Electromobility is currently one of the most significant trends worldwide, and it is destined to change the way people purchase vehicles, travel and enjoy their leisure time. Vehicles powered by internal combustion engines (ICEs) that run on gasoline are giving way on a global basis to electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEVs) that are driven to a much greater extent by large batteries. With electricity moving more vehicles, the number of these traction batteries is increasing very quickly.
Traction batteries, like most other regular-use powertrain components, are subject to aging and wear. If through manufacturing defects these traction batteries leak lithium-ion electrolyte fluid, they represent a potential source of significant danger. In today’s day and age, consumers shouldn’t have to worry about whether their expensive SUVs or sports cars might spontaneously combust in their driveway or garage. Replacing an expensive traction battery that had lost its advertised range also would not be popular.