BATTERY THERMAL MANAGEMENT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD

An exemplary vehicle assembly vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a heat exchange module that manages thermal energy levels of a traction battery. An inlet conduit is configured to draw air to the heat exchange module from an area underneath a vehicle. An outlet conduit is configured to dispense air from the heat exchange module to the area underneath the vehicle. An exemplary thermal management method includes, among other things, to manage thermal energy within a traction battery of a vehicle, exchanging thermal energy between a fluid and air at a heat exchange module. The air is drawn to the heat exchange module from an area underneath the vehicle. The air is dispensed from the heat exchange module to the area underneath the vehicle.