How Thermal Management Impacts Electric Vehicle Range and Charging Speed
Garrett’s high power centrifugal refrigerant compressor for EV thermal management is designed to regulate and maintain optimal temperatures in various components of an electric vehicle (EV), but also provide desired cabin comfort. The thermal management system actively manages heat generated during different driving conditions, including charging, acceleration, and sustained high-speed driving.
Enhanced thermal management is key to solving some of the most prominent pain-points vehicle manufacturers have related to electric vehicles (EVs), including extending range, ensuring quicker charging, and optimizing the overall performance of EVs.
Batteries are the heart of an EV, and their temperature range is critical to their efficiency and life. When the battery is outside its optimum temperature range, it allows less driving range or even degrades faster over time. This is why thermal management is essential for EVs. Everybody knows their smartphones stop working and stop charging when they heat too much – it’s the same with battery electric vehicles.
When the vehicle drives at continuous high power, both the battery and the motor produce heat, which must be dissipated to prevent damage to the battery and other components. The battery’s temperature must be kept within a specific range to ensure optimal performance. If the battery gets too hot, it can cause permanent damage to the battery cells, reducing the battery’s lifespan or even cells catching fire. The heat produced by driving at high speeds on a highway or just carrying large loads may take its toll on the battery.
On the other hand, in cold climates and sub-zero weather conditions, the battery’s capacity and vehicle driving range can be significantly reduced.
Fast charging is another area where thermal management is critical. When fast charging at high power, the battery heats up. This can cause damage to the battery cells and reduce the battery’s lifespan. Therefore, it is essential to manage the battery’s temperature during fast charging to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Direct or indirect refrigerant cooling is one of the most effective ways to manage the battery’s temperature during fast charging. It involves circulating a refrigerant through the battery pack to absorb heat and dissipate it through a heat exchanger. This method is highly efficient and can help maintain the battery’s temperature within the optimal range.
Efficient battery cooling can significantly increase the range of the vehicle. It can also help maintain the battery’s performance and longevity. With efficient battery cooling, the battery can be kept within the optimal temperature range, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
Charging regularly done during the night represents another challenge for automakers as this regularly happens in a very quiet environment, while the Thermal management system of the vehicle can be noisy. Therefore, OEMs are looking for a compact and silent solution that is powerful enough to manage the battery’s temperature during charging.
Extreme cold in winter climate is another challenge for range as the battery’s output may drop below the range, and thus heating both the cabin and the batteries becomes essential. Therefore, efficient battery heating is also critical for the chemical reactions to continue inside the battery pack and thus to maintaining the battery’s performance and longevity.
Driven by a high-speed centrifugal compressor, Garrett’s high power refrigerant compressor for EV thermal management (E-Cooling Compressor) enables ultra-fast charging and high-speed driving, improved cabin comfort, and simplified installation. It is the optimal choice for those seeking enhanced vehicle performance and environmental sustainability.
With all these challenges, despite the major focus on batteries, the thermal management system has become the unsung hero that enhances EV range and allows them to charge faster. Therefore, it is essential to optimize the thermal management system to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the battery and other components.
In response to all these adoption challenges, Garrett is providing the industry with a differentiated solution to the thermal management challenges of EVs. Harnessing the power of cutting-edge technology, Garrett’s high power centrifugal refrigerant compressor for EV thermal management (E-Cooling Compressor) is a game-changer in the electric vehicle industry. Driven by a high-speed centrifugal compressor, it allows for ultra-fast charging and high-speed driving, improved cabin comfort, and simplified installation.
The E-Cooling system can provide up to a 20% decrease in fast charging time and no de-rating during intensive driving while also cooling the cabin up to 3 times faster, among many other benefits. Designed with a compact, oil-less architecture, the system operates at incredibly high speeds, contributing to a more efficient energy management system and vehicle range increase. This reduces battery size and, consequently, vehicle weight.
