Engineering news
Unfortunately that is where the simplicity ends, as creating effective solutions is immensely complex – just like the batteries themselves, as every automotive engineer will know. The combination of factors that need to be considered in their construction – from the chemistry of the cells to the materials and dimensions of the pack – ultimately means they need to be properly integrated into the vehicle’s design, and therefore influence nearly every key characteristic.
Because of this intricacy, engineers seek smart ways to introduce up-and-coming technologies into their workflows and designs, enabling them to unlock new efficiencies and, ultimately, more cost-effective products. Here are three key trends to keep an eye on in this incredibly fast moving industry.
The rise of lithium manganese iron phosphate
This year, the industry will see lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) batteries break into the mainstream. In the near future they will become a go to chemistry for automotive OEMs, offering an incredible balance of characteristics between lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
By introducing manganese into the LFP equation and reducing the iron mix, battery makers can make significant and cost-effective gains in energy density. The chemistry also provides further stability at lower temperatures, while having promising potential for helping OEMs negotiate the supply chain bottlenecks so often seen with nickel and cobalt-based solutions.
This highly compelling blend of long lifetime, energy density, safety, and low cost will see LMFP’s share of global battery supply increase in the coming years, reaching an expected 12% by 2031.
AI tackling diverse challenges
Artificial intelligence has already transformed a host of industries, from finance to biotech. Its integration throughout the battery space is also set to increase.
The technology has enormous potential for a range of tasks: helping engineers identify new materials to use; optimising battery pack design and seamlessly integrating it with the vehicle; and shortening testing timescales. All of these are done in ways that were simply not possible in years gone by.
Engineering teams need intelligent tools to help them extract maximum performance, in a way that reduces time to market. It may sound like a silver bullet, but software is going a long way to helping engineers solve these incredibly complex problems.
Smart technologies to drive demand
Innovation in battery technology will also play a significant role in encouraging more organic growth in the EV market. As batteries – and therefore vehicles – become more cost-effective and faster to produce, this will drive market appetite further, especially as charging infrastructure becomes more available and easier to use. Considering batteries’ influence on a vehicle’s competitiveness, and that they are a factor well within OEMs’ control, this should make technological development in battery pack design a top priority.
It is, however, worth emphasising the encouragement the industry should take from current market growth. Players across the automotive sector have expressed some concerns about sales growth – but in reality, how valid are these reservations? Last year, UK sales of battery EVs grew by 21% year on year, and now constitute almost 20% of new vehicle registrations. Further year-on-year growth of 15% is expected this year, which should be a source of optimism.
By leveraging smart technologies, and helping create the products to drive further market demand on a long-term basis, the industry can set itself on a reassuring course – taking both innovation and commercial success to not just new, but sustainable, heights.
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.