Cylindrical, prismatic and pouch
Format decides cooling, packaging efficiency, cost and repairability.
You'll learn
- Explain cylindrical, prismatic and pouch at engineering level
- Read the numbers that define the behaviour
- Apply the idea to a real pack
Overview
The same chemistry behaves very differently depending on the can it is packaged in. Format is a packaging and thermal decision as much as an electrical one.
In depth
Cell formats
| Cylindrical | Prismatic | Pouch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical rigidity | Excellent | Good | Poor — needs a frame |
| Packaging efficiency | Lower (gaps) | High | Highest |
| Cooling | Side or base | Side or base | Face cooling |
| Swelling management | Contained by can | Contained by can | Needs compression |
| Typical users | Tesla, Lucid, Rivian | BYD, VW, BMW | Hyundai, GM, Ford |
Find the component
Match the format to the car
Pair each format with a typical application.
Find: Pouch
Key takeaways
Remember this
- Format sets the cooling strategy.
- Pouch packs the most energy per litre but needs external structure.
- Bigger cells cut part count but complicate heat removal.
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