Northvolt subsidiary, Cuberg, has launched a new program aimed at developing high-performance battery systems for safe and sustainable electric flight. The program will use Cuberg’s lithium metal cell technology to design and build system solutions for the aviation industry.

Sweden-based Northvolt is establishing itself as a leading global provider of sustainable battery cells for the automotive segment, as well as complete battery systems for the heavy industrial and energy storage markets. With the new aviation systems program, Northvolt aims to leverage Cuberg’s next-generation lithium metal cell technology and its battery manufacturing experience to bring end-to-end energy solutions to the skies.

Cuberg’s technology uses a lithium metal anode and proprietary liquid electrolyte, solving the interlocking challenges of battery performance and manufacturability. This new program aims to build certifiable battery systems that will enable enhanced aircraft performance and deliver a trusted end-to-end solution for the aviation industry.

“The aviation industry is pursuing cleaner forms of energy and propulsion, but aircraft manufacturers are held back by the weight and immaturity of aviation-certifiable lithium-ion battery systems. With this new program, we will build certifiable battery systems enabling greatly enhanced aircraft performance and deliver a trusted end-to-end solution backed by one of the world’s preeminent battery manufacturers,” said Richard Wang, Cuberg CEO and Founder.

Cuberg has made significant advances toward a fully integrated battery system since publishing externally validated performance data on its lithium metal cell technology in July 2022. The company has developed a 20 Ah commercial-format lithium metal pouch cell with specific energy of 405 Wh/kg, which has been shipped to customers worldwide. Cuberg has also engineered and produced an aviation module, based around its 20 Ah lithium metal cells, with specific energy of 280 Wh/kg and energy density of 320 Wh/L. The Cuberg lithium metal module platform has achieved passive propagation resistance during a thermal runaway verification test campaign, a key step in certification of aviation battery systems.

Peter Carlsson, CEO and Co-Founder of Northvolt, said, “With our aviation systems program, we will leverage Cuberg’s next-generation lithium metal cell technology together with our battery manufacturing experience to bring end-to-end energy solutions to the skies.”

Cuberg’s innovative lithium metal battery technology aims to enable safe, sustainable electric flight and is compatible with industry standard manufacturing methods, enabling scalability, reliability and traceability across the value chain.

While current battery technologies, such as lithium-ion, can be too heavy and low-performing for use in aircraft, Cuberg’s battery cells are lightweight and high-performance. The technology is also compatible with industry standard manufacturing methods, enabling scalability, reliability and traceability across the value chain.