APAC Transformational Think Tank: Mobility Series

APAC Transformational Think Tank: Mobility Series:  A collaborative platform to introduce, share and discuss a diverse range of new ideas and provoke discussion on critical issues surrounding the future of mobility. This is where members engage with one another to share cross-industry perspectives on the forces shaping and driving new growth opportunities and areas of innovation.

Topic: Advanced Battery Management Systems to Transform Electrification

In 2020, the electric vehicle (EV) market survived an otherwise battered automotive industry, recording global sales of more than 3 million units. Frost & Sullivan expects that the global EV market will reach close to 20 million units by 2025, emphasizing the need for automakers to step up the pace on electric or electrified vehicle offerings.

However, the inherent limitations of current lithium-ion battery technologies pose major challenges. Among them are poor range when compared to gasoline-powered equivalents, resulting in range anxiety for drivers; battery recharge times that are significantly lengthier than the rapid fill-up-and-go of their ICE counterparts; high battery prices that drive up EV purchase costs; and considerable investments in battery R&D.

Battery management systems (BMSs) are catalyzing battery technology evolution. As these systems manage and monitor the battery’s performance, automakers are integrating wireless versions (i.e., wBMS) to improve overall performance. By eliminating 90% of wiring and cabling, wBMS can also overcome possible mechanical failure of cables, harnesses, and connectors. The transition to wBMS enables EV manufacturers to scale EV platforms across different models. Moreover, future battery chemistries will use advanced sensing technologies to improve overall battery efficiency and provide precise monitoring, which will increase the battery’s life, quality, and reliability. Last, automakers’ integration of smart embedded sensing tools and functionalities will enable three-dimensional and time-resolved monitoring.