Toyota Motor Corporation, a producer of hybrid and electric automobiles, has selected Ilika Technologies to accelerate the development of high performance battery materials.

High performance batteries are helping reduce fuel consumption and improving the effficiency of the car engine. Increasingly,innovative, fuel efficient automobiles are using increasingly powerful batteries integrated into the vehicle energy management system. Emissions are reduced through the use of batteries to power the vehicle during parking manoeuvres and low speed, stop-start driving conditions in which the traditional internal combustion engine is inefficient. Additional fuel economies are achieved through the use of regenerative braking systems, which re-charge the vehicle’s batteries with recovered energy which would otherwise be wasted.

“Toyota’s vision in creating sustainable transport solutions using leading edge technology and highly efficient manufacturing practices is an inspiration for Ilika”, stated Graeme Purdy, Ilika’s CEO. “Our technical team is thriving on the fast-paced interaction with Toyota”.

“After careful consideration we have selected Ilika as a partner to accelerate our battery development programme. We see Ilika as an innovative, professionally-managed enterprise, on which we can rely to deliver rapid results”, stated Mr Okajima, Manager of Toyota’s central R&D programme.