Institution news
Fergal explained his role and involvement with regards to the conference, critical engineering challenges and why it is important for engineers to attend.
Q: Please could you briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience with regards to EV batteries?
Fergal Harrington-Beatty (FHB): I recently became AMTE Power's Head of Automotive and Aerospace. In my new role, I'm using my six years of experience in the electric vehicle sector to oversee AMTE Power's strategy in the automotive and aerospace sectors, to ensure the successful deployment of our ultra cell range and gigafactory projects, both in the UK and worldwide. I also still lead our grant-funded strategy. I've had previous roles as a PRINCE2 qualified programme manager, production engineer and Level 4 EV safety and repair qualified EV manufacturing trainer.
Q: What would you say are the main challenges to EV batteries being adopted by consumers on a large scale?
FHB: Supply chain issues. The demand for EVs is there, and so is the technology, it’s now a matter of producing enough batteries. OEMs are also reluctant to give up existing internal combustion engine assets, which doesn’t help as they’re not investing upstream. Infrastructure issues are wildly overstated, often cynically.
Q: How do you see those challenges being overcome in the coming years?
FHB: Government intervention. Legislation has proven time and again to be the key driving force behind EV adoption, the sooner politicians act and bring internal combustion engine vehicle bans, the better off people and the planet will be.
Q: Regarding new technologies for battery use and operation, what would you say are the ones to watch for the future?
FHB: Advancements in lithium-ion, to suggest any other cell chemistry will come close over the next decade would be dishonest. Very high-power cells (>100C discharge) are particularly exciting because they allow for hybrid packs to be significantly downsized, reducing weight of the very heavy PHEVs we see on the road today.
Q: Why is it important for engineers to join this year’s International EV Batteries conference?
FHB: We see the climate situation worsening every day, and it’s every engineer’s ethical responsibility to make a change. Emissions from road vehicles make up a 1/5 of the UK’s total emissions output, and hence are one of the areas we should tackle first to make a change!
This year’s International EV Batteries conference will be taking place live online on 11-12 November 2020.
Join this conference to:
- Hear from battery experts from organisations including Arrival, Geely Powertrain Research Institute, Britishvolt, Department for Transport, London Fire Brigade, Warwick Manufacturing Group, Jaguar Land Rover, Magna Powertrain, Groupe Renault, Williams Advanced Engineering, Vertical Aerospace and the Health and Safety Executive
- Find out how specific challenges of integrating EV technology into heavy duty, aerospace and military applications are being managed by leaders in the field
- Plan for a more cost-effective, stable and energy-dense battery by hearing about state-of-the-art battery cell chemistries and design
- Gain insights into the latest battery testing techniques and technologies to ensure an efficient and safe battery
- Learn best practice for thermal management of batteries to ensure optimal temperatures for safe and efficient operation
- Join the discussion through our interactive roundtables and our live question and answer sessions with the speakers
To book your place, please visit www.imeche.org/evbatteries.