Tech firm wins backing to drive battery innovation

A Warwick technology firm has secured a share of £9 million in Government funding to develop smarter, safer batteries for electric bikes, scooters and other battery-powered vehicles.

Eatron Technologies, based at the Warwick Innovation Centre within the University of Warwick Science Park, is leading one of ten projects supported through the Government’s DRIVE35 Demonstrate competition.

The 12-month project, known as ZENBMS, will focus on developing a 48-volt battery management system for smaller electric vehicles and machinery, including e-bikes, e-scooters, drones, robots and off-highway equipment.

Working alongside semiconductor manufacturer Infineon and WMG at the University of Warwick, Eatron aims to improve battery safety, performance and longevity.

Infineon will supply the chipset for the system, while WMG will lead its safety analysis, building on a partnership with Eatron that dates back to 2018.

Dr Umut Genc, chief executive of Eatron Technologies, said: “Winning DRIVE35 funding will help us develop an effective BMS for smaller batteries.

“E-scooters and e-bikes are now part of everyday life, and they need batteries that are safe and built to last.

“Being part of the Science Park gave us a route into the University’s expertise, and our work with WMG has grown from there.

“Their research capabilities will enable us to refine the BMS before embedding it into chips used in 48V batteries.”

The funding follows a period of international growth for Eatron, whose artificial intelligence software is designed to extend battery life and improve performance.

Its technology is also being used in the energy sector to help large-scale batteries supporting the electricity grid operate more efficiently during periods of high demand.

Since opening an office in Tokyo in 2025, the company has secured several contracts with major manufacturers in Japan’s automotive and energy industries, while also exploring opportunities in the US.

Umut hopes continued international expansion will enable the company to recruit more staff at the Warwick Innovation Centre in 2027.

He added: “With oil prices staying stubbornly high due to geopolitical tensions, more and more people and industries are turning to batteries, whether that’s in EVs, e-bikes or the batteries that support the grid.

“Every extra year a battery lasts brings down the cost of moving away from petrol and diesel.

“Our AI software does not need giant data centres to work.

“It can be built into a battery’s on-board management system or run in the cloud, and because our AI models are pre-trained, it can still manage a battery’s performance even if a customer changes supplier.

“We are really pleased with our growth in Japan and other markets in Asia, and we are optimistic about making an impact in the US in the near future.”

Jane Talbot, centre manager at Warwick Innovation Centre, added: “It is amazing to see how far Eatron has come since Umut and the team based themselves here as a tiny start-up in 2018.

“Their success with DRIVE35 shows what can happen when a business makes the most of the Science Park’s links with the University.

“Its relationship with WMG has helped it win funding to develop technology that could make electric transport cheaper and safer.”

Ian Constance, chief executive of the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, added: “This project is one of many demonstrating the depth of innovation and engineering excellence that exists across the UK automotive sector.

“Through DRIVE35, we are supporting businesses to move promising technologies beyond the research phase and towards commercial deployment and manufacturing at scale.

“Real-world demonstrations are where innovation proves its value.

“Eatron’s project will help generate the evidence and confidence needed to accelerate commercial adoption, helping promising technologies move from prototype to production.”

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