by Innovative Wooden Housing for EV Batteries
Engineers have developed a housing for electric vehicle batteries made of wood, making it more environmentally friendly. The hybrid construction of steel and wood is not only more eco-friendly than traditional aluminum counterparts but also stronger. Cork is used for fire protection, which in laboratory tests showed better results than a standard Tesla housing.
Electric vehicles are actively evolving, but problems related to the safety and environmental friendliness of batteries remain. Research conducted at the Graz University of Technology (Austria) compared aluminum housings with three different hybrid versions of wood and steel. The goal was to create a more environmentally friendly option without losing strength.
Advantages of Wood and Cork
Hybrid beams made of birch, poplar, or paulownia wood, coated with a thin steel shell, have a significantly lower environmental impact compared to aluminum. In impact strength tests, they showed nearly identical results to aluminum counterparts. The wooden structure effectively absorbs energy, and cork provides additional fire protection.
“When cork is exposed to high temperatures, it chars, which significantly reduces thermal conductivity and protects the internal structures,” explains Florian Feist, the head of the research.
This research shows that materials previously considered unsuitable for the automotive industry could become the key to more environmentally friendly and safer electric vehicles. The use of wood and cork could reduce the overall environmental impact of EVs, helping to realize their potential as a truly clean technology.
