ADVANCED EV BATTERY MONITORING WITH OBD DATA READING DEVICES

INTRO

The electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by technological advances, environmental concerns, and supportive government policies. It encourages fleet owners to switch from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles to EVs, offering lower emissions and operating costs. However, managing EV fleets presents challenges, particularly in monitoring and maintaining battery health.

CHALLENGE

Reports project the global EV market to exceed $800 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 21.6% from 2020 to 2027. Unfortunately, fleet owners can face significant challenges in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of their electric vehicles.

A key concern is the health and performance of high-voltage (HV) batteries, which are both expensive and essential to EV functionality. Battery degradation over time can lead to reduced range and increased maintenance costs. Without effective monitoring, sudden battery failures can occur, leading to unexpected downtime and disruption to fleet operations.

Managing the energy demand for charging multiple vehicles simultaneously can be a considerable challenge, especially during peak hours. This requires advanced energy management systems to avoid overloading the grid and optimise charging times and rates. Failure to do so can result in higher energy costs and potential grid instability.

Another concern is accurately assessing a battery's state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH). Monitoring methods often lack the precision required to provide urgent and real-time insights, resulting in poor charging and maintenance planning. Inaccurate data can lead to inefficient charging practices, further accelerating battery wear and increasing operating costs. Fleet managers need reliable data to make informed vehicle deployment and maintenance schedule decisions.

Moreover, fleet operators have to deal with the thermal management of the batteries. The ability to monitor and manage battery temperature is critical, especially for fleets operating in different climatic conditions. Effective thermal management and the addition of a monitoring step ensure the safety and longevity of EV batteries, reducing the risk of costly repairs and increasing overall fleet reliability.

SOLUTION

To meet these challenges, Teltonika offers FMx003 range of OBD-II data reading devices with 2G or 4G LTE connectivity. These versatile, easy-to-install, and compact GPS trackers seamlessly integrate with the vehicle's OBD-II system - a built-in self-diagnostic mechanism. The series ensures quick installation, minimising downtime and disruption while providing critical performance and diagnostic information to optimise EV fleet operations.

How it works – let’s take the 4G LTE connectivity model FMC003 as an example. The tracker is designed to read and transmit critical data points from the EV's battery management system (BMS), including HV battery SOC, charge level, SOH, and temperature. By integrating this device into their fleet management systems, operators can gain real-time insight into the health and performance of their EV batteries.

Teltonika FMC003 allows fleet managers to accurately monitor SOC, ensuring that vehicles are adequately charged and ready for use. This data helps to optimise charging schedules, reduce downtime and improve fleet operational efficiency. In addition, the device's ability to track SOH enables proactive maintenance, allowing fleet managers to identify and address potential issues before they become significant concerns. 

Temperature monitoring is another key feature of FMC003, providing real-time battery temperature data. This capability helps to maintain batteries within their optimum temperature range, preventing thermal-related problems, and extending battery life. With accurate temperature data, fleet operators can implement effective management strategies to ensure the safety and reliability of their EVs.

By using FMC003 model's advanced data reading capabilities, fleet owners can improve their overall fleet management practices. The GPS tracker's real-time data transmission enables immediate responses to any anomalies, reducing the risk of unexpected breakdowns. This proactive approach minimises maintenance costs and improves the fleet's operational reliability and efficiency.

In conclusion, Teltonika FMC003 OBD-II device represents a significant advancement in EV fleet management. Its ability to provide detailed insights into battery health, charge levels, and temperature offers fleet operators the smart tools they need to maintain optimal vehicle performance and extend battery life. As the EV market continues to grow, such advanced telematics solutions will be essential in overcoming the unique challenges associated with managing EV fleets.

TOPOLOGY

BENEFITS

• Optimised charging schedules - accurate SOC data helps optimise charging schedules, minimising downtime and improving fleet operating efficiency. This results in better resource utilisation and cost savings on energy expenditure.
• Efficient monitoring of battery degradation - FMx003 trackers provide detailed insight into battery degradation, allowing fleet managers to monitor battery health over time. This capability helps to identify wear patterns, enabling timely intervention that can extend battery life and reduce replacement costs.
• Fleet SOC monitoring - by accurately monitoring the state of charge across the fleet, FMx003 ensures that all vehicles are optimally charged and ready for use. This monitoring helps to avoid under- or overcharging, which can harm battery health and vehicle performance.
• Predictive maintenance - by monitoring battery SOH, fleet managers can perform proactive maintenance, addressing potential issues before they become significant problems. This approach extends a battery's lifetime and reduces unexpected repair costs.
• Improved thermal management - real-time temperature monitoring facilitates effective thermal management, ensuring that batteries operate within their optimum temperature range. This reduces the risk of thermal-related issues, improving fleet safety and reliability.
• Seamless integration of the OBD trackers - the Plug & Play design ensures easy installation without the need for extensive technical knowledge, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

WHY TELTONIKA?

By implementing Teltonika's advanced OBD data reading devices, fleet operators and managers can ensure the health and performance of their EV batteries, which is critical to maintaining the reliability and efficiency of their operations. These trackers provide real-time monitoring and detailed analysis of battery health, usage patterns, and potential faults, allowing operators to address maintenance needs and avoid unexpected downtime proactively. This results in more reliable operations, as well-maintained batteries are less likely to fail and cause disruption.

Even more, the data collected by Teltonika GPS trackers can be used to optimise fleet management strategies, such as planning efficient routes, scheduling timely maintenance, and reducing operating costs. The integration of our OBD tracking devices into fleet management systems not only improves the reliability and performance of EV batteries but also contributes to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of daily fleet management operations.