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What ECE-R100 type approval means for lithium battery manufacturers

12 December 2023

In the era of electric mobility, where lithium battery powered vehicles are transforming the automotive landscape, safety and performance are critical factors. In this context, the ECE-R100 type-approval is of great importance. This standard, established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, is not only a technical requirement. It is also a quality seal that ensures compliance with international standards. As the demand for electric vehicles grows, understanding the importance and details of ECE-R100 type-approval becomes essential for industry players. 

In this article, we will explore the fundamentals of this regulation and its impact on lithium battery manufacturing, highlighting its role in safety, international trade and the evolution of sustainable mobility.

Advantages of ECE-R100 type approval for lithium batteries

Type approval provides a number of benefits ranging from consumer safety and market confidence to the promotion of environmental standards.

These are the main advantages:

  • Guaranteed safety standards for approved products.
  • It facilitates access to international markets.
  • It generates consumer confidence in quality and safety.
  • It promotes controlled innovation and technological development.
  • Establish consistent rules for fair competition.
  • It contributes to the protection of the environment.
  • It reduces legal risks for manufacturers.

Safety requirements for R100 electric vehicle type approval

In the second revision of the ECE-R100 regulation, fundamental test requirements for Onboard Energy Storage Systems (RESS), classified as Part II requirements, are set out. These requirements are detailed in Section 6 of the regulation, and Annex 8 provides specific information on the test procedures applicable to RESS.

Vibration

This test is intended to evaluate the security performance of the On-Board Energy Storage System (RESS) under vibration conditions similar to those that would be experienced in normal vehicle operations. During the test, the device is subjected to a sine wave vibration varying between 7 Hz and 50 Hz. This process is repeated 12 times over a total period of three hours, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the behaviour of the RESS under vibratory conditions.

Thermal shock and cycling

This evaluation is intended to determine the resistance of the RESS to sudden temperature changes, emulating real-world environmental conditions. The device under test is subjected to repeated cycles of storage at 60 oC for at least six hours, followed by six hours at -40 oC. This cycle is repeated five times, and then the device is stored at room temperature for 24 hours, providing a rigorous test of its thermal stability over time.

Mechanical shock

The mechanical crash test is intended to verify the safety performance of the RESS under inertial loads that could occur in vehicular crash conditions. During the test, the device is accelerated or decelerated at specific speeds according to the tables accompanying the regulation, and the actual gravitational force is compared to the values specified in these tables, thus ensuring its ability to withstand the forces associated with impacts.

Mechanical integrity

This evaluation seeks to analyse the safety performance of the RESS under contact loads that could be experienced in vehicular crash conditions. During the test, the device is subjected to a specific force while being crushed between a resistance plate and a crush plate. The test is performed with defined parameters of force, onset time and retention time, providing valuable information about the structural integrity of the RESS.

Fire resistant

The fire endurance test is intended to evaluate the ability of the RESS to withstand exposure to a fire originating outside the vehicle. The device under test is subjected to direct and indirect exposure to a flame generated by burning commercial fuel. This evaluation determines whether the RESS provides the vehicle occupants with sufficient time for safe escape in the event of an external fire.

External short-circuit protection

This test is designed to verify the performance of the device's short-circuit protection system. During the test, the device is intentionally short-circuited by connecting the positive and negative terminals, using a connection with a specified resistance. The short-circuit condition is maintained until the correct functioning of the short-circuit protection is confirmed, or for at least one hour after the temperature in the device housing has stabilised.

Overload protection

This evaluation is intended to analyse the performance of the device's overload protection system. During the test, the device is charged until it automatically interrupts or limits the load, or until it is charged to twice its rated capacity. This process provides crucial information on the ability of the RESS to handle excessive load situations safely and efficiently.

Overheating protection

This test verifies the performance of the device against internal overheating during operation, even in situations where the cooling function of the device fails. The RESS is subjected to repeated charge/discharge cycles with a constant current to increase the temperature of the cells. The device is then placed in a convection oven or climatic chamber, and the temperature is gradually raised to a predetermined level. 

NCPOWER is ECE-R100 type approved. 

With the prestigious ECE-R100 certification backing our lithium batteries, NCPOWER emerges as a leader in the electric propulsion industry. This international certification not only validates our dedication to the most rigorous standards, but also reflects our commitment to excellence, safety and sustainability.

Approval is not only a seal of quality, but also a mark that reduces legal risks and facilitates strategic alliances with business partners. Consumer confidence is strengthened by the knowledge that we comply with the standards of lithium battery safety recognised worldwide.

As we move forward, each certified battery not only drives our success, but contributes to the development of a safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly industry. At NCPOWER, we are not only setting the pace for innovation, we are also leading the way to a future of reliable and sustainable electric mobility.

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