Lithion Battery gets module certification for Europe

Lithion Battery has received confirmation from test agency DEKRA of a successful completion of Europe’s ECE R100 Revision 2 module tests for commercial electric vehicles on 12 V and 24 V models of Valence’s U-Charge U27 lithium-ion batteries.

Lithion acquired Valence in late 2020 and has embarked on a certification strategy that will encompass existing and and next-generation products. Evolving battery products include a range of high energy, cost-effective battery solutions manufactured in North America at Lithion’s brand new 80,000 sq/ft facility in Henderson, Nev.

The company said it has a strategy of testing, where possible, at the module-only level - that is without the protective aid of the Valence Battery Management System (BMS - designed to provide system level protection through contactors and other safety devices). Successfully passing R100 tests without a BMS demonstrates the inherent safety of its modules, said the company.

To address customer challenges, Lithion said it will continue to undergo testing to assist them through ECE R100 Revision 2 type approvals, mandatory for battery powered vehicles. Comprehensive assessment includes: vibration testing, thermal shock testing, fire resistance (immersion in fuel fire), over-temperature, over-charge and over-discharge testing.

“We are very excited to make this significant announcement, in conjunction with our approvals partner DEKRA,” said Brian Dargan, managing director, Lithion Battery EMEA. “These recent tests demonstrate the intrinsic safety of our Valence brand and speak to the decades of successful customer experiences with our battery module design. Customers have told us that by utilizing Valence battery modules, they expect to see a combination of reduced costs and shortened timeframe in their vehicle EV certification process for their commercial EV applications.”

Lithion Battery is a lithium battery specialist and a subsidiary of the Lithion Power Group headquartered in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Its European business has facilities in the Netherlands and Belfast, UK.