Tag Archive: Lithium battery

1. Cleantron batteries boost VanRaam’s e-bikes

   15/08/2025 16:04 Comments Off on Cleantron batteries boost VanRaam’s e-bikes

   Source: Cleantron

   LEVA-EU members Cleantron and VanRaam worked together to improve the reliability of VanRaam’s special needs bikes, with Cleantron supporting them with advanced lithium-ion battery packs, reliable battery management systems and improved battery procedures.

   It has been reported that European demand for special needs bikes grows annually at a rate of 16.9%, leading to manufacturers requiring cutting edge battery systems to help them meet this demand while bringing trustworthy performance for customers.

   Cleantron assessment of VanRaam’s battery situation

   VanRaam is a Dutch e-bike brand that specializes in increasing cycling inclusivity with products including adaptive bicycle-tandems, tricycles and side-by-side models. It was concerned about its existing e-bike batteries being able to reliably support its bikes and satisfy increasing demand levels for its products in Europe and North America.

   When Cleantron first started working with VanRaam, the team noted that the brand had a battery design in place but was experiencing significant workflow issues. VanRaam’s existing battery set-up had flaws, lacked an assembly-friendly design, and was unable to meet the durability standards required for daily use. VanRaam’s production schedule was also being repeatedly interrupted by an inconsistent battery supply.

   After carefully examining VanRaam’s battery situation, Cleantron calculated that it could provide VanRaam with improved technical reliability and a more stable supply chain.

   How Cleantron helped VanRaam

   Cleantron used its customer centred approach in listening closely, designing with precision and delivering consistently. It came up with a solution that prevents field breakdowns and simplifies operations to help it keep up with growing demands for special needs bicycles. The Cleantron team worked together with VanRaam engineers in designing custom NMC lithium ion battery packs for its adaptive e-bikes. The team also developed a proprietary battery management system (BMS) tailored to VanRaam’s needs as a solution for persistent electronic reliability issues and proposed improvements in detail, including waterproof housing and a simplified startup interface.

   Results of the partnership between Cleantron and VanRaam

   VanRaam has sourced over 100,000 Cleantron batteries, and according to internal estimates and standard industry performance baselines, it was estimated that the batteries likely reduced VanRaam e-bike system malfunctions by 90%. When there was a global components shortage, Cleantron maintained 98% of its on-time delivery performance, which was essential in supporting VanRaam’s supply chain to operate efficiently to meet increasing demand.

   A testament of this successful partnership is that more customers are associating VanRaam bikes with trust and durability, reflecting increasing confidence in independent mobility. Notably from 2021-2024, VanRaam’s annual sales units reportedly increased by over 20%.

   Cleantron and its commitment to providing high performance solutions while supporting the environment

   Cleantron is a leading European battery manufacturer, innovating advanced lithium-ion battery technology for a wide range of mobility applications, from e-bike battery systems to batteries for light electric vehicles, to custom-made lithium ion battery solutions, with each of its products being powered by custom engineering, robust BMS integration and a relentless dedication to long-term reliability.

   The brand has also recently been granted a subsidy from the Dutch government to boost high-tech production of its advanced lithium batteries which are engineered and produced in the Netherlands, to help achieve Dutch climate objectives and contribute to a more sustainable future.

2. Research: Achieving Zero Emissions with More Mobility and Less Mining

   06/02/2023 16:37 Comments Off on Research: Achieving Zero Emissions with More Mobility and Less Mining

   Source: Climate + Community

   Electrified transportation demands lithium in record-high quantities, prompting expanded mining activities and environmental degradation. New research explores if it is possible to limit this sequence of events.

   A new report from T. Riofrancos, et al., in collaboration with the Climate + Community Project and the University of California, Davis explores the impact of increased lithium mining in relation to increased electric vehicle use.

   “A crucial aspect of electrified transportation is new demand for metals, and specifically the most non-replaceable metal for EV batteries – lithium. If today’s demand for EVs is projected to 2050, the lithium requirements of the US EV market alone in 2050 would require triple the amount of lithium currently produced for the entire global market. This boom in demand would be met by the expansion of mining. 

   “This report finds that the United States can achieve zero emissions transportation while limiting the amount of lithium mining necessary by reducing the car dependence of the transportation system, decreasing the size of electric vehicle batteries, and maximizing lithium recycling. Reordering the US transportation system through policy and spending shifts to prioritize public and active transit while reducing car dependency can also ensure transit equity, protect ecosystems, respect Indigenous rights, and meet the demands of global justice.”

   The recently released report is an incredible technical insight into one of the core arguments against the implementation of electrified transportation. Of course, it is encouraging to see LEVs, which contain significantly smaller batteries, cited as a key tool for combating the issue of high lithium demand. Access the full report, here.