The growing concern regarding the carbon emissions from conventional automobiles led to heavy investments in R&D activities for designing advanced electric vehicles. However, in the initial days, people hesitated to shift to electric mobility as the range and efficiency offered by EVs were not as good as the regular, fossil-fuel-based vehicles. To tackle the issue, car manufacturers have paid special attention to developing battery systems that improve the performance of the car. The emergence of automotive battery thermal management systems has been a result of this endeavor undertaken by leading companies. The technology enhances the vehicle’s efficiency and provides comfort and safety to the driver and passengers.
Analyzing the role of automotive battery thermal management systems
Typically, an electric vehicle consists of a lithium-ion battery which is quite sensitive to temperature changes. The range, charge time, voltage efficiency, and overall life cycle of the battery depend on the temperature at which it usually works. Studies have shown that in extremely cold weather conditions, usually below 0°C, these energy storage devices stop functioning and may face irreversible damage. Similarly, at high temperatures above 60°C, there are chances of thermal runaway which can trigger self-ignition and explosion. As a result, maintaining the temperature of the battery in an optimal range becomes very important for the smooth functioning of the vehicle.
Automotive battery thermal management systems (BTMS) are specialized devices that aid in managing the heat produced during electrochemical processes and keep the temperature of the battery pack within a fixed range of 20° to 45° C. To achieve the objective, automobile BTMS performs two major functions, viz., heating and cooling. In cold weather, the battery must be warmed up to facilitate the electrochemical reactions required for powering the vehicle. Hence, these battery management systems usually consist of a high-voltage heater which warms the coolant beyond its desired set point and triggers the lithium-ion energy storage devices. Conversely, in case of high temperatures, a refrigerant or a coolant is used, along with fans and compressors, to prevent the temperature from skyrocketing.
Innovations in material sciences and electronics opening new avenues of growth in the industry
The rising adoption of electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles across the globe has been one of the biggest factors influencing the growth of the automotive battery thermal management system industry. As per a report published by Allied Market Research, the landscape is expected to gather a revenue of $18.7 billion by 2032, thus registering a CAGR of 15.6% from 2023 to 2032 period. Furthermore, technological advancements and developments in the fields of material sciences and electronics manufacturing are expected to create numerous growth opportunities in the sector.
In the past few years, automobile manufacturing companies have started shifting from traditional coolants to liquid cooling systems that efficiently cool power storage devices in hot weather conditions. These refrigerants offer better quality heat dissipation as compared to conventional ones, thus ultimately improving the energy density of the battery. Additionally, ordinary coolants have ozone-depleting substances that, upon use, release CFCs. Continued usage of such products disrupts the stratospheric layer of the atmosphere and exposes the Earth’s surface to harmful UV radiation. The development of phase change materials is another such trend witnessed in the industry.
Many leading companies across the globe are launching state-of-the-art systems that improve the efficiency and safety of vehicles. In July 2023, Marelli, a major automaker in Europe, announced the launch of an integrated thermal management module for electric vehicles. The technology has been designed to integrate different thermal circuits used for battery management into one component and increases the efficiency, flexibility, and driving range of the vehicle by around 20%. The cabin thermal systems, e-powertrain systems, and battery thermal systems can be controlled directly through the module, thereby ultimately enhancing the durability and performance of the engine.
To sum it up, the growing adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles is expected to bring in new opportunities for the growth of the automotive battery thermal management systems industry. Recently, the development of liquid coolants and phase change materials has strengthened the position of the landscape. Furthermore, the launch of innovative solutions by leading automotive manufacturers is predicted to impact the sector positively in the coming period.
✍ **𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓: Akhilesh Prabhugaonkar
