As countries worldwide ramp up efforts to promote electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, one major hurdle remains: the charging time is still slower compared to filling up at a gas station. Despite advances, with some electric cars now capable of charging from 0 to 80% in under 15 minutes, these rapid charging solutions come with risks, notably the thermal runaway caused by overheating batteries.
A 100% French Project for Cooling Innovation
Fast charging can cause battery cells to overheat, shortening their lifespan. To tackle this issue, TotalEnergies and Valeo, two leading French companies, have joined forces to develop an innovative cooling system. This system uses a new dielectric fluid developed by TotalEnergies, which Valeo integrates into the EV batteries. The goal is to maintain optimal battery temperature and performance, ensuring safer and more efficient operation.
Enhanced Performance and Safety for Electric Cars
The innovation aims to improve EV performance while ensuring greater safety. Unlike adding more batteries, this cooling system does not increase the vehicle’s weight. Instead, it enhances energy efficiency, extending the vehicle’s range and further reducing its carbon footprint. Philippe Charleux, former Lubricants & Specialties Director at TotalEnergies, emphasized that this collaboration with Valeo accelerates the shift toward sustainable mobility and achieving carbon neutrality.
Reduced Carbon Footprint and Promising Future Applications
This system also boasts a 50% lower carbon footprint compared to traditional cooling methods that rely on aluminum heat exchangers. Additionally, TotalEnergies and Valeo are exploring broader applications for this dielectric fluid technology, such as cooling electric motors.
In conclusion, this revolutionary French innovation promises to transform the electric vehicle industry by making charging faster, safer, and more environmentally friendly. For more details, visit the official website: valeo.com.
