In June 2023, the EU founded project NEXTBAT was launched, marking a significant step towards the sustainable electrification of transport and mobile applications.
Hosted in Helsinki, Finland, the kick-off meeting was led by VTT, a prominent research institution, bringing together a formidable consortium of 11 partners spanning 6 European countries – Finland, Spain, France, Germany, Greece, and Sweden – along with an associated partner from Switzerland.
NEXTBAT stands at the forefront of transformative change in battery technology for transport and mobile applications electrification. With innovative design and cutting-edge technologies, the project is poised to contribute significantly to the EU’s ambitious goals for a climate-neutral economy by 2050.
Addressing the Carbon Footprint Challenge
The transport sector contributes substantially to EU’s CO2 emissions, constituting about 25% of the total. NEXTBAT aims to tackle this challenge by introducing innovative battery systems that not only enhance performance but also reduce the carbon footprint. The project emphasizes cost reduction through the incorporation of highly recyclable materials in both hardware and cell components throughout the production chain.
The primary goal of NEXTBAT is to advance battery technology for electrified transport and mobile applications. The project is geared towards achieving a 30-50% increase in energy/power density while simultaneously reducing battery weight by 25%, courtesy of a newly developed lightweight material. Battery management systems, integrated at the cell and system levels, are expected to extend battery lifetime by up to 20%, maintaining a state of health (SoH) of 80% at the cell level.
Within the NEXTBAT framework, two battery prototypes will be developped with next-generation technologies. These advancements include innovative electronic sensing/actuating systems and safety guidelines to ensure a secure and sustainable electrification of transport. The project also focuses on establishing a new framework for standardization, aiming to accelerate the adoption of these next-generation battery systems.
Named NEXTBAT, an acronym for “Next generation technologies for battery systems in transport electrification based on a novel design approach to increase performance and reduce carbon footprint,” the project is fueled by a Horizon Europe program grant of nearly 5 million euros from the European Commission. With a projected timeline of 42 months, the initiative is set to conclude in November 2026.
Stay tuned for updates on NEXTBAT’s progress as it shapes the future of sustainable battery systems!