Bosch Claims Extended BEV Life Through Cloud

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

9th July 2019

Bosch is claiming to radically extend a battery’s lifespan in a BEV by linking it to the cloud.

Key to the system is its ability to reduce the stress aging batteries can experience both in use and when being recharged. The older the batteries get, the lower their performance and capacity and the shorter the range of the vehicle. Now Bosch has developed a set of algorithms operated through the cloud that can recognise the stress of aging and moderate charging rates to help older batteries maintain performance.

Current expertise suggests a car’s lithium-ion battery can expect as service life of between eight to 10 years or between 500 and 1,000 charge cycles. Battery makers usually guarantee mileage of between 62,000 miles 99,000 miles. However, rapid battery charging, high numbers of charge cycles, an overly sporty driving style and extremely high or low ambient temperatures all place the batteries under stress reducing their life expectancy.

Bosch’s cloud-based services claim to recognize these stress triggers and, using machine-learning algorithms, evaluate the data to give an accurate forecast of the battery’s remaining service life. Smart software can then take appropriate action to prevent or slow down cell aging and extend service life by up to a claimed 20%.

The cloud services use real-time data gathered from the vehicle and its surroundings to optimize every recharging process and to provide drivers with tailored driving tips on how to conserve battery power via the dash display. Bosch calls the new service Battery in the Cloud and its first customer is DiDi, China’s leading provider of mobility services.

Dr Markus Heyn, member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH, said: “Bosch is connecting electric-vehicle batteries with the cloud. Its data-based services mean we can substantially improve batteries’ performance and extend their service life.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_

Technology