UK battery service set for major European launch

A pioneering mobile electric vehicle (EV) battery service facility that is fully-equipped to test and remanufacture up to 2,000 battery packs per year will make its European debut at the REMATEC automotive remanufacturing exhibition in Amsterdam between June 27-29.

UK-based Autocraft EV Solutions, part of Autocraft Solutions Group, will launch its unique REVIVE MOBILE Repair Centre at the show as the company looks to expand its presence across the European continent.

The REVIVE MOBILE Repair Centre, which is housed within a 30ft ISO footprint expandable container, is transportable and contains off-grid facilities that allow Autocraft to bring its full EV battery diagnostics and repair expertise directly to where there is greatest demand. Doing this helps to reduce the environmental impact and logistical hurdles associated with long distance transportation of large volumes of EV batteries.

Believed to be one of only a few companies with the capability to diagnose and repair EV battery faults on both a cellular level and at industrial scale, Autocraft EV Solutions is on a mission to help the automotive industry to unlock the full environmental and performance potential of EV. Its unique REVIVE MOBILE Repair Centres enable the business to deliver its services from any location, in a scalable and effective manner.

Each REVIVE MOBILE Centre is designed to provide a full range of EV battery services, including pack integrity safety check using patented Autocraft State-of-Health (SoH) test equipment, patented dynamic test methodology, fault identification and repair planning, pack discharge and disassembly, and module replacement and pack re-assembly.

A greener alternative to recycling

Autocraft’s unique REVIVE system enables any in-warranty or out-of-warranty battery failures to be quickly identified and fixed without the need for a replacement battery pack. Replacing faulty modules with healthy ones returns the pack to optimal performance by reversing the effects of cyclical aging. This enables OEMs to maximise the longevity of each battery, a crucial step in the automotive industry’s circularity efforts.

With only a fraction of the environmental cost associated with manufacturing a replacement pack or even recycling a defunct unit, this approach to maintaining optimal EV battery health is crucial to unlocking the value of EV and protecting the planet.

Mike Hague-Morgan, Executive Director at Autocraft, said: “When most people think about the circular economy, they imagine recycling as the logical next step. The environmental benefits of maximising EV battery longevity are actually far greater, and we believe the automotive industry has a duty to maximise the lifespan of EVs to ensure they remain in use for as long as possible. Recycling should therefore be seen as a last resort, to be used only when all other avenues to repair have been exhausted.

“Most EV batteries contain several modules, each containing the cells which store energy. These cells operate in a series circuit which means that one faulty cell can make an entire module unusable. Our team of engineers have shown that we can repair an EV battery from as low as 10% operational capacity right up to 90% by just repairing one or two modules.”

Rapid overseas scaling

Hague-Morgan believes the new technology could hold the key to establishing permanent British-owned REVIVE EV Battery Service Centres in strategic locations around the globe, rapidly scaling up new centres in a matter of weeks.

He explained: “The REVIVE MOBILE Repair Centre adds true scalability to our EV battery servicing capabilities. It enables us to establish multiple secure and ISO-compliant battery servicing facilities in strategic global locations wherever there is high demand for the test and repair of EV battery packs. This solution equips automakers to accommodate growing requirements for fault-free EV battery repairs, which are so crucial to maintaining the longevity and reliability of electrical vehicles.

“REVIVE MOBILE Repair Centre is a vital cog in our international expansion efforts. We have identified a business model that enables us to use our MOBILE Repair Centres as an interim measure while we establish a more permanent presence at strategic locations through our fixed REVIVE Workshops. REVIVE MOBILE Repair Centres can be deployed within a matter of weeks, allowing us to bring our services safely and securely to OEMs all over the world to help them with their sustainability and circularity initiatives.”

The REVIVE MOBILE Repair Centre also features a number of high-spec cameras that guide technicians through each stage of the process with flawless precision as part of Autocraft’s commitment to no-fault forward repairs. LIDAR controls and RFID tools ensure total adherence to protocols designed for the safety of personnel. The presence of early detection and fire suppression systems provides a further layer of security in the scenario of a thermal event.

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