"Milestone in TÜV SÜD's commitment to electromobility"

"Milestone in TÜV SÜD's commitment to electromobility"

Speaking to numerous guests from the worlds of science, industry and politics, TÜV SÜD Member of the Board of Management Horst Schneider officially opened the new Battery Test Centre in Garching on Monday 17 October. Schneider referred to the opening as a "milestone" in the testing and certification company's global commitment to electromobility. The Garching-based test centre, in which TÜV SÜD invested several million euros, provides over 1,000 square metres of floor space for testing the performance and safety of energy storage systems for use in electric vehicles. In addition, the Garching location will serve as a control centre for coordinating global battery testing activities. The testing and certification company has already established testing laboratories in the USA, Canada, Asia Pacific and the UK.

The opening marks a milestone in TÜV SÜD's commitment in the field of electromobility. From this new control centre in Garching, we will now realize our goal of testing energy storage systems worldwide with reproducible methods and in accordance with uniform standards. By opening the test centre, we are positioning ourselves as one of the leading providers of test services at international level", said Horst Schneider, Member of the Board of TÜV SÜD AG at Monday's opening ceremony in Garching, in front of numerous guests from science, industry and politics. Speaking on behalf of Bavarian Environment Minister Markus Söder, who was unable to attend at short notice, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Albert Göttle emphasized the significance of the new test centre: "For the energy revolution to be successful, we need to develop innovative storage technologies. Maintaining the world's largest network of test centres for electric storage systems, TÜV SÜD strengthens Bavaria's role as a research hub", said Prof Göttle.

Electromobility needs global support

According to TÜV SÜD experts, batteries are a focal point for issues related to the acceptance of electromobility. For instance, the relatively high price of electric cars is mostly due to the high prices of the batteries. And their lithium-ion technology is crucial for the range of e-vehicles – another critical factor in the launching of e-vehicles on our roads.

With operations in the USA, Canada, China, Singapore and the UK, TÜV SÜD has one of the world's largest networks of testing facilities for electric storage systems for e-vehicles and plans to build further test centres in 2012 in Korea and China. The Garching location will serve as the strategic control centre of the international network: "Electromobility is a theme of global concern, demanding global support right from the outset. Impetus for development comes from Asia, where most batteries are produced today. These batteries are then used in vehicles produced by manufacturers from all over the world", said Schneider Testing and certification in accordance with uniform standards and reproducible test results worldwide are imperative. "TÜV SÜD already meets these criteria today", affirmed Horst Schneider.

In Garching, the safety, performance and reliability of batteries are tested under extreme conditions on an area of over 1,000 square metres. The test centre has over one hundred test stations for electric storage systems and over one dozen test stations for medium- and large-scale battery systems. In addition, the TÜV SÜD specialists have state-of-the-art testing facilities with special safety equipment to test lithium-ion systems.

Risks from cheap Pedelecs

However, expertise is not only in demand in the automotive sector, but also for e-bikes. "While the automotive sector handles the issue of battery safety very sensitively, developments in the area of electric bikes, or 'Pedelecs', give rise to concern. The price war in this market has resulted in the launch of numerous cheap products of poor quality. This involves considerable hazard potential!" reported Stefan Rentsch, Managing Director of TÜV SÜD Battery Testing GmbH, the operator of the test centre. As Pedelecs, in cities, say, are actually parked in hallways or the batteries of the electric cycles recharged in apartments over night, they involve a considerable hazard potential for individuals. "Our aim here is to provide adequate consumer information and safety", emphasized Rentsch.

In the field of electromobility, be it e-cars or Pedelecs, TÜV SÜD is engaged in extensive exchanges of information and experience with science and research. The company's close links with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Fraunhofer Institutes were crucial factors in favour of Garching as the future location of the test centre. Daniel Quinger, who works side by side with Stefan Rentsch as Managing Director of TÜV SÜD Battery Testing GmbH, worked with fellow students practically fresh from the Technical University of Munich to found Lion Smart GmbH, our joint venture partner.

"Last but not least, the location of Garching demonstrates our commitment to Bavaria. TÜV SÜD has long since grown into an international service provider. This growth is based on our strength in the Munich area", affirmed Horst Schneider. The battery test centre is in direct proximity to TÜV SÜD Automotive, TÜV SÜD Auto Service and TÜV SÜD's testing laboratory for consumer products, the foundation stone for which will be laid in ten days.

Energy efficiency in test centre processes

Note for editorial staff:
Photos of the opening of the battery test centre can be downloaded in printable resolution from the "Current Press Photos" category www.tuev-sued.de/image library.

Contact: Frank Volk