Research: EV Batteries Can Gain Over 20% Longer Lifespan
A new smart battery architecture can extend electric vehicle battery life by over 20 percent by bypassing weak cells. This approach may also reduce overall lifetime costs.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed a new battery architecture that can significantly extend the lifespan of electric vehicle batteries. This intelligent battery technology allows for the bypassing of individual weak cells, thereby improving the performance and longevity of the entire battery pack, even when other cells remain functional.
In conventional EV batteries, a single underperforming cell can limit the operational life of the whole unit. The new architecture aims to maximize the utilization of remaining capacity. Under optimal conditions, the technology has demonstrated the potential to increase battery lifespan by over 20 percent in specific vehicle applications.
The technology also offers the benefit of reduced overall lifetime costs. By extending the operational period of batteries, the frequency of replacements decreases, leading to cost savings for both consumers and manufacturers.
The Chalmers study investigates how bypassing weak cells affects the overall health and performance of the battery. The method also aims to reduce the environmental impact of batteries by prolonging their usability.