As Europe transitions towards a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) era in the next decade, the demand for more advanced batteries is on the rise. To drive vehicles further while keeping costs affordable, European carmakers are exploring innovative solutions in battery technology. However, challenges persist as the average retail price of BEVs in Europe reached a record high of €46,000 in 2023, mainly due to the dominance of Chinese battery suppliers.
One approach being considered by European carmakers is the integration of different battery chemistries within a single battery pack. This strategy aims to enhance overall performance and potentially reduce costs. For example, sodium-ion battery (SIB) technology offers excellent low-temperature characteristics, making it suitable for colder climates in northern Europe. By combining SIB with conventional lithium-ion cells, a battery pack can operate effectively in a wider temperature range, improving performance and potentially lowering production costs.
Another promising combination involves using nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cells alongside cheaper cell types like lithium ferrophosphate (LFP). Chinese car manufacturers have already adopted this approach in models like Chery’s Luxeed R7, which features a mixed chemistry battery pack. By leveraging different cell types, carmakers can strike a balance between cost and performance, offering consumers a compelling value proposition.
Innovative solutions like anode-free (AF) batteries are also gaining traction, despite inherent challenges like dendrite formation that can lead to short circuits. Our Next Energy, an American startup, has developed a hybrid battery pack combining LFP and AF cells in a single pack. This approach ensures optimal performance while mitigating the risks associated with AF batteries, as demonstrated in BMW’s iX model with an impressive range of over 600 miles in European tests.
While hybrid battery packs show promise, their adoption by carmakers remains limited. Concerns about the reliability, safety, and supply chain of new battery technologies are key factors hindering widespread implementation. Additionally, the complexity of managing multiple cell types within a single pack poses technical challenges and could lead to higher production costs.
In conclusion, hybrid battery packs offer a compelling solution for enhancing the performance and affordability of electric vehicles. However, the technology is still in its early stages, and further research and development are needed to address existing challenges. With continued innovation and collaboration within the industry, hybrid battery packs could play a significant role in shaping the future of electric mobility.
By Chun Fung Lee, Analyst, Powertrain Forecasts, GlobalData
This article was originally published on GlobalData’s Automotive Intelligence Center.
