| Project Detail |
Delivering next-gen rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles
The development of better materials for use in rechargeable batteries is vital for the future of the electric vehicle market. One of these materials is lithium nickel manganese oxide (LNMO), a cobalt-free cathode material thats a cost-effective alternative to current lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery materials. Using LNMO, the EU-funded 3beLiEVe project aims to produce the next generation of Li-ion rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles in 2025 and beyond. Along with the next-gen battery cells, the project will also develop and integrate internal and external sensors for the cell. The data obtained from these sensors will provide a more timely and accurate view of the state of the cell and will be used to implement smart operating strategies that extend the life of the cell and improve its safety. The smart battery management system will process this data and manage an adaptive liquid cooling system. Manufacturing, second life and recycling aspects are also considered. The projects innovations will play a role in strengthening the European battery and automotive industry.
3beLiEVe aims at delivering the 3b generation of LNMO cells for the electrified vehicles market of 2025 and beyond. The project addresses the full scope of the LC-BAT-5-2019 call by delivering:
• 3b generation batteries with LNMO cathodes, LiFSI electrolyte, and a 10-20 wt.% Si-C anode in a cell architecture capable of 750 Wh/l, 300 Wh/kg, 1.4 kW/kg, and 2,000+ deep cycles, of which 10% at 3C+;
• a portfolio of internal and external sensors (22 sensors per module) and an adaptive liquid cooling system managed by a smart BMS with advanced diagnostic and operational functions;
• cradle to cradle approach, including cell/module/pack green manufacturing processes (gigafactory level), optical equipment for inline quality inspection, 1st and 2nd life performance and recyclability demonstration, achieving 90 €/kWh life cycle cost.
The project will deliver 250 cells of generation 3b in total and two demonstrator battery packs of 88 cells and 12 kWh capacity each at TRL 6 / MRL 8. These aim at demonstrating the 3beLiEVe technology performance for applications in light duty (i.e. passenger cars, freight vehicles) and commercial vehicles (i.e. city buses and trucks) in fully electric/plug-in hybrid (BEV/PHEV) configurations. 3beLiEVe technology is free of critical raw materials (cobalt and natural graphite), scalable and sustainable, aiming at 12.7 GWh production by 2025 and 33.7 GWh in 2030, for a market ranging from 1.1 to 2.5 billion €/year, i.e. 7% of the global manufacturing capacity. All the technological domains and innovations addressed in 3beLiEVe are essential for strengthening the position of the European battery and automotive industry in the future market of xEVs. |
