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Jaguar Land Rover’s InMotion Ventures invests in battery recycling and manufacturing technology

vuyi on April 28, 2021

Jaguar Land Rover’s venture capital and mobility arm, InMotion Ventures, has invested in Battery Resourcers, a lithium ion battery recycling and materials company.

Jaguar Land Rover’s venture capital and mobility arm, InMotion Ventures, has invested in Battery Resourcers, a lithium ion battery recycling and materials company.

The sustainable technology firm holds the exclusive licence for an innovative closed-loop process that integrates battery recycling, refining and materials engineering to convert scrap end-of-life batteries into new materials that can be used to make new batteries. 

The investment in Battery Resourcers plays part of the plan for Jaguar Land Rover to establish sustainable solutions for end-of-life batteries, minimising waste and creating a circular economy across the battery supply chain.

Sebastian Peck, Managing Director of InMotion Ventures, said: “I am excited about our investment in Battery Resourcers. The company’s proprietary end-to-end recycling process supports Jaguar Land Rover’s journey to become a net zero carbon business by 2039. Battery Resourcers is part of the plan for the business to meet its obligation for end-of-life batteries, minimising energy use and waste, achieving full circularity for its recycled battery materials, and securing future sustainable supplies of rare materials. We look forward to working with the Battery Resourcers team and supporting the international expansion of the business.”

Mike O’Kronley, Chief Executive of Battery Resourcers, said: “Battery Resourcers is on the verge of revolutionizing the lithium ion battery supply chain. Being able to convert scrap and end-of-life battery materials into new active material that can be directly used in making new batteries drives increased profitability and stability for the lithium ion battery ecosystem. Our investment partners share our vision and passion to scale this revolutionary process to support the battery material supply chain.”

Battery Resourcers’ innovative technology will recycle and produce cathode active materials such as Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC), Nickel Cobalt Aluminum (NCA) and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries. The business has also filed intellectual property around graphite recovery and purification, which will enable it to return both the cathode and anode active materials back to manufacturers of new batteries.

The investment from InMotion Ventures and other strategic partners will fund the development of a commercial-scale processing facility, with the capability to process 10,000 tonnes of batteries annually, along with the expansion and enhancement of the production and analysis facilities in Michigan, USA. 

CAR TIP OF THE WEEK: The Art of Overtaking Safely

vuyi on April 28, 2021

Do you realize that the decision to overtake could be the last thing you ever do?  Here’s what you need to know about this simple, yet life or death process.

Incorrect overtaking makes up a large portion of accidents on our roads annually.  Although a relatively simple and necessary part of everyday driving, it is a manoeuver that requires a variety of driver skills and techniques to execute safely.

  1. Is it safe?
  2. Is it legal?
  3. Is it necessary?

If the answer to all the questions is ‘yes’ then you could be in a good position to proceed. That said, there are other considerations to contend with before going ahead and regardless of driver experience, the following basics are a good reminder for all motorists.

Turn on your indicator and ensure you have both space and visibility to pass BEFORE moving out of your lane.

  1. Check your review view and side mirror before doing so.  Get into the habit of turning your head slightly over your shoulder so you can see if there are any obstructions you might have missed in the mirror – usually due to mirrors not being positioned correctly.  At this point, ask yourself the following before proceeding:
    1. Can I see far enough ahead?
    2. Do I have enough space to get back into my lane without compromising other road users?
    3. Do I have enough space to abandon the manoeuver and return into my lane if something unexpected happens ahead?
    4. Does the design of the road permit safe overtaking?
    5. How does the performance of my car measure up to the perceived performance of the car I want to pass?

Motorcycles travel at very high speed and can reach your vehicle in a matter of seconds. 

2. Turn on your indicator and ensure you have both space and visibility to pass BEFORE moving out of your lane. Check your mirrors again and only when you are 100% certain that the coast is clear should you gently steer out of your lane to pass and begin to accelerate.  The less time spent facing oncoming traffic the better!  

Remember:

  • Turn on your indicator and ensure you have both space and visibility to pass BEFORE moving out of your lane.
  • Check your mirrors again and only when you are 100% certain that the coast is clear – gently steer out of your lane to pass and begin to accelerate; the less time spent facing oncoming traffic the better! 
  • If driving a manual transmission, change to a lower gear before attempting the pass so that your engine is ready to kick up once you have committed to overtaking.
  • Motorcycles travel at very high speed and can reach your vehicle in a matter of seconds. 
  • Your indicator should be on for the duration of the procedure as this further alerts the driver of the vehicle ahead of you and the one behind you – in case they were preparing to pass you too.
  • Position your car as far away as safely possible from the one you are overtaking but also keep an eye on the shoulder of the road.  Contact with either could have disastrous consequences for all road users.

Merge back into your lane as smoothly as possible and as far ahead of the vehicle you have passed as possible. 

4. When you come in line with the vehicle you are passing, use your indicator once more, to signal your intention to rejoin your lane.

5. Check your left-hand side and rear-view mirror to ensure that the vehicle you passed is well behind you before attempting to rejoin the lane.

6. Merge back into your lane as smoothly as possible and as far ahead of the vehicle you have passed as possible.  This not only makes for a safer re-entry for yourself but also ensures the safety of other motorists who may also be passing the same car you just did.  

7. Don’t forget to cancel your indicator once you are back in your lane.

There is no harm in showing a little gratitude after safely completing the process.

There is no harm in showing a little gratitude after safely completing the process. Even if all the odds were in your favor, a wave or a click of your emergency lights goes a long way towards creating a courteous and cordial atmosphere on the road.