Eatron and WMG’s new battery health platform

March 18, 2024

Eatron Technologies and WMG, University of Warwick, have developed a new method for accurately estimating the remaining useful life (RUL) of an electric vehicle battery that can be embedded into a BMS.

The project, known as VIPER (Validated & Integrated Platform for battery Remaining useful life), was funded by the Faraday Institution, which merges WMG’s advanced electrochemical models with Eatron’s cloud battery management and integration expertise. The result is RUL estimates that are over 90% accurate.

The performance and condition of a battery change as the cells within it age. Without close monitoring, this natural degradation can lead to cell failures with serious consequences. Traditional RUL estimates often rely on simple voltage-based analytics that may overlook complex failure conditions, potentially risking consumer safety. Conversely, overly cautious estimates may result in healthy battery packs being unnecessarily deemed unusable.

By accurately predicting a battery’s RUL, it is possible to maximize its performance and longevity without compromising safety. The solution developed by Eatron and WMG can be embedded in an automotive-grade battery management system (BMS) or deployed across a cloud-based platform, a concept that is particularly appealing for fleet applications.

When an automotive battery is eventually redeployed into its second life, it can be accompanied by an accurate picture of its health in the form of a battery passport. This eliminates the need for expensive testing and increases the breadth of its operating window.