Aston Martin's first electric car to be powered by cells from Britishvolt

Aston Martin's first electric vehicle in 2025 will be powered by bespoke batteries developed with Britishvolt, the upstart U.K. battery manufacturer.

Britishvolt, whose management team includes auto industry veterans from Ford Motor Co., has been moving fast to ink deals with manufacturers ahead of its start of cell production in 2024. In January, the company, which aims to be the largest battery manufacturer in the U.K., signed a deal with sports car maker Lotus.

The batteries for the upcoming Aston Martin may be a tough challenge. They will not only have to provide the power to deliver the neck-snapping performance Aston Martin buyers expect of the luxury brand, but also a reasonable driving range between charges.

Batteries with a high energy density can store more electricity and deliver long driving ranges between charges. Batteries with higher power density can release more electricity faster, enabling high performance.

The memorandum of understanding the companies signed spells out goals for the new batteries: "To set the standards of repeatable on-track performance, charging time and range."

Aston and Britishvolt engineers will try to meet those targets with a battery chemistry known as High Ni NMC, which are high-power lithium ion batteries that use a combination of nickel, manganese and cobalt.

The partnership will see R&D teams from Aston and Britishvolt develop the batteries and the battery management system.

Britishvolt has created its own lithium ion cylindrical cells that it will sell to automakers once its factory in Northumberland in the northeast of England near the Scottish border begins production. The company is also developing solid-state batteries.

"This powerful collaboration combines 109 years of engineering mastery with the expertise of a fast-growing U.K. technology business," Aston Martin CEO Tobias Moers said in a statement. "Working together with Britishvolt, I believe we can create new technologies to power benchmark-setting Aston Martin electric cars that will match our reputation for high performance and ultra-luxury with the highest standards of sustainability."

Aston said the deal with Britishvolt complements an agreement with Mercedes-Benz, which will see Mercedes EV technology, such as motors and gearboxes, used in Aston Martin vehicles.

The upcoming Aston Martin electric car is expected to be a replacement for the front-engine DB11 and Vantage.

Britishvolt spokesman Ben Kilbey said engineers will work together at Britishvolt's facilities in the Midlands and at Aston's product development center in Gaydon, Warwickshire.