BATTERY ASSEMBLY HAVING A CROSS-MEMBER AND METHOD OF MANAGING LOADS UTILIZING A CROSS-MEMBER

A battery assembly includes, among other things, a tray having a floor, a lid secured to the tray to provide an enclosure having an interior, and a battery module disposed within the interior. The battery module has a plurality of battery cell frames disposed along a battery module axis. The battery cell frames each include a frame toe that projects horizontally. The battery assembly further includes a cross-member disposed within the interior adjacent to the battery module. The cross-member includes a vertically extending wall having a protrusion that is vertically aligned with the frame toes of the plurality of battery cell frames.