Thread by @ElectricEraTech

1/ Have you ever wondered how an electric vehicle (EV) charge curve works, why charge curves are so variable between EV's, or why EV's throttle power?

Lets deep dive into the physics and answer your EV questions.

An Electric Thread 🧵⚡️👇

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What is an EV charge curve?

The charge curve of an EV typically shows how the battery charges over time. As the battery charges, the charging speed gradually decreases until it reaches its full capacity.

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The charge curve is influenced by various factors, such as battery chemistry, charging infrastructure, and temperature.

Lithium-ion batteries have a limited charging capacity, and charging too fast can cause overheating or damage to the battery.

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Take @Tesla Model Y, for example. It has a battery capacity of ~75 kWh and can charge > 200 kW at a Tesla Supercharger station.

The charge curve for Model Y would typically show a rapid increase in charging speed from 0% to around 50% battery capacity.

(📸 CC @TrackEVs)

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After that, the charging speed gradually decreases until the battery is fully charged. Understanding the charge curve of an EV can help you optimize your charging habits and ensure the longevity of your battery.

6/ The @LucidMotors Air is an electric vehicle that boasts an impressive range of up to 520 miles on a single charge, and its charge curve is designed to optimize charging speed and battery life.

7/ According to Lucid Motors, the Lucid Air can charge up to 20 miles per minute using a DC fast charger that can provide up to 350 kW of power. This means that you can add over 300 miles of range in just 20 minutes of charging.

(📸 CC @InsideEVs )

8/ To ensure the longevity of the battery, the Lucid Air also features a thermal management system that helps regulate the temperature of the battery during charging. This helps to prevent overheating, which can degrade the performance and lifespan of the battery over time.

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When a battery cell is charged too quickly, it generates heat due to internal resistance. This can cause the temperature of the battery to exceed safe levels, leading to thermal runaway, which can cause the battery to catch fire or explode.

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Additionally, if a battery cell is overcharged, it can cause the battery to degrade faster and reduce its overall lifespan. Throttling the power during charging helps to prevent overcharging and protect the battery from damage.

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To prevent damage to the battery, many battery management systems (BMS) are designed to monitor the charging process and adjust the charging rate as necessary to maintain safe temperatures and prevent overcharging.

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The BMS measures the voltage of each individual cell within the battery pack to ensure that they are balanced and operating within safe voltage ranges.

They also monitors the current flowing into and out of the battery pack.

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If a cell's voltage is too high or too low, the BMS can adjust the charging or discharging rate of the cell to maintain balance and prevent damage to the battery.

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Follow us at @ElectricEraTech to learn more about EV fast charging and Electric Vehicles!

Also: Check out @InsideEVs for some of the best information of charging curves 👇

insideevs.com/news/555406/ch…

#EVs #EVcharging #ElectricVehicles