Renault invests €28M in electric vehicle technology test center at Lardy
15 November 2011
Renault inaugurated an electric test center in Lardy, France. The €28-million (US$38-million) center is the cornerstone of the brand’s development of new electric technologies and houses most of the test facilities for electric motors and batteries. Operational since 2009, it has been gradually expanded to cover 3,300 sq. meters and some 100 test benches:
Eight test benches for electric motors: unlike test benches for internal combustion engines, which are powered by fuel, electric motor test benches run on electricity supplied by a 400V battery simulator. These test benches serve to develop motors and power electronics units and measure performance (torque, power, efficiency, driveability, type approval, safety). The benches also validate the motor’s durability over very harsh temperature ranges, plus vibration. These programs cover the equivalent of 20 years of operation and/or 300,000 kilometers.
Six test benches for the power electronics unit (charger, controller, transformer): these benches enable Renault to validate the unit’s resistance to sudden temperature variations coupled with changes in electricity requirements.
41 benches associated with environmental chambers to test lithium-ion batteries: these benches simulate accelerated aging of the lithium-ion batteries by repeated full and partial charge/discharge cycles (standard, accelerated, fast) under different temperatures.
Each component of the battery system—cells, modules, battery pack and the power electronics unit—is tested and validated, from the basic unit to the entire system. Some 170,000 hours of testing are carried out over one year at Lardy by some 30 specialized engineers and technicians.
58 other test benches devoted to improving the performance of the 12V starter batteries and researching second-life applications for lithium-ion batteries.
All this comes on top of the input of Renault’s partners on their own test benches.
Renault/Nissan are going at future electrified vehicles very seriously. In depth testing of all main components is an essential part of it to ensure that high quality products will be marketed. .
Posted by: HarveyD | 15 November 2011 at 07:49 AM
We are happy to see Ranault not judging their competition, but plunging headlong in to help with electrification. Prejudice, phobia, and (surprise) racism, have played a role in keeping developing nations from accessible energy. This is all changing. With it we need to accept a diverse set of cultural mores and practices influencing driving habits at home and business. The EV allows emerging nations to skip the whole gas/fuel station infrastructure.
Some choose to inhabit the EV world without permission and then whine that it does not meet their standards. For those and others like them - we respectfully suggest: Mind You Own Business, or leave.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 15 November 2011 at 09:59 AM
Yes Reel$$...re-enforced plastic ultra light BEVs + lower cost solar charging system would be ideal for over 60% of the world population who cannot afford to purchase nor operate our steel boats on wheels.
If the current trend continues, many of us may have to join the 60% and trade in our steels boats on wheels for common sense ultra light EVs.
Posted by: HarveyD | 15 November 2011 at 10:12 AM