AMTE Power, a UK-based developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery cells for specialist markets, has signed an MoU with advanced powertrain developer Viritech to support the development of hydrogen FCEVs.
The MoU paves the way for AMTE Power to supply its Ultra High Power (UHP) cells for use in Viritech’s battery packs for high-performance FCEV projects, including heavy goods vehicles, light commercial vehicles, marine, aerospace and distributed power applications and Viritech’s hypercar project, the Apricale.
Kevin Brundish, CEO of AMTE Power, commented, “Batteries are essential to the transition to hydrogen-electric vehicles, and our UHP cells are the perfect fit for this collaboration, with our carefully refined cell chemistry able to fulfill the specific power, weight and safety requirements for Viritech’s powertrains. This partnership will help the EV industry move to net-zero emissions while ensuring the UK remains a competitive player in automotive manufacturing.”
Viritech’s powertrain combines hydrogen fuel cells with high-performance lithium-ion cells. The technology is intended to provide an additional power boost on ignition, acceleration and when driving on a gradient, as well as enabling smaller, more lightweight battery systems that reduce weight compromises. Charging of the battery cells can be achieved through the operation of the fuel cell and regenerative braking.
AMTE Power’s differentiated UHP lithium-ion cell has been designed to target the high-power automotive market. With fully owned intellectual property rights for the product, AMTE Power is in the advanced stages of development for the UHP, which is currently going through scale-up and testing trials at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC).
Matt Faulks, CTO of Viritech, concluded, “We are really excited about working with AMTE Power. We look forward to seeing what the businesses can achieve together and how AMTE Power’s battery technology can assist with lightweighting zero-emission vehicles that are critical to the decarbonization of global transport systems.”