SEAT S.A. inaugurated its 7 million euros Test Center Energy (TCE) earlier this month, a new battery research and development (R&D) centre for electric and plug-in hybrid cars.

Located at the automotive manufacturer’s technical centre in Martorell, the TCE is being used to develop and test the performance of energy systems for electric and hybrid vehicles from CUPRA, SEAT and SEAT MÓ, as well as other Volkswagen Group brands.

The pioneering TCE forms part of the Volkswagen Group’s global R&D network and is the Group’s first such centre in Europe outside of Germany, and will sit alongside those in China and the USA.

The TCE represents a further step in the company's electrification strategy and is intended to become a key element of SEAT’s project to lead the electrification of the Spanish automotive industry. This latest investment is part of a 5 billion euro investment plan announced by the company to electrify its vehicles and facilities.

The TCE also aspires to become a space for innovation, collaboration and research, offering training for young people in electric car production.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, and the Catalan consulate of Business and Employment, Roger Torrent, who visited the facilities with SEAT and CUPRA CEO Wayne Griffiths and the company's Vice-President for R&D, Werner Tietz.

Mr Griffiths said: “Today is an important day for the future of SEAT. We have the opportunity, and responsibility, to completely change our industry. The Next Generation EU funds could allow us to turn our ambition into a reality. All that remains is for the Spanish government to publish the PERTE (Strategic Projects for Economic Recovery and Transformation), which we are confident will be in the coming days.”

Mr Tietz added: “The TCE will carry out up to 6,000 different tests a year, which will allow us to validate and guarantee the performance of battery and charging systems. This launch is great news not only for the electrification of the company, but also because it will allow us to position ourselves as a benchmark in the development of solutions for sustainable electromobility.”

As part of its strategy, SEAT plans to manufacture EVs in Martorell from 2025, and to play a key role in the democratisation of EVs
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Built in just 18 months, the Test Center Energy covers 1,500m². It includes different spaces for the validation of battery modules with the most advanced cell chemistry technology, covering the full range of voltages used in the automotive industry. The TCE is currently focusing on batteries for the MEB (electric) and MQB (hybrid) platforms, as well as different chargers used in all EVs.

In total, it has a test capacity of 1.3MW, which is equivalent to the power required by over 100,000 mobile phones charging simultaneously. More than 25 highly-qualified professionals work in these facilities.

The TCE can perform up to 6,000 complete validation analyses of high-voltage system-related functions (battery, charging, safety) annually. Batteries undergo an average of more than 17,500hr of testing to ensure optimal performance under all circumstances throughout their life cycle.

The facilities also house a workshop designed and equipped for testing electrified vehicles with the space to work with up to eight cars at a time. Tests of the energy system, functional safety and function integration with all the electronics of hybrid and EVs are carried out here. The high-voltage safety bench alone runs about 1,750 tests per year.

The TCE also features several climatic chambers which test batteries and modules under extreme thermal conditions, between -25 and +55deg C, thus simulating the different conditions that a car may encounter in its life cycle. To design and manufacture prototypes and build interfaces for the test systems, a specific area has been equipped with the latest technology.

Built in accordance with SEAT’s commitment to protecting the environment, the TCE is currently undergoing the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environment Design) certification process, which accredits it as a sustainable building with minimal environmental impact.