Bedford-based Millbrook has officially opened a new battery test facility, strengthening its position as a leading provider of independent battery testing to the automotive industry world-wide.

This is the UK’s largest private investment in independent battery testing, consisting of 12 battery cycling climatic chambers and supporting infrastructure. It complements Millbrook’s recent expansion in the USA to support electric-vehicle development.

Battery development is now firmly established at the forefront of automotive R&D.

The battery test chambers can cycle complete automotive battery packs up to 1,100V and up to 750kW in temperatures from -40°C to +90°C, including simulation of rapid temperature changes.

Peter Miller, Millbrook chief engineer (batteries) (www.millbrook.co.uk), said: “Battery technology is evolving at a staggering rate, as the industry seeks to make electric vehicles universally accepted as an alternative to the internal combustion engine.

"We pride ourselves on our in-depth knowledge of battery technology and our ability to provide testing which helps developers better understand, anticipate and ultimately eliminate failure in future models.”

Millbrook president Alex Burns said: “One of our greatest qualities as a business is our agility, with an outstanding ability to react, invest and adapt to changing customer demands very quickly.

"The introduction of our highly versatile and technologically advanced battery test chamber, is a perfect example of this.”