Overview
European countries are committed to keep reducing CO2 emissions and slowing down the climate change. For the individual transport system, the pure electric vehicle technology powered by 'green' electricity, offers a great chance for an important contribution to environment protection. Resulting from low energy density of batteries and the need to offer a convenient range, battery packs of the near future will be heavy and bulky (despite the latest advances in Li-Ion cells).
The objective of SMARTBATT was to develop and proof the innovative, multifunctional, light and safe concept of an energy storage system integrated in a pure electric car's structure.
Main challenges of this smart integration were the combination of lightweight design with a high safety level against all kinds of hazards, the optimization of functions and the intelligent design of interfaces to various on-board systems.
A consortium of different companies and institutes with good reputation was formed to meet the various challenges. The consortium would examine the problem from all important perspectives and would, with their knowledge and capacities, contribute to the solutions for this specific topic. The expertise of all partners comprised complete vehicle competence, electrics, electronics, batteries, lightweight design, engineering, materials, testing and validation.
All partners were well experienced in running EC projects. The consortium was well balanced: industrial (including 2 SMEs) and research partners. The exploitation was not limited to partners only. Results were distributed in different ways e.g. project website, papers or trainings as well as face-to-face workshops and meetings with OEMs. As the automotive sector is a traditionally 'male' dominated area, the SMARTBATT project aimed at initiating a next step towards change. A Gender Action Plan would raise awareness of the gender dissemination and encourage women to participate in research as scientists.
Funding
Results
The project resulted in developing and proving the innovative, multifunctional, light and safe concept of an energy storage system integrated in a pure electric car's structure as well as optimizing the functions and the intelligent design of interfaces to various on-board systems. The final concept of vehicle battery was an LCMO Prismatic battery with 23 kWh and 1408 cells.
Innovation aspects
One of the main results was the introduction of the the LCMO Prismatic battery with 23 kWh and 1408 cells. Some innovative materials were used for the battery integration into the vehicle such as aluminium hybrid foam sandwich material.
Technical Implications
The SMARTBATT project established feasible concepts for weight optimisation of batteries in electric vehicles. It provided analysis reports on:
- Performed analysis regarding energy consumption due to less weight of the battery system
- Performed analysis on driving range improvements due to more battery capacity
- Comparison of three different vehicle types by means of standardized driving cycles and performance tests (NEDC, FTP 72 and Artemis cycle)
Policy implications
The results could have an impact on the standardization process such as:
- Standardization concerning EVs is performed within ISO/TC 22/SC21 and IEC/TC 69;
- UNECE/REESS amendment to R100 Battery Electric vehicle safety for Lithium Ion batteries developed and signed, interim from 1/3 2013, probably into force 1/3 2014.
Strategy targets
Innovating for the future: promoting more sustainable development.