SAE has provided this Draft document for the SAE Committee. This document is SAE-copyrighted, intellectual property. It may not be shared, downloaded, duplicated, or
transmitted in any matter outside of the SAE Committee without SAE’s approval. Please contact your staff representative for additional information.
SURFACE VEHICLE
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
REPORT
PropDft
XXX2017
J3124
Issued
xxxx-xx
Industry Review of xEV Battery Size Standards
SCOPE
This Technical Information Report (TIR) will review the global industry battery size standards for xEV vehicles to
provide guidance on available cell sizes for engineers developing battery powered vehicles. The TIR will include a
review of the sizes and standards that are currently being developed or used for cylindrical cells, pouch (or polymer)
cells, and for prismatic can cells. The lithium-ion cell will be the focus of this survey, but module and pack level size
standards, where available, will also be included.
RATIONALE
This SAE Battery Size Standardization Technical Information Report is intended to provide comprehensive reference
and background information pertaining to battery size standards for xEV vehicles in the global industry.
With the introduction of the lithium-ion battery cell in 1991 the portable power industry quickly consolidated to a
common form factor based with an 18mm diameter and a 65mm height, today referred to as an 18650 cell. This
remained the de-facto industry standard cell size for portable power applications until the advent of the “pouch” or
“polymer” cell in the late 1990’s. Due to the relative flexibility of the pouch manufacturing process many different sizes
of cells were introduced ranging from small milli ampere-hour size cells up to cells with over 100 ampere-hours in
capacity. In the late 1990’s the prismatic hard packaged can cell was also introduced and is being used in many xEV
products in many different sizes.
OEM’s and system integrators have long espoused the value and the need for developing a set of standard cell sizes
in order to create multiple sources for cells and to help the battery industry drive down costs by increasing volumes.
With different vehicle architectures, different applications, different markets and uses, and different philosophies
vehicle manufacturers have a wide variation in their requirements that drives different types of cells and mechanical
design solutions. However, by using standard cells in their designs they are able to drive increased volumes across
many cell suppliers which is one of the major drivers for cost reduction in lithium-ion cell manufacturing.
Today there are several organizations that have already begun developing battery size standards across the world,
including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the Standardization Administration of China (SAC)
managed by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC), the Verband der Automobilindustrie
(VDA), and Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), and the Society for Automotive Engineering (SAE) are just a few of
the organizations that are working on cell level standards. There are many similarities in these standards but they are
also largely driven by the local automobile manufacturer’s anf regional government requirements.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___
SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is
entirely voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”
SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be revised, reaffirmed, stabilized, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and
suggestions.
Copyright © 2015 SAE International
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of SAE.
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SAE INTERNATIONAL
xxxxxxx
Page 2 of 12
1. References
1.1. Applicable Publications—The following publications form a part of this specification to the extent specified
herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the latest issue of SAE Publications shall apply.
1.1.1.SAE PUBLICATIONS—Available from SAE, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.\
1.1.1.1.SAE J1715—Battery Terminology
1.1.1.2.SAE J1797—Recommended Practice for Packaging of Electric Vehicle Battery Modules
1.1.2.International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
1.1.2.1.ISO/IEC PAS 16898:2012(E) – Electrically propelled road vehicles — Dimensions and designation
of secondary lithium-ion cells
1.1.3.Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN)
1.1.3.1.E DIN 91252:2014-04 – Electrically propelled vehicles — Battery systems — Design specification
for lithium-ion battery cells
1.1.4.China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC)
1.1.4.1.GB/
2. Definitions—See SAE J1715.
3. Symbols
3.1. Li-ion = Lithium-Ion Batteries
3.2. PbA = Lead Acid Batteries
3.3. NiCd = Nickel Cadmium Batteries
3.4. NiMH= Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries
3.5. “+” = Positive Charged Electrode Polarity
3.6. “–” = Negative Charged Electrode Polarity
3.7. “L” = Length
3.8. “W” = Width
3.9. “H” = Height
SAE INTERNATIONAL
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Page 3 of 12
4. Introduction
Standardizing around common cell, module or pack for factors offers multiple benefits, including: reducing
development time, reducing system and RESS costs, improving serviceabilty, and package protecting future designs.
Today, most commonality and standards have been created and driven by OEM’s through regional governments and
standards organiztaions.
Battery standardization has been evaluated in several areas. Beginning with the physical size and volume of the cell,
module and pack; standfardization of chemistries has been evaluated by several orgranizations; standardizing around
performance characteristics, such as voltage and capacity; or some combination of these.
5. Threshhold Criteria for Standards
1
Total annual sales volume (in units) (will vary by cell, module and pack)
2
Number of users for a specific size (3 OEMs)
3
More than one supplier building that size (2 or more manufacturers)
Next Steps:

Quantify the criteria
6. North American Standards
6.1. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) – The Society of Automotive Engineers is a global standards setting
organization focusing on automotive, arerospace and commercial vehicle standards by more than 138,000
engineers and industry experts worldwide.
6.1.1.J1797:2016 - Recommended Practice for Packaging of Electric Vehicle Battery Modules
SAE’s J1797 standard was originally published in 1997 and reconfirmed in 2016. It defines a set of four
standard sizes for modules, including chemistry, voltages, mechanical interfaces, module retention and
terminal types and locations.
7. European Standards
7.1. Intenational Organization for Standardization (ISO) - ISO is an independent, non-governmental international
organization with a membership of 161 national standards bodies. Through its members, it brings together
experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, market relevant International
Standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.
7.1.1.Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 16898:2012 – Electrically propelled road vehicles -- Dimensions
and designation of secondary lithium-ion cells
ISO/IEC PAS 16898:2012 specifies a designation system as well as the shapes and dimensions for secondary
lithium-ion cells for integration into battery packs and systems used in electrically propelled road vehicles
including the position of the terminals and any over-pressure safety device (OPSD). It is related to cylindrical,
prismatic and pouch cells.
The cell designation according to ISO/IEC PAS 16898:2012 is intended to be applied to the cells used for
electrically propelled road vehicles. ISO/IEC PAS 16898:2012 does not apply to cells specifically used for
mopeds, motorcycles and vehicles not primarily defined as road vehicles, i.e. material handling trucks or
forklifts.
The cell dimensions listed in ISO/IEC PAS 16898:2012 are recommended but not restricted for use in
passenger cars up to 3,5 t.
SAE INTERNATIONAL
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Page 4 of 12
The inner design, the cell chemistry, the electrical characteristics and any further properties of the cells are not
defined in ISO/IEC PAS 16898:2012.
7.2. DIN is acknowledged as the sole national standards body in Germany. More than 30,000 experts from
industry, research, consumer protection and the public sector work together at DIN to develop marketoriented standards and specifications that promote global trade and innovations, assure efficiency and quality,
and help protect the environment and society as a whole.
7.2.1.DIN 91252 - Electrically propelled road vehicles - Battery systems - Design specifications for Lithium-Ion
battery cells
7.3. Verband Der automobilinddustri (VDA) - The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) consists
of more than 620 companies involved in production for the automotive industry in the Federal Republic of
Germany. The members are divided into three manufacturer groups automobile manufacturers, automotive
suppliers, and trailers, special bodies, buses. These three manufacturer groups find their representation in
three divisions each assigned a managing director. More than 70 employees in 20 departments actively
pursue the interests of the German automotive industry.
8. Asian Standards
8.1. Standardization Administration of China (SAC) – The Standardization Administration of China (SAC) is under
the control of General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and is
authorized by the State Council to carry out centralized administration for standardization in China.
8.2. China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) - CATARC is a science research institute
established in 1985 to meet China’s need of managing the automotive industry and now belongs to SASAC
(State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council). CATARC is the
centralized technical organization of the auto industry and the technical supporting body to the relevant
national government departments. With the independent and neutral role, they take the development road
“guided by science and technology, focusing on service to the industry and supported by commercialization”.
9. Current Standard Cell Sizes
9.1. Prismatic Can
The prismatic can represents one of the most frequently used lithium-ion battery cells.
SAE INTERNATIONAL
Width
(mm)
Length
(mm)
120
120
173
148
148
173
173
173
173
65
70
70
70
70
70
70
100
100
100
100
120
120
12.5
12.1
21
26.5
26.5
32
45
32
45
20
20
20
20
27
27
27
12
12
20
20
12
12
Height
(mm)
w/o
terminals
85
80.5
85
91
125
115
115
225
225
138
107
120
131
107
120
131
130
141
130
141
80
85
xxxxxxx
Annual
Cell
Volume
# of Cell
Manufact # of OEM
# of
urers
users Standards
ATL
3
2
ATL
3
ATL
3
1
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Page 5 of 12
VDA
HEV
PHEV1
PHEV2
PHEV2+
EV1
EV2
DIN
9152:2014-04
ISO/IEC
PAS 16898:2012
HEV1
HEV2
PHEV1
PHEV2
VIPA13/120/85
VIPA12/120/81
VIPA21/173/85
VIPA17/148/91
BEV1
BEV2
BEV3
BEV4
VIPA32/173/115
VIPA45/173/115
HEV1
CATARC
4
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
SAE INTERNATIONAL
65
70
70
70
70
70
70
100
100
100
100
120
120
120
120
135
135
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
148
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
20
20
20
20
27
27
27
12
12
20
20
12
12
20
20
27
27
20
20
20
20
20
20
27
27
27
27
27
40
40
40
40
40
53
53
53
53
53
57
57
57
57
57
79
79
79
79
79
86
86
86
86
86
12
20
32
40
45
48
53
71
12
20
32
40
45
48
53
71
12
20
xxxxxxx
138
107
120
131
107
120
131
130
141
130
141
80
85
80
85
192
214
91
95
98
129
200
396
95
98
129
200
396
95
98
129
200
396
95
98
129
200
396
95
98
129
200
396
95
98
129
200
396
95
98
129
200
396
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
110
110
110
110
110
110
110
110
125
125
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Page 6 of 12
HEV1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
SAE INTERNATIONAL
xxxxxxx
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
173
217
217
160
61.8
111
137
112
66
115
167
179.5
135
99.5
72
173
92
171
171
147
171
8
80
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
32
40
45
48
53
71
12
20
32
40
45
48
53
71
12
20
32
40
45
48
53
71
12
20
32
40
45
48
53
71
12
20
32
40
45
48
53
71
12
20
32
40
45
48
53
71
32
53
12
13
13.8
13.3
15.7
20
21.5
22.5
23.6
25
27.5
29
29.5
34
34.5
44
45
55
118
11
125
125
125
125
125
125
137
137
137
137
137
137
137
137
149
149
149
149
149
149
149
149
166
166
166
166
166
166
166
166
184
184
184
184
184
184
184
184
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
98
98
228
93.7
91.8
63.2
78.5
126
103
129
168.5
104.1
357.8
117
115
133.3
108
98
260
115
342
130
Page 7 of 12
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
8
8
VIPA12/160/228
VIPA13/62/94
VIPA14/111/92
VIPA14/137/64
VIPA16/112/79
VIPA20/66/127
VIPA22/115/103
VIPA23/167/129
VIPA24/180/169
VIPA25/135/105
VIPA28/100/358
VIPA29/72/117
VIPA30/173/115
VIPA34/92/134
VIPA35/171/108
VIPA44/171/98
VIPA45/147/260
VIPA55/171/115
VIPB8/118/342
VIPB11/80/130
SAE INTERNATIONAL
9.2. Pouch (Laminate)
xxxxxxx
Page 8 of 12
SAE INTERNATIONAL
Length
(mm)
Width
(mm)
5.9
9
<11
13
18.5
-
161
164.2
164
99
329.2
100
100
118
118
118
148
161
161
161
190
190
217
217
229
130
162
210
244
253
270
280
249
136
216
223
330
343
121
126
128
128
134
144
159
172
173
210
136
Height
(mm)
w/o
terminals
141
226
232
300
161.4
302
310
85
243
342
91
227
240
291
236
245
127
262
268
221
142
121
190
172
135
180
192
230
262
224
162
245
243
325
310
325
290
251
291
254
235
260
251
xxxxxxx
Annual
Cell
Volume
# of Cell
Manufact # of OEM
urers
users
VDA
Page 9 of 12
DIN
ISO/IEC
9152:2014-04 PAS 16898:2012
HEV2
PHEV1
PHEV2
EV1
EV2
VIFA - /162/142
VIFA - /164/226
VIFA - /164/232
VIFB - /99/300
VIFA13/330/162
VIFA - /161/227
HEV2
EV2
CATARC
VIFA - /130/221
VIFA - /162/142
VIFA - /210/121
VIFA - /244/190
VIFA - /253/172
VIFA - /270/135
VIFA - /280/180
VIFA6/249/192
VIFA9/136/230
VIFA - /216/272
VIFA11/223/224
VIFA13/330/162
VIFA19/343/245
VIFB - /121/243
VIFB - /126/235
VIFB - /128/310
VIFB - /128/325
VIFB - /134/290
VIFB - /144/251
VIFB - /159/291
VIFB - /172/254
VIFB - /173/235
VIFB - /210/260
VIFB - /136/251
1
1
2
2
2
3
4
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
SAE INTERNATIONAL
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Page 10 of 12
9.3. Cylindrical
Length
(mm)
Width
(mm)
65
70
65
70
70
134
136
138
137
215
66
66
92
108
-
Dia (mm)
w/o
terminals
15
21
26
26
32
32
37.7
38
54
54
27
19
40
40
10. Current Standard Module Sizes
10.1.
Annual
Cell
Volume
# of Cell
Manufact # of OEM
urers
users
VDA
DIN
ISO/IEC
9152:2014-04 PAS 16898:2012
CATARC
1
2
3
3
4
4
VIRA38/ - /136
VIRA38/ - /138
VIRA54/ - /137
VIRA54/ - /137
VIRB27/ - / VIRC19/ - /66
VIRC40/ - /108
VIRC40/ - /92
SAE INTERNATIONAL
Length
(mm)
Width
(mm)
211 to 515
211 to 515
252 to 590
252 to 590
252 to 590
252 to 590
157
285 to 793
285 to 793
285 to 793
285 to 793
285 to 793
285 to 793
285 to 793
285 to 793
270 to 793
270 to 793
270 to 793
270 to 793
270 to 793
270 to 793
270 to 793
191
191
590
590
547
269 to 319
269 to 319
280
18 to 27
18 to 27
18 to 27
330 to 672
330 to 672
330 to 672
242 to 246
162 to 861
388
306
246
197
141
141
151
151
151
151
159
178
178
178
178
178
178
178
178
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
220
220
220
220
226
234
234
325
367
367
367
367
367
367
402
439
116
173
123
165
Height
(mm)
w/o
terminals
211
235
108
119
130
141
269
130
163
177
200
216
240
255
265
47
90
110
140
197
225
250
108
294
108
294
144
85
297
207
114
275
429
114
275
429
167
363
175
223
260
170
xxxxxxx
Annual
Cell
Volume
11. Current Standard Pack Sizes
# of Cell
Manufact # of OEM
urers
users
SAE J1797
Page 11 of 12
VDA
DIN
9152:2014-04
ISO/IEC
PAS
16898:2012
CATARC
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
7
8
8
9
10
10
10
10
10
10
11
12
EV1
EV2
EV3
EV4
SAE INTERNATIONAL
Length
(mm)
Width
(mm)
896
1080
820
1060
1200
820
1060
1200
820
1060
1200
2190
1015
1015
1030
1030
1030
489
489
630
630
630
660
660
660
680
680
680
690
720
800
999
1360
1722
Height (mm)
w/o terminals
205 to 450
205 to 450
215 to 275
215 to 275
215 to 275
215 to 275
215 to 275
215 to 275
215 to 275
215 to 275
215 to 275
233
215 to 275
215 to 275
251 to 548
251 to 548
251 to 548
xxxxxxx
Annual
Cell
Volume
# of Cell
Manufact # of OEM
urers
users
Page 12 of 12
VDA
DIN
9152:2014-04
ISO/IEC
PAS
16898:2012
CATARC
(for Buses
only)
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
4
5
5
5