Developed with funding from the Faraday Institution, Eatron Technologies and WMG have collaborated on a method for precisely estimating the remaining useful life (RUL) of EV batteries. The project, named VIPER (Validated & Integrated Platform for battery Remaining useful life), combines WMG’s electrochemical models with Eatron’s cloud battery management and integration expertise to deliver RUL estimates with more than 90% accuracy.
“The funding from the Faraday Institution has allowed us to bring the project forward by at least a year, and with innovative approaches such as this now in high demand, particularly among automotive OEMs, we’re delighted to be a part of bringing this technology to the market,” said Dhammika Widanage, associate professor at WMG, University of Warwick.
As batteries age, their condition and performance change, posing potential risks if not monitored closely. Conventional RUL estimates often rely on simplistic voltage-based analytics, risking safety or rendering healthy battery packs unusable. Eatron and WMG’s solution attempts to accurately predict RUL, to enable maximum performance and longevity, without compromising safety.
The solution can be incorporated into an automotive-grade battery management system (BMS) or deployed via a cloud-based platform, which the companies hope will make it appealing for fleet applications. Additionally, when an automotive battery enters its second life, it can be accompanied by a battery passport, offering an accurate health snapshot, eliminating the need for costly testing and expanding its operational range.
Dr Umut Genc, CEO of Eatron, explained, “There are benefits for the used EV market, too; as a result of these highly accurate RUL estimates, buyers could have confidence in the condition of a vehicle’s battery and be reassured about its ability to perform for many years to come.”
Professor Pam Thomas, CEO of Faraday Institution, said, “Our support for UK-based efforts to develop cost-effective batteries that are efficient, fast charging, and can be safely and sustainably recycled is crucial to achieving the rapid growth in EVs on our roads that will see us deliver on our net-zero targets.”