InoBat Auto become the first AI-enhanced throughput R&D centre keen on making client customised electric vehicle batteries. The battery production company are keen to providing new energy solutions for electric vehicles (“EVs”), and recently they announced the purchase of a 290,000 sq ft (27,000 sq m) facility close to Bratislava. The property will house the world’s first 100MWh facility combining proprietary cutting-edge High Throughput Process (“HTP”) R&D with prototype battery cell-manufacturing capabilities under one roof. Also the definition of electric-vehicle battery (EVB) (also known as a traction battery) is a battery used to power the electric motors of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). These batteries are usually rechargeable (secondary) batteries, and are typically lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are specifically designed for a high ampere-hour (or kilowatt-hour) capacity. The facility is expected to be the first in the world to produce batteries to specifications of the vehicle manufacturer, rather than selling from a catalogue, and will enable European electric vehicle manufacturers to reduce dependence on imports from Asia. InoBat Auto’s production will contribute to a strong European energy production and storage infrastructure now recognised as vital for growth and EU technological independence, particularly after the supply chain disruption demonstrated by recent restrictions following the outbreak of Covid-19. Backed by IPM Group, an InfraTech investor, and Wildcat Discovery Technologies’ (“Wildcat”), InoBat Auto is expecting to manufacture the first bespoke battery cells by 2021. Through the use of Wildcat’s proprietary R&D, InoBat Auto will have the ability to continuously and rapidly develop next generation customer specific battery cells through HTP and AI. Strategically located in Voderady, just 40km from Bratislava and in close proximity to 9 major Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMS”) brands, including Peugeot, KIA and Jaguar Land Rover, the R&D centre will complete the first phase of the roll out of InoBat Auto and will be followed by the fundraising for Phase 2 – a EUR 1bn InoBat Auto Gigafactory, which will provide an estimated 240,000 EVs with cutting edge batteries by 2024.
InoBat Auto has acquired the site from Korean technology group, Fine DNC, which has a vast expertise in the automotive and electronics industries.Redevelopment of the site to meet the high specifications required for advanced battery manufacture in scale is set to begin later this year, and will create an estimated 150 new highly-skilled jobs. Marian Bocek, Co-Founder of InoBat Auto commented: “The acquisition of the Voderady site is a landmark step to realising our vision for InoBat Auto and will be vital to accelerating the much-needed electrification of all forms of transport. Being able to combine cutting edge R&D with scale manufacturing capabilities in one site will allow us to select the optimum composition of battery materials to meet the bespoke performance requirements of vehicle manufacturers, whilst also creating a powerful supply chain in the heart of Europe.”
InoBat Auto is backed by a strong consortium of investors and technology companies, including lead investor IPM Group (IPM)?-?one of the fastest growing asset managers bringing ground-breaking technologies to Europe?-?and, Wildcat Discovery Technologies, a US energy tech firm backed by Virgin’s Green Fund. It also planned a gigafactory which will take a incredibly vital opportunity in Europe to become a leading global force in the electric vehicle battery industry. InoBat Auto will thus work in huge collaboration with electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturers, to create a production line of tailor-made batteries to support the sharp rise in sales. InoBat Auto is backed by a strong consortium of investors and technology companies including lead investor, IPM Group (IPM) and Wildcat Discovery Technologies, a US energy tech firm backed by Richard Branson’s Virgin Green Fund which stated:
“InoBat Auto is set to address some of the biggest challenges facing the electric vehicle industry,” said InoBat Auto co-founder Marian Bocek.
“When our second investment round closes next month, we will be able to apply our state-of-the-art technology to produce batteries that will significantly reduce charging time and enhance battery life for electric vehicles.”