New Faraday Battery Challenge to kick-off in Great Britain

The British government relaunches their Faraday Battery Challenge. The competition addresses businesses working on next-generation battery solutions and is worth 25 million pounds in total. Application opens on September, 17 and closes on December, 12, 2018.

The aim is to support the development of high-performance, lightweight batteries that are cost-effective, durable, safe and recyclable. Successful applicants will receive grants from a pot worth 25 million pounds in total.

There are two ways to apply, depending on the stage of the project. The government has earmarked up to £23 million for industrial research and development and up to £2 million for feasibility studies.

To be considered, projects should make it easier to scale up battery production and use as well as help build the UK supply chain. Challenges to address include reducing costs at the cell and pack level, increasing the energy density and similar performance aspects as well as improving recyclability towards 95% per pack.

Business applying as project leaders must be based in Britain. Projects can have total costs of between £500,000 and £15 million and last between 3 and 18 months. Funding may cover up to 70 percent the project cost.

The latest round is the second Faraday Battery Challenge with more to come. The overall budget for the competition is a £246 million investment to bring forward the next generation of electric vehicles.

The most recent challenge that ended this June, included winners such as Honda or McLaren Automotive. McLaren was working on a novel electric drive train. The PowerDrive Line project though was developing solid-state batteries as a joint effort by battery firm Ilika Technologies, Honda, environmental consultancy Ricardo, the University College London, and the Centre for Process Innovation.

The latest round of the Faraday Battery Competition is in line with the UK’s advance to become a low carbon economy (we reported). Application opens on September, 17 and closes on December, 12, 2018.

apply-for-innovation-funding.gov.uk (industry), apply-for-innovation-funding.gov.uk (feasibility), gov.uk (overview)