Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular. The consumers interested in buying them generally want to know answers to questions such as: Is the car’s battery an explosion or fire risk? Will its useful life match or exceed the vehicle’s? Will the battery charge as fast as promised? Can it consistently perform within the stated range?

EV battery tests can determine those things and more, giving potential purchasers and current owners more peace of mind. However, researchers, engineering professionals, and manufacturers must continually develop better battery tests. Here are some specific reasons why.

Better battery tests could bring standardization

Lithium-ion battery usage spans far beyond electric cars. It extends to products ranging from power tools to laptops and many other familiar products. When researchers examine a battery’s electrochemical performance, they usually focus on three parameters:

Open-circuit voltage: The battery’s maximum voltage with no current flow
Resistance: How much a battery’s materials interfere with the current flow, causing voltage drops
Capacity: The total charge a battery stores

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