Design and Implementation of a Training Program for Hands-On Lithium-Ion Battery Testing in Automotive Engineering Education

The rapid transition from conventional internal combustion engines to electrified vehicles has revolutionized the automotive industry, demanding significant upskilling of the current and future automotive workforce. Among the most critical components of electrified vehicles is the lithium-ion battery, whose performance, safety, and lifetime directly impact vehicle efficiency, reliability, and cost. To address this challenge, this study proposes a comprehensive, hands-on training program to equip automotive engineers with practical skills in lithium-ion battery testing and data interpretation. Seven fundamental battery tests are integrated into the curriculum: continuous constant current discharging tests across different C-rates, discharging tests under varying ambient temperatures, surface temperature distribution measurements, open-circuit voltage vs. state-of-charge profiling, internal resistance measurements, battery aging studies, and internal short-circuit experiments. This article discusses in detail the experimental methods, instrumentation, procedures, and key observations of each test. The proposed program aims to bridge the knowledge gap between theoretical concepts and real-world applications, enabling engineers to design, analyze, and diagnose lithium-ion batteries effectively for next-generation hybrid and electric vehicles.