New Battery Cooling Technology Doubles EV Fast-Charging Speed

TotalEnergies Lubrifiants, a division of the French energy giant Total, has developed a revolutionary battery cooling technology that promises to significantly reduce EV charging times. The technology, dubbed ‘Cell Shield,’ utilizes an immersion cooling system, which is designed to safely submerge battery components in a special non-conductive fluid. This system increases charging speed by up to 100% while also boosting the vehicle’s range by 6%. The Renault Megane E-Tech was chosen as the prototype for this breakthrough technology, showcasing its effectiveness in real-world conditions. Unlike traditional fluid cooling systems, where the battery components are cooled externally with water, the immersion cooling system allows the cooling fluid to come into direct contact with the battery, without the risk of electrical conductivity. This innovation eliminates the need for external cooling systems, thus reducing both weight and complexity in EV design. The system is also said to offer safety benefits, particularly in preventing thermal runaway, a risk that can lead to battery fires. TotalEnergies previously applied a similar system to a Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid and is now rolling out the latest iteration on the Megane E-Tech, demonstrating its scalability and potential for mass-market vehicles.