Volvo Cars has partnered with Breathe Battery Technologies (Breathe), becoming the first car company to gain access to the latest version of its patented, algorithm-enabled charging software.

By integrating Breathe’s software into its in-house developed battery management platform, Volvo Cars aims to offer customers faster charging times and an enhanced driving experience.

The technology will be included in its new-generation fully electric cars, where it is expected to reduce the time it takes to go from 10% to 80% SoC by up to 30%, while maintaining the same energy density and range.

The collaboration with Breathe is the result of a sourcing agreement for its flagship product, Breathe Charge, and represents the latest investment by the Volvo Cars Tech Fund. It reflects its ambition to lead the development of premium electric cars and become a fully electric car maker by 2030.

Ann-Sofie Ekberg, CEO of the Volvo Cars Tech Fund, said: “Faster charging times, in the range where customers typically fast-charge, represent a major step in the right direction as we continue to boost electric mobility and make it available to more people.”

Software-defined batteries

Unlike traditional, stepped charging, which relies on pre-determined rules, Breathe’s software uses adaptive charging to dynamically control the battery in real time, resulting in significantly shorter charging times.

Using algorithms, the software manages the charging process in line with the battery’s health to deliver the best driver experience while avoiding the risk of lithium plating, which can harm battery performance and life.