Summary
– The Chevy Equinox EV is one of the cheapest electric vehicles offered by General Motors
– The Equinox EV battery module has 10 modules with a nominal voltage of 288V, meaning it doesn’t have a 400V architecture
– The lower voltage of the Equinox EV affects its charging capabilities, maxing out at 150kW compared to other cars’ 190kW
– The Equinox EV’s design compromises high-speed performance for a lower range of operating speeds
– General Motors may need to rewire the battery modules to increase voltage for smaller electric vehicles in the future, such as the upcoming Ultium Bolt EUV.
Article
The Chevy Equinox EV is a significant addition to General Motors’ lineup as it will be the cheapest electric vehicle the automaker sells until the arrival of the Bolt EUV. The Equinox EV boasts a unique battery that showcases both the strengths and weaknesses of GM’s Ultium platform. The battery module in the Equinox EV has a nominal voltage of 28.8V and a total capacity of 85 kWh, achieved through 10 modules in an 8S 3P configuration. This results in a nominal pack voltage of 288V, making it more like a 300V system rather than a 400V architecture.
The lower voltage of the Equinox EV’s battery impacts its charging capabilities as it maxes out at 150kW compared to other GM electric vehicles with higher voltages. Charging speed is determined by voltage and current, with higher voltages typically allowing for faster charging rates. The Equinox EV’s lower voltage limits its charging speed, as applying more current could exceed the cell limits and potentially reduce battery life. The compromise in voltage also affects the vehicle’s top-end performance as the front drive unit of the Equinox EV has a lower gear ratio, resulting in reduced power at higher speeds.
The challenge for GM lies in producing vehicles with smaller lithium-ion NMC battery packs without sacrificing voltage levels. Creating smaller modules from the existing Ultium setup or rewiring the modules could be potential solutions to address this issue. By adjusting the configuration of the basic Ultium module to a 12S 2P configuration, the voltage per module could be increased, allowing for smaller battery packs with higher voltages. However, GM has not officially announced plans for smaller or larger modules at this time, leaving the potential for smaller EVs with different modules uncertain.
As GM navigates different sizes and classes of electric vehicles, the Equinox EV provides insight into the company’s electric strategy. The decision to commercialize larger EVs first has led to the Equinox EV being the smallest EV to use lower-voltage Ultium modules. In the case of the upcoming Bolt EUV, which will switch to lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry for cost savings, GM will likely need to develop new battery cells and modules. The challenge lies in producing both battery types in volume while preparing for the Bolt EUV’s release next year. Overall, the Equinox EV demonstrates GM’s approach to introducing electric vehicles across various sizes and classes while addressing the challenge of voltage limitations in smaller battery packs.
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