Volvo invests in, taps Breathe Battery tech for 30% faster EV charging

Volvo Car AB

12/03/2024 24:01

By Nick Carey
       LONDON, March 12 (Reuters) - Volvo Cars  VOLCARb.ST  has
invested in UK startup Breathe Battery Technologies and will use
its battery software to cut charging time for its next
generation of electric vehicles by 30%, the two companies said
on Tuesday.
    The automaker did not disclose the size of the investment
made by the Volvo Cars Tech Fund, the Swedish firm's corporate
venture capital arm. 
    Breathe's technology should be available on new Volvo EVs
within the next two to three years.
    "This really comes down to reducing a pain point for
customers," Volvo Cars Tech Fund CEO Ann-Sofie Ekberg told
Reuters.
    The investment in Breathe ensures "we get priorities and
insights and also good collaboration... so we can be a first
mover," Ekberg said.
    A major challenge for automakers is that although rapid
chargers can provide power to EVs faster, the software in those
cars will often limit power intake to protect the battery from
overheating or getting damaged.
    Breathe CEO Ian Campbell said the firm's algorithm-based
charging software provides greater visibility on the health of
individual cells within the battery pack, allowing the EV to
charge at full power while maintaining safety and without
altering battery chemistry.
    "This is the tip of the iceberg for unlocking what will be
an awfully big change coming in batteries as they become more
software defined," Campbell said.
    Faster charging times are seen as key to persuading more
customers to switch to electric vehicles.
    Breathe's other software product, which is already available
on 27 models of Oppo smartphones, helps make batteries more
durable and perform at peak levels for much longer.
    Campbell said Breathe is working on making this product
available for EV batteries as extending battery life and
performance are key priorities for automakers.
    The startup is working with a number of "top-tier blue-chip
brands like Volvo," Campbell said, but declined to provide
names.   

 (Reporting by Nick Carey
Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
 ((nick.carey@thomsonreuters.com; +44 7385 414 954;))