Recent Developments in Battery Materials and Their Management System for Electric Vehicle Applications

The growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) indicates a significant advancement towards a more sustainable, environmentally friendly future, overcoming the environmental challenges associated with conventional automobiles. The development of battery technology is a pivotal breakthrough influencing the advancements and developments of EVs. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology is currently the most preferred energy storage system (ESS) in EV applications owing to their high energy density, less self-discharge, and extended life cycle. Alternatively, innovative battery technologies like lithium-metal and other solid-state batteries are under development, capable of storing nearly four times the energy of lithium-ion batteries. A battery management system (BMS) plays a crucial role in maintaining the safe and efficient operation of a battery by preventing issues such as overcharging, overheating, and cell imbalance. Battery health, charging, discharging, and safety are all monitored and controlled by the BMS. The battery thermal management (BTM), which is a part of the BMS, plays a significant role in mitigating the detrimental effects of high temperatures encountered during battery operation. This chapter provides an overview of various battery chemistries and technologies applicable to electric vehicles, highlighting the necessity for a suitable battery management system that can efficiently optimise the operations of a battery for improved performance. The chapter is structured into four distinct sections. In Section 3.1, an introduction to the topic is discussed with a brief overview of energy storage systems, especially Li-ion battery technology and its extensive use in electric vehicle applications. The various advancements in Li-ion battery chemistries, including cathode, anode, and other core battery components, are presented in Section 3.2. The alternate battery technologies to LIB, like lithium metal, other ion batteries, and other solid-state batteries, emphasising their suitability for electric vehicle applications, are outlined in Section 3.3. Section 3.4 details the BMS for monitoring battery health, safeguarding against overheating, balancing charge, and regulating current flow between the battery and the EV. This section also addresses modern BMS that utilise IoT and generative AI technologies.