In a landmark collaboration, Eatron Technologies and WMG, University of Warwick, have unveiled a groundbreaking development in the Electric Vehicle (EV) sector. Their innovative approach to estimating an electric vehicle battery's Remaining Useful Life (RUL) promises to enhance performance, increase range, and elevate safety standards. This achievement was made possible through the VIPER project, supported by funding from the Faraday Institution.

VIPER, which stands for Validated & Integrated Platform for battEry Remaining useful life, is a collaborative effort that integrates WMG's advanced electrochemical models with Eatron's cloud battery management and integration expertise. This partnership has resulted in RUL estimates with an unprecedented accuracy level exceeding 90%.

Traditional RUL estimates often rely on simplistic voltage-based analytics, potentially overlooking complex failure conditions. This oversight can pose safety risks or, conversely, lead to prematurely rendering perfectly healthy battery packs unusable. The Eatron-WMG solution, embedded in an automotive-grade battery management system (BMS) or deployed via a cloud-based platform, addresses this challenge. By accurately predicting a battery's RUL, it enables extracting maximum performance and longevity without compromising safety.

The developed solution not only extends the usable range of EVs but also streamlines the process of transitioning automotive batteries into their second life. With an accompanying battery passport detailing its health, expensive testing becomes unnecessary, broadening the battery's operating window. Dr. Umut Genc, CEO of Eatron, highlights that unlocking hidden battery capacity can significantly benefit the used EV market, instilling confidence in buyers regarding a vehicle's battery condition.

“Unlocking the hidden capacity of a battery has the potential to increase an EV’s usable range and extend its lifetime,” said Dr Umut Genc, CEO of Eatron. “There are benefits for the used EV market, too; as a result of these highly accurate RUL estimates, buyers could have confidence in the condition of a vehicle’s battery and be reassured about its ability to perform for many years to come.”

Funding from the Faraday Institution played a pivotal role in expediting the VIPER project.

“The funding from the Faraday Institution has allowed us to bring the project forward by at least a year, and with innovative approaches such as this now in high demand, particularly among automotive OEMs, we’re delighted to be a part of bringing this technology to the market.”
Dhammika Widanage, Associate Professor, WMG, University of Warwick

“Our support for UK-based efforts to develop cost-effective batteries that are efficient, fast charging, and can be safely and sustainably recycled is crucial to achieving the rapid growth in EVs on our roads that will see us deliver on our net-zero targets,” said Professor Pam Thomas, CEO, Faraday Institution. “The Eatron/WMG collaboration is a great example of the research and innovation elements of the Faraday Battery Challenge working together to deliver impact.”

The collaboration between Eatron Technologies and WMG represents a significant leap forward in the EV industry. The VIPER project's success, propelled by Faraday Institution's support, showcases the power of research and innovation in achieving impactful advancements. As the automotive landscape evolves, this breakthrough in battery health algorithms holds the promise of reshaping the future of electric vehicles, aligning with the global push towards sustainable transportation.

If you are interested in learning more about WMG’s research into batteries and Electric Vehicles, please contact wmgbusiness@warwick.ac.uk.