The first all-electric Range Rover is almost ready for launch, and we’re learning more about its features, including its battery management software. Autocar reports that the Range Rover Electric will use technology from WAE, called Elysia, to improve its range.
This suite of technologies was first announced by WAE, a UK-based engineering firm linked to the Williams F1 team, in July 2023. They claimed it could reduce battery charging time by 25%. Now, this technology will be part of the upcoming electric SUV, promising impressive results.
Imagine a car with a turbocharger, like a Honda Civic Type R. It can take a lot of stress and still perform well. Aftermarket tuners can tweak things like boost pressure and fuel delivery to get even better performance. Elysia works similarly but is safer. Joe Jones from Elysia explains that typical EV software doesn’t fully use an electric car’s potential.
Cars leave the factory with preset parameters to protect the battery. Elysia’s software finds extra efficiencies without risking damage to the battery. With artificial intelligence and special algorithms, it ensures the battery’s health isn’t compromised, even when charging quickly.
Tim Engstrom, WAE’s technical lead, says automakers usually overestimate battery health to prevent drivers from being stranded. Elysia’s technology can shrink these buffers safely, claiming up to 10% more range and 30% longer battery life. It also reduces fast charging times.
Since the algorithms are always working, they can predict how the battery will perform in different conditions, like summer or winter. Over time, this technology might be used in other high-performance vehicles. While the Range Rover Sport currently uses a BMW V8 engine, an electric version is possible, as well as an electric Defender.
