2025 Conference Agenda

Format: Shark Tank

In this dynamic session, a select group of the UK’s most promising SMEs will present their groundbreaking solutions to a panel of investors. Each entrepreneur has a few minutes time to pitch their innovation, highlighting its unique value proposition, market potential, and scalability.  

The panel will provide immediate feedback, pose challenging questions, and consider potential investment opportunities. This interactive format not only offers startups a platform but also provides the audience with insights into the evaluation criteria and decision-making processes of top investors. 

Format: Talks + Q&A 

As battery energy densities rise and architectures evolve, ensuring safety remains a top priority. While advanced testing methods, from accelerated aging to AI-driven fault detection, have improved risk mitigation, can failures ever be fully prevented? With thermal runaway still responsible for over 80% of battery-related safety incidents, engineers must refine testing protocols to catch potential failures before they occur. This session will examine the latest advancements in predictive safety testing and their real-world effectiveness. 

Key Themes: 

• New methodologies for detecting battery defects 

• The latest developments in mechanical and electrical abuse testing  

• Thermal stability and propagation testing  

• Overcharge and over-discharge testing  

• Navigating trade policies to mitigate risks from tariffs and localisation rules 

• Understanding evolving emissions regulations and their impact on vehicle design 

• Compliance strategies for critical minerals and sustainability mandates 

• How regulatory uncertainty is influencing EV investment and manufacturing decisions 

• Innovative examples of programmes designed to help reskill ICE trained colleagues 

• Upskilling engineers for electrification roles 

• How apprenticeships & academia can support the workforce 

• Standardisation vs. Fragmentation – Can the industry unify behind NACS, CCS, or ISO 15118?
• Automakers as energy providers? – Should OEMs secure their own power supply for factories and fleets?
• Infrastructure Investment vs. Return – can charging ever be profitable without subsidies?
• Battery swapping & future disruptions – could this challenge fast-charging dominance?

Format: Talks + Q&A 

Delve into the latest breakthroughs that are extending the capabilities of lithium-ion technology, addressing its ongoing dominance in battery innovation. This session will focus on advanced cathode and anode materials, electrolyte innovations, and strategies to enhance energy density, cycle life and safety. Discover how these advancements are keeping Li-ion competitive in an evolving landscape while overcoming challenges related to cost, sustainability, and scalability. 

Key themes: 

• Energy density vs. longevity 

• Scalability and manufacturability 

• Addressing market gaps with new Li-ion solutions 

• Which anode and cathode innovations can transform battery efficiency? 

Panel Discussion/Q&A with Jonathan Audric

Format: Talks + Q&A 

Optimising battery performance is crucial for advancing EV technology. Performing the right tests at the right time in the design cycle is key to achieving optimised battery performance. Explore innovative testing methodologies, including new measurement types to accelerate test protocols.  

Key themes:  

• Understanding and overcoming testing challenges as battery power increases 

• The differences in test objectives for design validation vs life testing  

• The differences in test objectives for cell testing, module testing, and pack testing Innovative measurements for accelerating battery characterisation 

Format: Talks + Q&A 

Dive into how engineering decisions in motorsports, public transport, construction, and other high-stress environments prioritise power and longevity over energy density. 

Key Themes: 

• Optimising powertrain and drivetrain components for rapid power delivery. 

• Balancing battery life with high-discharge rates. 

• Real-world examples and lessons from motorsports and heavy-duty EV development 

• Where are the opportunities for innovators to work across high power applications? 

• Are we on the Verge of a Second Hybrid Era or is it Too Late to Turn Back?  
• The Great Talent Shortage? Are we Training the EV Workforce of the Future?  
• Navigating Patents for EV Technology: Strategy, Trends, and Freedom to Operate?
• Can ML/AI really cut prototype cycles, slash validation costs, and help get to SOP faster? 

• Where are we at with developing UK and European gigafactory projects? What does success look like?
• Is building a complete supply chain locally the end-goal for each European country?
• How can we better integrate policies, incentives, and funding to support growth?
• What is needed to create synergies among startups, OEMs, research institutions and governments?

Format: Talks + Q&A 

With thermal runaway responsible for over 80% of battery-related EV recalls, safety remains a critical challenge in pack design. At the same time, manufacturers must optimise    flexibility and cost-efficiency to meet demand across diverse vehicle platforms. This session explores structural innovations, next-gen materials and integration strategies that enhance pack safety, manufacturability and performance—while keeping costs competitive. 

Key Themes: 

• Optimising pack integration to streamline manufacturing and improve vehicle performance  

• Safe design at low, cost – balancing lightweighting and cost reduction with safety 

• Cool under pressure: innovations in thermal management for battery packs 

• Modular pack designs and the argument for standardisation for cross-platform vehicle compatibility 

• Developing profitable second-life business models for EV components

• Overcoming technical challenges in repurposing

• Ensuring regulatory compliance and safety standards for second-life use 

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Format: Peer-to-Peer Round Table Discussions 

Join dynamic, hosted round tables set to tackle critical industry challenges. Sit with peers and join the conversations covering a range of key topics for battery businesses. Designed for collaboration, you will exchange ideas, discuss shared challenges and gain an understanding of what peers in the industry are doing to drive success in the business climate. 

 *Chatham House Rules 

Round table topics include:

• Increase Your Purchasing Power – How can SMEs Access the Resources Needed for Battery Manufacturing Success?
• How to Decipher Battery Announcements and Planning Internal Roadmaps
• Are We Taking Enough Care Over the Safe Handling of Dangerous Materials?
• How Do We Build a Supply Chain That’s Future-Proof and Competitive?

• The latest updates on the extent to which recycling can reduce reliance on raw material mining  

• Technological innovations exploring advancements that enhance the efficiency and safety of battery recycling processes 

• Regulatory landscape forecast, outlining the policies and regulations that impact the recycling industry 

• Exploring the dynamics of battery recycling in the UK 

Format: Talks + Q&A 

According to some reports, electric heavy-duty vehicles exhibit energy efficiencies approximately 3.5 times greater than their diesel counterparts at highway speeds, and 5 to 7 times greater during lower-speed operation – their potential is enormous. Delve into the technical advancements and market developments driving the electrification of heavy-duty, off-highway, and industrial vehicles, focusing on overcoming challenges related to durability, charging performance, and operational efficiency. 

Key Themes: 

• What innovations are enhancing battery durability and energy density for heavy-duty applications?  

• How is the industry addressing charging infrastructure limitations in off-highway environments?  

• What strategies ensure electric vehicles meet performance standards under heavy operational loads? 

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Format: Talks + Q&A 

As the electric revolution accelerates, the pressure to innovate safely with lithium-ion batteries intensifies. This session explores critical risks in EV battery manufacturing, testing, and storage, drawing on real-world incidents, fire science, and industry best practices. Join leading safety engineers and experts as we unpack the science behind thermal runaway, dispel myths, and examine practical strategies to mitigate risks – from safe design and testing environments to appropriate containment and emergency protocols. This is a must-attend session for those aiming to innovate responsibly while protecting people, property, and progress. 

Key themes: 

• Understand the real fire behaviours of lithium-ion batteries – beyond the myths, including temperature profiles, smoke toxicity, and reignition risks. 

• Gain practical insights into battery storage design – such as compartmentation, state-of-charge management, and fire suppression systems. 

• Learn how to integrate safety into every stage – from manufacturing procedures and testing protocols to emergency planning and staff training. 

• Understanding the investor ecosystem and types of investors to avoid 

• How to navigate the tech hype loop and remain fundable 

• Document readiness: the funding pyramid and what institutional investors expect 

• The anatomy of a great pitch deck and a compelling founder story 

• Elevator pitch frameworks and live feedback from peers and experts 
• Running a competitive fundraising process Running a competitive fundraising process 

Achieving consistent quality in battery production is essential to maintaining performance, safety, and competitiveness. This session focuses exclusively on quality control innovations, from advanced testing protocols to real-time monitoring systems, ensuring every cell meets exacting standards. With Europe ramping up production, robust quality assurance processes will underpin scalability and reliability.

Key Themes:

• Can automated quality control deliver defect-free mass production and enable cheaper faster battery manufacturing?
• Leveraging real-time monitoring for precision manufacturing
• Integrating AI to predict and prevent production anomalies
• Importance of characterisation in scale up and failure analysis

• AI-driven predictive maintenance to prevent early degradation 

• The role of digital twins in real-time battery diagnostics 

• Maximising cycle life through state-of-health (SoH) tracking 

• How data-driven BMS can enhance energy efficiency and safety 

Format: Stand alone talk

• How China’s EV dominance reshapes global market dynamics 

• India’s success in delivering cost-effective electrification solutions 

• What Europe must prioritise: innovation, policy reform, or partnerships? 

• How will global EV markets change in response to changing policies, tariffs and incentives? 

• What is the latest in silicon anode innovation? 

• How close are sodium ion batteries to commercial production? 

• An overview of the TRL statuses of alternative cell chemistries 

Solid-state batteries promise higher energy density, but scalability, cost and manufacturability remain major roadblocks. This session explores real-world progress and whether solid-state will reach the mass market in the next decade.

Key Takeaways:

• Where do leading solid-state technologies stand today?
• Barriers to commercialisation and how to overcome them.
• How OEMs are integrating solid-state into future models.

Format: Stand Alone Talk 

As Europe races to scale battery production, manufacturers face mounting pressure to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and secure reliable supply chains. With gigafactories expanding at pace, how can the industry navigate automation, workforce readiness, and material bottlenecks to compete globally? This session examines the real-world challenges and solutions in achieving high-yield, cost-effective, and sustainable mass production.

Key Themes:

• Optimising manufacturing processes (automation, cost efficiency, reducing waste).
• Overcoming supply chain bottlenecks specific to large-scale operations.
• Leveraging lessons from global production leaders (e.g. China, Korea).

Format: Talks + Q&A 

With next-generation powertrains, engineers must push the limits of thermal management, materials science, and energy conversion to enhance performance and longevity. Explore scalable and cost-effective solutions designed to meet the evolving demands of EV production. This session will examine modular design strategies, the impact of lightweight materials on performance and affordability, and integration challenges. Gain insights into next-gen drivetrain innovation and how to achieve efficient, mass-producible e-mobility platforms without compromising functionality. 

Key Themes: 

• How next-gen cooling solutions extend system lifespan and boost efficiency. 

• Integration & system-level optimisation for holistic powertrain efficiency beyond individual components. 

• Can modular e-axle designs enable cost-effective mass production? 

• What role do lightweight materials play in reducing costs and improving scalability? 

Format: Panel Discussion 

Navigating the journey from concept to market-ready product often involves traversing the challenging ‘Valley of Death’—the critical stages between Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 4 and 7, where many innovations falter due to funding gaps, scalability issues, and market uncertainties. This panel discussion aims to dissect these challenges and explore strategies to successfully scale technologies through these perilous phases. 

Key Themes:  

• Identifying common pitfalls in the TRL 4-7 stages and strategies to overcome them 

• Securing funding and resources to bridge the development gap 

• Leveraging partnerships and collaborations to enhance scalability and market entry 

A welcome speech from Roger Atkins.

Format: Stand-alone Talk

Battery supply chains are facing mounting pressure as they scale to meet rising demand. From raw materials to cell production, cost-effectiveness is becoming the defining factor of success — and failure. This session takes a detailed look at the upstream, midstream, and downstream economics of the battery supply chain, exploring how technical innovation, policy shifts, and regional strategies are reshaping competitiveness. Learn how vertical integration, process control, and automation are helping industry leaders outperform, and why location, yield, and investment discipline will determine who thrives in the next decade. 

Key Themes: 

• The shifting cost dynamics across the battery value chain 

• Strategic responses to overcapacity, shrinking margins, and rising protectionism 

• Pathways to regional cost-competitiveness through innovation and integration 

Format: Talks + Q&A 

By 2030, Europe requires over 7 million public chargers to support EV market growth. Moreover, ultra-fast charging is essential for mass EV adoption, but its integration must balance grid demands, battery health, and cost. This session explores how next-gen power electronics, thermal management and battery architectures are unlocking sub-10-minute charge times without compromising safety or longevity. Can we achieve widespread ultra-fast charging while maintaining economic and environmental sustainability? 

Key Themes: 

• Advances in grid-stabilising charging systems 

• Economic implications of fast-charging rollouts 

• Forecasted impacts of faster charging and how to mitigate them 

• How US, EU, and China trade policies are redefining EV market dynamics
• Are tariffs accelerating or hindering Europe’s path to EV supply chain independence?
• Will localisation policies force automakers to rethink global production strategies?
• How can European companies secure critical mineral supply chains amid geopolitical shifts?