Novelis and Maxion unveil lighter aluminium housing for commercial EV batteries

A new aluminum battery enclosure for commercial electric vehicles has been introduced by Novelis, a leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, in collaboration with Maxion Structural Components. The casing is manufactured from stamped, rolled aluminum using a specially designed alloy intended for the demanding battery systems of heavy-duty trucks and buses.

The solution stands out by reducing the overall weight of the battery pack while enabling a more compact design that helps increase energy density. By switching from conventional materials to this newly engineered alloy, the companies aim to enhance the efficiency and payload capacity of commercial EVs without compromising structural integrity.

This advancement is part of a broader industry push to improve the total cost of ownership for fleet operators, as lighter housings can translate into either longer range or additional cargo allowance. The product is said to be well-suited for serial production, addressing both durability and recyclability concerns.

While the specific performance benchmarks were not detailed, the development marks a step forward in optimizing the interface between battery cells and the vehicle chassis.