Volvo charges faster

Volvo charges faster

Volvo Cars is the first car manufacturer to partner with Breathe Battery Technologies, giving it access to the company's patented algorithm-based charging software. The technology used in the next generation of electric vehicles shortens charging times, improving the overall driving and charging experience. Integrated into the battery management platform developed by Volvo Cars for future electric cars, their charging time (from ten to 80 percent) will be shortened by 15 to 30 percent while the energy density and range of the high-voltage batteries remain unchanged. This faster charging is intended to last throughout the battery's life cycle without compromising its durability and performance.

The collaboration with Breathe results from the latest investment by the in-house Volvo Cars Tech Fund, with which the Swedish premium car manufacturer invests in promising start-ups. Volvo also gets access to the flagship product Breathe Charge. In doing so, the company is paving the way for its ambitious goals: Volvo wants to take a leading role in premium electric cars and become a pure electric car manufacturer by 2030. Breathe is a London-based startup developing battery management software. The company wants to contribute to faster, better and more sustainable electrification. “Investing in and commercially partnering with Breathe makes the charging performance of our vehicles even more competitive and helps us address a well-known concern for many electric car drivers,” says Ann-Sofie Ekberg, CEO of the Volvo Cars Tech Fund.

Unlike traditional incremental charging, which relies on predetermined rules, Breathe's software uses adaptive charging to dynamically control the battery in real time. The result is significantly shorter loading times. Using algorithms, the software controls the charging process depending on the battery condition, while at the same time avoiding the risk of so-called lithium plating, which affects the performance and lifespan of the battery. Because the technology is fully compatible with the hardware of the next generation of electric cars, it can be easily scaled. The Swedish premium car manufacturer expects sales of electric cars to increase significantly in the coming years. “Using our technology at scale on Volvo’s next-generation EV platform opens the door to innovative vehicle designs and performance improvements,” said Ian Campbell, CEO of Breathe Battery Technologies.