Optimal sizing of portable modular batteries for electric vehicles

Abstract

Electric Vehicles (EV) powered by portable batteries address two important deployment challenges in countries in Europe and Asia, where most people live in high-rise buildings. First is the issue of a lack of power-charging infrastructure, where an American-style charging model that operates in the garage of a detached or attached single-family residence is not practical. Second is the range-anxiety problem, as it is much easier to take portable batteries to nearby public facilities for recharging, such as restaurants and cafes. The modularity of portable batteries further enables better battery-to-vehicle interoperability across different auto makes, brands and manufacturers, thus, faster and easier EV deployment. In this paper, we show that such a portable modular battery development scenario for EVs can be accomplished, within the realm of current technologies, over the next few years. This can be done with the help of thin film photovoltaic cells embedded in automobile windows and a carefully optimized charging strategy. We propose a modeling framework to plot the EV battery technology frontier, where such a scenario is feasible, and derive the optimal sizing of modular batteries.