Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

The transportation sector accounts for 28% of total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in Canada. With a*national price on carbon to be imposed in 2018, Electric vehicles (EVs) will inevitably play an integral role in*meeting Canada's commitment to a 30% overall reduction in GHG emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. This*four-year multi-disciplinary research project is a collaboration between Prof. Trescases, a power electronics*expert; Prof. Amon, a thermal management expert; and Havelaar Canada, a Toronto-based innovative EV*manufacturer that unveiled the world's first made-in-Canada electric pickup truck in May 2016. The team will*also collaborate with the Eindhoven University of Technology and the National Research Council of Canada.*This research addresses several key hurdles that limit the widespread penetration of EVs, namely the high cost*and limited real-world performance of today's conservatively-designed lithium battery packs, which ultimately*dictate the EV driving range and longevity. The goal of this research is to demonstrate disruptive battery and*on-board charging systems that combine: (1) real-time impedance-based state-of-charge (SOC), state-of-health*(SOH) and power availability determination at the cell level, (2) high-precision active balancing, (3) selective*and localized liquid heating/cooling within the pack, and (4) optimal mechanical/power-electronics design to*enable a seamless transition to grid-tied stationary battery applications. This research represents one of the first*initiatives to provide a holistic design approach for transitioning EV batteries to stationary second-life*applications. In this so-called ""second-life"", old and degraded EV batteries will be repurposed to stabilize the*AC power grid and facilitate renewable energy integration, while further deriving value from the EV.*Ultimately, this research will lead to more affordable EVs, with a longer driving range in real-world conditions*and a reduced carbon footprint. Havelaar will exploit the research outcomes, deploying them in their upcoming*EV platforms and increasing Canada's competitiveness in clean transportation, while providing world-class*training and employment opportunities in the heart of Canada's innovation district.