Hyperdrive launches products that use Nissan Leaf batteries

Batteries from electric vehicles to be used in off highway vehicles and energy storage units

Hyperdrive Innovation has become the first company to use the lithium-ion batteries from Nissan’s Leaf electric car for its own commercial products.

The first batteries are being fitted into off-highway vehicles and energy storage units for domestic and commercial markets. The technology will be available for homeowners, businesses and network operators to expand their energy storage capacity.

Stephen Irish, Hyperdrive Innovation’s managing director, said: “Resurgent UK car manufacturers would have to spend millions of pounds to develop their own electric vehicle batteries. The ability to acquire world-leading technology and engineering support via Hyperdrive instead could give car manufacturers a significant head start in the race to deliver commercially successful electric vehicles.

Nissan is keen to find new applications for its battery technology. It is the perfect partnership to give Nissan new routes to market for their technology."

Irish said that the technology could be applied to automation in the future and that the system could be integrated into several applications that require electrification, such as rescue boats and factory robots.

Kevin Fitzpatrick, vice president for manufacturing for Nissan in the UK, said: “We have worked consistently to advance our battery technology so that we remain at the forefront of the sector. Hyperdrive’s new product will give customers and business owners the flexibility and power to control how and when they use energy and we are delighted to be sharing our battery technology and expertise to power this solution.” 

Nissan’s electric vehicle range uses battery technology developed and manufactured in-house by the company. Both the Nissan Leaf and the partnership with Hyperdrive was launched at the company's Sunderland manufacturing facility in 2013.

The co-location of battery and vehicle manufacturing allows for a short supply chain and more opportunities to access a wide range of markets globally, Irish added.