In the previous two parts of this book, electrochemical and material properties of the battery cells have been covered, focusing on Li-ion cells. Li-ion cells and their properties will now be the basis for the remainder of the book focusing on battery design and usage in electric vehicles, where fundamentals and material constraints also are turned into observations on the battery and vehicle levels.

In the following chapters, the vehicle requirements and usage conditions affecting the battery are the focus. To begin with, vehicle requirements and processes at vehicle level are discussed. Thereafter battery design, including cell selection, and battery management will be described from a cell perspective. Finally, cell degradation is the main topic and general as well as specific degradation mechanisms concerning cells – composite electrodes, active electrode materials, and electrolytes – will be described in order to illustrate the complexity of battery usage. Li-ion cells will be the technology used here in order to illustrate usage, performance, and degradation of batteries for electric vehicles.