The ITB Group

Chinese Leadership in EV Thermal and Battery Pack Integration China’s electric vehicle market is pushing the boundaries of thermal and battery system integration. In parallel, Chinese companies are leading development of new solutions such as natural refrigerant thermal systems. This progress isn't just about innovation - it’s about strategic simplification and optimization. Rapid iterations and high volume are driving costs lower while EV range and charging time are improving. What’s driving these advancements? A key to improving vehicle systems is working from first principles to eliminate redundancies, materials, components, and sub-functions. Chinese OEMs are leading the way by rethinking traditional component functions and deploying integrated solutions that set global benchmarks. This hardware and software integration will continue for the foreseeable future. To learn more about The ITB Group work in vehicle technologies, batteries, thermal, and fluid management see our full blog at https://lnkd.in/exXWzfSn. This chart shows cost breakdowns for 18 Chinese BEVs. Maximum system integration is being deployed for higher performance EVs. Complex high-performance designs can be simplified to reduce or eliminate components and cost. Low-cost EVs have lower absolute performance and put an emphasis on simpler designs. Chinese OEMs and suppliers have developed integrated thermal and battery pack solutions for plug-in hybrid (PHEV), extended range (EREV), and battery (BEV) electric vehicles. BYD is a prime example, consistently raising the value bar with integrated systems. It is imperative that global companies improve battery pack and thermal system designs to remain competitive with rapid developments across China. #electricvehicles #EVbatteries #batteryintegration #automotivethermal #evthermal #thermalintegration

ITB's latest conference on Smart Automotive Surfaces that takes place September 12th in Novi, MI. The event includes an excellent lineup of speakers and provides opportunities to network with leading automotive experts. We encourage you and your team to join us! https://lnkd.in/gpQgRf-d

Need to know about developments, regulations and shifts in automotive natural refrigerant systems? Check out The ITB Group's new report at the following link: https://lnkd.in/g8w3AWGW

Is R290 (propane), or R744 (CO2) the automotive refrigerant of the future? ITB continues to examine the latest market and technical developments in automotive thermal management.

The ITB Group is organizing its next Smart Automotive Surfaces conference for 2024. Click the link below to see how you can get involved. https://lnkd.in/gpQgRf-d #automotive #smartsurfaces #ITBGroup #networking

Join us at the ITB Thermal Management conference to connect and learn about our polyamide solutions. Dr. Mo Meysami will present our new bio-renewable PA6 copolymer for extruded coolant tubes, Ultramid Flex. This material could potentially save costs, eliminate the need for a bonding layer, and allow a 2-layer co-extrusion with the inner PP layer. Samples will be available at our booth. See you there!

Reducing EV Battery Pack Complexity Through Functional Integration Battery pack design (outside the cells) will increasingly contribute to improving vehicle cost and performance. Battery pack systems may be complex but can and will be simplified over the next decade. Rather than emphasizing improved individual components, battery architecture changes will be a priority. A key to improving battery pack systems is working from first principles to determine which components should have which functions. Rearranging component functions can eliminate unnecessary materials and sub-functions. To learn more about The ITB Group work in vehicle technologies, batteries, thermal, and fluid management see our full blog at https://lnkd.in/exXWzfSn. Although the opportunity to improve battery pack value through integration is clear, the exact pathways and timing are not. Virtually all automakers are developing integrated battery pack designs. It is imperative that companies make battery design changes soon to remain competitive with rapid battery pack developments in China. Companies like FinDreams and CATL are leading the way. CATL’s latest battery pack architecture is a benchmark. This design uses multi-functional coldplates which increase pack stiffness, hold the cells, compensate for cell expansion, and increase thermal area. Further, the integrated design reduces thermal interface materials, cell separators, and structural adhesives. CATL claims this scalable design can double thermal performance for faster charging while improving vehicle range by 17% with 40% less battery pack complexity, and 15% less cost. Multi-functional battery components require that new designs, materials, and processes be developed, and such technical advancements are uncertain. Automotive systems and material suppliers are developing polymeric, composite, and hybrid material multi-functional battery components to eliminate separate components, materials, and interfaces, while reducing assembly cost and improving sustainability. In the long run, high functional integration requires new designs but many barriers such as durability and crash resistance must be overcome. #electricvehicles #EVbatteries #Batterythermal #automotivethermal #evthermal

The ITB Group's new technical conference will bring automotive experts together on June 12th in Novi, MI to address challenges, solutions, trends and developments shaping battery packs and integration. Join us to become part of the conversation and learn from leading professionals in this field. Click below for details: https://lnkd.in/gS9nEvrC #ITBgroup #automotiveconference #networking #batterypack

Come see what leading automotive thermal experts are discussing at ITB's annual Thermal Management Systems and Materials 2024 conference. Date: June 13, 2024 Venue: The Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel. Novi, MI, USA Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/gGFGz3ji

The ITB Group's leading Smart Automotive Surfaces conference is being organized for September 12th in Novi, Michigan. Plan now to become part of the program to help lead the discussion and showcase your engineering solutions.