New Jobs in the Electric Car Industry
Domestic investments in the downstream portion of EV battery production could strengthen supply chains, reducing dependency on suppliers in countries with questionable human rights and environmental records. They may also help to meet sustainability and climate goals while limiting exposure to volatile bulk material prices.
After raw materials are extracted from mines (the upstream portion of the EV battery supply chain), manufacturers process, refine, and combine them into larger battery modules. These are then sent to automakers, who place them into EVs.
Battery Modules
Battery cells are usually square or cylindrical in shape and have a positive and negative electrode with an electrolyte. They are encapsulated in a protective mechanical structure to form a battery module, and they’re connected in series or parallel to form a complete lithium battery pack.
Prior to assembly into modules, EV battery cells undergo specialized tests that check for leakages of the electrolyte (which could cause fire or explosion) and other critical features. They must also meet certain requirements, including model consistency, capacity, internal resistance, and voltage difference.
Once they’ve been inspected, battery cells are assembled into modules that have several advantages. These include a lower cell voltage (making them safer for handling), reduced weight, and improved energy density. In addition, modules allow for easier servicing when a single cell is defective.
A battery module contains several components, such as a control circuit board (PCB) or BMS (battery management system), conductive connectors, plastic frames, cooling plates, tubes, and end plates. It’s often surrounded by an aluminum or steel case that protects it from high temperatures and corrosion.
One of the world’s leading EV battery suppliers is South Korean manufacturer SK On. It has the Kona and IONIQ EVs in its lineup, as well as a range of energy storage solutions for commercial applications. It’s also working with various automotive companies to develop electric mobility technology for mass adoption.
Battery Packs
In an EV battery pack, several battery cells are electrically connected in series and parallel. Each cell is set to a different voltage, which helps the batteries maintain balance and prevent overcharging. The packs include circuitry that shuttles energy from stronger cells to weaker ones in real time for a more even charge. This helps the battery pack last longer and improves performance.
Each battery pack contains a control system that monitors the working conditions of the cell modules, such as temperature, current and voltage. The control system ensures that a battery is operating within its optimal range of temperatures, which help it to perform at its best. A critical function of the control system is to translate the electric car supplier acceleration and braking inputs from the driver into electric energy to power the motors that propel the vehicle.
Most EVs are powered by lithium-ion battery cells, which require a significant amount of energy to make them work. Lithium-ion batteries are made from several precious metals, including cobalt and nickel. Most of these metals are found in just a few countries, which can lead to reliance on volatile foreign supply chains and the potential for human rights abuses at mining sites.
To combat these issues, many companies are investing in domestic battery production. These local investments can increase the security of a company’s supply chain and contribute to broader economic development. For example, companies like Energy X have developed a more sustainable method of extracting lithium from the earth using Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE). This process allows a higher yield at a fraction of the cost with far less environmental impact.
Battery Components
The EV market continues to grow rapidly, and major automakers are investing heavily in production capacity. That investment is also generating jobs in chinese electric car supplier new sectors. These companies design, manufacture, and distribute components that help EVs operate. This includes battery modules and batteries, as well as charging infrastructure and other ancillary components that make it possible to drive an EV.
LG Energy Solutions is a leading supplier of battery cells and systems for electric vehicles. The company has a global presence and partners with many car manufacturers to produce and deliver batteries that power their cars. LG Energy also produces battery management systems that manage battery performance and safety features.
The company’s advanced lithium-ion batteries are known for their high energy density, performance and reliability. They offer a long driving range and can handle rapid charges. The company also offers a wide range of charging stations, including wall-mounted units for homes, pedestal chargers for offices and workplaces, and fast charging station for public locations.
The company’s EV batteries feature a robust structure that protects the cells from water, salt and other environmental elements. Its batteries also feature a liquid cooling system that regulates the temperature of its cells. The company is also involved in EV charging infrastructure, working with local governments and businesses to build charging networks. Its EV charging stations are easy to use, provide an accurate readout of usage, and allow owners to track their car’s status remotely.
Battery Chargers
The battery charger delivers electrons into the electrolyte to restore chemical energy from its loss in use. Different batteries store their energy in different ways, so the charger must match its current to the battery type. It first pushes a constant current until the battery reaches a topping voltage, then lets the current freely glide down until a low end-of-charge voltage is reached. It may also shoot short current pulses to compensate for self-discharge.
EV batteries are most effective at charging when they are near or below their full state-of-charge. Attempting to charge them beyond that point causes them to turn excess electricity into heat and gas, which can damage the cells and limit their life expectancy.
Some batteries have special requirements to prevent overcharging, such as those that use the lithium-ion power cell. These batteries have a built-in protection circuit that stops the charging process if the battery is not in its correct position. In addition, many EV battery chargers are designed to serve one particular battery chemistry only, so it is important to use the right charger for your vehicle.
Schumacher Electric carries many types of battery chargers for electric vehicles, including manual and automatic models. They range in price and feature, but all are designed to preserve the battery’s life and keep it performing at its best. The TOPDON EV Battery Charger, for example, has spark-proof housing and a long list of safety features including reverse polarity protection. It’s more expensive than other chargers, but reviewers report that this unit is durable and very reliable.
