Lada Azimut: If it weren't for the war in Ukraine, this Russian SUV would have been available across Europe this year
Lada is trying to open a new chapter after years marked by sanctions and technological problems. The new Azimut brings a modern SUV look, richer equipment and the ambition to bring the Russian brand closer to the standards offered today by Dacia and similar European manufacturers.
Serial production of the Lada Azimut at AvtoVAZ's main plant in Tolyatti is set to begin in September, and the new model is expected to go on sale before the end of this year.
AvtoVAZ will be able to produce up to 70,000 of this crossover annually. This was announced by Sergei Chemezov, head of the state corporation Rostec (AvtoVAZ's largest shareholder), who expressed confidence that the new model will improve the image of the Russian automotive industry among consumers.
The Lada Azimut should cost less than 20 million rubles or around 20,000 euros in Russia, which is acceptable considering the vehicle's dimensions and equipment. The length is 4.42 m, the width is 1.84 m, the height is 1.61 m, and the wheelbase is 2.67 meters.
Due to the harsh winters, with heavy snow drifts, Russian cars usually have higher ground clearance than others. For sedans, it is an average of 17 cm, for Azimut it is almost 21 cm. 18-inch wheels are standard.
The quality of materials and manufacturing precision have been improved, and nanotechnologies have also been applied. The precision is on the order of 0.2 millimeters. The appearance is in line with current trends in the global automotive industry and is defined by diode light clusters and a general futuristic form.
The suspension is typical for the class of people's vehicles. The front has a McPherson suspension, the rear has a torsion beam. The Russian company Itelma supplies ABS and electronic stability control. Automatic braking and lane change control systems are also installed as standard.
In front, typical for this era, two screens with a diagonal of 10 inches are connected, both of which are made in Russia. As everyone knows, one is used to display the speedometer and tachometer, the other is a control and is touch-sensitive. Automatic air conditioning, a six-speaker audio system with voice commands are standard, and all devices are products of the Russian companies Zber and Navio. The list of additional equipment includes automatic dual-zone air conditioning, a panoramic roof, an automatic opening of the tailgate and cameras that record at an angle of 360 degrees.
Only gasoline and no electrification for now... At launch, the Azimut will only be offered with gasoline engines. Three options are planned: a 1.6 naturally aspirated engine with 120 hp, a 1.8 with 132 hp, and later, a 1.5 turbo with 150 hp. For the transmission, a six-speed manual gearbox, a CVT automatic, or a conventional automatic exclusively for the most powerful engine will be used.
The SUV uses an updated version of the Vesta platform, already in production since 2015 and revised in 2022. Ground clearance is 208 mm, sufficient to handle potholes and uneven surfaces without problems. The chassis has been revised in terms of rear suspension, and there are approximately 1,000 new or modified components compared to the original base.
The company's director Maksim Sokolov said that they chose atmospheric engines because maintenance is 50 percent cheaper than turbocharged engines. However, there is also a 1.5-liter turbo engine on offer, which develops 150 hp and 300 Nm, and in the basic model there is an atmospheric 1.6-liter engine that develops 122 hp and 154 Nm. The more powerful 1.8-liter version develops 132 hp and 178 Nm. All engines have four cylinders and are connected to a manual transmission with six gears.
Lada and Aurus are completely Russian products, unlike Moskvich and Volga. The Azimut model was designed by Nikiforov, Suslov, Suslayev and Glotov. The Russians have so far sold more than 200,000 Granta models annually on the local market, and with the Azimut they could eventually surpass those results.
Despite its off-road styling, the drive will initially be front-wheel drive only. Lada, however, speaks of "off-road capability" and an "all-terrain concept," leaving the door open for a future all-wheel drive version.
Autonews
LANCIA
Lancia Ypsilon HF: An efficient and sporty Italian
Lancia is taking steps to reconnect with its old sporting DNA. The Ypsilon HF is already beginning to reveal this hidden heritage of the brand, which is also reflected in this model. Although we are talking about a 110 hp engine with a purely urban character, the sporty features offered by the HF version allow it to connect with the character that has always defined the Italian brand.
The Ypsilon is an interesting option for the urban environment. It combines a refined design with a hybrid engine that offers efficiency thanks to low fuel consumption and balanced performance for daily use.
It is a car that has elements in common with its siblings from the Stellantis factory (Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa), but it distinguishes itself by that Italian image that always provides an extra touch of style and some components that give it an additional touch of quality.
The exterior harks back to its past. The taillights resemble those of the Lancia Stratos, while the headlights resemble those of the Lancia Delta. Also noteworthy are the brand name on the horizontal stripe that runs across the front, the HF emblem visible on the front grille, and the wheels that give it a more exclusive look.
Upon entering the cabin, the central table located under the dashboard catches the eye — a feature you won't find in other models and a detail that this vehicle has incorporated as one of its striking characteristics. The cabin design is attractive, and the two 10.25-inch screens clearly display all the information the driver needs.
The 110 hp three-cylinder hybrid engine is a simple and efficient option. It runs smoothly, its performance is more than adequate, and fuel consumption is reasonable. It's an attractive choice for those looking for a car with a good image and reliable performance. The strength of this engine lies precisely in its simplicity. Its moderate power allows for perfectly competent driving in urban environments, while also offering a more affordable price and cheaper maintenance.
Agile...Agility is another of its virtues. The Ypsilon handles elegantly on winding roads and can even be fun to drive thanks to its remarkable ease in cornering.
Another attractive feature of the Lancia Ypsilon HF 110 hp is its Eco label, something increasingly valued by city dwellers, as it greatly simplifies daily life. As for the price, which is around €26,000, it is quite reasonable considering everything it offers.
The Ypsilon HF is a very balanced option for all those looking for efficiency and Italian design with a sporty touch.
Autonews
AUTONEWS
GPS data reveal why pedestrians in Phnom Penh rarely walk the shortest route
Cities across the Global South are urbanizing at pace, but their built environments for walking rarely resemble ideal, tidy, and well-regulated networks. Vehicles are parked on pedestrian sidewalks, and a seemingly direct route on a map may feel longer in practice. Moreover, many urban planning ideas and assumptions are based on research done on Global North cities like New York, which do not fully capture or reflect the nuances and lived experiences of the Global South.
Together with his team at SUTD's Lee Kuan Yew Center for Innovative Cities, Asst Prof Chng analyzed over 6,000 walking trips drawn from anonymized mobile phone Global Positioning System (GPS) data. They combined the data with street view images and point-of-interest records to model how built-environment factors influence the routes pedestrians in Phnom Penh actually take.
Study sites in Phnom Penh, Cambodia representing the CBD, recreational, and commercial urban context Credit: SUTD
The team examined three contrasting districts: the Central Business District (CBD), the recreational area around the Independence Monument, and the commercial zone near the Russian Market. They also segmented trips by morning, midday, and evening periods. Using a Path Size Logit model, they measured how path efficiency, street vitality, and streetscape quality each contributed to route choice.
"We found that pedestrians do not simply choose the shortest path. They make trade-offs between efficiency, activity, and perceived comfort," said Asst Prof Chng. "This shows that walking is not just a calculation of distance, but a behavioral decision shaped by how a route feels and functions in context."
Shorter, simpler routes with fewer turns were consistently preferred, confirming efficiency as the dominant factor. However, the analysis revealed that each additional turn on a short walk was perceived as equivalent to roughly 40 meters of extra distance. This perception faded only on trips exceeding about 1.3 kilometers. Amenity density also mattered: every additional amenity along a route reduced perceived walking distance by about 10 meters.
One of the most counterintuitive findings concerned traffic. In the CBD, pedestrians gravitated towards busy roads and avoided crowded footpaths—a pattern that directly contradicts assumptions drawn from cities like New York or London.
Sample Mapillary images and selection of corresponding semantic segmentation Credit: SUTD
"In Phnom Penh, high-traffic streets are often the most structured and predictable parts of the network. They tend to be more regulated and less obstructed by informal uses," Asst Prof Chng explained. "Pedestrians are not choosing traffic itself, but clarity, predictability, and ease of movement. This reflects how people read their environment, where order signals usability."
Time of day introduced further variation. Morning walkers responded to greenery along their routes, midday walkers prioritized the shortest path to minimize heat exposure, and evening walkers favored amenity-rich, active streets that likely offered better lighting and a sense of safety. Greenery influenced route choice significantly during morning hours and in dense commercial areas, but had little effect elsewhere, suggesting that scattered vegetation in Phnom Penh is often too sparse to provide meaningful shade or thermal relief.
"It is about designing greenery that changes the walking experience in a meaningful way, especially in tropical climates," Asst Prof Chng noted.
The starkest result emerged when the team translated their model into perceived accessibility maps. In the CBD, the areas that residents could comfortably reach on foot shrank to just 37.7% of the objective 800-meter service area. The commercial zone fared better at 63.8%, while the recreational area sat in between at 52.4%.
"Cities may appear accessible on paper, but the reality is that many routes feel too complex, uncomfortable, or effortful," Asst Prof Chng said. "If this gap is ignored, cities risk overestimating how connected and inclusive they actually are."
The study acknowledges limitations: the anonymized GPS data cannot capture differences in age, gender or income, and the dataset covers a single month during the dry season. Future work could extend the framework across multiple seasons and incorporate socio-demographic attributes through data fusion approaches.
"The most actionable step is to prioritize direct, legible, and unobstructed pedestrian networks," Asst Prof Chng shared. "Before adding new features, cities should ensure that walking itself is straightforward and frictionless."
Provided by Singapore University of Technology and Design
quarta-feira, 13 de maio de 2026
AUTONEWS
Self‑driving cars struggle to see at night or in fog—but imitating the human brain can make them safe
Picture this: you're driving on a mountain road, when you suddenly hit a thick patch of fog. You respond instinctively. Your vision sharpens, and you narrow your eyes to make out the shape of any oncoming cars.
Human beings handle these quick changes very well, but if it were a self-driving car—at least one with a current artificial intelligence (AI) system behind the wheel—things could easily end in disaster.
Today's AI vision systems are extremely accurate when visibility is good. On a clear, sunny day a self-driving car can recognize pedestrians, road signs and other vehicles with precision. However, they are extremely vulnerable to environmental changes. If it rains, or gets dark or foggy, standard AI systems become blind, incapable of detecting obstacles that a human driver would spot with ease.
Our research at the University of Valencia proposes a possible solution: instead of exposing AI models to millions of images of every possible road condition, we decided to imitate biology. But biologically speaking, why can humans see so well under such a wide range of conditions?
The brain's 'volume control'...In our brains, neurons do not work alone. They use a truly fascinating form of adaptation that neuroscientists call divisive normalization.
To understand this (without getting into mathematics), we can picture it as an automated "volume control" system, with neurons working in a team. Let's say one neuron is looking at a very dark area of the field of vision, such as a black car at night. The neighboring neurons turn up the "volume" of this weak signal, amplifying the small details to make them more visible.
If we look at a bright light, the same thing happens in reverse. The brain turns down the volume to prevent us from being dazzled.
This mechanism is what allows us to adapt and see clearly in a very wide range of conditions. But in the search for speed and accuracy, modern AI systems have neglected this biological inspiration.
AI in the driving simulator...In our study, we processed images using some of the most widely used AI models, adding layers to simulate the brain's "volume control" mechanism. In basic terms, we forced their neurons to communicate with one another and adapt to their environment, just as our own brains do.
We wanted to see if imitating biology would make cars safer. To do this, we submitted both standard AI models and our brain-inspired modification to a series of tests. Using databases from real driving in European cities, night driving images from Switzerland, and several different virtual driving simulators, we were able to compare responses to difference levels of fog, darkness and light variation.
The results showed that imitating our own brains worked. After being trained, the two types of AI models could drive perfectly well, but once fog and darkness came into the equation, the unmodified one began to fail. It lost the ability to distinguish cars from buildings, and even from the road itself.
The AI system that was equipped with our brain-inspired mechanism, on the other hand, was robust. Even in fog or complete darkness, it performed more than 20% better than its unaltered counterpart.
We analyzed, from the inside, how this new system perceived the world and found that it was doing exactly what we expected. It was capturing and enhancing the details of vehicles hidden in the fog that would otherwise be invisible. As a result, its performance became more stable in the face of changing weather conditions.
Learning from nature...Getting society as a whole to trust AI poses major challenges, and the safety of passengers and pedestrians in self-driving cars is a major aspect of this. It is not enough for smart systems to work under ideal conditions. We need them to be completely safe in the real world, and to safeguard the lives of all road users in all weather conditions.
Our research shows that the key to making artificial intelligence safer, more robust and more adaptable may be closer than it seems. There is no need for more powerful computers or vastly greater amounts of data. Sometimes, all we need is to look at the millions of years of evolution that have shaped our own brains.
In many cases, nature has already solved some of the problems that artificial intelligence faces today. We just need to learn from it.
Why do some sensors in autonomous cars fail in certain conditions, like fog or low light, and what's being done to improve them?
To an autonomous car's laser sensors, heavy fog acts like millions of tiny prisms, creating terrifying "ghost" obstacles that can effectively blind the vehicle.
The core issue lies in the physics of how different sensors gather data. Here is why the three primary autonomous vehicle sensors struggle in certain conditions:
Cameras function much like the human eye, relying entirely on the visible light spectrum. In low light, there simply are not enough photons to create a clear image. In fog or heavy snow, suspended water droplets physically block the lens and scatter the incoming light, causing a whiteout effect that drastically reduces visibility.
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) creates a high-resolution 3D map of the world by bouncing rapid pulses of near-infrared laser light off objects. However, dense fog, heavy rain, or falling snowflakes act like millions of tiny prisms. The laser beams hit these water particles and scatter before reaching their target. This creates false positive "ghost" obstacles in the vehicle's software and severely limits the sensor's functional range.
Radar relies on radio waves, which easily pass through fog, rain, and pitch darkness without scattering. While highly reliable in bad weather, traditional automotive radar has notoriously low resolution. It can detect that a solid object is ahead, but it struggles to classify what it is—making it difficult to distinguish a stopped fire truck from a harmless overhead street sign.
To overcome these physical limitations, engineers are developing a combination of advanced hardware and sophisticated software:
Sensor Fusion: Modern autonomous systems cross-reference data from all three sensor types simultaneously. If the camera and LiDAR are blinded by fog, but the radar detects a dense, stationary mass ahead, the vehicle's computer knows to prioritize the radar data and initiate braking.
4D Imaging Radar: This next-generation radar uses multiple antennas to provide a high-resolution point cloud. It can measure the height, width, depth, and relative speed of objects with enough clarity to distinguish a pedestrian from a parked car, all while remaining immune to weather and lighting conditions.
Thermal Imaging (FIR): Far-infrared cameras are increasingly being integrated into sensor suites. Instead of relying on visible light, they detect heat signatures. This allows the vehicle to clearly highlight a warm pedestrian or an animal crossing the road in absolute darkness or thick fog.
Algorithmic De-noising: Machine learning models are being trained specifically on bad-weather data. These algorithms learn the specific geometric patterns of LiDAR scattering caused by rain and snow, allowing the software to digitally filter out the precipitation and reveal the true obstacles hidden behind it.
Provided by The Conversation
JEEP
Refreshed Jeep Avenger 2026: Compact freedom in evolution
From the very beginning, the Jeep Avenger has been the symbol of the compact SUV that combines style, functionality and capability. Now, in 2026, a new version arrives – refreshed, more technologically advanced and available in more powertrains than ever. In addition, the brand celebrates its 85th anniversary with a special edition that brings unique details and exclusive design.
This Avenger remains true to the philosophy of “design to function”.
* The heptagonal grille is now illuminated by LED backlighting, inspired by the Compass model.
* 360° protection is improved with new bumpers, while the 4xe version gets red vertical details and the Jeep Shield.
* New 17” and 18” aluminum wheels are available, as well as two fresh colors – Forest and Bamboo.
The interior has been significantly improved: softer door materials, a padded lower part of the dashboard and new seats in the Altitude and Summit versions. Of particular note is the Selec-Terrain control, now clearly marked and rubberized for ease of use.
Technology: safety and comfort...The Avenger is equipped with LED matrix lights that automatically adjust the beam of light and reduce driver fatigue. In addition, a 360° camera makes parking easier and protects the vehicle from minor damage.
Standard equipment includes:
* Full-LED lights,
* automatic high beams,
* keyless start,
* automatic climate control.
The infotainment system with a 10.25-inch screen offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while the Jeep Mobile application allows vehicle control via smartphone.
Special Edition: 85 Years of Jeep...For the anniversary, Jeep has prepared the 85th Anniversary Edition.
Outside: gold details on the bumpers and wheels, a tartan sticker on the hood and the "85 Years of Adventure" logo.
Inside: tartan upholstery with gold stitching and ambient lighting.
Equipment: LED matrix headlights, 360° camera and exclusive design elements.
This edition is intended for fans of the brand, but also for drivers who want to stand out from the crowd.
More than 270,000 orders have been received to date, of which 60% are for the electrified version. The Avenger is the best-selling SUV in Italy and one of the leaders in the European B-SUV segment. It is particularly interesting that it attracts 35% more women and 35% more drivers under 40 compared to the brand's average.
The new Jeep Avenger is not just a refresh of the existing model - it is an evolution that combines tradition and innovation. With a carefully selected range of powertrains, advanced technology and a special edition for the brand's 85th anniversary, the Avenger confirms its status as one of the most important models in the European SUV market.
Autonews
HYUNDAI
Hyundai Mobis: Hyundai's new modular electric powertrain
Hyundai Mobis has developed a new generation of electric powertrain that can tackle one of the main obstacles to the expansion of electric vehicles: cost. By integrating various components into a more compact and standardized assembly, the technology promises to reduce production costs, simplify repairs, and pave the way for more affordable models in the future.
The new system delivers 160 kW, equivalent to 215 hp, and combines an electric motor, inverter, and reduction gear in a single housing. This is the second integrated assembly developed internally by Hyundai Mobis, following a 250 kW version. The company is also preparing a third 120 kW configuration, aimed at compact and more affordable vehicles.
The major difference lies in the standardization of components. Instead of designing each system in isolation, Hyundai Mobis has started using interchangeable elements between different powertrains. Stator, inverter, and power module can be shared between various vehicles, reducing costs, speeding up production, and simplifying the industrial process.
The company also incorporated structural improvements, including a new cooling system and more efficient power semiconductors. According to Hyundai Mobis, the result is a system with 16% higher specific power than comparable solutions, while the total volume has been reduced by almost 20%.
Hyundai Mobis, the parts and engineering division of Hyundai Motor Group, has unveiled an integrated 160 kW (218 hp) electric powertrain for the automotive industry in general, not just its own brands.
The PE system is the EV equivalent of an internal combustion powertrain, comprising motor, inverter and reduction gear. Hyundai Mobis previously built such systems to customer designs, but has now developed its own component-level intellectual property, allowing it to propose proprietary models to OEMs. Some overseas customers have shown early interest, the company said.
A core element of the engineering work is standardisation and modularisation of key parts, including the stator, inverter and power semiconductor module. Compared with bespoke per-vehicle development, the platform-style approach is positioned as more efficient as EV model counts grow. Hyundai Mobis said specific power has improved by about 16% and overall system volume has fallen by nearly 20%, with new cooling technology applied to the motor and a power module designed for higher energy efficiency.
The 160 kW unit, equivalent to 215 hp, is described as suitable for most EVs currently in mass production, with twin-axle deployments doubling output. The development extends Hyundai Mobis’ electrification portfolio from battery systems into drive systems.
The system combines an electric motor, inverter, and gearbox in a single structure that is approximately 20% more compact than similar systems, with a 16% higher specific power density. The platform was designed as the basis for the group's expansion to 22 to 36 electric models by 2030.
The 160 kW power output is sufficient for a mid-size electric sedan or crossover. But more important than the power itself is the engineering approach. Hyundai Mobis has standardized the starter motor, inverter, and power modules so that they can be used at different powertrain levels. It's a kind of interchangeable parts strategy for electric motors. The company claims that improved cooling and more efficient power semiconductors are responsible for the smaller size and higher power density.
The system also supports all-wheel-drive configurations with two motors, with one unit on each axle, which would effectively double the total power in high-performance models.
The 160 kW unit sits in the middle of a three-tier offering. A high-performance 250 kW (340 hp) version is planned for 2025, while a 120 kW (163 hp) variant for compact cars is planned for the first half of 2026. These are designed to cater to everything from small hatchbacks to large SUVs, utilizing common tooling and parts – a significant way to reduce the cost of producing electric vehicles.
Hyundai Mobis is also offering the platform to companies outside its own group. Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis are already confirmed customers for Mobis' battery systems, and the supplier is also seeking contracts with other automakers for its motor lineup. A battery factory is being built in Spain in partnership with the Volkswagen Group.
In practice, this means that future generations of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles will be able to use more compact, efficient, and cheaper-to-produce drive systems. As many electric models adopt two motors, one on each axle, this architecture can also be applied to high-performance vehicles more easily.
Hyundai Mobis has developed a 160-kW Power Electric (PE) system intended for passenger electric vehicles (EVs), expanding its lineup of integrated electric drive systems.
The company previously developed a 250-kW PE system for higher-performance EV applications and plans to complete development of a 120-kW version for smaller EV platforms during the first half of this year.
The PE system combines the motor, inverter, and reduction gear into an integrated electric drive unit comparable to the powertrain in an internal combustion vehicle. Hyundai Mobis said it developed the system architecture and key component technologies internally, including the drive motor stator, inverter, and power semiconductor modules.
The company focused on standardizing and modularizing core components so the systems can be adapted across multiple EV platforms rather than developing unique drive systems for each vehicle model. This approach is intended to support scalability and manufacturing efficiency as automakers expand EV lineups.
The 160-kW system produces approximately 215 horsepower and is intended for use in mainstream passenger EVs. Dual-motor configurations using front and rear PE systems could provide higher total output for all-wheel-drive or higher-performance applications.
According to Hyundai Mobis, the system improves specific power, or power output relative to weight, by approximately 16% while reducing overall volume by nearly 20% compared with previous designs. The company attributed the changes to modularized components, revised cooling architecture and updated power semiconductor modules intended to improve efficiency.
Hyundai Mobis previously completed development of a 250-kW PE system intended for higher-output EV applications. The company also plans to introduce a smaller 120-kW version focused on compact EVs and smaller mobility platforms.
With the 120, 160, and 250-kW systems, Hyundai Mobis is building a modular lineup of electric drive systems intended to support a range of passenger EV applications from compact vehicles to higher-performance platforms.
Another potential benefit is in maintenance. The modular design tends to simplify diagnostics and replacements, which can reduce repair time and costs over the vehicle's lifespan.
For the consumer, the most important consequence is direct. By reducing industrial costs and gaining scale, Hyundai creates conditions to offer, in the coming years, more affordable, efficient, and technologically advanced electric cars. In a market where price remains one of the biggest barriers to electrification, this type of advancement often has a much greater impact than the technical specifications suggest.
Hyundai Mobis is rapidly advancing EV powertrain technology, developing 120kW to 250kW Power Electric (PE) systems—integrating motors, inverters, and reduction gears—for global automakers. A key focus is their 160kW, 215-horsepower unit, designed for widespread electric vehicle applications, as well as innovative, high-efficiency "in-wheel" motors for independent, all-wheel control.
Key innovations & technologies(below):
PE systems (E-Powertrain): Hyundai Mobis has developed a 160 kW system suitable for most mass-produced EVs, featuring a 16% improvement in specific power and a 20% reduction in volume compared to previous models.
In-wheel system: This technology places the electric motor directly inside the wheel, enhancing energy efficiency and allowing for independent control of all four wheels.
e-Corner module: Combined with in-wheel motors, this module enables advanced steering capabilities, including 90-degree turning (crabbing) for parallel parking and "zero spins".
Hydrogen fuel cell components: The company is a leader in mass-producing key components for hydrogen-powered vehicles
Details of the 160 kW modular electric propulsion unit developed by Hyundai Mobis.
Integrated Design: The system combines electric motor, inverter, and reduction gear in a single compact housing.
Performance: This unit produces approximately 215 horsepower.
Modularity: The design allows for interchangeable components such as stators and inverters between different powertrains to reduce costs.
Efficiency: Compared to previous designs, this unit is approximately 20% smaller and offers 16% higher power density.
Autonews
terça-feira, 12 de maio de 2026
AUTONEWS
Smart AI gives electric vehicle batteries 23% longer life—without increasing the charging time
Fast charging shortens the life of vehicle batteries, but is necessary on longer journeys with electric vehicles. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have now developed a new AI method that adapts fast charging to the health of the battery. Their study shows that battery life can be increased by almost 23% without extending the charging time. All that is required is an update of the vehicle's software.
When individuals or companies consider acquiring electric vehicles, the possibility of fast charging is an important factor.
"For taxis or heavy vehicles in industry, for example, access to fast charging means a lot, but this is also true for passenger cars. Although private motorists usually charge their electric cars at home, the availability of fast charging outside the home is a crucial factor, as it facilitates commuting and driving over longer distances," says Changfu Zou, professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering at Chalmers.
Electric vehicle batteries currently have a life of approximately eight to 15 years, depending on use and charging. Several studies of the European EV market show that consumers who are considering buying an EV are concerned about the limited life of batteries.
The requirement for efficient fast charging is also in conflict with battery health. As such, charging is stressful for the batteries and shortens their life.
Changfu Zou has taken on this challenge with Meng Yuan, Assistant Professor at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, and a former researcher at Chalmers. In the study, they show that it is possible to increase the life of batteries without significantly increasing the charging speed—with the help of artificial intelligence.
Adapting charging to battery health...In the study, the researchers present an AI-based charging strategy that adapts the current during each fast charge to the battery's chemistry and "state of health." The adapted charging extends battery life by around 23% compared to the standard method today. At the same time, the charging time is unaffected, give or take a few seconds.
"We show that it is possible to charge more or less as fast as today, but with significantly less long-term degradation of the battery," says Meng Yuan.
When a battery is charged fast, a large current is forced into the various cells, which causes a greater risk of chemical side reactions, among other things. One of the most problematic is known as lithium plating, in which metallic lithium precipitates on the electrode instead of being stored correctly in the battery's structure.
This can reduce capacity and may also affect safety, as unevenness in the structure of the lithium can, in a worst-case scenario, cause a short circuit.
"The risk of lithium plating increases with the age of the battery. However, the standard methods of charging today use the same current and voltage regardless of whether the battery is new or has been used for years," says Meng Yuan.
Meng Yuan and Changfu Zou. Credit: Chalmers University of Technology
Short charging time and less wear and tear...The new, AI-based charging strategy is based on reinforcement learning, in which the right actions are rewarded and thus reinforced. The training environment consisted of a model of one of the most common electric vehicle batteries on the market and a simulation of the parameters that have an impact on both charging time and battery health.
The AI model was trained to adapt the charging according to how charged or discharged the battery was at the time of charging. It also needed to take into account the overall health of the battery, as this is crucial to both capacity and electrochemistry. The result was a charging strategy that both keeps the charging time short and minimizes harmful reactions.
"Our study shows that smart adaptation of the current during charging, taking into account the changing electrochemical state of the battery, can maximize both the performance and the life of the battery," says Changfu Zou.
Easy to implement—but adaptation required...The new charging strategy is both easy and cost-effective to implement, according to the researchers: in principle, it could be implemented through software updates in the vehicle's battery management systems. However, some adaptation is needed for the method to be used generally.
"There are not so many different battery types today, but the method needs to be calibrated for it to be used by everyone. Using transfer learning, we can take advantage of what our AI model has already learned, and thus adapt the AI model to new batteries more quickly," says Changfu Zou.
The next step is to test the method directly on physical batteries. The researchers hope that the AI-based charging strategy will make a significant contribution to the electrification of the transport sector.
"To reduce emissions and transition to a fossil-free society, it is important for people to be prepared to switch to electric vehicles. The possibility of fast charging, combined with an increased battery life, are important driving forces," says Meng Yuan.
"And for the automotive industry, an almost 23% increase in battery life can mean lower warranty costs, better resale value and more efficient use of critical raw materials," says Changfu Zou.
A new artificial intelligence method developed by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology extends electric vehicle (EV) battery lifespans by up to 23 percent without increasing fast-charging times.
The core technology(below):
Reinforcement learning: The algorithm dynamically learns and improves by interacting with a simulated battery environment.
Health-aware charging: The system constantly reads the battery's real-time electrochemical condition and age.
Dynamic current adaptation: Instead of using fixed voltage, it continuously adjusts the power flow during a charging session.
Solved technical hurdles...Traditional chargers apply identical current profiles to both factory-new and heavily aged battery packs. This creates immense stress on older cells, resulting in a hazardous degradation process called lithium plating.
By mitigating this risk, the AI preserves the total energy capacity of the cells over multiple years of operational use. Industry findings published in ScienceDirect emphasize that blending such AI intelligence into existing battery management structures is crucial for mitigating overall cell deterioration.
Industry impact(below):
Software-only deployment: Carmakers can implement this feature directly via over-the-air (OTA) vehicle software updates.
Lower consumer costs: Extended cell health yields significantly better vehicle resale values and reduced warranty expenses.Environmental Sustainability: Enhancing longevity optimizes the raw critical minerals used during original manufacturing.
