The challenge of electric cars also involves the battery case materials and processes

There are numerous figures given in the Global Electric Vehicle Outlook 2022, the latest study by the International Energy Agency (IEA), on electric and plug-in hybrid cars around the world. And almost all the figures say that vehicles with batteries are doing really well.

In particular, plug-in vehicle registrations doubled in 2021, reaching a record of 6.6 million. A trend that continues in 2022, despite the problems of the supply chain: indeed, 2 million have been sold in Q1, around three quarters more than the same period last year.

The battery cases for the electric vehicles (battery cases, also known as shells, casings or battery packs) have a very simple purpose: to store and protect the battery modules. They come in different shapes and sizes and can easily be adapted to the battery modules’ different features.

While numerous casings are currently produced in steel (or a combination of aluminum and steel), in the long term, aluminum seems to take the upper hand, especially thanks to its lightness and favorable technical features.

It is, therefore, easy to understand how so much attention is focused on the battery case market and is always technologically more advanced both in terms of material and processes.

As part of the essential manufacturing, the CMS machining centers play a key role in performing the following processings:

• Sheet metal support surface smoothing
• Internal, rear, forward and side surface smoothing
• Upper re-processing for round extraction
• Rounded
• Deburring
• Drilling
• Threading

Electric cars are destined to play a specific role and are already on the increase. We also aim to be key players in an ever more sustainable future!