EVLINK High Voltage Coolant Heater Perfect Solution For Electric Commercial Vehicles Temperature Management

Introduction

In the face of global warming and environmental pollution challenges, nations have agreed to reduce carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality. The promotion and application of commercial electric vehicles (EVs) are crucial for reaching this goal. Large lithium batteries, as the power source for commercial EVs, play a decisive role in the vehicle's performance, driving range, and lifespan. Due to their high energy/power density, long cycle life, high stability, and high efficiency, lithium batteries have become the most promising candidates to drive the development of EVs.

However, lithium batteries are highly sensitive to operating temperatures. At low temperatures (<15°C), increased internal resistance and decreased reaction kinetics significantly reduce discharge capacity, shortening driving range. Subzero temperatures can even trigger lithium dendrite growth during charging, leading to internal short circuits. Uneven battery temperature distribution also causes inconsistent electrochemical processes, further reducing battery pack capacity and cycle life. Therefore, a battery thermal management system (BTMS) with liquid cooling and heating solutions is crucial for ensuring the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries in EVs.

EVLINK's PTC High-Voltage Liquid Heater

Over the past decades, EVLINK has developed various PTC liquid heaters for commercial EVs, actively heating large lithium batteries through coolant. EVLINK's 20kW, 25kW, and 30kW heaters are specifically designed for various types of commercial vehicle BTMS. BTMS integrators select EVLINK's PTC high-voltage liquid heaters to transfer information about preheating strategies to the heaters, such as requiring the PTC heater to provide 24kW of power and adaptively adjust once a certain coolant temperature is reached. EVLINK's PTC high-voltage liquid heaters can develop corresponding strategies based on customer-provided information, ensuring efficient and safe battery preheating.

Advantages of PTC Liquid Heaters

• High Power and Voltage: EVLINK heaters operate at high voltages up to 1100V, providing up to 35kW of heating power, suitable for large-scale commercial EVs.
• Efficient Preheating: Utilizing efficient PTC elements, EVLINK heaters can quickly heat the coolant to the desired temperature, rapidly raising battery temperature in low-temperature environments to ensure normal EV operation.
• Intelligent Adjustment: The heaters feature adaptive adjustment capabilities, adjusting heating power in real-time based on feedback from BTMS, optimizing energy consumption, and improving overall system efficiency.
• Safety and Reliability: PTC materials have self-regulating properties; when the temperature reaches the set value, resistance significantly increases, automatically limiting current to ensure heater and battery safety.

Design Considerations for BTMS

BTMS design must consider various factors depending on the battery integration level. Specific designs should include battery preheating strategies, heat transfer paths and media selection, and battery pack geometry and layout. For external heating systems, optimizing heat transfer fluid and flow channel geometry is key to improving heating efficiency. Internal heating systems require efficient heat generation within the battery to achieve effective preheating.

Future Trends and Challenges

As EV adoption and technology advance, EVLINK remains committed to developing more efficient and reliable PTC liquid heaters, providing optimal battery thermal management solutions for commercial EVs. Future research will focus on further enhancing heating efficiency, optimizing BTMS design, and developing new materials and technologies to meet more stringent environmental conditions and power demands.

Conclusion

The promotion of EVs not only reduces pollution and emissions but also lessens dependence on oil. Lithium batteries' sensitivity to operating temperatures makes a thermal management system essential for ensuring high performance, long cycle life, and safe operation. EVLINK's PTC high-voltage liquid heaters, with their high power, high voltage, and intelligent adjustment features, are the ideal choice for commercial EV battery thermal management. In the future, EVLINK will continue to drive the development and application of EV technology.

EVLINK is dedicated to providing the highest quality PTC liquid heater solutions for commercial EVs, helping achieve green travel and sustainable development goals. If you have any questions or needs regarding our products, please feel free to contact us.