Safe Battery Storage and Transportation

All batteries currently used in electric cars have one thing in common: certain precautions must be taken to maintain their quality for as long as possible during storage and to transport them safely to their destinations. For example, regularly charging batteries to their maximum residual capacity prevents their service life shortening. Lithium batteries in particular, which are frequently used as energy stores in mobile devices and vehicles, are subject to a certain transport risk: they have a comparatively high specific energy density at a relatively low weight, are insusceptible to the memory effect, and have low self-discharge. However, they are also particularly susceptible to deep discharge and overcharging, mechanical damage, and external temperature effects. For these reasons, lithium batteries and lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are classified as dangerous goods according to international transport law, and are therefore subject to special transport regulations.

Discharging batteries for transport and charging to extend service life

In order to comply with these dangerous goods regulations and minimize transport risks, vehicle batteries are usually discharged to a required State of Charge (SOC) using a charging and discharging system before being transported (e.g. max. 30 percent for air freight). The charge state of the battery is documented in the form of a log that contains all the necessary data and information required for air freight transport.

With its new “NovaCarts Charger” (NC Charger) test bench, MicroNova has developed a system to monitor, charge and discharge vehicle traction batteries that optimally supports automobile manufacturers and suppliers in the requirements of battery transport and storage. This means that even batteries that, for example, have discharged slightly over time due to being kept in storage can be recharged to defined SOC values in a controlled manner. This not only significantly prolongs the battery’s service life, but is also necessary as the battery might not otherwise be offered to the end user as new.

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