Quantifying the Impact of Bidirectional Charging on the Degradation of LiFePO4 Electric Van Batteries in LMD Operations

Inhalt:
Bidirectional charging of electric Vans (eVs) in Last Mile Parcel Delivery (LMD) operations allows fleet operators to efficiently integrate renewable energy sources, reduce charging costs, and create new revenue streams. However, these additional use leads to an increase of the battery degradation. In this study we aim to investigate the capacity degradation and aging costs associated with bidirectional charging of LiFePO4 Electric Van Batteries in LMD Operations. Based on an evaluation of various battery modeling approaches, we developed a simulation framework considering real-world charging events and experimental aging test data that enables the analysis of the long-term degradation process of a LMD eV. The results show that 1) battery temperature is one of the most important factors influencing battery aging, 2) daily bidirectional charging can result in a notable reduction in battery capacity compared to unidirectional charging scenarios.