The recent completion of a full electric sports-car battery-manufacturing concept programme by the Performance Products division of Shoreham-based Ricardo (www.ricardo.com) is a significant milestone in the company’s aim to become the niche battery manufacturer of choice for high-performance hybrids and EVs.

The work of Ricardo’s Performance Products division in automotive battery systems builds upon its long-standing reputation for advanced manufacturing and assembly, developed through its activities in the production of engines, transmissions and driveline systems.

In the first phase of the project, Ricardo’s manufacturing specialists worked in partnership with its hybrid and electric systems engineering group to develop an assembly and manufacturing process for an innovative battery pack.

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 to many thousands.

Mark Barge, managing director of Ricardo Performance Products, said: “Ricardo has a 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 motor-sport applications powered by combustion engines.

"Ricardo has a proven capability in establishing complex and high-quality supply chains for high-value small- to medium-volume high-performance products.”