Test Procedures

This document describes a test procedure for rating peak power of the Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) used in a combustion engine Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). Other types of vehicles with non fossil fuel primary engines, such as fuel cells, are not intended to use this test procedure.

This SAE Recommended Practice defines a standardized test method to determine the expected service life, in cycles, of electric vehicle battery modules. It is based on a set of nominal or baseline operating conditions in order to characterize the expected degradation in electrical performance as a function of life and to identify relevant failure mechanisms where possible. Accelerated aging is not included in the scope of this procedure, although the time compression resulting from continuous testing may unintentionally accelerate battery degradation unless test conditions are carefully controlled. The process used to define a test matrix of accelerated aging conditions based on failure mechanisms, and to establish statistical confidence levels for the results, is considered beyond the scope of this document.
Because the intent is to use standard testing conditions whenever possible, results from the evaluation of different technologies should be comparable. End-of-life is determined based on module capacity and power ratings. This may result in a measured cycle life different than that which would be determined based on actual capacity; however, this approach permits a battery manufacturer to make necessary tradeoffs between power and energy in establishing ratings for a battery module. This approach is considered appropriate for a mature design or production battery. It should be noted that the procedure defined in this document is functionally identical to the USABC Baseline Life Cycle Test Procedure.

This SAE Recommended Practice provides for common test and verification methods to determine lead acid and nickel metal hydride electric vehicle battery module performance. The document creates the necessary performance tests to determine (a) what the basic performance of EV battery modules is, and (b) if battery modules meet minimum performance specification established by vehicle manufacturers or other purchasers. Specific values for these minimum performance specifications are not a part of this document.

This SAE Recommended Practice provides for common test and verification methods to determine Electric Vehicle battery module performance. The document creates the necessary performance standards to determine (a) what the basic performance of EV battery modules is; and (b) whether battery modules meet minimum performance specification established by vehicle manufacturers or other purchasers. Specific values for these minimum performance specifications are not a part of this document.

This SAE Recommended Practice SAE J2953/2 establishes the test procedures to ensure the interoperability of Plug-In Vehicles (PEV) and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) for multiple suppliers.