EV Dictionary: Battery Architecture

400-Volt Architecture

A 400-volt architecture is an approximate voltage class, not a fixed battery voltage or charging guarantee.

Battery Cell

The basic electrochemical unit inside an EV battery, combined with other cells to form modules or a complete pack.

Battery Module

An interconnected, protected group of battery cells used alone or as an intermediate pack level.

Battery Pack

The complete traction-battery unit installed in an EV, built from connected cells or modules.

Blade Battery

BYD's LFP battery design using long prismatic cells in a tightly integrated pack architecture.

Cell-to-Body (CTB)

A battery architecture that integrates the battery system with the vehicle body structure.

Cell-to-Chassis (CTC)

A battery architecture that integrates cells or the battery system with the vehicle chassis.

Cell-to-Module (CTM)

A conventional battery architecture that groups cells into modules before assembling the pack.

Cylindrical Cell

A battery cell in a rigid round metal can, usually built around a wound electrode assembly.

Nominal Cell and Pack Voltage

A representative cell or pack voltage; the actual value changes with charge state and operating conditions.

Pouch Cell

A battery cell sealed in flexible laminated packaging rather than a rigid metal can.

Prismatic Cell

A battery cell in a rigid rectangular case, using either wound or stacked electrodes.

Semi-Solid, Quasi-Solid, and Condensed Batteries

A guide to three overlapping battery labels that may still include liquid or gel electrolyte.

Series and Parallel Cell Configuration

How series and parallel connections set pack voltage, capacity, current capability, and cell count.

Solid-State Battery

A battery that uses a solid ion-conducting electrolyte instead of a conventional liquid electrolyte.

Structural Battery Pack

A traction-battery pack engineered to carry vehicle loads as part of the body or chassis structure.