Geely ensures BEV batteries are Oz ready

AS GEELY prepares its EX5 electric mid-size SUV for its Australian launch, the Chinese importer has detailed the “six extremes” its battery packs must undergo during assessment to be deemed worthy of operating in harsh conditions and temperatures, like those found Down Under.

In addition to passing an eight-needle puncture test, Geely assessed its Aegis Short Blade EV Battery Technology against seawater corrosion immersion, extreme cold temperature (-30 degrees Celsius), high-frequency battery pack bottom scraping, 26,000kg of overweight rolling, side collision impact testing, and extreme high temperature by being exposed to fire.

The extensive testing is designed to ensure the battery units can safely power the new Geely EX5, which is due to go on sale from next month (March).

“We are proud to be bringing this next-generation battery technology to the local market, giving Australian drivers peace of mind that the EX5 will give them further range per drive,” said Geely Auto Australia head Li Lei.

“Tested to the extremes for the harsh climates prevalent Down Under, the short blade 60.2kWh battery pack is strong, reliable, efficient and extremely safe for motorists.

Further to this, Geely’s recent developmental research confirms that its Short Blade lithium-iron-phosphate battery packs can complete as many as 3500 charging cycles, which it says is equivalent to charging and driving for approximately one million kilometres.

As well as building a very strong LFP battery pack, Geely Auto says it also worked to strengthen the structure surrounding its Aegis Short Blade EV battery to ensure that side impacts from other vehicles do not compromise the pack.

Like many electric vehicles on the market today, the battery powering the Geely EX5 is positioned and secured under the floor in a typical ‘skateboard’ or ‘flat’ electric layout, allowing greater cabin space and practicality.

The battery pack featured in the locally sold Geely EX5 offers a storage of 60.2kWh allowing up to a claimed 430km travel (WLTP). It is similar to the battery featured in other Geely products, including the forthcoming Smart #5.

With up to 192Wh per kilogram, the dense power-to-weight ratio of the Aegis Short Blade EV Battery aims to offers better volume utilisation, and increased flexibility in accommodating different pack designs, when compared with traditional lithium-ion battery packs.

In further improving safety of the pack, Geely uses a high-strength, high-thermal stability, high-heat-resistant diaphragm, with a “highly stable separator paired with safe electrodes resulting in higher energy density and safety”.

If the battery cell is punctured, so-called self-fusing electrode technology (an aluminium foil layer) will fuse into the battery diaphragm to create an insulating layer, preventing short circuits and thermal runaway events.

To further prove the technology, Geely fired on the pack with 5.8mm infantry rounds (China’s DBP87 cartridge) recording no thermal ignition events. You know, just in case…