The completion of a EV sports car battery manufacturing concept programme is a milestone in Ricardo's aim to become niche battery manufacturer for high performance hybrids and EVs.
The work of Ricardo’s ‘Performance Products’ division in high performance automotive battery systems builds upon its longstanding reputation for advanced manufacturing and assembly skills and processes.
The project is developed through the company’s activities in the production of engines, transmissions and driveline systems.
In the first phase of the project recently completed, Ricardo’s manufacturing specialists worked in partnership with the company’s hybrid and electric systems engineering group.
The groups were developing an assembly and manufacturing process for an innovative battery pack based on the exacting requirements of the vehicle OEM.
Capability of delivering fully assembled batteries
In addition, a global supply chain has been established that will ultimately be capable of delivering fully assembled and tested battery systems in annual production quantities ranging from hundreds up to multiple thousands.
Ricardo performance products managing director Mark Barge said: “Ricardo has an already well-established capability in the design and engineering of electric and hybrid vehicle battery packs and management systems.
“As such, it makes complete sense for us to provide a turn-key service – including battery pack manufacture – for performance electric vehicles, in the same way that we manufacture high performance engines, transmissions and drivelines for premium and motorsport applications powered by combustion engines.
“Ricardo has a proven capability in the establishment of complex and high-quality supply chains for high-value, small to medium volume high performance products.
“The project just completed is a further demonstration of Ricardo’s aim to become both the engineering and manufacturing partner of choice for the niche battery systems of high performance EVs and hybrids.”
Last year, The Manufacturer paid a visit to the Ricardo engine production facility in Shoreham-by-Sea in Sussex to witness the precision assembly of McLaren engines.
You can read the feature here.