Ampere has officially opened its Battery Cell Innovation Laboratory at the Lardy Technical Center, marking a significant step in Renault Group’s electric vehicle strategy. Operational since September 30, 2025, the new facility spans 3,000 m² over two levels and is equipped with more than 120 advanced instruments, including a 600 m² dry room. The laboratory brings together cell prototyping with comprehensive electro-physico-chemical characterization, allowing engineers to assess battery performance and behavior in areas such as durability, fast charging, disassembly, and internal analysis.
Josep Maria Recasens, CEO of Ampere, emphasized that the laboratory will enable the company to identify breakthrough technologies and strategic partners early in the development process. “Our mission is to explore disruptive innovations and secure the technological choices that will distinguish our electric vehicles in the future,” he said.
By consolidating these capabilities in one center, Ampere aims to gain greater control of the entire battery value chain, from materials selection through cell design and validation. Philippe Brunet, Chief Technology Officer of Renault Group, noted that the new laboratory, together with the recently announced E-Tech Campus, underscores the group’s commitment to leading high-value engineering innovation. “Our goal is to establish the Lardy Technical Center as a true center of excellence for electric vehicle technologies,” he said.
The E-Tech Campus, part of ReKnow University, will offer specialized training on electric vehicle systems to employees across Ampere and Renault Group, and eventually to external partners. This initiative supports the broader transformation of the Lardy site, which was founded in 1951 and historically focused on internal combustion powertrains. Today, after a comprehensive site redesign, skills development programs and new initiatives like the Battery Cell Innovation Laboratory and E-Tech Campus, Lardy is fully dedicated to electric mobility.
Nicolas Racquet, Ampere’s Electric Vehicle Engineering Director, added that the laboratory will enhance performance evaluation and foster closer collaboration with suppliers. “This facility is a key component of our battery strategy,” he said. “It ensures our electric vehicles meet customer expectations and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.”
Source: Ampere Cars
