South Korean conglomerate LG’s subsidiary, LG Innotek, has unveiled a groundbreaking wireless 800-volt battery management system for electric vehicles. This innovative solution is aimed at making the battery packs smaller and lighter, with production slated to commence next year. The wireless battery management system (BMS) is embedded in a high-frequency communication module that integrates essential wireless communication components, including a chip and an antenna, into a single device.
This is a first-of-its-kind development, according to the company. The primary benefit of the wireless BMS is its ability to reduce the weight and volume of the battery pack, resulting in up to 15% more space to increase the battery pack’s capacity. Traditionally, battery management systems monitor and control voltage, current, and temperature within a battery pack through cables connected to each battery module and the entire battery system. By eliminating these cables and connections, the weight of the battery pack can drop between 30 to 89 kilograms, significantly reducing the overall weight of the electric vehicle.
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Additionally, the wireless BMS is expected to increase reliability, despite initially appearing to be more susceptible to interference compared to cables. The elimination of cable defects due to vehicle shaking, as well as potential sources of error during manual assembly, are expected to improve overall reliability. The elimination of the manual assembly process will also result in cost savings as it can be automated with the help of robots.
While the concept of a wireless BMS is not entirely new, with Texas Instruments presenting a similar system in 2021, LG Innotek’s system is designed for 800 volts, making it a significant development in the field. Major automotive companies, including General Motors, are already relying on “almost completely wireless” battery management systems for their electric vehicle platforms. Mass production of the LG Innotek wireless BMS is planned to start in 2024.
