Energy / Europe
Monitor Europe energy trends, electricity markets, supply pressure, regulation and regional resource dynamics.
The UK Gave Away The Battery. Can THIS Tech Win It Back?!
Topic
UK Battery Technology and Innovation
Key insights
- The lithium ion battery's development began in the 1960s and 70s, with significant advancements made by M Stanley Whitting, John Goodenough, and Akira Yoshino in the 80s.
- Sony commercialized the first rechargeable lithium ion battery in 1991, primarily for cameras and laptops, with the first vehicle powered by lithium ion in 1998.
- The cost of lithium ion batteries has dramatically decreased from $800 per kilowatt hour in 2013 to under $100 today, while energy density has more than doubled and average EV range has tripled.
- China dominates the lithium ion battery market, producing about 75% of all batteries and controlling significant portions of global cathode and anode production.
- The UK is making strides in battery innovation, with institutions like the Faraday Institution and UK Battery Industrialisation Centre focusing on next-generation chemistries and sustainability.
- UK companies are developing advanced battery technologies, including ultra-fast charging anodes and novel polymer electrolytes for sodium batteries.
Perspectives
Analysis of UK battery technology and its challenges.
UK Battery Innovation
- Highlights the historical development of lithium-ion batteries in the UK
- Claims UK companies are innovating in battery technology and materials
- Proposes that digital simulation reduces battery development costs and sizes
- Argues that recycling facilities can secure a circular supply chain for battery materials
- Emphasizes the importance of intellectual property management for future innovations
Challenges in UK Battery Sector
- Warns about the dominance of China in lithium-ion battery production
- Questions the UKs ability to compete without effective commercialization strategies
- Denies that historical innovations alone can ensure future success without proper backing
Neutral / Shared
- Notes the significant reduction in battery costs and advancements in energy density
- Mentions the UKs potential in lithium mining and refining
Metrics
cost_per_kwh
under $100 per kilowatt hour USD/kWh
current cost of lithium ion batteries
Lower costs facilitate wider adoption of electric vehicles.
costs fell from $800 per kilowatt hour in 2013 to under $100 per kilowatt hour today.
average_ev_range
tripled from 80 to nearly 300 miles
average range of electric vehicles powered by lithium ion batteries
Increased range enhances consumer confidence and adoption of EVs.
the average EV range tripled from 80 to nearly 300 miles.
charging_time_reduction
48%
charging time reduction in low temperature environments for Volvo's ES90 vehicle
Faster charging times improve user experience and vehicle efficiency.
it's 30% faster charging in a sort of nominal environmental case and even as much as a 48% reduction in charging time in a low temperature environment.
battery_cost_percentage
30 to 50%
percentage of battery pack cost in electric vehicles
Understanding cost structure is crucial for investment in battery technology improvements.
the battery pack is about 30 to 50% of the Pillar materials cost of the car.
capacity_mw
growing from around 2 to nearly 16 gigawatt hours a year GWh
Envision AESC's expansion to supply Nissan
This expansion significantly increases battery production capacity for electric vehicles.
growing from around 2 to nearly 16 gigawatt hours a year
capex
a £4 billion project GBP
Tata's gigafactory project for Jaguar Land Rover
a £4 billion project that will power Jaguar Land Rover's electric future
time_to_market
saved them seven months of development time months
Time saved in developing the McMurtry Spirling car
that saved them seven months of development time
time_to_market
reduced the time to market for that car for 70%
Reduction in time to market for the McMurtry Spirling car
reduced the time to market for that car for 70%
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
The significant reduction in lithium ion battery costs and advancements in energy density have enabled broader adoption of electric vehicles, enhancing market competitiveness.
- The lithium ion battery's development began in the 1960s and 70s, with significant advancements made by M Stanley Whitting, John Goodenough, and Akira Yoshino in the 80s.
- Sony commercialized the first rechargeable lithium ion battery in 1991, primarily for cameras and laptops, with the first vehicle powered by lithium ion in 1998.
- The cost of lithium ion batteries has dramatically decreased from $800 per kilowatt hour in 2013 to under $100 today, while energy density has more than doubled and average EV range has tripled.
- China dominates the lithium ion battery market, producing about 75% of all batteries and controlling significant portions of global cathode and anode production.
- The UK is making strides in battery innovation, with institutions like the Faraday Institution and UK Battery Industrialisation Centre focusing on next-generation chemistries and sustainability.
- UK companies are developing advanced battery technologies, including ultra-fast charging anodes and novel polymer electrolytes for sodium batteries.
05:00–10:00
The UK is advancing battery technology through digital precision, leading to improved efficiency and performance in electric vehicles and consumer electronics. This shift enhances battery life and reduces charging times significantly.
- Faradian and Lena are developing sodium ion batteries in Sheffield and Lancaster using safe and abundant materials.
- The UK is transitioning from physical trial and error in battery development to digital precision with advanced modeling and software.
- Breed Battery Technologies and About Energy are utilizing physics-based modeling to enhance battery design and management.
- Traditional battery charge management relies on static look-up tables, which limit the utilization of battery capabilities over time.
- Breathe's facilities include London's largest battery lab, where they conduct material analysis and test battery cells under various conditions.
- Digital twins enable significant improvements in charging efficiency, with Volvo's ES90 vehicle achieving up to 48% faster charging in low temperatures.
10:00–15:00
Digital simulation reduces battery pack size by 20%, leading to cheaper electric vehicles and longer-lasting products for consumers.
- Digital simulation reduces physical prototyping and testing, driving down battery development costs.
- Using simulation, battery packs can be reduced in size by around 20%, benefiting consumers with cheaper electric vehicles and longer-lasting products.
- Collaboration with McMurtry accelerated the development of their Spirling car, saving seven months of development time and reducing time to market by 70%.
- Modeling battery cells is challenging due to their closed system and temperature sensitivity, requiring precise temperature control.
- Peltier elements are used to control battery temperature accurately, allowing for data collection at extreme temperatures from -40 to 120 degrees Celsius.
- The UK's battery ecosystem is expanding beyond electric vehicles to include grid energy storage solutions, such as sodium flow batteries and liquid air energy storage.
15:00–20:00
The UK is developing a secure circular supply chain for battery materials through recycling and refining, which will enhance its position in the EV market.
- The UK has significant opportunities in battery materials, including mining, refining, processing, and recycling.
- Cornwall has lithium potential with companies like Cornish lithium and British lithium establishing a new lithium refinery.
- The UK is home to Europe's second largest nickel refinery and low carbon aluminium smelting.
- Altilium and EMER are developing recycling facilities to recover lithium, nickel, and cobalt from old batteries.
- Altilium's facility in Plymouth recovers over 95% of cathode materials and aims to supply half of the UK's critical battery metals from recycling by 2040.
- The UK can maintain the value of battery materials and create a secure circular supply chain by producing high-purity battery-grade components.