UL Solutions Opens State-of-the-Art Advanced Battery Testing Laboratory in Germany, Marking Major European Expansion
UL Solutions Inc. a global leader in applied safety science, has officially opened the doors to its new Europe Advanced Battery Testing Laboratory in Aachen, Germany. This cutting-edge facility is designed to test batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage systems, offering both developmental and certification services to meet the growing global demand for advanced battery technologies.
Strategically located in the heart of Europe’s automotive and energy innovation corridor, the Aachen laboratory represents a major milestone in UL Solutions’ ongoing global expansion. The launch of this purpose-built facility significantly enhances the company’s ability to support battery innovation, safety, and performance testing in Europe, and strengthens its position as a critical partner for the global electrification movement.
Supporting the Energy Transition and Electric Mobility
The new laboratory comes at a transformative time in the energy and mobility industries. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has reported that demand for lithium-ion batteries surged by 35% in 2023, largely driven by record growth in the electric vehicle sector. The IEA also projects that battery demand could rise tenfold in the coming years, fueled by the global transition to cleaner energy and mobility solutions.
In parallel, grid-scale battery energy storage is experiencing a dramatic expansion, with deployments growing more than 130% globally in 2023. This rapid evolution in both transportation and energy sectors calls for more rigorous, comprehensive, and scalable testing solutions — exactly what the new UL Solutions facility aims to deliver.
“Our new location in Germany provides us with access to the region’s deep engineering talent and places us close to many of our key European customers,” said Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO of UL Solutions. “We are meeting our customers where they are, helping the automotive and power sectors safely innovate in a world increasingly reliant on battery storage.”
Purpose-Built for End-to-End Battery Testing
Unlike retrofitted facilities or shared laboratories, the Aachen testing center was designed and constructed from the ground up to address the unique challenges of testing next-generation battery technologies. It enables advanced testing throughout the battery lifecycle—from the early research and development (R&D) stages through to final certification for market entry.
This facility provides robust testing capabilities for EV batteries, stationary storage systems, and industrial energy solutions, with specialized infrastructure to support performance, durability, and safety evaluations. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and battery developers can validate products under real-world and extreme conditions, ensuring they meet both regional and global standards.
Testing at the laboratory includes:
- Cycle life evaluation: Determining the long-term performance and degradation characteristics of cells, modules, and packs.
- Abuse testing: Assessing responses to mechanical damage, overcharging, deep discharging, short-circuiting, and exposure to fire or water.
- Thermal runaway and off-gassing detection: Evaluating batteries’ responses to overheating and chemical instability.
- Environmental and vibration testing: Simulating conditions such as extreme temperatures, humidity, and transport stresses.
- Failure analysis: Conducting root cause investigations into battery malfunctions or safety incidents.
One of the laboratory’s standout features is its ability to estimate battery lifespan, an increasingly critical metric for EV consumers, fleet operators, and energy storage developers alike. By simulating years of use in a controlled setting, UL Solutions helps customers better understand product longevity, warranty parameters, and potential second-life applications.
Built on Expertise: Expanding the BatterieIngenieure Legacy
The Aachen laboratory replaces a smaller leased facility previously operated by BatterieIngenieure, a renowned German battery testing and simulation company acquired by UL Solutions in 2024. This acquisition brought deep technical knowledge and simulation expertise into UL’s portfolio, accelerating the company’s ability to offer advanced battery diagnostics and R&D support.
By integrating BatterieIngenieure’s talent and capabilities into the new laboratory, UL Solutions not only increased its European battery testing capacity but also strengthened its offerings in battery modeling, failure analysis, and simulation-based testing — essential components for next-generation battery development.
Compliance with International Safety and Performance Standards
Battery safety is a top concern across automotive and energy sectors. The Aachen laboratory is equipped to test batteries against multiple global standards and regulatory frameworks, ensuring products can be certified for use in various international markets. These include:
- UL Standards & Engagement
- International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
- Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
- United Nations (UN) Transportation of Dangerous Goods regulations
- ISO and regional certification protocols
By offering a localized solution within the European Union, UL Solutions helps manufacturers reduce time-to-market while maintaining strict compliance with the complex matrix of international safety and performance benchmarks.
A Growing Global Network of Battery Testing Hubs
The Aachen facility is part of UL Solutions’ broader global network of advanced battery testing laboratories, ensuring regional access to high-end services while maintaining global consistency and expertise. Other key UL Solutions battery testing and mobility facilities include:
- North America Advanced Battery Laboratory, Auburn Hills, Michigan
- Advanced Battery Testing Laboratory, Northbrook, Illinois
- EV Charging Test Laboratories, Fremont, California; Northbrook, Illinois; and Frankfurt, Germany
- UL Solutions E-Mobility and Energy Laboratory, Changzhou, China
- Advanced Battery Testing and Engineering Laboratory, Pyeongtaek, South Korea
- CHAdeMO EV–Quick Charger Matching Center, Ise, Mie, Japan
- EV and Micromobility Laboratory, Luzhu, Taiwan
This global presence allows UL Solutions to support customers worldwide, providing local expertise and services in key innovation hubs while ensuring alignment with global regulatory and technological trends
Enabling a Safer, Electrified Future
The Aachen laboratory embodies UL Solutions’ commitment to accelerating the world’s transition to electrification through science-driven safety and performance validation. As battery-powered systems become increasingly vital to transportation, energy, and industrial applications, the ability to verify and certify battery performance will be a cornerstone of global innovation.
“By investing in this facility, we are strengthening our ability to support customers developing breakthrough battery technologies that will drive decarbonization and electrification for decades to come,” said Scanlon. “Our focus is on helping the world navigate these transitions safely, reliably, and efficiently.”
With the opening of the Europe Advanced Battery Testing Laboratory, UL Solutions reinforces its mission to empower trust in innovation, and its role as a partner of choice for manufacturers shaping the future of electrified transportation and sustainable energy systems.
