Students develop game-changing cooling technology for ultra-fast EV charging

A group of students from Eindhoven University of Technology have achieved outstanding results by developing a fast battery charging solution for a prototype electric racing car that can be fully charged in less than 4 minutes.

This achievement breaks the barrier of quick charging in the electric vehicle industry.

‌The student team faced the challenge of preventing battery cell degradation during fast charging, which generates a significant amount of heat. To solve this problem, an innovative module-level cooling technology was developed.

Cooling plates filled with coolant were strategically placed between the modules containing the battery cells, allowing efficient heat extraction. To maximize cooling efficiency, the team developed a method that enables cooling at the cell level, with coolant flowing between each individual cell.

After subjecting the battery setup to a tough 24-hour test, the team observed minimal degradation. Encouraged by the results, they installed a 29.2-kWh pack with a range of approximately 250 km (155 miles) in the LMP3 prototype racecar. This vehicle belongs to a special class that allows young drivers and new teams to participate in the renowned Le Mans endurance competition.

The battery pack is rated for 322 kW fast-charging, and the InMotion crew successfully charged it in an impressive time of 3 minutes and 56 seconds. This breakthrough paves the way for lightning-fast pit stops during races.

The prototype racecar and its fast-charging battery will undergo further extensive testing in the coming year, with the goal of showcasing the technology at a future 24 Hours of Le Mans race.