Samsung showcases range of battery products for EVs

Samsung SDI, the storage battery manufacturing arm for South Korean-electronics major Samsung, has showcased its range of innovations in battery products for electric vehicles (EVs) at the 2018 North American International Motor Show (NAIAS).

The theme for SDI’s exhibition at the motor show is ‘Future Starts Today’, which it says means that the future of electric vehicles operating on the same level as internal combustion engine vehicles begins now.

Samsung SDI says its capability in its unparalleled product competitiveness can be seen with its line-up of various battery cells for electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that come in 37, 50, 60 and 94 ampere hour capacities.

The lineup is highlighted by the battery cells with energy densities high enough to propel EVs as far as 600km with just a 20-minute charge. It also exhibited modules and packs utilising these innovative battery cells demonstrating the company’s capabilities as total solution provider. In addition the company also showcased the recently introduced battery technology of ‘graphene balls’, a unique material that enables a 45 percent increase in capacity and five times faster charging speed. It’s latest effort with ‘solid-state batteries’, a technology which has improved both the capacity and safety of SDI’s batteries.

Samsung SDI says its multi-functional module battery packs allow users to adjust the number of modules for capacities they need and thus diversify driving distances capabilities. It expects these packs to catch the eyes of automakers that want to make vehicles with different ranges by using a single pack as the foundation for an entire vehicle platform.

The ‘Low Height Cell’ is a cell whose height has been reduced by more than 20 percent from existing cells. By using this cell design the company claims automotive companies can increase the interior space of an EV and increase design flexibility for the vehicle overall.

Also it showcased cells and modules based on the new 21700 standard cylindrical battery. A ‘21700’ battery is 21mm in diameter and 70mm in height with capacity that is 50 percent larger than the existing 18650 battery technology. It says the size is optimal for maximizing power output as well as battery life.

“We will lead the popularisation of electric vehicles by developing products based on cutting-edge technology which will in an optimum manner meet the needs of our customers and the market,” said, Jeong Seh-woong, executive vice president of automotive business and ESS business of Samsung SDI.