology. ACRIM-Wheel will draw on the UK’s world renowned composites expertise to develop and prove a radically different and innovative wheel concept.

Project 356 will build upon the SEV and Faraday Challenge battery case feasibility studies to deliver a proof of concept prototype vehicle, demonstrating a step change in electric vehicle platform accessibility for niche vehicle manufacturers across passenger, sportscar and commercial vehicle sectors.

The partners will design, manufacture and demonstrate an integrated chassis platform, utilising battery modules and drivetrain components sourced from Nissan, which will eliminate the requirement for a stand-alone battery enclosure. The chassis and electrical platform will be flexible and scalable to meet wide ranging requirements for multiple vehicle types, demonstrated on a passenger vehicle application in this project.

ALECS is an NVN Proof of Concept project that will produce an innovative and lightweight last mile delivery e-trike. Project partners are Pashley Cycles (project lead and vehicle demonstration), Simpact (engineering consultancy and suspension specialists) and Reynolds (specialists in the supply of lightweight tubing). Low overall mass and articulating chassis will be achieved using lightweight materials and novel suspension technology. The concept will be demonstrated in the delivery livery of our observer partner, Serco. The developed concept will deliver a safe, zero emission, efficient last mile delivery vehicle and on a configurable multi-function platform, opening up a significant market opportunity.