A lifetime of 4000 cycles at 80 % DOD and an energy density of 250 Wh/kg is a target for automotive batteries. The Batteries2020 project takes several steps to increase lifetime and energy density of large format lithium ion batteries towards these goals. The approach is based on three parallel strategies: 1) highly focused materials development; 2) understanding ageing and degradation phenomena; and, 3) routes to reduce battery cost.
Project focuses on improving cathode materials based on nickel/manganese/cobalt (NMC) oxides. Such materials have a high chance to be up-scaled and commercialized near-term. Only then, cell development efforts can be translated from pilot to mass production, a prerequisite for qualification in the automotive industry.
Due to the fact that battery cost is a major barrier to EV market, Batteries 2020 project will investigate the potential of second life usage and recycling of batteries for providing economic viable project outputs.