Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles and Transport Decarbonization

In Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles and Transport Decarbonization, you'll learn ...

• The various types of electric vehicles (EVs)
• Various types of rechargeable batteries and their relative merits
• Lithium-ion battery materials, characteristics, and applications
• Issues and challenges with lithium-ion batteries
• Next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies and innovations

Overview

Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.

Credit: 6 PDH

Length: 103 pages

The automotive industry is fast moving away from traditional internal combustion (IC) engines towards electric vehicles (EVs). The global fleet of light-duty EVs grew from a few thousand just a decade ago to around 10 million vehicles in 2020.

The growing acceptance of EVs is the outcome of technological advancements made in energy storage batteries coupled with their falling cost and fast charging capabilities. Further, with the need to deal with global environmental problems and growing interests in decarbonization, attention is being directed toward solutions to the problems of energy use. The EVs that use rechargeable batteries for traction have been commercialized, and their use is rapidly becoming more widespread due to both their environmental performance and economics.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology is currently the dominant core enabling technology for EVs and electronic gadgets. The Li-ion battery packs used in electric cars are like those used in cell phones and laptop computers, only they’re much larger. They’re far different than the heavy lead-acid batteries used in conventional cars and have a much higher energy density. New cell chemistries are being introduced to make batteries lighter and store enough energy in smaller packs so that EVs can provide increasing drive range per recharge. Major breakthroughs in material chemistries are still required to achieve a longer travel range per recharge (> 500 km) at lower costs (< $125/kWh).

This course provides an overview of EV technologies, Li-ion batteries, their limitations, safety concerns, and the emerging battery technologies to meet future requirements. The topics provide a good knowledge base not only for those working on electrochemical energy storage but also for scientists, engineers, and students interested in modern battery systems.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Summarize the roles of electric vehicles and batteries in transportation.
• Distinguish all-electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
• Explain the operating principles of batteries and their key performance indicators.
• Compare lead-acid, Ni-MH, and lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.
• Describe cathode and anode material chemistries used in lithium-ion batteries.
• Identify lithium-ion battery characteristics that are well suited to electric vehicles.
• Explain the construction and assembly of battery cells, modules, and packs.
• Describe considerations for sourcing, costing, transporting, and disposing of lithium-ion batteries.
• Distinguish AC charging systems from DC charging systems for lithium-ion batteries.
• Explain battery safety issues and the role of a battery management system.
• Identify next-generation battery technologies and innovations.

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 30 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.