Swedish automaker Volvo Cars has tapped Imperial College London spinoff Breathe Battery Technologies (BBT) to gain access to its innovative software, which promises to reduce electric vehicle charging time by 30%.
Volvo Cars to integrate BBT’s tech into its battery management platform
Volvo plans to install BBT’s technology into its internally developed battery management platform to accelerate the speed of its electric vehicle charging technology, the press release indicated.
According to the Swedish automaker, BBT’s algorithm-based charging software will lessen the charging time from 10% to 80% by as much as 30%. Despite the significant reduction in charging time, its software can still preserve the battery’s energy density and range.
Furthermore, Volvo claims that these charging time headways will remain until the battery’s end of life without compromising its health. It is indeed a significant development, which can potentially make Volvo Cars’ electric vehicles more competitive in the rapidly growing market.
“Faster charging times, in the range where customers typically fast charge, represent a major step in the right direction as we continue to boost electric mobility and make it available to more people.”
Ann-Sofie Ekberg, Volvo Cars Tech Fund CEO
What’s special about BBT’s software?
BBT’s software is different from pre-determined stepped charging in a way that it employs adaptive charging to dynamically monitor and control the battery in real time. With this innovative approach, the company’s software can reduce charging times.
Its software utilizes algorithms to control the entire charging process consistent with the battery’s health to enable a more convenient electric vehicle charging experience. It also ensures that this faster charging capability will cause lithium plating, which is the metallic lithium formation around the anode of Li-ion batteries during charging. This is an alarming occurrence, which can significantly harm the overall performance and lifespan of Li-ion batteries.
“This is the tip of the iceberg for unlocking what will be an awfully big change coming in batteries as they become more software defined.”
Breathe CEO Ian Campbell
How can the partnership aid Volvo Cars?
As per the report, Volvo Cars’ partnership with BBT stems from a sourcing deal for its flagship product, the Breathe Charge. It apparently signifies the latest investment of the Swedish automaker’s venture capital arm, Volvo Cars Tech Fund. However, it did not disclose the exact amount of the investment for this new venture.
Volvo Cars stated that this partnership will enable the application of smaller batteries in electric vehicles. In effect, the company will be able to cut costs, reduce electric vehicles’ weight and improve efficiency.
“The investment and commercial partnership with Breathe helps us address a familiar pain point for electric car customers and makes our charging performance even more competitive.”
Ann-Sofie Ekberg, Volvo Cars Tech Fund CEO
Volvo Cars also believes that scaling will be easy, given the 100% compatibility of BBTD’s software to its new-gen BEVs’ hardware. Therefore, the Swedish automaker no longer needs to adjust the battery pack design or source additional materials to support the innovative software from the London-based battery performance company. BBT’s software is expected to reach Volvo Cars’ new EVs within the next two to three years.
