Funding announced for industry test sites and pioneering recycling centre.
The Nordic Investment Bank has agreed €63m of funding to develop laboratories and test sites for vehicle battery development for the electric vehicle sector.
The Swedish Electric Transport Laboratory will construct test centres for different aspects of electrified transport, such as component testing for hybrids and electric cars, the development of vehicle batteries, charging and smart power management and the testing of electrified gear boxes and drive shafts for different kinds of vehicles.
The projects will allow car manufacturers to develop and verify new technologies with facilities proposed at three sites in Gothenburg, BorĂĄs, and Nykvarn.
At the same time, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced $25m for one of the world’s first car battery recycling plants able to treat spent lithium-ion batteries.
The funding will support the construction of the pioneering facility in Poland, which will also address other waste containing metals that are critical for the electric vehicle market.
Frederic Lucenet, EBRD director of manufacturing and services, said: “This is an outstanding example of how new technology and progress with the green economy are working hand in hand. The EBRD is actively supporting Poland’s ambitious agenda to become a low-carbon economy and has already financed several large e-mobility projects with domestic and foreign investors.”
Europe is undertaking a rapid shift towards electrified vehicles. Several countries have set ambitious targets to phase out the sale of all non-electric cars over the coming years and new facilities like these will be an important part of ensuring sustainability.
