Developed by MOTOREX, the new COOLANT EV-A 6.7 and COOLANT EV-C 6.3 electric vehicle coolants meet the legislation and vehicle manufacturers’ standards that are expected to be introduced in the near future. The majority of electric vehicles on the road today still use traditional coolants in their battery management system. Like most of our coolants, COOLANT EV-A 6.7 and COOLANT EV-C 6.3 are biodegradable according to OECD 301 A.
The current trend of producing electric vehicles with larger, more powerful batteries to improve range and performance shows no signs of slowing down. This has led to an increase in the distance that drivers can travel without having to rely on charging infrastructure, which has proved to be a major selling point. Electric vehicles also play an important role in helping to achieve carbon neutrality. One and a half million electric vehicles were registered across Europe last year, with Switzerland – where almost one in five new cars sold was an all-electric model – placing in the top ten when compared to the rest of the continent. For its part, the EU plans to ban the sale of new petrol or diesel vehicles from 2035. This does not extend to sales of heavy goods vehicles which will be permitted until 2040 at the time of writing.
There is a common assumption that electric vehicles catch fire more easily than internal combustion-powered models. The media is quick to fan the flames with reports to that effect, with batteries seen as the main cause for concern. But batteries don’t just burst into flames: in terms of electric vehicles, a short circuit could potentially spark a fire in a battery cell following massive external damage, such as if battery cells sustain damage during an accident. Overheating due to a malfunctioning cooling system can also cause a battery to catch fire. However, electric cars are not more likely to burn than traditionally powered vehicles – and are even statistically safer, according to research conducted by American insurance company AutoinsuranceEZ. The study indicated that just 25 per 100,000 electric vehicles per catch fire, compared to 1,530 for fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
Managing battery temperature is no easy task. To ensure that an electric vehicle runs efficiently, the electric motor, power electronics and battery must be kept within an optimum temperature range at all times. This means that the electric motor and power electronics constantly need to be cooled, while the battery has to be cooled or heated depending on the situation. The batteries used in hybrid and full electric vehicles must be cooled to between 21 and 40 degrees Celsius and are at their most efficient between 21 and 23 degrees – which requires a sophisticated thermal management system.
Traditional coolants such as the COOLANT M3.2 READY TO USE or similar products from MOTOREX’s comprehensive range currently meet the requirements of most vehicle manufacturers, and are still used in the majority of electric vehicles. However, MOTOREX Project Manager Sandro Gissi believes that this may soon change: “we’re sure that the legislation and manufacturer’s standards will become even more rigorous very soon,” Gissi says. According to Gissi, the most important criterion is that the formulations reduce the coolant’s conductivity, which must not change significantly while the vehicle is running. Conductivity is a key factor when batteries catch fire. The less conductive the coolant, the more time you have to get people to safety or tow a vehicle out of a car park, for example, when a fire breaks out, and thereby prevent significant damage or even avert catastrophe.
It is vital that vehicle owners and garages always follow the manufacturer's specific instructions for a given electric vehicle when selecting and using coolants. These regulations set out the requirements that coolants have to meet in order to ensure that the vehicle performs as safely and effectively as possible. This helps to make sure that the battery’s thermal management system and other key components function correctly and efficiently, and minimises potential safety risks at the same time.
Some Chinese vehicle makers have already adopted the more stringent standards with regard to conductivity, which also apply to European brands that export vehicles to the Chinese market. Sandro Gissi stresses the importance of planning ahead: “For us, it’s absolutely vital that we’re ready for the standards and legislation of the future,” he emphasis. MOTOREX is already well-prepared to face tomorrow’s changes and developments in the electric vehicle market.