Supply chain specialist Unipart has entered into a strategic partnership with British battery cell manufacturer Volklec to deliver end-to-end logistics and lifecycle management services for electric vehicle (EV) battery cells.

The collaboration will see Unipart provide a suite of services including global transport, secure storage, advanced testing, and triage of Volklec’s lithium-ion battery cells. These services will focus on key performance metrics such as state of charge (SoC) and temperature monitoring to ensure optimal battery health and regulatory compliance.

Volklec, based in the UK, develops high-energy, high-power lithium-ion cells for a range of advanced applications across the automotive, aerospace, marine, and off-highway sectors.

The partnership builds on Unipart’s recent launch of a comprehensive EV supply chain offering, which covers manufacturing, logistics, and end-of-life battery management.

Under the agreement, Unipart will manage Volklec’s logistics operations from its 610,000 sq. ft. specialist Honeybourne facility. The site will support intelligent battery storage with controlled SoC charging to minimise degradation and meet air freight safety standards. Additionally, Unipart will conduct battery testing and triage processes, including capacity checks, state-of-health assessments, and routine maintenance.

This alliance positions both companies to support the UK’s growing EV ecosystem with resilient, high-performance battery logistics and infrastructure.

Lucie Dobeer, Unipart Head of Automotive Business Development, said: “We are incredibly excited to embark on this partnership with Volklec, a key player in the UK’s battery cell manufacturing landscape. Our robust capabilities in EV battery cell transport, advanced storage solutions with meticulous state of charge and temperature monitoring, and comprehensive testing and triage services will provide Volklec with a seamless and compliant supply chain.”

Darren Leigh, Unipart Chief Executive, said: “This collaboration further solidifies Unipart’s role as a driving force behind efficient, resilient, and sustainable supply chains in the evolving electric vehicle industry, ultimately contributing to reduced waste and lower total cost of ownership. Our commitment is to deliver cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable solutions that empower companies like Volklec to navigate the UK’s electrification transition seamlessly.”

Junaid Mujaver, Volklec Chief Operating Officer, said: “Partnering with Unipart is a landmark step for Volklec. As we build our sovereign UK battery cell manufacturing capability, it is essential to work with partners that share our commitment to quality, resilience and sustainability. Unipart’s proven expertise in complex logistics and its advanced capabilities in EV battery storage and testing make us confident that our cells will be managed with the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

“This collaboration underpins our strategy to create a secure, national supply chain for UK electrification and reinforces our role as a trusted manufacturer serving critical industries during the transition to net zero.”