Volvo Cars Enhances Electric Vehicle Charging with New Technology Partnership
March 11 2024,
Volvo Cars has announced a strategic partnership with Breathe Battery Technologies (Breathe), marking an important step in enhancing the electric vehicle (EV) charging experience for its customers. This collaboration introduces an advanced, algorithm-based charging software developed by Breathe, aimed at optimizing the charging process for Volvo's new generation of fully electric vehicles.
The integration of Breathe's innovative software into Volvo's in-house developed battery management platform is designed to substantially improve charging efficiency. This means Volvo electric vehicle owners can look forward to faster charging times, with projections indicating a reduction of up to 30% in the time required to charge a vehicle from 10 to 80 percent. This enhancement is expected to be consistent throughout the vehicle's battery lifecycle, without compromising the battery's health or its energy density and range.
This partnership is facilitated through a sourcing agreement for Breathe Charge, Breathe's flagship product, and is also an investment by the Volvo Cars Tech Fund, Volvo's venture capital arm. It underscores Volvo's ambition to lead in the premium electric car segment and achieve its goal of becoming a fully electric car maker by 2030.
Breathe, a London-based startup, specializes in developing battery management software that contributes to more efficient and sustainable electrification. The company's technology stands out for its use of adaptive charging, which dynamically manages the battery in real-time, unlike traditional stepped charging methods. This approach not only accelerates the charging process but also meticulously monitors the battery's health to mitigate the risks associated with lithium plating, thereby extending the battery's lifespan and performance.
Volvo's investment in Breathe aligns with its broader environmental and sustainability goals, including achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a circular business model by 2040. The adoption of Breathe's charging technology is expected to contribute to these objectives by enhancing charging efficiency without necessitating additional environmental impacts, such as changes to battery pack design or the need for extra material mining.
The compatibility of Breathe's software with the hardware in Volvo's new electric vehicles ensures a seamless integration and scalability, supporting Volvo's anticipation of a significant increase in electric vehicle sales in the coming years.
The collaboration between Volvo Cars and Breathe Battery Technologies signifies an advancement in electric vehicle charging technology and reflects a shared commitment to promoting electric mobility and improving the overall driver experience.
