Overview
Present-day electric vehicles are typically designed by starting from an existing vehicle platform and designing a storage device (battery pack) to fit the constraints of the existing vehicle.
The OSTLER project is based on the concept of modular storage devices, around which an electric vehicle can be designed. The vehicle designer can select storage capacity to give range in electric vehicle mode (e.g. 20 km, 50 km, 100 km) in much the same way as current-generation vehicles are designed around different powertrain packages (e.g. 1.6 litre, 1.8 litre, 2.0 litre).
OSTLER will develop novel solutions for mechanical, thermal and electrical integration based around such a modular concept of storage-centric design. Furthermore, the project will investigate the implications if one or more of the storage packs is removable, and hence evaluate the feasibility of a removable concepts e.g. quick drop or user-changeable packs.
Funding
Results
Optimising removable batteries for electric cars
An EU initiative tested the feasibility of electric cars with modular batteries. Drivers wanting more power could just plug in another battery.
With the increase in demand for electric vehicles (EVs), manufacturers often adapt existing models to electric power. However, batteries are heavy, and modifying a normal car to battery power can pose numerous weight, drivability and other restraints.
The EU-funded http://www.ostlerproject.com/ (OSTLER) (Optimised storage integration for the electric car) project set out to develop new concepts for battery integration in cars. Overall, the goal was to investigate the feasibility of a modular, removable battery concept that complies with all pertinent automotive regulations.
Work began with an assessment of the requirements for integrated storage followed by crash worthiness testing and system integration.
The OSTLER team created smart concepts to protect battery packs in EVs. To do so, it investigated the effects of large battery packs on vehicle crashworthiness to determine the most vulnerable type of battery cell. A prototype battery pack was developed for this purpose and active and passive solutions were developed to protect it in a crash event. Dynamic simulations and physical tests showed the functionality of both systems. In particular the active solution consisting of an inflatable light textile structure demonstrated satisfactory performance and low weight.
Electrical and thermal system specifications and requirements for the main battery pack were defined. The team also introduced a demonstrator for removable battery packs and provided design guidelines for the model.
Project partners also delivered novel concepts for more efficient thermal and electrical integration. The electrical solution can support various battery sizes and applications. A demonstrator vehicle incorporating a battery pack was built and successfully tested.
In standardising an EV battery pack, OSTLER considered the mechanical, electrical and thermal interactions of the battery. By developing a modular, removable battery pack for vehicles, European businesses will be able to compete in the global EV market.