POWERTRAIN
Powertrain system modelling helps EV development teams and suppliers explore the design space interactively
little energy). They are the perfect companions for typical batteries that show optimal performance when the power drainage is medium to moderate.
Q 24
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF BATTERY COOLING? I believe batteries will be cooled using liquid as they are today – but there may still be changes to how this is designed. Currently, there are two methods: cooling under the battery module or running liquid in between the cells.
Cooling will also depend on the
battery. Tesla, for example, runs a cooling tube around cylindrical battery cells, allowing it to cool much faster. On the other hand, pouched cells are able to be lined up compactly in the battery, taking up less space overall. Thermal design remains a hugely important topic for EV development and fi nding the most eff icient and safe solution requires a
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system-level approach to engineering, and skills that are in short supply at the moment.
Q Q
SHOULD THE BATTERY BE REMOVABLE?
Personally, I think removable batteries are the right direction for development to go. Batteries are inherently designed as modules, and in the future, we will be able to buy a car with more modules than the 6 found in vehicles today.
This ensures its longevity – if
anything goes wrong with one of the modules, it can easily be removed and replaced without having to remove perfectly functioning parts.
WILL WE SEE MORE
’SKATEBOARD’ CHASSIS? In my opinion this would be the right approach. In the last decade, we have seen disruptions in powertrains and batteries. We’ll expect battery integration inside the vehicle structure
next – but that’s unlikely to hit the road for another decade.
Q Q
WHAT ABOUT FUEL CELL USE?
Fuel cells are able to recharge much faster than conventional batteries – an advantage for long-range commercial haulage vehicles which require long battery life and short refuelling times during long drives. However, a balance needs to be achieved. Commercial vehicles do not have the market size to achieve economies of scale. Automotive OEMs need to not only consider fuel cells for long-range vehicles but also for last-mile delivery fl eets, which have very similar needs, benefi ts and patterns of use.
HOW WILL CHASSIS DESIGN ADAPT?
Everything will be heavily aff ected. Batteries are the most important component of the EV and aff ect all
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