Some Critical Thinking on EV Battery Reliability: from Enhancement

In the coming era of sustainable transportation, electric vehicles (EVs) are emerging as a pivotal component in the transition towards the eco-friendly mobility paradigm shift. Central to this shift is the evolution of EV battery technology, which not only influences the economic viability of these vehicles but also dictates their performance, efficiency, and environmental impact. This study focuses on EV battery reliability, a vital aspect that significantly determines the sustainability, performance, and longevity of these batteries. Current efforts to improve EV battery reliability are predominantly targeting specific isolated areas such as design, manufacturing, power density optimization, user behaviour, charging strategies, and environmental impacts. Such approaches, while beneficial in addressing individual challenges, often overlook the comprehensive interplay within holistic and sustainable systems, with a potential risk of short-term solutions and future long-term issues. This study is structured around three key research questions that aim to address a holistic lifecycle optimisation for EV batteries including improved EV battery reliability. Through an in-depth exploration across micro, meso, and macro perspectives, this study examines interconnected factors influencing battery reliability, highlighting the need for a broader ecosystem analysis. This study presents an innovative lifecycle framework by focusing on the use phases (use, reuse, repurpose) including recycling but also introducing the concept of 'Zero'-Life reliability. Furthermore, the study delves into system cognition, conceptualizing reliability ecosystems and lifecycle frameworks through a dynamic, multi-dimensional approach; more importantly, revealing the intrinsic nature of reliability system optimization. Ultimately, this study aims to bridge the gap between isolated reliability improvement and a holistic system approach.