In a bid to improve charging speeds for its electric vehicles, Rivian has filed for a patent that describes an air-conditioned EV charger. This charger is designed to blow hot or cool air underneath the car, helping the battery management system do its job faster than just by sucking in ambient air. This is because the temperature of the batteries affects how quickly they can be charged, and this charger would be able to regulate the temperature of the battery pack.
The patented charging stall would not require any modifications to the car in order to benefit from this solution, but it does raise questions about energy efficiency. This is because the hot or cold air would be blowing into the environment, rather than being contained within the car like it would be with a traditional air conditioning system.
Rivian’s patent states that this innovation was brought about by the rapid increase in charging power for EVs over the past 5-10 years, adding that “with the rapid advance of fast charging technologies for vehicles, the cooling demand of batteries during charging has increased dramatically.” The American EV maker doesn’t specify how much faster its trucks could charge with this kind of charger and it’s unclear if it will ever become a reality. But if it does, it would be a good fit for older EVs that don’t have battery preconditioners, like the first-generation Nissan Leaf, increasing their charging speeds by regulating the battery’s temperature.
Overall, Rivian’s patented air-conditioned EV charger is an interesting approach to solving a common issue for electric vehicles. It could potentially increase charging speeds by regulating the temperature of the battery pack, but there are still questions about energy efficiency that need to be answered before it can become a reality.
FAQ
Q1: Are electric car batteries recyclable?
A1: Yes, electric car batteries are recyclable.
Q2: Are electric car chargers free?
A2: It depends on the charger and the location. Some electric car chargers are free, while others may require a fee.
Q3: Can electric car batteries be rebuilt?
A3: Yes, electric car batteries can be rebuilt with the right tools and knowledge.
