Scientists at Hydrohertz say their new battery cooling technology could slash ultra-rapid EV charging times by up to 20 minutes. The breakthrough addresses one of electric vehicle ownership’s biggest pain points – waiting around for batteries to charge.
The company’s Dectravalve system keeps EV batteries at their ideal operating temperature during charging. This means faster charging speeds, better efficiency, and improved safety.
Why Current Fast Charging Slows Down
Heat is the enemy of fast charging. When EV batteries get too hot or have uneven temperatures across different cells, the car’s management system automatically reduces charging power to prevent damage.
Hydrohertz says Dectravalve solves both problems. The technology allows higher power delivery for longer periods – bringing charging times closer to filling up a gas tank.
The system works with any EV battery. For a 100kWh battery pack, it cuts 10-80% charging time from 30 minutes down to just 10 minutes on a 350kW charger.
Module-by-Module Temperature Control
Dectravalve uses multiple zones to heat or cool individual battery modules. This creates steady, consistent temperatures across the entire battery pack.
Independent testing by Warwick Manufacturing Group showed impressive results. A 100kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate battery with Dectravalve kept its hottest cell under 44.5°C during ultra-fast charging.
The temperature difference across the whole pack was only 2.6°C.
Compare that to current ultra-rapid charging. Peak cell temperatures regularly hit 56°C, with temperature differences exceeding 12°C across the pack.
Once cells exceed 50°C, charging power gets throttled back. This prevents internal damage called lithium plating, but it means fast charging speeds drop off much earlier than advertised.
Beyond Faster Charging
The precise temperature control offers other benefits. Hydrohertz says the system can extend driving range by up to 10% by keeping batteries at optimal operating temperatures.
Battery longevity also improves – a major concern for used EV buyers.
Safety gets a boost too. By capping cell temperatures and managing them module-by-module, the system reduces overheating risks and prevents thermal runaway.
“The automotive industry has been waiting for battery technology to catch up with consumer expectations, but progress has been slow and expensive. A new chemistry can take a decade to develop and require billions in investment,” said Paul Arkesden, CEO of Hydrohertz.
“What we’ve done is take a different approach – we’ve dramatically improved how existing batteries perform by perfecting the thermal management of them.”
Arkesden calls it a cost-effective solution that delivers “game-changing results: consistent 10-minute charging, longer range, extended battery life, and enhanced safety.”
The technology represents a shift from developing entirely new battery chemistries to optimizing existing ones through better thermal management.
