Axeon
Encyclopedia
Axeon designs and manufactures advanced lithium-ion battery systems for electric vehicles and processes over 70 million cells per year. Headquartered in Dundee, Scotland and with operations in Poland and sales offices in Germany and Birmingham, England, Axeon produces batteries for all types of electric vehicles including urban delivery vehicles and high performance sports cars.
and the Battery Management System
, the software that monitors the lithium-ion cells
, interfaces with the vehicle and ensures safety, was provided by Axeon. In 2007, Axeon merged with MPower.
In 2008, Axeon acquired Ristma AG, a Swiss holding company whose constituent companies also had several decades of experience in battery design and manufacture. The trading companies, formerly EMB GmbH and SAT AG, design and sell battery packs for the professional power tool market and Robert Bosch GmbH
is a key customer. They also manufacture battery packs for a range of mobile applications, including medical and industrial monitoring equipment, and leisure equipment such as electric bicycles and powered golf trolleys
. Manufacturing is carried out at a facility in Poland, formerly MAZ Sp.Z.o.o. In 2009, all the continental European companies were re-branded, and are now known as Axeon GmbH, Axeon AG and Axeon Sp.Z.o.o.
At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
unveiled its new 102EX
Phantom Experimental Electric, which is powered by a battery from Axeon.
The battery system is believed to be the biggest passenger car battery built in the world, both in terms of capacity and power, with 71kWh overall capacity and 388V DC nominal power.
The power pack is expected to deliver a range of up to 200km with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of under 8 seconds. The batteries can be recharged via a plug in cable or in eight hours by using a wireless induction charging system.
Land Rover Electric Defender Game Viewer Concept
At Indaba 2011, one of Africa’s largest tourism events, Land Rover
South Africa unveiled the Electric Defender Game Viewer Concept with an Axeon battery pack. The vehicle was built for the Londolozi Private Game Reserve
, a major South African game park. The standard 2.4-litre diesel engine from the Defender was replaced by an electric motor and 28.8 kWh battery pack in the engine bay, which enables the vehicle to maintain its original ground clearance and wading height.
Electric Car Corporation Citroën C1 ev’ie
Axeon announced it would supply a new battery pack for the Citroën C1 ev’ie manufactured by the Electric Car Corporation
with an energy density of 230Wh/kg and an innovative mechanical design aimed at increasing battery efficiency, but also increasing performance and extending the range of the battery in a smaller, lighter and less rigid package.
Electric Porsche 911
Axeon supplied a 96-cell battery pack for the RUF Automobile eRuf Model A
, an electric sports car based on the Porsche 911. The car is capable of a top speed of 225km/h, acceleration from 0-60mph in less than 7 seconds and a range of between 250 km to 320 km.
Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator Competition
It is also collaborating with a range of partners, including Allied Vehicles, Scottish Power
, the University of Strathclyde
and Glasgow City Council, to run an electric vehicle
demonstrator programme in Glasgow, Scotland.
Axeon has received several technology development grants from the UK government's Technology Strategy Board
to help it to develop smaller and lighter batteries for electric vehicles, with a longer range.
Plug-in European car
Axeon is working with A123 Systems and Ricardo
on a project for an undisclosed, established European vehicle manufacturer to create an advanced, lightweight battery pack that uses nanophosphate lithium iron cells manufactured by A123 Systems for a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
.
The battery pack will be liquid-cooled and the Battery Management System
will incorporate active cell balancing. Ricardo
will engineer the battery pack and Axeon will conduct full-scale testing of the vehicle's powertrain and handle production and supply of the necessary components.
power tools, such as cordless
hedge trimmers
and lawn mowers. Its customers include several major producers of professional power tools, including Robert Bosch GmbH
.
such as bath lifts and electric wheelchairs; industrial equipment such as gas meters
and data loggers; leisure products such as electric bicycles and powered golf trolleys
and other applications such as portable credit card readers, forklift trucks, horse massage blankets and olive tree shakers.
sector in order to store excess energy generated from the electrical grid. Electricity generation
is therefore balanced and maintained at a more constant level. Batteries can also be used for the storage of renewable energy
, such as that from solar power
via photovoltaic cells and wind turbines, as the supply of renewable energy
is by its nature intermittent and batteries can provide a more stabilised supply.
and Lithium NCM (Nickel Cobalt Manganese) chemistries. It is also working on a project to develop a high energy density Transition metal oxide
/Silicon alloy battery for PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
) applications.
(BMS) is an essential component within a multiple cell battery pack
. It monitors the state of a battery, measuring and controlling key operational parameters, and thus ensuring safety. Axeon’s BMS incorporates proprietary battery management electronics, and its four main objectives are to protect the cells and the battery from damage, prolong the life of the battery, maintain the battery in a state where it can meet the requirements of the application and to interface with the host application.
are subjected to a testing regime that meets industry standards. This covers environmental tests
, electromagnetic testing
, bump and vibration testing.
, which include an enclosure, the mains input wiring and safety circuits, as well as the umbilical cabling, and can also arrange them to be CE mark
approved.
History
In 2006, Axeon, as a software company, began working with MPower, a manufacturer producing batteries for mobile phones and portable products. MPower was working on a battery to be used in electric vehiclesElectric vehicle
An electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
and the Battery Management System
Battery Management System
A battery management system is any electronic system that manages a rechargeable battery , such as by monitoring its state, calculating secondary data, reporting that data, protecting the battery, controlling its environment, and / or balancing it.-Monitor:A BMS may monitor the state of the...
, the software that monitors the lithium-ion cells
Electrochemical cell
An electrochemical cell is a device capable of either deriving electrical energy from chemical reactions, or facilitating chemical reactions through the introduction of electrical energy. A common example of an electrochemical cell is a standard 1.5-volt "battery"...
, interfaces with the vehicle and ensures safety, was provided by Axeon. In 2007, Axeon merged with MPower.
In 2008, Axeon acquired Ristma AG, a Swiss holding company whose constituent companies also had several decades of experience in battery design and manufacture. The trading companies, formerly EMB GmbH and SAT AG, design and sell battery packs for the professional power tool market and Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
is a key customer. They also manufacture battery packs for a range of mobile applications, including medical and industrial monitoring equipment, and leisure equipment such as electric bicycles and powered golf trolleys
Electric golf trolley
An electric golf trolley is a battery powered cart that is designed to carry a golf bag, complete with clubs and other golf equipment. It eliminates the need for golfers to carry their own clubs or hire a caddy, and requires much less effort than a manual push or pull trolley.Electric golf trolleys...
. Manufacturing is carried out at a facility in Poland, formerly MAZ Sp.Z.o.o. In 2009, all the continental European companies were re-branded, and are now known as Axeon GmbH, Axeon AG and Axeon Sp.Z.o.o.
Electric Vehicles
Rolls-Royce Phantom Experimental ElectricAt the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a British manufacturer of luxury automobiles based at the Goodwood plant in West Sussex, England. It is the current producer of Rolls-Royce branded automobiles, whose historical production dates back to 1904. The factory is located across from the historic Goodwood Circuit...
unveiled its new 102EX
Rolls-Royce 102EX
Rolls Royce 102EX ; is an experimental Rolls Royce. Primarily designed to spark debate about whether luxury car manufacturers could and should provide cars which use electric, or other alternate drive-train technologies...
Phantom Experimental Electric, which is powered by a battery from Axeon.
The battery system is believed to be the biggest passenger car battery built in the world, both in terms of capacity and power, with 71kWh overall capacity and 388V DC nominal power.
The power pack is expected to deliver a range of up to 200km with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of under 8 seconds. The batteries can be recharged via a plug in cable or in eight hours by using a wireless induction charging system.
Land Rover Electric Defender Game Viewer Concept
At Indaba 2011, one of Africa’s largest tourism events, Land Rover
Land Rover
Land Rover is a British car manufacturer with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom which specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors, forming part of their Jaguar Land Rover group...
South Africa unveiled the Electric Defender Game Viewer Concept with an Axeon battery pack. The vehicle was built for the Londolozi Private Game Reserve
Londolozi Private Game Reserve
Londolozi Private Game Reserve, is part of the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, situated on the western border of the Kruger National Park, which together with some other parks make up the Greater Kruger National Park. Londolozi is Zulu for "protecting it", and has an area of about 7.000 Ha.The...
, a major South African game park. The standard 2.4-litre diesel engine from the Defender was replaced by an electric motor and 28.8 kWh battery pack in the engine bay, which enables the vehicle to maintain its original ground clearance and wading height.
Electric Car Corporation Citroën C1 ev’ie
Axeon announced it would supply a new battery pack for the Citroën C1 ev’ie manufactured by the Electric Car Corporation
Electric Car Corporation
The Electric Car Corporation plc is an electric car manufacturer and dealer based in Mayfair, London with an assembly plant in Flitwick, Bedfordshire. It makes and sells the Citroën C1 ev'ie, an electric car adapted from the Citroën C1...
with an energy density of 230Wh/kg and an innovative mechanical design aimed at increasing battery efficiency, but also increasing performance and extending the range of the battery in a smaller, lighter and less rigid package.
Electric Porsche 911
Axeon supplied a 96-cell battery pack for the RUF Automobile eRuf Model A
ERuf Model A
The eRuf Model A is an all-electric sports car made by German automobile manufacturer Ruf Automobile. The car is powered by a UQM Technologies propulsion system . The car has a top speed of and it’s capable of making and of torque...
, an electric sports car based on the Porsche 911. The car is capable of a top speed of 225km/h, acceleration from 0-60mph in less than 7 seconds and a range of between 250 km to 320 km.
Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator Competition
It is also collaborating with a range of partners, including Allied Vehicles, Scottish Power
Scottish Power
ScottishPower Ltd. is a vertically integrated energy company with its headquarters in Glasgow, Scotland. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but in 2006 it became a subsidiary of the Spanish utility Iberdrola...
, the University of Strathclyde
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
and Glasgow City Council, to run an electric vehicle
Electric vehicle
An electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
demonstrator programme in Glasgow, Scotland.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
New battery chemistryAxeon has received several technology development grants from the UK government's Technology Strategy Board
Technology Strategy Board
The Technology Strategy Board is a UK public body operating at arm's length from the Government reporting to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills .- History :...
to help it to develop smaller and lighter batteries for electric vehicles, with a longer range.
Plug-in European car
Axeon is working with A123 Systems and Ricardo
Ricardo plc
Ricardo plc is a British publicly listed company named after its founder, Sir Harry Ricardo and founded on 30 June 1927 in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. The company is a leading global multi-industry engineering provider of technology, product innovation and strategic consulting...
on a project for an undisclosed, established European vehicle manufacturer to create an advanced, lightweight battery pack that uses nanophosphate lithium iron cells manufactured by A123 Systems for a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle , plug-in hybrid vehicle , or plug-in hybrid is a hybrid vehicle which utilizes rechargeable batteries, or another energy storage device, that can be restored to full charge by connecting a plug to an external electric power source...
.
The battery pack will be liquid-cooled and the Battery Management System
Battery Management System
A battery management system is any electronic system that manages a rechargeable battery , such as by monitoring its state, calculating secondary data, reporting that data, protecting the battery, controlling its environment, and / or balancing it.-Monitor:A BMS may monitor the state of the...
will incorporate active cell balancing. Ricardo
Ricardo plc
Ricardo plc is a British publicly listed company named after its founder, Sir Harry Ricardo and founded on 30 June 1927 in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. The company is a leading global multi-industry engineering provider of technology, product innovation and strategic consulting...
will engineer the battery pack and Axeon will conduct full-scale testing of the vehicle's powertrain and handle production and supply of the necessary components.
Range-extended electric hybrid vehicles
The company is also participating in a project led by Jaguar Cars to develop a range-extended electric hybrid vehicle. In October 2011 Axeon announced that it would also supply two prototype batteries to Intelligent Energy for a UK Technology Strategy Board (TSB)-grant-assisted project to develop a concept for a lightweight, low emissions, range extended electric delivery van.Power Tools
Axeon supplies lithium-ion battery technology for cordlessCordless
The term cordless literally means without a cord and is generally used to refer to electrical or electronic devices that are powered by a battery or battery pack and can operate without a power cord or cable attached to a fixed electricity supply such as an outlet, generator, or other centralized...
power tools, such as cordless
Cordless
The term cordless literally means without a cord and is generally used to refer to electrical or electronic devices that are powered by a battery or battery pack and can operate without a power cord or cable attached to a fixed electricity supply such as an outlet, generator, or other centralized...
hedge trimmers
Hedge trimmer
A hedge trimmer, shrub trimmer, or bush trimmer, is a gardening tool or machine used for trimming hedges or solitary shrubs...
and lawn mowers. Its customers include several major producers of professional power tools, including Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
.
Mobile Power
Axeon produces mobile batteries that mean devices are able to run without a connection to mains electricity. Applications include mobile phones, cordless phones, pagers; medical devices such as diagnostic equipment and infusion pumps; mobility aidsMobility aids
Mobility aids are devices designed to assist walking or otherwise improve the mobility of people with a mobility impairment.There are various walking aids which can help with impaired ability to walk and wheelchairs or mobility scooters for more severe disability or longer journeys which would...
such as bath lifts and electric wheelchairs; industrial equipment such as gas meters
Gas meter
A gas meter is used to measure the volume of fuel gases such as natural gas and propane. Gas meters are used at residential, commercial, and industrial buildings that consume fuel gas supplied by a gas utility. Gases are more difficult to measure than liquids, as measured volumes are highly...
and data loggers; leisure products such as electric bicycles and powered golf trolleys
Electric golf trolley
An electric golf trolley is a battery powered cart that is designed to carry a golf bag, complete with clubs and other golf equipment. It eliminates the need for golfers to carry their own clubs or hire a caddy, and requires much less effort than a manual push or pull trolley.Electric golf trolleys...
and other applications such as portable credit card readers, forklift trucks, horse massage blankets and olive tree shakers.
Energy Storage
Axeon is supplying large capacity batteries for the grid energy storageGrid energy storage
Grid energy storage refers to the methods used to store electricity on a large scale within an electrical power grid. Electrical energy is stored during times when production exceeds consumption and the stores are used at times when consumption exceeds production...
sector in order to store excess energy generated from the electrical grid. Electricity generation
Electricity generation
Electricity generation is the process of generating electric energy from other forms of energy.The fundamental principles of electricity generation were discovered during the 1820s and early 1830s by the British scientist Michael Faraday...
is therefore balanced and maintained at a more constant level. Batteries can also be used for the storage of renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
, such as that from solar power
Solar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
via photovoltaic cells and wind turbines, as the supply of renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
is by its nature intermittent and batteries can provide a more stabilised supply.
Cells
Axeon is independent of cell suppliers, allowing the company to deploy a range of cell chemistry for its automotive products. Currently it works mainly with Lithium Iron PhosphateLithium iron phosphate
Lithium iron phosphate , also known as LFP, is a compound used in lithium iron phosphate batteries . It is targeted for use in power tools and electric vehicles...
and Lithium NCM (Nickel Cobalt Manganese) chemistries. It is also working on a project to develop a high energy density Transition metal oxide
Transition metal oxides
Transition metal oxides comprise a class of materials that contain transition elements and oxygen. They include insulators as well as metals. Often the same material may display both types of transport properties, hence a Metal-Insulator transition, obtained by varying either temperature or...
/Silicon alloy battery for PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle , plug-in hybrid vehicle , or plug-in hybrid is a hybrid vehicle which utilizes rechargeable batteries, or another energy storage device, that can be restored to full charge by connecting a plug to an external electric power source...
) applications.
Battery Management Systems
The Battery Management SystemBattery Management System
A battery management system is any electronic system that manages a rechargeable battery , such as by monitoring its state, calculating secondary data, reporting that data, protecting the battery, controlling its environment, and / or balancing it.-Monitor:A BMS may monitor the state of the...
(BMS) is an essential component within a multiple cell battery pack
Battery pack
A battery pack is a set of any number of identical batteries or individual battery cells. They may be configured in a series, parallel or a mixture of both to deliver the desired voltage, capacity, or power density...
. It monitors the state of a battery, measuring and controlling key operational parameters, and thus ensuring safety. Axeon’s BMS incorporates proprietary battery management electronics, and its four main objectives are to protect the cells and the battery from damage, prolong the life of the battery, maintain the battery in a state where it can meet the requirements of the application and to interface with the host application.
Batteries
Axeon designs and manufactures batteries for a wide range of applications, from low-power, low-capacity batteries for industrial, leisure and medical uses, to high-power, high-capacity batteries for use in electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Axeon produces a range of batteries from as little as 1 or 2 watts up to 180 kWhr, and from 2.4 Volts to 614 Volts. Axeon’s battery packsBattery pack
A battery pack is a set of any number of identical batteries or individual battery cells. They may be configured in a series, parallel or a mixture of both to deliver the desired voltage, capacity, or power density...
are subjected to a testing regime that meets industry standards. This covers environmental tests
Environmental tests
Environmental tests are used to verify a piece of equipment can withstand the rigors of harsh environments, for example:* extremely high and low temperatures* large, swift variations in temperature* blown and settling sand and dust* salt spray and salt fog...
, electromagnetic testing
Electromagnetic testing
Electromagnetic Testing , as a form of nondestructive testing, is the process of inducing electric currents or magnetic fields or both inside a test object and observing the electromagnetic response...
, bump and vibration testing.
Battery chargers
Axeon can supply both off-board and on-board battery chargersBattery charger
A battery charger is a device used to put energy into a secondary cell or rechargeable battery by forcing an electric current through it.The charge current depends upon the technology and capacity of the battery being charged...
, which include an enclosure, the mains input wiring and safety circuits, as well as the umbilical cabling, and can also arrange them to be CE mark
CE mark
CE marking is a mandatory conformity mark for products placed on the market in the European Economic Area . With the CE marking on a product the manufacturer ensures that the product conforms with the essential requirements of the applicable EC directives...
approved.
See also
- Electric vehicleElectric vehicleAn electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
- Battery electric vehicleBattery electric vehicleA battery electric vehicle, or BEV, is a type of electric vehicle that uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs. BEVs use electric motors and motor controllers instead of, or in addition to, internal combustion engines for propulsion.A battery-only electric vehicle or...
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehiclePlug-in hybrid electric vehicleA plug-in hybrid electric vehicle , plug-in hybrid vehicle , or plug-in hybrid is a hybrid vehicle which utilizes rechargeable batteries, or another energy storage device, that can be restored to full charge by connecting a plug to an external electric power source...
- Electric vehicle batteryElectric vehicle batteryAn electric vehicle battery or traction battery is a rechargeable battery used for propulsion of battery electric vehicles...
- Electric Car CorporationElectric Car CorporationThe Electric Car Corporation plc is an electric car manufacturer and dealer based in Mayfair, London with an assembly plant in Flitwick, Bedfordshire. It makes and sells the Citroën C1 ev'ie, an electric car adapted from the Citroën C1...
- Ruf Automobile
- Rolls-Royce Motor CarsRolls-Royce Motor CarsRolls-Royce Motor Cars is a British manufacturer of luxury automobiles based at the Goodwood plant in West Sussex, England. It is the current producer of Rolls-Royce branded automobiles, whose historical production dates back to 1904. The factory is located across from the historic Goodwood Circuit...
- RicardoRicardo plcRicardo plc is a British publicly listed company named after its founder, Sir Harry Ricardo and founded on 30 June 1927 in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. The company is a leading global multi-industry engineering provider of technology, product innovation and strategic consulting...