Bosch has produced a forward thinking solution, to the growing problem of electric and hybrid vehicle traction batteries becoming faulty.
Over the course of time, the performance of high-voltage batteries in electric and hybrid vehicles decreases, as their modules wear out or become faulty. Up to now, once the traction battery’s storage capacity has become too low, the complete battery system has had to be replaced. This is a very costly process.
While replacing individual modules that are faulty or outworn is possible and less expensive, there is always the risk of the battery system breaking down again. However, a repair using the Bosch high-voltage battery repair set, replaces all the traction battery’s nickel-metal hydride modules. All the remaining components of the battery system, such as housing, blower, and electronics, are left in place. With its new high-voltage battery repair set, Bosch is now offering a solution for selected hybrid models made by Toyota and Lexus that is simple, reasonably priced, and above all conserves resources.
The entire repair set comes with a five-year warranty. There is no need for a special inspection following the battery repair, as the repair set has passed all the tests set by the vehicle registration authorities and been granted a general operating license, by the Federal Motor Transport Authority.
Initially Bosch will be offering its high-voltage battery repair set for the Toyota Prius III, the Toyota Yaris, and the Lexus CT 200h, with an early concentration on the German market, before being launched in other European countries.
The work of replacing the modules starts by removing the high-voltage battery system from the vehicle. Once the module carrier plate and other components have been removed, the old modules can be replaced with the new nickel-metal hydride modules from the repair set. The battery is then reassembled and re-installed in the vehicle. No vehicle-specific tools are required for this work.
By including the repair of high-voltage batteries in their portfolio, workshops can add another string to their bow in the important electromobility market. However, the repair set for high-voltage batteries can only be installed by workshop associates, who have completed level 3 high-voltage training. Bosch Service Training Centres, offer product-specific installation courses, as well as courses working on live systems leading to a qualification as high-voltage expert.