How Aceleron reimagined what lithium-ion batteries need to be today.

Upon a successful launch of the Essential Battery, we decided to dig a little deeper as to how our Chief Product Officer, Matt Isted reimagined what lithium-ion batteries needed to be today.

For starters, let’s talk about how did the idea for the new Essential battery design came about?

“From very early on in the project we realised that all of the other Lithium-ion battery packs on the market are awkward to carry and were very inefficient in how they laid out all of the internal components. We were also aware that batteries of this type are made to be transported in challenging environments so we wanted a design that could be powerful, easy to carry but also very rugged. The New Essential is designed to be the ‘Jerry can’ for the electric generation.”

What were some of the considerations for the new battery design?

“Portability was an area that we were very keen to address, a large grab handle on the top of the product and recessed finger grips on the base of the product have been designed with carrying and installing the batteries in mind. Soft touch materials have been used on all the touch points and communication ports have been built into the upper face, however, for me the most important considerations with the design are the parts that you can’t see. A great deal of material development and structural design has been invested in producing a ‘Core’ that is incredibly strong, ensuring that we maintain excellent compression with the cells. This internal design is also the reason that the product is very easy to service and maintain, a product can be stripped into its core components in less than five minutes and rebuilt in a similar time, it is the considered design that makes this possible.”

What are the ideal applications for the Essential battery?  

“The Essential is a very versatile battery and can be used in a wide spectrum of applications. Unlike any other Lithium-ion battery on the market, the Essential can be installed in x3 different orientations making it ideal to be installed into a variety of challenging locations. Van conversions, for example, are notoriously difficult, however, the new Essential can easily be installed under a seat with easy access to the terminals making installations quicker and cheaper for conversion companies. Typically, we see the Essential used in applications such as portable power for caravans and motor homes, telecoms, custom vehicles, and many others. Anyone looking for a lightweight but powerful alternative to a lead-acid battery should consider the new Essential.”  

What is meant by intelligent management?

“One of the most critical parts of the Essential is the Battery Management System (BMS). These are the electronics which determine how much power is used by the battery, but also it is this BMS which provides multiple layers of safety when the battery is in use and being stored. The Battery Management System used in the Essential is bespoke and has been designed “in-house” by our team of exceptional Electronic Engineers to pass the highest level of certification. Intelligent management refers to the battery management system, which is capable of monitoring and controlling temperature, voltage, current and even external communication making this a very ‘smart’ battery.”

What makes the new Essential battery design so special?

“For me the Essential battery design is special due to the ease and simplicity to service and maintain it. The patented compression design has allowed us to avoid welding and gluing of components which makes accessing the cells and electronics so simple. Unlike any other batteries on the market, this allows two possibilities: the first is service – if the battery has any issues in its life, we can service and maintain it rather than scrapping valuable components; the second is futureproofing – we live in very exciting times with rapid developments in cells and electronics; as technology improves, our batteries are designed to be upgraded or improved ensuring that your battery is always at the cutting edge of performance.

Circular Economy is a phrase commonly used in a range of industries, but I struggle to think of a better example of this than the Essential battery. We have the ability to not only use first-life but also second-life cells in all of our products, and when we choose to upgrade or service a pack the ‘surplus’ cells can be repurposed in other Aceleron battery packs ensuring that we get the most out of every individual cell. With the world moving towards electric at an incredible pace, it’s sustainable products like the Essential which are not only smart but also environmentally responsible that make the big difference.”