Overcoming challenges for sustainable transportation

Electric vehicles are a smart and sustainable choice for the future, and the challenges and concerns surrounding them can be addressed with the right technology and infrastructure

- Ashok Pandey

Ashish Sharma, Vice President, Automotive, India - Capgemini Invent has shared his insights on the challenges India faces in adopting electric vehicles (EVs). One of the most significant issues is the hot and humid climate in India, which impacts battery performance and longevity. Another challenge is integrating EV charging infrastructure with the existing power grid and more.

Climate’s Impact on Electric Vehicle Batteries: Effects on Performance and Longevity

At optimal temperatures, EVs outperform their rated range, peaking to 115% of battery performance at about 21°C. At temperatures above 35°C, driving range may decrease by up to 17%. A battery system with Passive Cooling Technology is common for some EVs on Indian roads but it can still suffer serious and irreversible damage at 40°C and above. For EVs without Active Cooling Technology, thermal runaway can occur as batteries of such EVs may heat up quickly.

Here, BMS (Battery Management System) is key as it manages the charging rate in relation to the internal temperature of the battery. It decreases the charging rate at higher temperatures. If there is a heatwave (>35°C), which is common in India, then BMS can disable charging for safety reasons. Indian users often resort to DC fast charger which can speed up battery heating and its degradation during hot weather. This again compounds the effect of climate on the battery.BMS is the optimal solution here.

Integrating EV Charging Infrastructure with the Power Grid: Challenges in India