MAHLE Powertrain, Northampton, United Kingdom, is continuing its investment in battery engineering with phase 2 of its electrified powertrain strategy, ePowertrain. This latest investment follows 2019’s launch of MPT’s battery module test and analysis facility, where battery modules can be tested in an array of steady-state and dynamic climatic conditions. Phase 2 builds on MPT’s electric development programmes to further aid electric vehicle battery optimisation, focusing on advanced understanding of battery architecture, control systems, charging rates, and cooling.
“This next phase will provide our vehicle manufacturer and Tier 1 customers with vital battery technology insight, offering a boost to UK manufacturing competitiveness,” says Derek Wise, chief engineer for build and test. “We will be able to conduct development and validation with the aim of better understanding the technologies that support physical battery chemistry: cooling and control systems, for example, will be the key factors in optimising battery performance for specific applications.”
The new facility, incorporating build and three climatic test chambers, will come online in Q3 2021 for battery development and validation testing, and charge and discharge rates.
Phase 2 will add to MPT’s portfolio of electrical test capability giving a total of 1.25MW electrical power across six separate rigs and chambers. Some innovative new features, designed by MPT, will be included in the battery test chambers to increase flexibility. The test environment will be precisely controlled to mimic a variety of real-world conditions, with temperature control between -40oC and 80oC and humidity control between 24-93%.
“The elusive goal that has been mooted by the industry is the ‘million-mile’ battery,” continues Wise. “For such an ambition to be attainable, collection and strategic use of data relating to battery characteristics will be absolutely essential. It is not simply battery chemistry that is holding back advancement, but the control systems, cooling and charging rates, which have already advanced significantly in recent years as the industry better understands the technology.
“MPT’s EV simulation, design and software capabilities will be enhanced by the facility’s HIL and real-world data generation, helping to further accelerate development,” he concludes. “By significantly extending the lifecycle of EV batteries we address the second-use conundrum by effectively eliminating the challenge.”
MAHLE Powertrain’s new development is part of a larger EV development strategy, with further phases being rolled out in 2022. It will further address the automotive industry’s need for more focused battery development capabilities. From the real-world testing and strip-down of battery modules to battery pack build, test, simulation and analysis, MPT’s program aims to cover the entire EV battery development process.
About MAHLE
MAHLE is a leading international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry. The technology group is committed to playing an active role in transforming the mobility of the future by further optimizing the combustion engine, driving forward the use of alternative fuels, and laying the foundation for the worldwide introduction of e-mobility and other alternative drives, such as fuel cells. The group’s product portfolio addresses all the crucial aspects of the powertrain and air conditioning technology.
In 2019, MAHLE generated sales of approximately EUR 12.0 billion and is represented in over 30 countries with more than 77,000 employees in 160 production locations and 16 major research and development centres (last revised: 2019-12-31).
About MAHLE Powertrain
MAHLE Powertrain is a specialist in providing engineering services for the design, development and integration of advanced internal combustion engines and electrified powertrain systems. As a recognised expert in these fields, MAHLE Powertrain is engaged in the extensive research, development and application of new traditional and advanced drivelines into cost-effective, production feasible solutions for enhanced efficiency, improved fuel economy and lower emissions.
As a services subsidiary of the MAHLE Group, Stuttgart, Germany, MAHLE Powertrain has eight technical centres strategically located in the UK, Germany, USA, China and Brazil and is well-placed to provide solutions around the globe. It operates independently of the main group when considering choice of components or technologies.
