The upcoming Euro 7 standards have set key requirements for the minimum battery lifespan of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs).
To be compliant with these standards, you need high-performance components that help maximise the lifespan of your EV battery.
In this article, we unpack the Euro 7 standards regarding battery life, the factors that influence it and how component integration can help maximise the lifespan of your design.
The recently agreed upon Euro 7 standards focus on a number of sustainability factors linked to road transportation. This new set of rules has a particular focus on EVs, with non-combustion emissions and battery lifespan being addressed.
Battery lifespan has become a particular focus due to the current limitations of lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling. LIBs come in a variety of designs and compositions based on their requirements. This has led to a difficulty in separating individual types to be prepared for the recycling process, with currently used methods requiring specialised equipment and significant energy costs. Moreover, these processes have room to improve in the area of efficiency.
For example, obsolete lithium-ion batteries (OLIBs) are currently recycled using pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy in the EU. The former showcases a loss of manganese, aluminium and lithium during the recycling process. The latter allows for greater recovery of materials but at a significant energy cost. This has led to a combination of both methods being used in most cases, but still requires sorting and disassembly of LIBs before recycling can take place.
Long story short, the recycling process for OLIBs has room for improvement in terms of sustainability, hence the current focus on maximising the lifespan of LIBs to allow for future innovation.
Euro 7 has separated the requirements for minimum EV battery span into two main groups.
Battery management systems monitor, control, and protect the individual cells within a battery to help extend their lifespan. They play a vital role in ensuring the safety, performance, and longevity of the battery system, and require high-performance components to perform their role.
Connectors and cable assemblies – High-quality cable assemblies are required for BMSs to provide overcharge, over-discharge and short-circuit protection whilst in use. The BMSs also require relays, fuses, and/or switches to disconnect or limit the current flow in case of abnormal conditions to protect the battery.
Thermal management systems regulate the temperature of batteries, as high and low temperatures can have an adverse effect on their lifespan and performance. These can range from heat sinks, fans and water cooling systems, with each requiring a number of specialised components.
Connectors and terminals – These components are used for the electrical connections within the thermal management system. They link sensors, heating elements, fans, and other vital devices in the system. Connectors and terminals need to be high-performance to protect the battery and surrounding components from high voltages.
A charging management system (CMS) is designed to control the charging process for EVs. They strike a balance between charging speed and battery performance by preventing extreme voltages that can damage their lifespan.
Relays and contactors – A high-performance relay can be used to control the connection and disconnection of the charging cable to the vehicle. It ensures a secure and controlled connection management to ensure batteries are charged slowly within a moderate state of charge range (20-80%) to reduce stress on the cells to maximise battery life.
The new Euro 7 standard outlines strict requirements for the battery lifespan of EVs. To meet these requirements, you need specialised components that can support battery management, temperature and charge systems.
At Dalroad, we provide a wide range of components that are designed to enhance the resilience and lifespan of EVs. We also have a team of specialists on-hand to assist you in finding the perfect components for your design, taking all factors into account.
To find out more about our catalogue of components and get support in choosing the right ones for your design, contact a member of our team today.
