The market for electric vehicle (EV) batteries is heavily focused on increasing mileage life through constant testing, which has led to instrumentation solutions that pair batteries with load cells.
Automotive components undergo rigorous testing to meet regulatory standards, guarantee performance, and ensure consumer safety.
These components continually require investment in innovation to meet the expressed governmental, consumer and commercial requirements.
One of the vehicle components that is undergoing intense change is the battery. The market is heavily focused on increasing mileage use and life, which includes the shift from single-use lithium batteries to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
These customer sentiments are noticeable in the growing global EV and hybrid EV (HEV) demands for sustainable and longer-lasting battery solutions.
Customer satisfaction and commercial applications are closely intertwined with a vehicle’s ability to travel long distances without refueling or charging. The demands drive robust test and measurement programs to bring new battery models and designs to market.
In 2021, it was estimated that the EV battery market exceeded 38 per cent of total battery sales. As technology continues to improve the lifecycle and reduce battery costs, Precedence Research estimates 32 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2030.
This translated to $46 billion of market share in the US alone, while Asia Pacific leads the production of EVs and overall demand for EV batteries.
Based on global adoption of EVs, supported by government initiatives and a push for reduced carbon emissions, the EV battery market is expected to continue expanding around the world.
The testing of batteries is growing in complexity with an increase in the number of cells, modern designs, materials, cycles, installation, vehicle models, certifications and charging equipment to name a few.
Battery simulation and real battery integration testing are two examples of commonly used T&M programs used to validate battery adaptability and use requirements. In battery testing, accuracy and quality of the measurement devices are vital.
The most common battery types include:
- Lithium-ion battery
- Lead-acid battery
- Sodium-ion battery
- Nickel-metal hydride battery
Due to the market shift to EVs, the lithium-ion battery is the number one battery type in 2022. The domination of the lithium-ion battery exceeded all other battery types in 2021.
Manufacturers of EVs prefer partnering with OEMs of newer model Li-ion batteries because they are lighter in weight and have higher energy density.
Electric Vehicle Battery Monitoring
EV battery manufacturers require a system to monitor their lithium-ion batteries. Normally, lithium-ion batteries are measured through voltage and current measurements or (ICV) to analyse and monitor the battery life.
In consultation with the design and testing engineers, Interface recommended a solution that required installing the LBM Compression Load Button Load Cell in between two garolite end plates, and measuring the force due to cell swelling or expansion.
Instead of monitoring through voltage (ICV), this method is based on measured force (ICF). To monitor the testing, the load cell was paired with the 9330 Battery Powered High Speed Data Logging Indicator.
This instrumentation solution provides the ability to display, record and log the force measurement results with supplied software.
Interface has long partnered with auto manufacturers and suppliers of various parts and components to provide a large range of automotive industry test and measurement solutions.
This includes sensors and instrumentation solutions for the development, testing and performance monitoring of all types of batteries, with growing interest for lithium-ion battery testing.
For further information, contact AMS Instrumentation & Calibration Pty Ltd on
03-9017 8225, or Freecall (NZ) 0800 442 743, alternatively on e-mail:
sales@ams-ic.com.au or visit our web site at www.ams-ic.com.au
This sponsored editorial is brought to you by AMS. For more information, go to www.ams-ic.com.au.
