CamMotive has opened a new 800-channel battery testing lab in Cambridge
Purpose-built facilities for electric powertrain testing are crucial to meeting the evolving needs of electric mobility. The ability to assess not only batteries, but also hydrogen fuel cells, electric motors, inverters and power electronics, is key to advancing development timelines and innovation across all aspects of powertrain engineering
E-powertrain development consultancy CamMotive has opened a new 800-channel, state-of-the-art battery testing lab in Cambridge, UK. Representing a considerable investment in the UK’s advanced battery testing infrastructure, the facility features a high-capacity test cell capable of cycling hundreds of large-format cells under controlled conditions. Delivering up to 800A per cell to support rigorous performance evaluations, the new site is one of the very few test facilities in the UK with equivalent capacity and current capability. At it’s core, the facility is designed to accelerate battery technology by helping OEMs to achieve compliance and improve range, lifespan and charging efficiency.
“The launch of our new test facility marks the latest phase of CamMotive’s commitment to advancing battery technology and its applications,” says Bruce Campbell, director at CamMotive. “We provide solutions across the entire battery ecosystem, from early concept to end-of-line validation. Working with our UK cell developers and digital modellers, manufacturers and integrators, we combine world-class testing infrastructure with decades of powertrain expertise to help our partners deliver sustainable solutions for road, air, sea transportation and stationary applications.”
HIGH-CURRENT CAPABILITY
The lab’s high-current capability is designed to test large automotive cells and other high-power, high-capacity battery technologies including those used in eVTOLs, data centres and stationary battery energy storage systems (BESS). Its extensive channel count is useful to companies with high volume testing requirements, allowing hundreds of cells to be tested simultaneously under varying conditions. High-precision cyclers and advanced EIS tests also enable accurate long-term analysis and performance characterisation, including cell ageing and end-of-life simulation, with modelling and calibration expertise provided by CamMotive’s specialist engineers.
The facility offers additional technical capability and services including dynamic climatic chambers to replicate varying temperature conditions, and process thermostats for real world thermal management testing. For high-power module and pack testing, the lab provides capability up to 1MW.
SUPPORTING INNOVATION
The primary purpose of the new laboratory is to support automotive OEMs and accelerate development timelines by gathering data for modelling, compliance, and improved understanding, leading to enhanced performance, longer useful life and faster charging strategies. In addition to the main facility, the laboratory also houses several lower current cyclers for testing of smaller capacity cells. In this way, the company aims to support innovation in battery technology, including start-ups working on latest chemistries and organisations exploring battery options for new applications.
KEY TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS
- Over 800 high current channels of cell cycling capability
- Dynamic climatic chambers operating from -40°C to +180°C
- Process thermostats for precise cooling and heating
- Advanced measurement techniques including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and swelling analysis
