In conversation with: Autocraft EV solutions
As part of our Battery Reman month, we caught up with long time Rematec exhibitor, Autocraft EV solutions and asked all the questions that have been on the tip of the tongue of everyone in the reman industry and beyond.
With a wide array of services from analytics, diagnostics, repair, remanufacture, storage, grading, and recycling, Autocraft EV Solutions unlocks the full potential of EV batteries for OEMs all while maximising EV battery lifespan and performance in line with international circularity goals! With expertise and practical application to boot, we thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Autocraft EV Solutions.
To begin, how does battery remanufacturing address the growing demand for electric vehicles and extend battery lifecycles?
Despite low EV battery failure rates, a robust repair solution is essential for when faults occur, particularly as EV numbers increase. Our unique REVIVE® remanufacturing process tackles the root cause of underperformance to restore batteries to an optimal State of Health (SoH). This capability is the foundation of battery reliability and confidence in electric vehicles.
What are the biggest benefits of battery remanufacturing for the automotive industry from both sustainability and cost perspectives?
Remanufacturing delivers huge cost savings compared with a ‘replace and recycle’ strategy, which is unnecessary when a repair is feasible. The environmental benefits of a single repair are substantial, saving 1,100 kg of CO2, 4,200 kWh of electricity, and 1,500l of water. Based on our current output, we’re saving the equivalent carbon emissions of 61 flights from London to Sydney every month.
We’re saving the equivalent carbon emissions of 61 flights from London to Sydney every month!
How does Autocraft collaborate with customers and OEMs to understand and fulfil the demand for battery remanufacturing?
We partner with established OEMs to carry out in-warranty battery repairs across several European markets. Dealers notify us of a fault, and we collect the battery and provide a replacement. The faulty pack then undergoes testing to pinpoint the root cause of failure. Our pioneering use of digital twins streamlines this process and enhances our testing accuracy. This, in conjunction with our world-class industrialised repair methodology, allows us to upscale our remanufacturing capability to meet growing demand.
How does Autocraft ensure that remanufactured batteries deliver a better performance compared to new ones?
While it is impossible to restore batteries to perfect condition, we can reverse cyclical degradation to restore batteries to more than 90% SoH, the minimum legal threshold for an EV battery to be sold as a remanufactured product. This negates the need for a replacement battery, which comes with a heavy financial and environmental cost.
We can reverse cyclical degradation to restore batteries to more than 90% SoH
What specific techniques and processes does Autocraft use for safely and efficiently remanufacturing EV batteries?
The sophistication of our testing allows us to identify the root cause of battery faults with unparalleled speed and accuracy. Technologies like LiDAR and our patented ARIA® (Augmented Reality Interactive Assembly) system help technicians follow the optimal repair process safely and efficiently, minimising the potential for human error.
What are the latest developments and products that Autocraft is most proud of?
Our REVIVE® EV battery testing and repair capability has enabled us to successfully remanufacture thousands of batteries. As the only known company who can do this at scale, we’re helping to unlock massive cost and environmental savings by preventing batteries from being prematurely scrapped.
