Ilika begins car battery project with McLaren Automotive

The AIM-traded firm said the project objective was to develop and integrate a fast-charging and high-power battery system into a vehicle, based on advanced cell technology from Ilika and A123 Systems.

It said it would deliver a simpler cooling system and an optimised crash structure for the battery, as well as reduced charging time and weight.

The project would deliver a “significant” increase in technology and manufacturing readiness levels, together with an innovative modular battery to allow the final integration into a demonstrator.

Ilika explained that the project would “unlock the possibility” of delivering a mobility solution that matched the usability provided by conventional vehicles today, meeting consumer expectations and accelerating the uptake of hybrid and electric vehicles.

This project would be led by McLaren Automotive involving Ilika, A123 Systems and the Warwick Manufacturing Group.

Adding to its announcement on 13t June last year, Ilika confirmed it would receive a £1.8m contribution towards its costs, which represented a reimbursement rate of 70% from Innovate UK.

That funding would be in addition to the £2.3m of Innovate UK funding Ilika would receive to support its role in the Powerdrive Line collaboration, which began in October.

The total of £4.1m of funding had been allocated from the £22m committed to the second round of the Faraday Battery Challenge Competition.

“This project is an exciting opportunity to work with one of the UK's leading performance car producers to deploy Ilika's Stereaxâ Goliath cells,” said Ilika chief executive officer Graeme Purdy.

“As part of the Faraday Battery Challenge, Innovate UK is deploying significant resources to assist the exploitation of some of the most exciting technologies that the UK has to offer the global marketplace.”