Maximizing Electric Vehicle Battery Longevity
18 patents in this list
Updated:
Electric vehicle batteries face multiple aging mechanisms that affect their usable capacity and power delivery capabilities. Field data shows that batteries can lose 2-3% capacity annually under normal usage patterns, with acceleration of degradation when exposed to extreme temperatures, high charge rates, or extended periods at high states of charge. These factors combine to determine the practical service life of battery packs that typically cost $5,000-15,000 to replace.
The fundamental challenge lies in balancing the competing demands of daily range requirements, fast charging convenience, and long-term battery preservation across widely varying operating conditions.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including adaptive thermal management systems, intelligent charge rate optimization, strategic cell placement architectures, and state-of-charge management during extended parking. These and other approaches provide practical strategies for maximizing battery longevity while maintaining the performance expectations of electric vehicle owners.
1. Battery Cooling System with Deterioration Sensitivity-Based Power Source Selection
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., 2023
Battery temperature adjustment system for electric vehicles to prevent battery deterioration. The system has a battery, cooling device and control system. When the vehicle is connected to an external power source, the control system selects either the battery or external power to cool the battery based on a deterioration sensitivity map. If cooling with external power would cause more deterioration than using battery power, it cools with battery power.
2. Battery Charging Method with Dynamic Charge Rate Adjustment Based on State of Charge Expansion Force Threshold
CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED, 2023
Battery charging method to improve battery life by reducing expansion force during charging. The method involves adjusting the charge rate when the battery's state of charge (SOC) reaches a certain range where expansion force is maximized. The charge rate is lowered when SOC is close to the range to reduce expansion force and prolong battery life. When SOC exceeds the range, the charge rate is raised to ensure efficiency. This optimizes charging near the expansion limit to extend battery cycle life.
3. Electrodes with Parylene Coating for Enhanced Stability in Energy Storage Systems
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2023
Electrodes for energy storage systems with improved performance and cycle life. The electrodes are made of materials like silicon, carbon-sulfur, lithium or graphene-silicon composites, coated with parylene. The parylene coating acts as a barrier to prevent contact between the electrode and the electrolyte. This reduces capacity fade and degradation from reactions between the electrode and electrolyte. The parylene coating also contains polysulfides in lithium-sulfur batteries to improve cycle life.
4. Energy Storage System with Parameter-Triggered Thermal Management for Extended Cell Longevity
VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION, 2019
Optimizing the operating lifetime of an energy storage system like a vehicle battery pack by monitoring parameters like temperature and voltage that indicate cell degradation. When a parameter approaches a threshold indicating end-of-life, the system heats the battery pack to extend its performance and lifetime.
5. Vehicle Battery Diagnosis Apparatus with Selective Degradation Suppression Measure Presentation
Takeshi Fujita, Hideaki Hirose, Masanobu Hidaka, 2013
Apparatus for diagnosing the state of a vehicle battery and presenting measures to suppress battery degradation. The apparatus analyzes the battery usage history and presents suitable suppression measures for factors causing degradation. If an alternative measure doesn't meet certain criteria, it is prohibited from being presented. This prevents presenting ineffective measures that could restrict vehicle use without benefit. By selectively presenting only suitable measures, battery degradation can be suppressed without reducing the vehicle's value.
6. Lithium Complex Oxide with Cobalt-Graded Surface Coating on Primary Particles
ECOPRO BM CO., LTD., 2023
Lithium complex oxide for lithium-ion batteries that exhibits improved capacity, resistance, and lifetime. The lithium complex oxide is prepared in a way that modifies the surface of primary particles in the oxide particles. The primary particles on the outer surface of the oxide particles are coated with cobalt. This creates a graded concentration of cobalt from the coating towards the center of the primary particle. The cobalt coating alters the crystalline structure of these particles compared to the interior particles and also reduces residual lithium after washing. This improves lithium ion pathways, battery efficiency, and high temperature stability.
7. Electric Vehicle Charging Method with Dynamic Power Distribution Between High and Low Voltage Storage Devices
General Electric Company, 2023
An electric vehicle charging method that optimizes charging time while considering battery life. The method involves monitoring the high and low voltage storage devices and regulating their charging. The charging current and power split between the devices are dynamically adjusted based on their specific operating limits. This prevents overcharging one device and shortening its life while the other is not fully charged. By avoiding excessive charging rates that can harm batteries, the method maximizes total charging speed without compromising overall battery longevity.
8. Electric Forklift with Temperature-Responsive Motor Control System
DOOSAN CORPORATION, 2023
An electric forklift and a method of driving it that increases battery lifespan by controlling the forklift based on battery temperature. The forklift has a temperature sensor that detects the battery temperature. The control unit then adjusts the operation of the motors based on that temperature. If the battery is hot, it may limit motor power to prevent overheating and preserve battery life.
9. Secondary Battery with Off-Center Electrode Terminals and Controlled Deformation Cover Plate
CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED, 2023
Secondary battery with improved performance and service life. The battery design prevents damage from expansion forces during charging and discharging. It features a top cover plate with electrode terminals positioned off-center and a ratio of the distance between terminals vs the distance to the edge of the cover plate. This allows controlled deformation when the electrode assembly expands, reducing stress on the enclosure and preventing failure.
10. Battery Stack Management System with Parallel Module Monitoring and Balancing for Cell Parameter Optimization
STOREDOT LTD., 2022
Managing large battery stacks to optimize performance and longevity. Monitoring and balancing battery cell parameters in parallel connected modules, to derive operation profiles that maximize efficiency and lifetime. This involves monitoring parameters like capacity, voltage, temperature, and state of health, then adjusting charging current, rates, and times to balance the cells and modules. Reducing variability among cells and modules to extend their lifetimes. Incorporating supplementary cells in modules to increase total capacity.
11. Method for Periodic Battery Charge Reduction in Parked Electric Vehicles Using Environmental Condition Triggers
VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, 2022
Method to operate a parked electric vehicle to reduce battery aging. The method involves periodically lowering the battery charge level when the vehicle is parked, to reduce the battery aging rate. The first active lowering is done using the vehicle's air conditioning. This discharge is triggered based on vehicle conditions like temperature or time parked. The goal is to avoid leaving the battery fully charged in high temperature conditions which accelerates aging. The lowered charge level can be partially recharged using regen braking or solar panels. The process can be repeated multiple times while the vehicle is parked.
12. Battery Management System with Predictive Degradation Estimation and Adaptive Vehicle Control Communication
SUBARU CORPORATION, 2022
Battery management system for electric vehicles that can suitably manage battery degradation. The system estimates future battery degradation and modifies vehicle control to delay the degradation when possible. The system involves an information processor that communicates with the vehicles, collects battery degradation and usage data, estimates future degradation, and sends instructions back to change vehicle control to delay degradation when appropriate.
13. Method for Dynamic Adjustment of Vehicle Battery Power Limit Based on Health Metrics and Rate of Health Change
Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Development Co., Ltd., 2020
Method to optimally manage the power limit of a vehicle battery, to extend battery life while providing adequate power for driving. It adjusts the power limit based on the battery's health and rate of change of health. A higher rate of health decline reduces the power limit below maximum to extend battery life. A lower rate increases the power limit above maximum to fully utilize the battery.
14. Hybrid Vehicle Energy Management System with Dual Battery Pack Selective Discharge and Charge Control
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, 2019
An energy management system for a hybrid vehicle that has both a high power battery pack and a high energy battery pack. The system intelligently manages energy flow between the two battery packs during vehicle operation to extend the cycle life of the high energy pack while still providing performance. It discharges the high power pack first if its charge is above a threshold, then switches to the high energy pack if needed. Conversely, it charges the high power pack first before the high energy pack. This selective use and charging extends the life of the high energy pack.
15. Vehicle Battery Charge-Discharge Control with Event-Based Dynamic Range Adjustment
Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd., 2016
Controlling vehicle battery charging and discharging to optimize efficiency and lifespan. The method involves detecting events like uphill driving, downhill driving, or stationary steering, and dynamically adjusting the battery charge/discharge range based on the driving event. This allows optimizing battery performance for different driving conditions while preventing excessive degradation.
16. Battery Charge State Management System with Dynamic Control Based on Environmental and Usage Factors
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, 2015
Optimizing battery charge state management to extend battery life in hybrid and electric vehicles. The methods involve determining desired charge levels based on factors like ambient temperature, projected energy usage, and storage time. By dynamically controlling charge levels to reduce the impact of these factors on battery capacity, overall battery life can be extended.
17. Rechargeable Battery System with Temperature-Responsive Control for Time-Weighted Health Management
Jaguar Land Rover Limited, 2015
Optimizing the energy efficiency and lifetime of rechargeable electric vehicle batteries by managing battery temperature. The system monitors battery health using sensors and optimizes battery temperature to balance performance and longevity. A control unit receives sensor data, calculates a time-weighted-average battery health, and adjusts the temperature management system accordingly to optimize efficiency and lifespan.
18. Battery Operating Limit Determination Using Combined Linear Model and Empirical Data Approach
Andre Boehm, Christoph Brochhaus, 2014
A method to accurately determine battery operating limits to avoid damage and extend EV battery life. The method uses a combination of a linear battery model for the normal operating range and empirical data for the extreme range. The linear model is used to determine operating limits within a predefined comparison interval. Outside that interval, empirical battery data is used to determine limits. By combining these approaches, accurate operating limits can be determined across all battery conditions, avoiding damage.
Request the PDF report with complete details of all 18 patents for offline reading.