Vitesco Technologies has recently won several orders worth more than 2 billion euros for its innovative Battery Management Systems (BMS).
One of Vitesco Technologies’ significant contracts will deliver already a wireless communication version of the battery control units for 400V and 800V BEV architecture.
This innovative solution reduces the amount of cabling inside the battery, saving space and improving range capacity through either a larger battery or by reducing the size and weight of the battery that would otherwise be used.
- The basis for further profitable growth in the e-mobility business: battery management orders worth more than 2 billion euros Contracts with global high-volume manufacturers, premium car makers, and start-up companies in all relevant markets
- Battery management systems increase the range of electric cars, ensure safer car operation, and contribute to longer battery life.
- Innovation: wireless communication simplifies the battery design, saves space, and opens up new possibilities in the development of e-vehicles
Battery management is a key function of electric driving: Intelligent BMS solutions consisting of control units, sensors, and application software protect the battery against overheating and ensure a balanced charging state of all cells.
This is essential for safe operation and long battery life. In other words, the BMS protects the biggest and most valuable single system in an electric vehicle with its many individual functions.
“With our modular software and hardware for battery management, we can offer our customers tailor-made solutions. In addition, innovations such as wireless communication with the battery modules enable advanced battery design, leading to reduced system costs for our customers,”
says Thomas Stierle, Member of the Executive Board and head of the Electrification Technology of Vitesco Technologies.
Battery management: a “hidden champion” in the electric car
The core functions of BMS are divided between two types of control units in the Vitesco Technologies portfolio. The first is the battery management controller permanently monitoring the state of cells and modules.
It can trigger a corrective action within the battery when an undesirable operating condition is detected in order to deliver the maximum range and achieve its maximum service life.
This is accomplished using a high voltage sensor to monitor and control the high current flows toward the battery. In the case of a crash, the BMS also triggers the electrical isolation of the battery from the rest of the car.
Cell supervising circuits are the second type of controller monitoring and balancing the charging levels of individual battery cells (something which can always occur in Li-Ion cells due to manufacturing tolerances).
“For this purpose, Vitesco Technologies is currently developing a new procedure for actively balancing cells (hence: active cell balancing), which can bring another efficiency gain in the order of several percent,”
according to Rodrigo Peres, Head of Production Line Battery at Vitesco Technologies.
“The number of BMS orders that we received over the past weeks and months reflects the relevance of our solutions. We have signed contracts with global high-volume manufacturers, premium car makers, and start-up companies – in all relevant markets,”
said Thomas Stierle.
