Bristol-based firm Fellten is poised to bolster the UK’s net-zero goals as it brings on board former Aston Martin CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, also known as ‘The Godfather of EVs’, as non-executive Chairman. His role will be to expedite the market launch of its second-life battery systems and help reduce energy costs for businesses and consumers.
Fellten, which also converts fossil fuel cars into electric vehicles, has introduced Charge Qube, a quickly deployable stackable system. This innovative solution can replace diesel generators, balance the grid, facilitate destination charging for small businesses, among other applications.
Its primary advantage is that it draws energy from the grid overnight when it’s cheaper, and utilises that energy during the day, leading to significant savings.
A recent study by Electric Vehicles UK revealed that 80% of drivers could save money by switching to electric, with the biggest savings seen by those with home charging facilities. The next best option is destination or workplace charging, and Charge Qube can aid in implementing this in more challenging locations such as building yards and commercial estates, bypassing planning permission requirements in the process.
Dr Palmer, fondly referred to as ‘The Godfather’, joins Fellten at a crucial juncture as the company aims to accelerate deployment to enhance the UK’s sustainability credentials and lower consumer and business energy bills.
Dr Palmer, 61, said: “The key for me is the fact that Fellten’s Charge Qube use second-life batteries to build these systems, this is essential in the urgent race to decarbonise society and move to a renewable energy powered society. The fact the team have decided to follow a standardised format is a spark of genius, keep it simple and growth will follow when the product is right.”
Bristol-based Fellten has made waves with its innovative Charge Qube, a modular mobile battery energy storage system designed for rapid deployment without the need for planning permission, thus accelerating installation times.
The game-changing Charge Qube stands out from traditional energy storage solutions by utilising sustainable, repurposed second-life batteries. These are neatly packed into standardised, stackable shipping containers, allowing for tailored deployment to meet specific needs.
Andy Palmer, who previously spearheaded electric vehicle initiatives at Nissan Motor Company Limited and served as CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda from 2014 to 2020, introduced significant models like the DBX SUV and the Valkyrie sports car during his tenure.
Kemi Badenoch recently declared achieving the UK’s net zero target by 2050 “impossible” without severely impacting living standards or causing financial ruin. However, Charge Qube is on a mission to challenge this assertion and demonstrate the viability of reaching net zero goals.
Chris Hazell, CEO of Charge Cube, is at the forefront of this ambitious project.
“It’s madness to be bashing the UK’s sustainability agenda, at a time when the world is burning and the US is tearing up the rule book on climate science. Charge Qube can help accelerate the transition and help get more EVs on UK roads as well as saving businesses and consumers money. Net zero is entirely possible and a hugely lucrative business opportunity for all.”
By reusing EV battery packs for secondary applications, Fellten not only cuts manufacturing costs but also significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with creating new batteries. CEO Chris Hazell has stressed that this strategy offers an affordable solution with substantial environmental advantages.
“A lot of focus, and unnecessary emotions from both sides of the battleground, are vented at EVs. What a lot of people miss is the vital importance of batteries that don’t move, stationary storage batteries. Batteries are the true enabler of a move towards an electrified power system, one that delivers a sustainable future for us all,” Palmer pointed out.
Ginny Buckley, the chief executive of Electrifying, an electric car advice site, stated: “EV batteries have a second, or even third life beyond powering a vehicle and innovative Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are a perfect example of the new opportunities created by electric vehicles.”
