Ford Tests EV Batteries Using Wireless Tech

As one of the manufacturers who will release in the years to come a whole range of electric vehicles, Ford is currently hard at work testing the batteries which will go into those vehicles. In an attempt to speed up testing, the carmaker says it is using the Internet and wireless technology for testing purposes.

The new lithium-ion battery systems to be offered by Ford (they offer twice the energy content of the nickel-metal-hydride systems currently used) are being tested by using a secure Internet server and a wireless update system for testing, two technologies which allowed the carmaker to double its testing capacity.

“Remote monitoring allows us to access real-time data and make continuous improvements very quickly,” explains Sherif Marakby, Ford director, Electrification Program and Engineering. “This degree of efficiency would have been unthinkable a few years ago and will help Ford bring more fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles to market more quickly than ever before.”

The main goals Ford is pursuing are allowing quick, efficient recharging while at the same minimizing cell deterioration. This in turn will translate into an increased battery life. Recharging in different environmental conditions is one of the focuses of the carmaker.

“The data we’ve collected have helped us understand how lithium-ion battery cells behave under various temperatures and states of charge,” added Jas Dhillon, global electric vehicle fleet manager.

“And the monitoring system allows us to make software updates to the fleet vehicles while they recharge. What used to be logistically complicated and time consuming can be accomplished now with a click of a mouse.”