Celgard - Model EDV - Electric Drive Vehicles

Celgard’s microporous membrane separators provide specific benefits ideal for Electric Drive Vehicle (EDV) applications. We understand how characteristics such as strength, resistance, chemical permeability, uniformity and other factors can affect the development of efficient, high-performance separator products. Our solutions deliver unique advantages for safety and optimal combinations of energy and power performance in a wide variety of lithium-ion cell designs for EDV systems.

Explore how Celgard® microporous separator technology can provide a competitive advantage for your EDV battery design.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV)

Stored chemical energy within rechargeable battery packs is used to run an entirely electric motor. Since there is no combustion engine, a BEV does not require fuel. It only needs to recharge the battery packs by plugging into a source of electricity. While a BEV operates without producing emissions and are more efficient than vehicles with internal combustion engines, today’s BEVs have opportunities for improvement. Range, safety, and long battery life are challenges that need attention before they can generate increased mass-consumer appeal.

Celgard high performance membrane separators have been designed with safety in mind, especially through our patented microporous trilayer technology. Some built-in battery innovation features of the microporous design in Celgard’s membrane separators include:

• Polypropylene outer layers for high temperature melt integrity and oxidative resistance
• Inner polyethylene layer that provides high-speed shutdown during a thermal event.

Our products offer advanced performance benefits such as low ionic resistance and high porosity that facilitate the increase in the battery energy density required for longer driving ranges. It is important to consider the warranty lifetime of BEV batteries, and Celgard’s microporous polypropylene outer layers provide excellent oxidation resistance for increased longevity and strength in a variety of conditions.

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)

The powertrain combines an electric engine powered by a high-capacity rechargeable battery as well as a small internal combustion engine. Like the BEV, the battery is charged by plugging into an electric power source, but the vehicle can also utilize power generated from the gasoline-powered engine (sometimes called a “range extender”). The electric power train requires high power for acceleration in diverse driving conditions but also needs a battery that can operate for an extended period of time while maintaining constant energy output. PHEVs solve “range anxiety” associated with BEVs, but deep discharges every day can expedite degradation of the battery’s calendar life.

Celgard high porosity microporous membranes provide excellent electrolyte absorption that enables fast ion transfer which is responsible for the high discharge rate needed for vehicle acceleration. Our membrane separators offer sustained mechanical integrity over the life of the battery through precise control of key properties such as shrinkage, porosity, and pore size. We offer products for a variety of battery separator applications that balance the competing demands of performance criteria for PHEV applications, including safety, chemical and dimensional stability, and cycle life.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV)

HEVs are powered primarily by an internal combustion engine that relies exclusively on gasoline for energy, HEVs do contain an electric motor used simply for engine assist when additional power is needed. This contributes to overall efficiency and reduced emissions. The battery cannot be recharged from an outside electrical source, so it must rely on captured energy from regenerative braking during shorter drives, as well as from a motor-generator on the combustion engine during longer drives. As a result of these diverse driving patterns, the HEV battery undergoes lifelong stress from frequent charges and discharges that compromises its longevity.

Celgard membrane separators designed for HEV applications are known for their ability to sustain high cycle life. Power-hungry HEV systems benefit from the fast charge and discharge rates that are enabled with a high-performance, quality batter membrane separator from Celgard.  In addition, our membranes offer unparalleled tolerance or resistance to electrochemical oxidation, both at elevated temperatures and voltages.