UK battery cell maker Volklec has taken a central role in the government‑supported AMBERS programme, a major UK initiative developing an Advanced Modular Battery System for automotive and defence sectors seeking faster, sovereign electrification pathways.
Backed by the Battery Innovation Programme—a £452 million government investment delivered through Innovate UK and supported by the Department for Business and Trade—the AMBERS project unites Volklec, Ricardo and Hyperbat to create a scalable, high‑performance modular battery platform.
At the heart of AMBERS is a new battery pack built around Volklec’s high‑power 21700 cells and a flexible block‑based architecture. Each pack integrates cells, battery management systems and configurable modules, with one to five modules per pack and 1.8kWh of energy per module. The design allows adaptation to varied voltage, power, packaging and qualification needs across demanding applications.
The system is intended for a wide range of automotive and defence uses, including hybrid sports cars, specialist vehicle platforms, defence mobility, auxiliary power, UGV and UAS systems, and other high‑power mobile technologies requiring compact, robust and scalable energy solutions. For regulated and defence customers, UK‑based capability strengthens procurement options, reduces supply‑chain exposure and supports sovereign industrial resilience.
For manufacturers, AMBERS removes a major barrier to electrification: accessing a high‑power, production‑ready battery solution without building every layer of cell, pack, cooling, BMS and integration expertise internally. Instead, it offers a faster, lower‑risk route to a UK‑made, scalable module built on sovereign cells.
By combining Ricardo’s engineering strengths, Hyperbat’s pack‑building capability and Volklec’s cell manufacturing, the programme establishes a clear pathway from cell technology to pack production and systems engineering. It also creates a direct pull‑through route for Volklec cells into customer platforms, strengthening the UK’s domestic battery ecosystem.
Volklec’s Chief Commercial Officer Johan Andersson said: “AMBERS is exactly the type of programme the UK needs: application-led, execution-focused and built around the capabilities required to manufacture advanced battery systems at speed. By combining Volklec’s high-power 21700 cell capability with Ricardo’s systems engineering expertise and Hyperbat’s pack manufacturing experience, AMBERS creates a scalable route for customers to access advanced, sovereign battery technology without having to build every layer of capability themselves.”
With Innovate UK and DBT support, AMBERS now moves into its next development phase, with prototype samples expected in April 2028. Organisations seeking early engagement or platform configuration discussions can contact Volklec to explore qualification requirements and future production pathways.
Image credit: Volklec
