Webasto Introduces Electrical Battery Thermal Management (eBTM) for Electric Commercial Vehicles

Webasto, a leading provider of thermal management solutions, has announced the expansion of its product line with the introduction of the Electrical Battery Thermal Management (eBTM) system. This compact and scalable system is designed to ensure that the traction batteries of electric trucks, vans, buses, and construction machinery remain within the ideal temperature range at all times.

According to Webasto, the eBTM system allows for continuous monitoring of the operating temperature and balances the heating and cooling circuits to maintain the ideal temperature range for the batteries. The solution is designed for both 400 and 800-volt applications and provides up to 8 kW of cooling and up to 10 kW of heating power for battery systems with a total capacity of up to 210 kWh. The system can be customized to meet the specific needs of different vehicles and applications, with multiple units able to be combined as necessary.

In addition to maintaining the ideal temperature range, the eBTM system also conditions the batteries during the charging process, resulting in a reduction of charging time by half. Webasto cites several specific benefits of the eBTM system, including the ability to charge with 41% more power compared to batteries without thermal management and an 8.9% increase in range in a driving profile with a high starting and stopping frequency. The system also improves the “State of Health” of the batteries by 21% in hot climatic conditions.

The eBTM system includes control units, components for the coolant and heating circuits, and electric water pumps. The unit is lightweight, weighing 90 kilograms, and is designed to be easy to install as a plug-and-play system, with only a few connection interfaces. The dimensions of the unit are 100 x 70 x 30 (L x W x H) centimeters.

“The cornerstones of e-mobility are high-performance traction batteries that store the energy necessary for e-drives and deliver it at the push of a button. In order for the batteries to develop their full performance and ensure the vehicles and equipment function properly, the batteries must be operated within their ideal temperature range, regardless of ambient temperatures and load,” says Jörg Hornung, Vice President Business Line Thermal Management at Webasto. “While batteries that are too cold lose power, excessive heat can cause chemical degradation of the battery cells, which can reduce their service life.”