Institution news
Benjamin discusses his role and involvement with regards to EV batteries, industry 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?
Benjamin Silverstone (BS): I oversee the work for the national battery skills framework which involves liaising with employers to establish the content required for education and training across a range of levels, working with trailblazers to ensure that apprenticeships meet the needs of the future workforce and providing advice on skills development as part of plans to build new production facilities.
Q: Many OEMs are pledging to be fully electric by 2030/2035, in light of this what would you say we need next to ensure a mainly electric vehicle presence in the market in the UK?
BS: There are many factors involved in this. As an EV driver myself there are key physical and psychological factors. A shift in driver mindset is needed, I often hear drivers saying that the range EVs achieve is still not high enough but, in reality, it caters for the vast majority of drivers’ needs. Physically the charging infrastructure needs to improve both in terms of volume and availability but also in terms of reliability. The infrastructure in the UK has not kept pace with the growth in EV sales.
Q: When it comes to the part of the battery life cycle you are involved in, what considerations need to be taken when it comes to the sustainability side?
BS: Sustainability has been “baked into” the skills framework so that it forms part of the agenda at all levels of the workforce. A clear drive towards sustainability has been the development of the Sustainable Battery Engineer programme which emphasises design for re-use and recycling. Input was sought from existing recyclers to ensure that the qualification would be as useful as possible.
Q: What do you think is the main area in the battery lifecycle that needs development to ensure a net-zero carbon lifecycle to match the 2050 target?
BS: This is a difficult question. Without sounding like a non-answer I think that all of it needs development. We need to get better at greener manufacturing processes and not just designing for sustainability but also using recycled materials in the supply chain. We need to be mindful of the environmental impact of the chemicals used in battery cells and we need to improve the effectiveness of re-use and recycling programmes.
Q: Regarding new technologies for battery use and operation, what would you say are the ones to watch for the future?
BS: I would say, from a customer perspective, ultra-rapid charging is going to be the biggest breakthrough. If charging of a moderately sized pack can be achieved in minutes then the need to build bigger batteries goes away along with many of the barriers and anxieties that customers may have.
Q: Why is it important for engineers to join the International EV Batteries 2021 conference?
BS: The pace of change in terms of technologies, skills and legislation, has never been so rapid and this is an extremely exciting time. In a post-Covid world we have the opportunity to question what the “normal” is that we are so desperate to get back to and the electric revolution is a fantastic example of a “new normal” that can emerge and really challenge the “old normal” that we really should leave behind!
This year’s International EV Batteries conference will be taking place on 9-10 November 2021 at Kia Oval, London.
Join this conference to:
- Hear from battery experts from organisations including Toyota, Nyobolt, Arrival, Benchmark Intelligence, Warwick Manufacturing Group, Rimac Automobili, Advanced Propulsion Centre, Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Magna Powertrain, Williams Advanced Engineering, Vertical Aerospace and UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC)
- Find out how specific challenges of integrating EV technology into bus, aerospace and hypercar 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, including developments with solid-state batteries
- Gain insight 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 in-person expert-led roundtables and our question and answer sessions with the speakers
To book your place, please visit www.imeche.org/evbatteries.