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TECHNOLOGY VISION 2035

5.4.1 BATTERY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES battery heat losses are not high, because motor
Battery is the vital component for energy storage and electronics cooling requirements do not
on-board. Battery technology was first used in require much power. In addition, the hydraulic
electric vehicles during 19 century, and then power steering in a conventional vehicle must
th
batteries were mass produced in early 20 be replaced by electric power steering, which
th
century for use in ignition systems, headlamps, consumes only a fraction of the power of a
windshield wipers. Battery technology has conventional system. Also, some of the energy
made enormous progress with advancement in lost during braking can be recovered by an EV,
terms of science and engineering. Their energy because the motor can act as a generator, when
density has been significantly improved through it absorbs power from the wheels. The energy
advancements in electro-chemistry. New can be stored in the battery and later released to
composite materials have improved battery drive the motor. The energy lost to the brakes in
packaging thus making them smaller, more a car is about 35% of total traction energy.
amenable to reuse and recycling, and virtually
maintenance-free. The focus today is on batteries with alternative
materials such as Lithium ion (Li-ion) and Lithium
EVs substitute a battery (or other device capable polymers. Initial research at MIT shows that
of storing electricity in some form) and an Lithium air battery has a great promise for future
electric motor for the gasoline tank, IC engine energy storage domains. Theoretically such
and transmission system of a conventional vehicle. battery could hold more than four times energy
Although batteries can store only a small fraction that the Lithium ion battery. However, as of now,
of the energy in the same weight and volume this is far from commercialization. At vehicle
of gasoline, EVs may gain over this disadvantage level, batteries are important components in an
because of their excellent efficiency. Conventional electrical power management system, whose
IC engine vehicles use roughly 10.8% of the fuel objective is to manage power generation, storage,
during braking and at idling, when the engine distribution, consumption and regeneration
really does not contribute to useful work. Electric efficiently. Such systems include one or more
motors need not operate during EV braking batteries, an alternator, electrical power cables,
and idling, thereby leading to energy savings. and junction boxes with microprocessors for
Most of the accessories used in an IC engine power management. There is a great scope for
powered cars, such as the water pump, oil pump, research in electrical mobility and table 5.7 shows
cooling fan, and alternator can be eliminated if the research agenda for electric mobility in India.

TABLE 5.7 RESEARCH AGENDA FOR ELECTRICAL MOBILITY

Development of low speed, high torque DC motors as well as Brushless Direct Current
(BLDC) for personalized electric mobility
SHORT
TERM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1-5 YEARS) Regenerative braking system for battery charging

MEDIUM
TERM Development of efficient power electronics for electrical mobility
(5-10 YEARS)

Research for long life, high capacity, lighter batteries and its commercial production
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG Use of Peltier devices to charge the batteries using waste heat of exhaust gases
TERM
(10-15 YEARS) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lithium air battery

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