EV battery cooling for faster charging with Hydrohertz’s Dectravalve
Hydrohertz, a UK startup, is positioning a thermal-management approach that could potentially support faster and more consistent EV fast-charging. Its patented Dectravalve system targets the thermal gradients that typically limit high-power operation during rapid charging events. eeNews Europe readers may find this relevant as EV battery cooling is becoming a critical constraint in higher-voltage platforms used by European OEMs, where temperature uniformity directly affects charge-rate capability.
Thermal behaviour under high-power charging
In independent tests with Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), a 100kWh LFP pack equipped with Dectravalve showed tighter cell-temperature control than conventional cooling setups. The hottest cell remained below 44.5°C, with a 2.6°C spread across the pack. Today’s fast-charging systems often see peak cell temperatures exceed 50°C, with gradients reaching 12°C or more, conditions that quickly trigger power tapering to avoid lithium plating.
Because the pack reportedly remained within its higher-power operating window for longer, the system enabled charging-time reductions in the 10–80% cycle of up to 68%. While overall results will depend on vehicle integration, the test indicates that improved EV battery cooling could sustain higher charge currents for longer periods on 350kW infrastructure.
The technology uses a multi-zone valve to route heating, cooling, and thermal-recovery flows to specific modules instead of cooling the pack uniformly. CTO Martyn Talbot states: “Optimising the operating temperature of an EV battery is crucial to both its short- and long-term performance. Unlike traditional systems which treat the entire pack uniformly, the Dectravalve allows for targeted heating or cooling of individual modules within the battery. This means it can keep every part of the battery pack at a consistent, optimum temperature, maximising the performance of the cells across the entire pack.”
Impacts on range, life cycle, and safety
Hydrohertz suggests that maintaining cells near their preferred operating range could translate into up to 10% more usable range in some scenarios, potentially adding 30–40 miles for a mid-sized EV. The startup also highlights potential reductions in lithium plating risk, lower susceptibility to thermal runaway, and improved long-term pack health as temperature-related stress is minimised.
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
