UL Solutions Inc. has opened its new North America Advanced Battery Laboratory in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Accordingly, the new lab is one of the most extensive electric and hybrid vehicle and industrial battery testing laboratories in the United States.

The new facility is UL Solutions’ largest laboratory investment in its history. Specifically, it is part of the company’s commitment to help battery manufacturers increase the safety and reliability of their energy storage products. It expands the UL Solutions global network of facilities addressing evolving battery technologies.

Creates Impact Across Industries

The global trend toward electrification and clean energy is a strategic priority for UL Solutions as it impacts many industries including but not limited to the automotive sector.

“The electrification of everything relies on battery innovation, impacts many industries. (It) elevates the need for safety and performance across the energy transition spectrum,” said Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO of UL Solutions. “This is where we step in. Our North America Advanced Battery Laboratory demonstrates our commitment to supporting the safer commercialization of new battery innovations that play a vital role in the world’s energy transition.”

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “Today’s grand opening (of UL Solutions’ lab)…is a testament to our growing leadership in the future of mobility and electrification. With this cutting-edge testing facility in Auburn Hills, we can test the technology we will need for electric vehicles close by to the manufacturing plants.” Furthermore, Whitmer said their ecosystem of advanced manufacturing is strong and they will continue to lead in this space.

State-of-the-Art Batter Test Equipment

The new laboratory is in the Auburn Hills Oakland Technology Park complex near Detroit, the world’s automotive capital. Moreover, the facility houses state-of-the-art battery test equipment so UL Solutions can deliver safety and performance testing for automotive and industrial original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers.

Furthermore, experts from UL Solutions staff the North America Advanced Battery Laboratory, performing a wide variety of safety and performance tests. The facility’s portfolio of tests is one of the most extensive in the industry, including thermal fire propagation, electrical, mechanical abuse and environmental testing based on various UL and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, United Nations (UN) goals and initiatives, and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and OEM specifications.

Meanwhile, the UL Solutions North America Advanced Battery Laboratory adds to the company’s global network of testing facilities focused on this technology. Specifically, these facilities are as follows:

• Electric Vehicle Battery Fire Testing Laboratory in Northbrook, Illinois
• EV Charging Test Laboratories in Fremont, California; Northbrook, Illinois; and Frankfurt, Germany
• UL Solutions E-Mobility and Energy Laboratory in Changzhou, China
• EV Battery Laboratory in Pyeongtaek, South Korea
• CHAdeMO EV–Quick Charger Matching Center in Ise, Mie, Japan
• EV and Micromobility Laboratory in Luzhu, Taiwan
• BatterieIngenieure by UL Solutions Battery Testing Laboratory in Aachen, Germany
• CERE by UL Solutions Energy Resource Laboratory in Madrid, Spain