VW Built A $22-Million Torture Chamber For EV Batteries CarBuzz News Features New Cars Used Cars Sell My Car Shopping Tools Car Reviews Car Finder Compare Cars Best Cars Car Dealerships Used Car Reviews Car Advice Home News VW Built A $22-Million Torture Chamber For EV Batteries

VW Built A $22-Million Torture Chamber For EV Batteries

Jun. 12, 2022 10:43 AM ET by Karl Furlong Industry News / 1 Comment The lab can simulate a year's worth of use in a single week. Torture tests are nothing new, with automakers giving us a behind-the-scenes look at these processes before a new model is launched. These extreme tests are often used for off-roaders and trucks where rugged construction is essential, but EV torture tests are now commonplace as manufacturers try to convince the public that electric components can be trusted. Ford says its tests for the Mustang Mach-E were as harsh as those for its F-Series pickups, BMW recently subjected its i7 to unbearably hot weather, and Volkswagen's ID.Buzz has also been manhandled in the name of safety and reliability. VW has now shed more light on its $22-million laboratory and the extreme testing of battery packs that takes place there. Volkswagen Volkswagen Volkswagen Volkswagen The new VW lab in Chattanooga was designed to speed up the testing of battery packs for a number of locally produced EVs. Around 30 engineers are employed at the Battery Engineering Lab where batteries are exposed to both exceptionally hot and freezing cold temperatures. The batteries are also evaluated for their ability to withstand shocks. The lab has a "shaker table" that is said to be able to simulate the equivalent of a year of on-road jostling in only one week. To start, the lab will test and analyze lithium-ion battery packs that will be used in the ID.4 as well as other electric VWs using the MEB architecture. In addition to testing in hot and cold temperatures of between -94 to 266 degrees Fahrenheit, the batteries are also immersed in water and tested for how well they can withstand abrasions. CarBuzz CarBuzz CarBuzz "We are applying cutting-edge technologies to make sure that our EV batteries and ultimately our electric vehicles for American consumers are safe and strong," said Wolfgang Demmelbauer-Ebner, VW of America's chief engineering officer. The 32,000-square-foot facility is said to be one of four testing centers like it for the company, along with two in China and one located in Germany. Although EVs have been purported as more reliable than their ICE counterparts due to fewer mechanical parts, some surveys have shown the opposite to be true. With VW and other automakers spending millions on stringent testing programs, hopefully newer EVs are as tough as they're promised to be. CarBuzz CarBuzz CarBuzz

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Volkswagen ID.4 Karl Furlong Senior Editor Sweaty-palmed hot laps are fun, but Karl is a gearhead cut from a different cloth - or is that finely stitched Nappa leather? An E23 BMW 7 Series was the first car he fell madly in love with three decades ago, and this affection for Autobahn-conquering luxury sedans has persisted. Following studies in copywriting and journalism, along with stints in TV scriptwriting and marketing that had far too little to do with cars, Karl kept the fire burning by writing for automotive websites on the side, including a Florida-based auto repair shop and another for Porsche enthusiasts. It all came together when he joined CarBuzz in 2019. He has penned some of the latest news, reviews, and features ever since. Contact Karl @FuelAffection LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top