BMS to handle EV battery moods in diverse weathers

Source:https://www.energybite.co.in/blog-post/bms-to-handle-ev-battery-moods-in-diverse-weathers/

The life and efficiency of a battery, the key component of an electric vehicle, hinge to a large extent upon weather conditions and poor battery performance can impact the range of an EV adversely. Battery Management System, or BMS, is an electronic system that manages a rechargeable battery to ensure its optimum efficiency. The system ensures that the battery is being operated in best-possible conditions, in all weathers.

The revolution being brought about by electric vehicles in the automobile arena is an established fact by now. Since EVs are not only environment-friendly but cost-effective as well, governments across the globe are promoting these and trying to clear the roads of fossil fuel-based vehicles in the foreseeable future.

What is preventing large-scale acceptance of EVs by the consumers is range anxiety. And what is even worse is that the range of EVs in practical conditions is ever lesser than what is claimed by the manufacturers. The range depends on many factors such as the type of terrain, number of passengers in the vehicle, load, speed, driver behaviour and – don’t’ be surprised – weather conditions.

• The range depends on many factors such as the type of terrain, number of passengers in the vehicle, load, speed, driver behaviour and – don’t’ be surprised – weather conditions.
• Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in EVs, perform below par in extreme weather conditions as much of their energy is drained out in maintaining the temperature of the vehicle.
• Frigid temperature reduces the vehicle’s mileage. It reduces the ability of the battery to hold charge, damages the overall condition of positive and negative terminals, and also causes surface discharge.

Battery Management System, or BMS, is an electronic system that manages a rechargeable battery to ensure its optimum efficiency. The system monitors parameters such as temperature, voltage and current in and out of the pack to ensure that it is being operated in best-possible conditions, all the time. And like humans, batteries function best at room temperature. Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in EVs, perform below par in extreme weather conditions as much of their energy is drained out in maintaining the temperature of the vehicle.

Climate control systems pre-installed in EVs heat the cabin air in extreme winter conditions and cool it when the weather outside is too hot. Much of the energy is consumed in heating or cooling the battery pack in accordance with the weather conditions. Operating a battery at high temperature improves its performance but prolonged exposure threatens to shorten its life.

The driving range of an EV – the range between the two charges – is calculated at ambient temperature. Frigid temperature (extremely high or low temperature) reduces the vehicle’s mileage significantly. It reduces the ability of the battery to hold charge, damages the overall condition of positive and negative terminals, and also causes surface discharge. These factors can lead to battery failure too. That’s why it becomes all the more essential to go for regular check-up and servicing of EVs to ensure longer life of batteries, the critical component of these vehicles.