British firm's ultra-light, rapid-charging EV sports car hits the road

UK engineering firm Nyobolt is testing its ultra-fast charging and highly durable EV battery technology in a drivable version of its Lotus Elise-inspired concept. 

Revealed last year as a static show car, the Nyobolt concept is a 470bhp, 1246kg electric reworking of the S1 Lotus Elise, designed by the man who penned the original, Julian Thomson. 

Beneath its semi-familiar bodywork, the Nyobolt EV is a testbed for a new generation of battery that could represent a step change in electric vehicle range, charge times and longevity.

Cambridge-based Nyobolt says its high-density cell technology and battery management software could be used to optimise electric vehicle powertrains for "high-uptime" EVs that "demand high power and quick recharge cycles". 

Initial testing with the running prototype this month has confirmed that its 35kWh battery can be charged from 10-80%, using a 350kW charger, in just 4min 37sec, which Nyobolt says is "twice the speed of most of the fastest charging vehicles today". 

Nyobolt has also carried out some 4000 full fast charge cycles – which it says represents travelling around 600,000 miles – and claims the battery retained more than 80% of its usable capacity. 

"This is many multiples higher than the warranties of much larger EV batteries on the road today", it said. 

While Nyobolt envisions a broad range of applications for this technology beyond cars, it is not pure coincidence that the company is showcasing its potential in an Elise-based prototype. 

The company says a particular benefit of its cell technology is that it minimises the size and weight of the battery packs, with the concept tipping the scales at just 1246kg - scarcely more than a Renault Clio. 

The company's director of vehicle battery systems Shane Davies touted the dynamic benefits of lightweight EV powertrains: "We can enable OEMs to build excitement back into the segment, which is literally weighed down by legacy battery currently.

"Our Nyobolt EV demonstrates the efficiency gains facilitated by our fast-charging, longer-life battery technology, enabling capacity to be right-sized while still delivering the required performance."

The firm has worked with Warwick-based design agency Callum – creator of the small and light Skye EV sports car – to engineer the prototype for low-volume production. It says it could be offered as either a road-going sports car or a dedicated track-day toy, but has not given any projected timeframes or volume ambitions yet. 

It says its battery production plans are more advanced, however, and that low-volume output could begin this year, ramping up to 1000 batteries next year. Ultimately, it says it could produce two million units per year using its "flexible" manufacturing model. 

Nyobolt co-founder and CEO Dr Sai Shivareddy told Autocar that the unveiling of the prototype last year "really accelerated our discussions with the OEMs, especially how our technology could solve some of the issues that are holding back EV adoption". 

The firm is in talks with eight vehicle manufacturers interested in the technology, he said. 

Shivareddy did not give details of these interested parties, but said: “Our initial focus is on the premium segment but we definitely see a place in the enthusiast and performance sectors."

"We opted for a sports car as our first demonstrator as a vehicle like this could work well as a track day car with a duty cycle that’s perfectly suited to our technology. 

"Outside of premium passenger cars, we are working with off-highway manufacturers – an application where they can’t afford to have a truck idle whilst charging overnight. 

"They need the high uptime and productivity that comes with ultra-fast charging. Away from automotive, we are set to announce applications in robotics that would benefit both the manufacturing and supply chain sectors.”