E-Mobility Breakthroughs: Bus with Fast Charging Batteries & New Powertrain Software

The electric mobility sector is experiencing a rapid evolution, boosted by research and development (R&D) in battery technology and powertrain systems. Two recent announcements highlight significant progress in these areas: the unveiling of an ultra-fast charging electric bus prototype by Toshiba, Sojitz, and CBMM and the launch of Ansys ConceptEV, a new software solution for optimizing electric vehicle (EV) powertrain designs. These developments promise to enhance EVs' efficiency, safety, and overall performance, contributing to the broader adoption of electric mobility.

Ultra-fast charging electric bus prototype

Toshiba Corporation, Sojitz Corporation, and CBMM unveiled a prototype electric bus— developed by Volkswagen Truck & Bus, Brazil—powered by next-generation lithium-ion batteries, including niobium titanium oxide (NTO) anodes. This prototype, presented at CBMM’s industrial plant in Araxá, Brazil, represents a significant milestone in commercializing advanced battery technologies. This collaboration began with a joint agreement in 2018, followed by extensive development and testing phases. Each company contributes its expertise in battery technology, market development, and niobium production.

NTO batteries benefits

The NTO batteries enable the electric bus to achieve an ultra-fast charge time of approximately 10 minutes, significantly reducing the downtime associated with EV charging and enhancing operational efficiency.

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Rogério Ribas, Technical Head of Battery Program at CBMM, stated, “The use of niobium oxide in the anode of lithium-ion batteries brings special characteristics for this component. As it hosts lithium at an inherently stable voltage, it provides safer and more efficient operation. In addition, due to its open crystalline structure, which facilitates the intercalation of lithium, it allows a full recharge in less than 10 minutes, without causing damage to the battery. Due to these unique characteristics, niobium-containing batteries are safer and have a much longer lifespan than traditional batteries”.

NTO anodes offer twice the theoretical volume density compared to conventional graphite-based anodes. This results in higher energy storage capacity and extended driving ranges, addressing one of the key limitations of current EV batteries.

Also, Niobium’s stable voltage characteristics contribute to safer battery operation. The open crystalline structure of NTO facilitates lithium ions' intercalation, allowing for rapid charging without damaging the battery, thus extending its lifespan.

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The prototype’s demonstration will provide valuable data for refining the technology. The partners plan to launch the NTO battery in the global market by Spring 2025, potentially transforming the EV industry with faster charging times and improved battery performance.

Ansys ConceptEV: Transforming powertrain design

Ansys—an engineering simulation software—recently announced the launch of Ansys ConceptEV. This software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution is designed to optimize the development of EV powertrains, focusing on improving driving range, battery charge times, and overall system efficiency.

Key features and advantages

ConceptEV enables the simultaneous optimization of powertrain components, including the battery, inverter, motor, and transmission. This holistic approach ensures that all components work together seamlessly to enhance the vehicle’s overall performance. According to Ansys, ConceptEV helps engineers identify and address potential issues early in the development process. This leads to better performance metrics, reduced development costs, and shorter time-to-market.

Simulated performance of a dual-motor EV powertrain across the WLTP drive cycle, showing predicted driving range and energy efficiency. Courtesy of Ansys.

ConceptEV could provide rapid evaluation of system trade-offs, making the development process more efficient and reducing the likelihood of errors. This approach ultimately leads to more robust and optimized powertrain designs. "Ansys ConceptEV promises to be a critical advancement for the electric powertrain industry," stated John Reeve, technical director, FluxSys Ltd. "Focusing on optimizing the complete powertrain rather than individual sub-systems will increase our productivity and accelerate innovation. ConceptEV is approachable, collaborative, scalable, and will help us meet the growing demand for performant EV powertrain systems." 

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Ansys states that the adoption of ConceptEV is expected to accelerate innovation in the electric powertrain sector. By enabling manufacturers to design more efficient and cost-effective powertrains, the solution will help meet the growing demand for high-performance EVs.

Contributions to the automotive industry

These advancements in battery technology and powertrain optimization are pivotal to the evolution of electric mobility. Together, these innovations represent significant strides in electric mobility R&D, paving the way for a more sustainable and electrified future. As the automotive industry continues to embrace electric mobility, the contributions of these advancements will be instrumental in driving the widespread adoption of EVs, ultimately leading to a reduction in carbon emissions and a cleaner environment.