As of: April 2, 2024, 9:30 a.m
By: Sebastian Oppenheimer
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If electric car batteries have to be checked after an accident, this is currently complex and takes a long time. A new type of X-ray method could change that.
Not long ago, two large car rental companies, Hertz and Sixt, significantly reduced their electric car strategies: In particular, insufficient demand for electric vehicles and low residual values led to a rethink. Another problem: the high repair costs. According to a study, accident repairs for electric cars cost on average around a third more than for combustion engines. One of the reasons: To be on the safe side, the expensive drive battery is replaced even though it might still be usable. Detailed battery diagnosis is still difficult – and also expensive. A new technology could help here.
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X-ray testing device for electric car batteries looks similar to a car wash
The Fraunhofer Development Center for X-ray Technology, which is part of the
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS
in Fürth, has developed a novel testing option for batteries in electric vehicles
in collaboration with the
Munich University of
Applied Sciences. The title of the research project: AIR – an abbreviation for “drive battery inspection using X-rays”. The measurement setup is visually reminiscent of an element from a car wash. The electric car to be tested is driven in there. A fine X-ray beam is then generated above the vehicle, which penetrates the car and battery and is collected and processed by a detector positioned on the ground.
A well-founded assessment of electric car batteries is currently still difficult - a new type of X-ray technology could change that. (Symbolic image) © Pond5 Images/Imago
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Battery check using X-ray technology is designed to be quick and cost-effective
According to the experts, the technology makes it possible to examine even fully encapsulated battery modules in detail. Among other things, the mechanical condition of individual battery cells or the battery frame can be assessed. As the researchers emphasize, the new system is designed primarily for speed and cost-effective testing.
X-ray condition assessment of electric car batteries: Interesting for insurers?
Currently, a well-founded assessment of the condition of electric car batteries is only possible in an extremely rudimentary manner. At the moment, experts like Prof. Klaus Böhm from Munich University of Applied Sciences have to rely predominantly on the manufacturers' diagnostic tools. Diagnostic software reads out any problems - this is sometimes done over several days while driving. “In the case of more serious accidents, for example when the airbag in the vehicle is triggered, the manufacturer provides very clear instructions for action,” explains Böhm. “Here, it is usually mandatory to replace the traction battery, even if it may not have been damaged.”
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The new X-ray technology is likely to be of particular interest to car insurers, for example - because if functional drive batteries are replaced even though they can continue to be used without any problems, this obviously causes enormous costs that could be avoided. The expensive repairs also end up increasing the insurance premiums for electric cars - so if the new technology is ready for the market and reduces costs, it could ultimately save the end customer money.