Structural design of electric vehicle energy storage battery

What are structural batteries?

This type of batteries is commonly referred to as “structural batteries”. Two general methods have been explored to develop structural batteries: (1) integrating batteries with light and strong external reinforcements, and (2) introducing multifunctional materials as battery components to make energy storage devices themselves structurally robust.

Can structural batteries improve the performance of electric vehicles?

Though more fundamental and technical research is needed to promote wide practical application, structural batteries show the potential to significantly improve the performance of electric vehicles and devices.

What are the structural components of electric vehicle battery packs?

In the electric vehicle battery pack described above, the mechanical load-bearing functionality is entirely carried by structural components other than the battery packs. For instance, structural components refer to the module casings and upper and lower battery pack covers.

How to implement structural batteries in vehicles?

To implement structural batteries in systems such as vehicles, several key points must be satisfied first, including mechanical and electrochemical performance, safety, and costs, as summarized in Fig. 8. In this section, these points will be briefly discussed, covering current challenges and future development directions. Figure 8.

Why are structural batteries important?

Lastly, safety standards are also of paramount importance for structural batteries. These batteries are designed to be integrated into the structural framework of systems, such as electric vehicles, exposing them to harsher mechanical conditions compared to conventional batteries.

Can structural batteries improve the performance of electrified transportation?

All information indicates that structural batteries are promising solutions to enhance the performance of electrified transportation, and more transformative research and progress in material and device levels are needed to accelerate their implementation in the real world.