As electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to soar across Europe, a consortium of UK engineering businesses visited Stuttgart, Germany, to showcase novel technologies which extend EV range and could further accelerate EV adoption.
Under the banner of UK Pavilion, nine UK businesses attended this year’s Battery Show Europe in Messe Stuttgart from 28-30 June. Representing the very best of UK clean automotive innovation, the companies showcased how the UK is helping to shape a new chapter in automotive with a view to securing further inward investment and overseas partnerships.
Among the businesses representing the UK in Germany were Breathe Battery Technologies (BBT), Eatron and Brill Power, who showcased novel battery management technologies which help to increase range by optimising charging opportunities for EV batteries. The UK Pavilion exhibited the country’s expertise when it comes to the remanufacturing of failed battery packs, with Autocraft EV Solutions demonstrating its state-of-health battery testing solutions. Lotus Engineering took the spotlight to display its lightweight EV sports car architecture. Launched last year, the design incorporates cutting-edge UK-based engineering and digital manufacturing expertise. Also present in Stuttgart was Cambridge Vacuum Engineering, Samuel Taylor Ltd, Hyperdrive Innovation, and TWI Ltd.
Overcoming range anxiety
The event in Germany came at a time when EV adoption across Europe is soaring. According to Bloomberg, EVs represented just 3% of car sales in Europe in 2019. By 2021, that jumped to around 17%. Today, that number has increased further. However, with the European Parliament recently voting to end all combustion vehicle sales by 2035, it is widely accepted across the automotive sector that EV sales must accelerate to meet these targets. One challenge that remains with consumer adoption is range anxiety. The UK Pavilion shines a light on UK organisations that have new technologies which get the best out of existing battery management systems, maximising life and optimising charging opportunities, all of which will support an increase in range.
A bedrock of UK innovation
Philippa Oldham, Stakeholder Engagement Director at Advanced Propulsion Centre, commented:
“The UK Pavilion demonstrates how advanced the UK is in cleantech and electric vehicle development. We have a thriving community of OEMs and SME automotive businesses that are actively contributing to the global EV transition. Through everything from more intelligent battery management systems to the use of AI for predictive charging and battery remanufacturing, there is a bedrock of innovation in the UK, which is contributing to improved EV range and reliability. The UK Pavilion highlights our prominent role on the world stage, encouraging partnership, investment and collaborative innovation with Germany, Western Europe and the wider world.”
The Battery Show Europe was one of several ‘Britain is Great’ international events to feature the UK Pavilion stand. The programme will see representatives from UK automotive visit trade exhibitions around the world, showcasing why there has never been a better time to invest in UK automotive.
For information on the ‘Britain is Great’ International Events Programme that is flying the flag for the UK automotive industry, visit https://www.apcuk.co.uk/international-events-program/.