IIT Gandhinagar Develops Adaptive EV Battery Charging Strategy to Improve Efficiency

Researchers at IIT Gandhinagar have introduced an adaptive five-step Multi-Step Constant Current (MSCC) charging strategy designed for lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries. The charging framework dynamically adjusts charging parameters in real time by monitoring the battery's State of Charge (SoC) and surrounding temperature conditions. The objective is to reduce lithium plating, a phenomenon that can permanently reduce battery capacity and increase thermal safety concerns. By continuously adapting charging behavior, the method aims to improve battery performance while maintaining operational safety under different environmental and ageing conditions.

Key Features of the Adaptive Charging Framework

The newly developed MSCC charging strategy incorporates a five-step charging sequence that responds to changing battery conditions throughout the charging cycle. Unlike conventional charging approaches that follow fixed profiles, the adaptive method modifies current levels according to battery status and ambient temperature. This enables better control over lithium deposition on battery electrodes, particularly during challenging low-temperature operations where lithium plating risks are significantly higher. The framework was designed to maintain charging effectiveness without compromising long-term battery health.

Performance Improvements Reported in the Study

The research findings, published in the Journal of Energy Storage, demonstrated measurable performance gains when compared with conventional plating-aware charging methods. Researchers reported improvements in both charge capacity utilization and charging efficiency, indicating that the adaptive approach can extract more usable energy from the battery while maintaining efficient charging characteristics.

Performance Comparison of the Charging Strategy

Validation Across Temperatures and Battery Ageing Conditions

The charging framework was validated using commercial Panasonic NCR18650B NCA lithium-ion cells. Testing was conducted across a broad temperature range from -5°C to 25°C, enabling evaluation under both cold and moderate operating environments. Researchers also assessed battery ageing conditions with degradation levels reaching up to 15%. These validation conditions helped demonstrate the strategy’s ability to maintain performance benefits across varying battery health states and environmental conditions, supporting its potential relevance for future electric vehicle battery management systems in India and other markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of the adaptive MSCC charging strategy?
The adaptive MSCC charging strategy is designed to reduce lithium plating in lithium-ion EV batteries while improving charging performance and safety. By continuously adjusting charging current according to the battery’s State of Charge and ambient temperature, the system helps minimize capacity loss and thermal risks. This adaptive approach enables more efficient battery utilization and supports better long-term battery health compared with conventional charging methods that rely on fixed charging profiles.

How was the charging strategy validated by researchers?
The researchers validated the charging framework using commercial Panasonic NCR18650B NCA lithium-ion battery cells under multiple operating conditions. Testing covered temperatures ranging from -5°C to 25°C and battery ageing conditions up to 15% degradation. The results demonstrated improvements in charge capacity utilization and charging efficiency while maintaining protection against lithium plating. These validation outcomes indicate the strategy can perform effectively across different environmental and battery health scenarios.