Battery Health Monitor Promises Fewer BEV Insurance Write-Offs
Insurance companies writing-off nearly new BEVs after often minor collisions could be a thing of the past if an UK battery sensor specialist’s claims are to believed.
Metis Engineering says it has developed a battery state of health device that could end the unsustainable and unnecessary scrapping of BEVs as a result of insurance assessors not having sufficient access to vehicle battery health data. Now it claims its Cell Guard CAN-based sensor can be integrated into almost any battery system and features an accelerometer to measure Shock load and duration up to +/-24G.
The matchbox-sized unit claims to provide accurate and detailed information on the health of a lithium-ion battery pack by relaying any Shock data over a configurable CAN interface to a control unit, such as the vehicle’s ECU, which can be accessed to provide insight into the battery’s condition for repurposing and recycling, as well as any subsequent insurance claims.
The unit is also capable of detecting cell venting, which is an early sign of catastrophic battery failure, and so reducing the risk of thermal runaway. Unlike current battery cell monitoring systems, which typically only offer temperature and voltage sensors, Metis Engineering says its solution monitors a range of environmental parameters required to ensure that the battery continues to operate in optimum conditions, including VOCs, Pressure change, Humidity, and Dew point.
Joe Holdsworth, CEO, Metis Engineering, said: “The unknown risk of poor EV battery health is one of the biggest and most significant barriers hindering the growth of the used electric vehicle market. By providing consumers and insurers unprecedented insights into battery health, it empowers informed decision-making while minimizing uncertainty surrounding minor collision damage.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
