To gather that data, EVs often employ complex wiring harnesses within battery packs. These harnesses take up space that could otherwise go toward storing more energy. In addition, Ruiz-Sevillano says, wiring together a dozen or so modules inside a battery pack during production requires a qualified labor force to manually plug connectors over and over.

Replacing these wiring harnesses with wireless systems could boost the amount of energy a battery pack can hold, and simplify assembly. “This results in increased throughput and reduced risk and human error,” Ruiz-Sevillano says.

However, until now, wireless battery-management technology was narrowband, operating in limited frequencies, such as the 2.4-gigahertz range used in Bluetooth Low Energy technologies. These systems face numerous challenges within electric vehicles.