eCAIMAN · Project

Better Lithium-Ion Batteries That Last Longer and Cost Less for Electric Vehicles

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Think of your phone battery — now imagine making it 20% more powerful without making it bigger or more expensive. That's essentially what eCAIMAN did, but for the much larger batteries that power electric cars, vans, and trucks. They improved three key ingredients inside the battery — the electrolyte, the cathode, and the anode — so the whole thing stores more energy. And they specifically used materials available in Europe and production methods that already exist, keeping costs down.

By the numbers

20%

Minimum improvement in total cell capacity

High-voltage spinel cathode operating voltage

Consortium partners

Countries in the consortium

Industry partners in the consortium

59%

Industry participation ratio

The business problem

What needed solving

Electric vehicle adoption is held back by batteries that don't store enough energy and cost too much. Current lithium-ion cells need higher capacity without requiring exotic materials or completely new manufacturing lines. European manufacturers also face dependency on non-European supply chains for critical battery materials.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered a BMS and battery module demonstrator (D5.3) incorporating three key innovations: a 5V high-voltage spinel cathode, a high-capacity composite anode, and a stable high-voltage electrolyte. Together, these improvements achieve at least 20% higher total cell capacity.

Audience

Who needs this

EV manufacturers needing higher energy density cells for longer rangeBattery cell producers looking to upgrade chemistry without new production linesCommercial fleet operators electrifying medium and heavy duty vehiclesEuropean battery material suppliers seeking validated demand for locally mined materialsAutomotive tier-1 suppliers developing next-generation battery packs

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Electric vehicle manufacturing

enterprise

Target: EV manufacturers and automotive OEMs building battery-electric vehicles

If you are an EV manufacturer struggling with limited driving range and high battery costs — this project developed an improved lithium-ion cell with at least 20% higher capacity using a 5V high-voltage spinel cathode, composite anode, and stable electrolyte. The technology was designed with existing European production methods and inexpensive European-sourced materials, directly targeting cost reduction. The consortium included large European light, medium, and heavy duty vehicle manufacturers who shaped real end-user requirements.

Battery cell production

mid-size

Target: European battery cell and module manufacturers

If you are a battery manufacturer looking to increase energy density without retooling your entire production line — eCAIMAN specifically used existing European production technologies to develop their improved cell chemistry. The project delivered a working BMS and battery module demonstrator, proving the components work together. With 10 industry partners across 8 countries, the scale-up path was designed from day one for European manufacturing.

Commercial fleet and logistics

any

Target: Fleet operators transitioning to electric delivery vans and trucks

If you are a fleet operator worried that current EV batteries don't deliver enough range for your medium or heavy duty routes — eCAIMAN developed battery improvements specifically tested with heavy duty vehicle requirements in mind. A 20% capacity increase means meaningfully longer range between charges. The project worked directly with European light, medium, and heavy duty vehicle manufacturers, so the technology addresses real commercial transport needs, not just passenger cars.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much does this improved battery cost compared to current options?

eCAIMAN was explicitly designed to reduce final battery price by using inexpensive materials mined in Europe and existing European production technologies. Specific per-kWh pricing is not available in the project data, but the cost-reduction approach is built into the design rather than being an afterthought.

Can this be manufactured at industrial scale today?

The project specifically designed scale-up using existing European production technologies, which means no new factory equipment is needed. A battery module demonstrator (D5.3) was built, proving the components work together. However, moving from demonstrator to full mass production would still require investment in scaling the supply chain.

What is the intellectual property situation — can we license this technology?

The project involved 17 partners across 8 countries, including 10 industry partners. IP is likely distributed among consortium members according to the grant agreement. Companies interested in licensing specific innovations (the 5V spinel cathode, composite anode, or electrolyte) should contact the coordinator AIT Austrian Institute of Technology.

How does this compare to what is already on the market?

eCAIMAN targeted at least 20% improvement in total cell capacity over the baseline at project start (2015). The project deliberately avoided high-risk experimental approaches and focused on market-near improvements. Given the project ended in 2018, some advances may have since been incorporated into commercial cells.

Which vehicle types was this tested for?

The battery was developed in collaboration with large European light, medium, and heavy duty vehicle manufacturers. This means the technology was validated against real requirements from passenger cars through to commercial trucks, covering a broad range of vehicle applications.

What is the current status — is anyone using this?

The project closed in December 2018. A BMS and battery module demonstrator was delivered. Based on available project data, there is no information about commercial deployment after the project ended. Follow-up with AIT Austrian Institute of Technology would clarify current status and commercialization progress.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a strong industry-driven consortium with 10 out of 17 partners (59%) coming from industry, including 4 SMEs. The coordinator is AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, one of Europe's leading applied research organizations. Spread across 8 countries (AT, CH, DE, EL, ES, FR, IT, SE), the consortium covers major European automotive and battery manufacturing hubs. The presence of large European light, medium, and heavy duty vehicle manufacturers as partners means the technology was developed against real commercial requirements, not academic benchmarks. With only 1 university versus 6 research organizations and 10 industry players, this project was clearly designed to deliver industry-ready results.

AIT AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GMBHCoordinator · AT
VOLVO TECHNOLOGY ABparticipant · SE
ETHNIKO KENTRO EREVNAS KAI TECHNOLOGIKIS ANAPTYXISparticipant · EL
PIAGGIO & C S.P.A.participant · IT
CENTRO RICERCHE FIAT SCPAparticipant · IT
COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESparticipant · FR
RISE RESEARCH INSTITUTES OF SWEDEN ABparticipant · SE
LITHOPS SRLparticipant · IT
SPHERA SOLUTIONS GMBHparticipant · DE
EUTEMA GMBHparticipant · AT
POLITECNICO DI TORINOparticipant · IT
ARKEMA FRANCE SAparticipant · FR
SAMSUNG SDI BATTERY SYSTEMS GMBHparticipant · AT
FUNDACION CIDETECparticipant · ES

How to reach the team

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Austria — contact via their technology licensing office

Order a report on this consortium See AIT AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GMBH profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

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