LION E-Mobility AG, through its subsidiary LION Smart Production GmbH, has formed a strategic partnership with Castrol to develop a new battery module for high-performance electric vehicle applications. The collaboration combines LION Smart's direct battery-cooling innovation with Castrol's advanced thermal fluids and battery thermal management expertise, representing a significant advancement in electric mobility technology.
The partnership focuses on improving battery thermal management for passenger cars, trucks, and battery energy storage systems worldwide through direct battery cooling. This cutting-edge approach involves submerging battery cells in a lightweight dielectric fluid, which facilitates fast charging and discharging. Castrol ON EV Thermal Fluids will be used to enable superior heat dissipation, enhance power density, and improve battery lifespan and safety based on internal testing compared to conventional indirect battery cooling systems.
The newly engineered battery module features a modular design for homogeneous temperature distribution and minimal temperature gradient within the cell. The structure is configured to maximize the active cooled contact surface, while a 'single cell fuse' reduces potential propagation from internal short circuits. These innovations have allowed LION Smart to significantly advance battery temperature management, resulting in improved efficiency for plug-in hybrids due to higher levels of energy recuperation, greater power at lower system cost, and increased operational safety.
This collaboration is part of Castrol's strategic focus on direct battery cooling technologies and battery fluid innovation. The technology was recently demonstrated at the Battery Show Europe, where experts from both companies showcased its potential to significantly enhance PHEV performance through more efficient cooling and superior thermal balance. For more information about Castrol's technologies, visit https://www.castrol.com.
Matthias Donner, VP Advanced Mobility and Industrial products at Castrol, stated that direct battery cooling represents a transformative technology for EV performance and safety, with this collaboration marking a significant step toward real-world deployment. The partnership demonstrates the full potential of Castrol ON EV Thermal Fluids in advanced battery systems, working toward a future where electric vehicles can charge faster and last longer while operating more efficiently under extreme conditions. Michael Geppert, Head of Engineering at LION Smart, added that their battery system architecture is designed to push electrical performance boundaries in high-power applications, with Castrol's direct battery cooling expertise providing an ideal complement to their technology development efforts.
The implications of this technological advancement extend across multiple sectors, potentially accelerating electric vehicle adoption by addressing key consumer concerns about charging times, battery longevity, and safety. For the energy storage industry, improved thermal management could enhance the efficiency and reliability of battery energy storage systems, supporting broader renewable energy integration. The partnership represents a convergence of expertise from battery manufacturing and thermal fluid technology, creating solutions that could redefine performance standards in the rapidly evolving electric mobility landscape.
