AI-Managed EV Charging Might Prolong Battery Life by Almost 23%

      CORTE MADERA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 15: An aerial shot shows Tesla vehicles charging at a Tesla charging station on February 15, 2023, in Corte Madera, California. Tesla, the electric car manufacturer, is collaborating with the U.S. federal government to enhance the electric vehicle charging network across the country. The company announced plans to make approximately 7,500 of its Superchargers accessible to all electric vehicle brands by the end of 2024.

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      As car manufacturers strive for more robust EV charging solutions to achieve quicker charging times, there's concern that battery packs may become a vulnerable aspect. Regular DC fast charging can negatively affect the long-term health of EV batteries, particularly as older batteries struggle to handle intense charging. In line with various innovations today, researchers explored whether AI could offer a solution.

      In a recent study published by IEEE, researchers from Chalmers University of Technology created a "health-aware" charging algorithm that assesses the battery's state of health and modifies the charging process as the battery ages. Simulations indicated that this approach could reduce projected degradation, extending a battery’s usable life by roughly 23% while still achieving the same charging times as new batteries, according to the researchers.

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      The AI-driven algorithm can connect with a battery monitoring system, "learning" the battery's health status over time and identifying potential issues. Researchers assert that this method is effective enough to eliminate the need for specialized sensors to monitor the battery itself. While most car manufacturers determine battery health by tracking voltage at the cell level, the researchers suggest that analyzing the chemical reactions within the cell would be necessary for achieving comparable outcomes.

      Depending on the battery's health, the algorithm can adjust the charging speed by changing voltage limits. The study found that the simulated battery completed 703 charge and discharge cycles before its capacity fell below 80%, while a simulated battery charged at a constant voltage managed only 572 cycles. Meanwhile, charging times remained nearly identical, with the traditional method taking 24.15 minutes and the AI-based method taking 24.12 minutes.

      Encouraging research projects do not always transition into commercially successful products, but software capable of monitoring battery conditions in real-time and adjusting charging rates is approaching that goal—regardless of whether it carries the "AI" label. At that year’s CES, GBatteries introduced its own charging software, and Breathe spun off from a research initiative at Imperial College London. The latter has now teamed up with Volvo to provide charging software for the automaker's upcoming line of EVs, beginning with the 2027 EX60. Besides extending battery health, Breathe claims it can enhance charging speed by 15-30% through real-time data monitoring.