Abstract: A charging system for an electrified vehicle includes a battery pack, a charging component in charging connection with the battery pack, a visual indicator on the charging component, and a control module configured to illuminate the visual indicator in response to reaching a predefined state of charge (SOC) threshold of the battery pack. The visual indicator can indicate that the SOC of the battery pack has reached a level that is acceptable for unplugging the electrified vehicle from a charging station.

Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes, among other things, a group of battery cells, and an array plate assembly having a pressure retention pad that is configured to plastically deform in response to the group of battery cells expanding. An exemplary method includes, among other things, compressing a group of battery cells with an array plate assembly having a pressure retention pad, the pressure retention pad plastically deforming in response to the group of battery cells expanding.

Abstract: An exemplary traction battery assembly includes, among other things, a container disposed about a portion of a fastened joint within an interior of a traction battery enclosure. The container is configured to hold contaminants to block the contaminants from contacting a surface of a component housed within the interior. An exemplary contaminant containing method includes, among other things, within an interior area of a traction battery enclosure, holding contaminants within a container to block the contaminants from contacting a surface of a component housed within the interior. The container is disposed about a fastened joint within the interior area.

Abstract: An exemplary battery assembly includes an enclosure having a first portion interfacing with a separate, second portion along an interface. A seal is at the interface, and a shear cord is configured to rupture the seal when moved from a first position to a second position. An exemplary battery accessing method includes moving a shear cord from a first to a second position to rupture a seal. The seal is at an interface between a first and a second portion of an enclosure.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, compressing at least one battery module to a desired dimension prior to installing the battery module into an array. Another method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, inducing a residual stress into a battery module to compress the battery module to a desired dimension prior to being installed in an array. An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a compression device configured to temporarily compress at least one battery module to a desired dimension prior to installing the battery module into an array.