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Electric vehicles (EVs) are growing in popularity due to their low carbon emissions and improved performance. However, the battery management system (BMS) remains a key challenge for the EV industry. Traditional BMS systems require numerous physical components such as wires and connectors, which increase vehicle weight and complexity.
Additionally, traditional BMS systems can be difficult to assemble and maintain. As a result, companies are investing in wireless BMS technology, which eliminates the need for physical components and simplifies battery assembly. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of wireless BMS technology and its potential impact on the EV industry.
Benefits of Wireless BMS Technology
Wireless BMS technology eliminates the need for wires and connectors, which enhances the efficiency of the system. This, in turn, reduces vehicle weight and frees up battery pack space. According to LG Innotek, a subsidiary of LG Corporation, a wireless BMS system can save up to 198 pounds of vehicle weight and free up 10-15% of battery pack space, allowing for greater flexibility in battery design. Additionally, LG Innotek claims that wireless BMS technology can improve the range of an EV by up to 12 miles.
Wireless BMS technology also simplifies battery assembly, which could lead to higher degrees of automation in vehicle manufacturing. By removing the need for cables and connectors, potential failure points are eliminated, and battery packs are less complicated to assemble. This makes it easier to replace modules as the pack ages or to fit an entirely different cell/module without redesigning the whole pack. The simplicity of the wireless BMS system could also make it more cost-effective to produce, further driving down the cost of EVs.
Wireless BMS Adoption by Major Automakers
LG Innotek predicts that major automobile manufacturers will begin adopting wireless BMS technology in 2024. General Motors has already embraced this technology on a large scale, partnering with Visteon to implement a wireless BMS system for its Ultium EV platform. This wireless BMS system will make it easier to swap out aging battery modules or to install a different cell/module without redesigning the entire pack. General Motors is open to using different cell formats, and it co-developed its large-format pouch cells with LG.
Other major automakers are also investing in wireless BMS technology. BMW is reportedly developing a wireless BMS system that will be included in its fifth-generation electric powertrain. BMW claims that its wireless BMS system will be the first in the world to use integrated circuit (IC) technology. IC technology will enable wireless communication between the battery cells and the BMS, allowing for more precise monitoring of the battery’s condition.
Overview
Wireless BMS technology is transforming the EV industry by reducing vehicle weight, increasing battery pack space, simplifying battery assembly, and potentially driving down the cost of EVs. Major automakers, such as General Motors and BMW, are investing in this technology, with others expected to follow suit in the coming years. As wireless BMS technology continues to develop, it could become a game-changer for the EV industry, improving the performance, efficiency, and affordability of electric vehicles.
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