Written by Cláudio Afonso | info@claudio-afonso.com
The electric vehicle maker Mullen Automotive announced on Thursday the solid-state polymer battery testing with the Battery Innovation Center (BIC) in Indiana. BIC is focused on the rapid development, testing and commercialization of safe, reliable and lightweight energy storage systems for defense and commercial customers.
“Started in 2013, Battery Innovation Center’s mission is focused on promoting the rapid development, testing, commercialization, and advanced learning of safe, reliable, high-performance, and lightweight energy storage systems for commercial, defense, academic partners and industry. BIC is a collaborative initiative designed to incorporate leadership from renowned universities, government agencies, and commercial enterprises.” — Mullen stated.
The Battery Innovation Center will perform the following tests on Mullen’s solid-state polymer battery.
Constant Current Discharge Test
Testing to determine the effective capacity of a test unit using very repeatable, standardized conditions.
Peak Power Test
The purpose of this test is to determine the sustained (30s) discharge power capability of a battery at 2/3 of its OCV at each of various depths of discharge (DOD).
Constant Power Discharge Test
The purpose of this testing is to perform a sequence of constant power discharge/charge cycles that define the voltage versus power behavior of a battery as a function of depth of discharge. This testing characterizes the ability of a battery to provide a sustained discharge over a range of power levels representative of electric vehicle applications. Constant power discharges are similar to constant speed vehicle operation in their effect on a battery.
On April 8, The host of Risk on Show Podcast interviewed Tom Gage, the engineer who tested Mullen’s batteries confirming its results. The episode came one the day after Hindenburg Research Firm claimed that the electric vehicle maker “apparently misrepresented the test results, according to the CEO of the company that performed the tests”.
“We look forward to testing Mullen’s cells capabilities and associated performance,” stated Seth McCoy, T&E Engineer from Battery Innovation Center in Indiana.
“We have begun working with the Battery Innovation Center located in Indiana to retest and certify our solid-state battery,” said David Michery, CEO and chairman of Mullen Automotive. “BIC is a well-respected battery laboratory, and we look forward to publishing their results related to cell testing coming up in May.”
On Tuesday, via Twitter, EVgo said they “look forward to seeing the Mullen FIVE hit the streets in 2o24″. The Fast Charging Network also claimed that they’ve got “the network to keep future Mullen drivers going”. This is the first time EVgo mentions the California-based EV maker, although, there’s no official confirmation on a future partnership between the companies for Mullen customers.
The company announced on Monday that plans to begin EV battery pack production out of its high voltage battery R&D facility located in Monrovia, California. Mullen is retrofitting its Monrovia facility to accommodate the production of EV battery packs destined for Mullen’s EV vehicle lineup, including the ONE EV Cargo Van, FIVE EV Crossover, and DragonFLY EV Sportscar programs.
According to a SEC filing revealed last week, Mullen‘s President of Automotive Division accquired 100,000 shares on April 8. Mullen’s President Calin Popa owns now a total of 159,729 Mullen shares. Popa’s transaction nature was Type A — Grant, award or other under Rule 16b-3(d) and represents a direct ownership.
On April 1, Mullen’s CEO David Michery, filed a SEC form announcing changes in beneficial ownership with transactions made betwen March 22 and March 28, 2022. Michery sold 300,000 shares at an average price of $2.495 ($748,500 USD), disposed of 428,382 contracts and acquired 1,198,328 contracts. Last December, Michery had filed a form disclosing ownership of 22,174,720 shares of Mullen — 62.5% ownership.
Written by Cláudio Afonso | info@claudio-afonso.com