UL Solutions Inc. has opened its North America Advanced Battery Laboratory in Auburn Hills, Michigan to test electric and hybrid vehicle and industrial batteries.

The new facility is UL Solutions’ largest laboratory investment in its history. The company said it’s also part of its commitment to help battery manufacturers increase the safety and reliability of their energy storage products.

“The electrification of everything relies on battery innovation, impacts many industries, and elevates the need for safety and performance across the energy transition spectrum,” said Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO of UL Solutions, in a news release. “This is where we step in. Our North America Advanced Battery Laboratory demonstrates our commitment to supporting the safer commercialization of new battery innovations that play a vital role in the world’s energy transition.”

The new laboratory is in the Auburn Hills Oakland Technology Park complex near Detroit. The facility houses state-of-the-art battery test equipment so UL Solutions can deliver safety and performance testing for automotive and industrial OEMs and their suppliers.

“Today’s grand opening of UL Solutions’ North America Advanced Battery Laboratory in Michigan is a testament to our growing leadership in the future of mobility and electrification,” said Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in the release. “With this cutting-edge testing facility in Auburn Hills, we can test the technology we will need for electric vehicles close by to the manufacturing plants where the batteries, cars, and trucks themselves are getting built by hardworking Michiganders.

“Our ecosystem of advanced manufacturing is strong, and we will continue to lead the nation in this space. Together, with partners like UL Solutions, we can build a brighter future for Michigan industry and create and support thousands of good-paying jobs. Let’s keep getting it done.”

The facility’s portfolio of tests includes thermal fire propagation, electrical, mechanical abuse, and environmental based on various UL and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, United Nations (UN) goals and initiatives, and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and OEM specifications.

UL Solutions’ global network has testing facilities focused on this type of testing in Illinois, Germany, China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Spain.

In July, Stellantis and research institution, CEA, announced they had teamed up for a five-year joint research program for the in-house design of next-generation battery cells for EVs. The companies said that will include designing advanced technology cells with higher performance, a longer lifespan, and a lower carbon footprint at competitive costs, which can lead to more affordable and sustainable battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the future.

Mercedes-Benz has also taken a new global step in battery production.

The OEM recently opened a new eCampus at the heart of its headquarters in Germany where cell and battery development for its future EVs will be conducted.

Mercedes said the goal is to develop innovative chemical compositions and optimized production processes for high-performance cells with “Mercedes-Benz DNA” and reduce battery costs by more than 30% in the coming years.

Images

Featured image: Robert Slone, SVP and chief scientist, UL Solutions; Angela Williams, CISO, UL Solutions; Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II; Rep. Donni Steele; Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO, UL Solutions; Congresswoman Haley Stevens; Weifang Zhou, EVP and president of Testing, Inspection and Certification, UL Solutions; City of Auburn Hills Mayor Pro-Tem Eugene Hawkins III; Milan Dotlich, VP and general manager, Energy and Industrial Automation, UL Solutions; Jeff Smidt, SVP, Testing, Inspection and Certification, Industrial, UL Solutions, and Oakland County Commissioner Brendan Johnson.