Advancing battery technology for electric vehicles and aircraft
The EU-funded RESiLiTE(opens in new window) project recently received battery cell samples, a delivery that is a key step towards the project’s goal of developing groundbreaking battery pack solutions for electric vehicles (EVs) and, later, aircraft. Launched in July 2025, RESiLiTE aims to create battery packs that are not only more energy dense but also have a bigger operative temperature range and are more thermally efficient, safer and more sustainable. As demand for EVs and aircraft grows, current battery packs face limitations in energy density, safety and efficiency. Such factors are essential for longer driving range, faster charging and greater reliability. These improvements will help speed up the EU’s adoption of zero-emission mobility and renewable energy storage, contributing to the European Green Deal. As it works towards these goals, RESiLiTE is also furthering the broader vision of the BATT4EU Partnership(opens in new window) that aims to create a competitive, sustainable and circular European battery value chain for e-mobility and stationary applications. Such a value chain will help drive the transformation towards a carbon-neutral society.
Generating data for improved batteries
The battery cell samples were received at the facilities of RESiLiTE project coordinator Kautex Textron in Bonn, Germany, and are currently being tested at project partner RWTH Aachen University. The testing process will provide the project team with critical data enabling them to refine the sensing and control mechanisms of the battery management system. As reported in a news item(opens in new window) posted on ‘Automotive Powertrain Technology International’, securing these samples marks a pivotal milestone, serving as the foundation for optimising battery charge and discharge cycles at high C-rates. This optimisation ensures efficient operation while safeguarding the battery from damage and preserving its operational lifespan. Significant progress has been achieved since the project’s launch in mid-2025. The project team has successfully defined the technical system-level requirements for the battery packs. RESiLiTE researchers have also been working on the vehicle and battery architecture as well as the design and sizing of the full battery pack. Lastly, the battery pack’s battery management system, safety functionalities and fast-charging capabilities are also being developed. RESiLiTE’s focus in 2026 will be on finalising the battery pack’s design and architecture. “The project is on track to achieve all its KPIs by developing a prototype that is ready for industrialization,” comments Kautex Textron development engineer Stefano Piacquadio in the same news item. “Together with our partners, we are advancing the state of the art in battery pack technology, developing industrializable architectures with exceptional packaging efficiency, high C-rate capability and advanced diagnostics to support these innovations.” The RESiLiTE (Robust, Economical, Silicon-rich, Lightweight and Thermally Efficient battery packs) project ends in mid-2028. For more information, please see: RESiLiTE project website(opens in new window)
