Exponent Energy showcases its 15 minute fast-charging tech for EVs

Kenneth John Updated: October 09, 2023, 06:40 PM IST

Exponent Energy, an energy-tech firm, has revealed the science behind its 15-minute quick charging solution for the electric vehicle (EV) sector. Exponent demonstrated its proprietary energy stack - battery pack (e^pack), charging station (e^pump), and charging connector (e^plug) - which together enable a 15-minute rapid charge. According to the business, after 3,000 rapid charging cycles, the battery pack degraded by only 13 percent, which is half the industry average.

Led by Arun Vinayak & Sanjay Byalal, Exponent Energy, unlike other firms, does not produce cells in-house. Instead, it utilizes a one-of-a-kind battery pack architecture and a custom energy management system that sets it distinct from the competition. The integration of an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) system to protect the cells from overheating is the main talking point.

The HVAC system is a component of the stationary charger, not an onboard component of the battery. As of yet, this technology only works with permanent charges; portable chargers are not a possibility.

Exponent addresses this by combining their Battery Management System (10 times more accurate than the industry standard), Virtual Cell Model, and Dynamic Charging Algorithms. This enables them to detect Lithium crowding in real-time and guarantee that each cell is rapidly charged without severe deterioration.

Exponent claims that their EVs will be 30 percent more inexpensive, thanks to optimized battery capacity (30 percent smaller) and five-year financing (backed by a 3,000 cycle life warranty). Furthermore, 15-minute quick charging lowers EV charging costs by 33 percent.

According to the company, its technology prevents the battery pack from degrading despite frequent rapid charging by balancing the supply of voltage via proprietary software and circulating cold water (10 degrees Celsius in temperature) inside the (specially designed) battery pack to cool the cells down.

At the moment, the technology only supports permanent charges, with portable chargers not yet available to customers. Exponent Energy has ambitious ambitions to expand its presence to other major cities, including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Delhi-NCR, and Chennai, in the current calendar year, with 30 charging stations now operational in Bengaluru, 20 of which are privately owned.

Currently, the firm provides two charging sizes: intracity and intercity. Today, lucky onlookers observed the intracity charger in operation as it perfectly charged an 8kWh battery in an electric three-wheeler in just 15 minutes. The intercity charger is under development and would be presented shortly, paving the way for even more exciting breakthroughs in electric car charging technology.