HPQ CEO Discusses Final-Stage Drone Battery Evaluations and Path Toward Commercialization
In a new interview, HPQ CEO Bernard Tourillon discusses the company’s latest battery milestone and what comes next as Novacium advances three separate European drone-manufacturer programs toward potential product qualification.
The interview follows HPQ and Novacium’s announcement that 30 custom-configured battery packs have been delivered to three European drone manufacturers, with each manufacturer receiving 10 packs designed around its specific drone-platform requirements.
Tourillon explains that these programs did not emerge overnight. Work with the manufacturers began in Q4 2025, with Novacium receiving technical feedback, adapting its battery configurations and progressing through successive evaluation stages.
Key Highlights
✅ Three separate European drone manufacturers are now conducting final-stage evaluations of custom-configured Novacium battery packs.
✅ Tourillon explains that final-stage evaluation can include ground-based static testing followed by operational testing, as manufacturers assess the packs against their application requirements.
✅ When asked whether the evaluation process should be measured in weeks or months, Tourillon said his current expectation is “weeks,” while emphasizing that the process ultimately remains in the manufacturers’ hands.
✅ HPQ is pursuing a strategy of moving higher up the battery value chain, from developing silicon-based anode material toward complete cells and battery packs designed for demanding applications.
✅ Tourillon says the experience gained in Europe is helping HPQ and Novacium develop battery configurations and a commercial approach that can eventually support more aggressive market development in North America, where HPQ holds an exclusive licence to Novacium’s technologies.
By watching the interview, you’ll gain:
What “final-stage evaluation” means in practice and the testing process the manufacturers may undertake before potential qualification.
Why these programs have taken time to reach this point, with development and technical discussions dating back to Q4 2025.
How HPQ sees the transition from silicon-anode material to higher-value battery packs as an important part of its commercialization strategy.
Why European customer validation matters for North America, and how HPQ plans to use the technical specifications, feedback and commercial experience generated in Europe to support future outreach.
How Bernard views HPQ’s broader progress, as its battery activities begin moving from technology development and evaluation toward initial orders and commercial opportunities.
Tourillon describes Europe as the more advanced market for HPQ and Novacium today, while acknowledging that North American battery commercialization remains at an earlier stage. His objective is to use the experience and credibility being developed through European programs to help accelerate that next phase.
Watch the full interview here:
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