The demand for electric cars worldwide is growing at a rapid pace. According to a report on Investopedia, the global sales of EVs rose to 62% in the first half of 2022 to 4.3 million units. Over the past two years, COVID-19 and its impact on transportation gave the electric car segment a boost. With government policies and investments worth billions of dollars from automakers in place, it’s safe to say the electric car industry is going mainstream.
However, for the EV landscape to expand beyond the current developments, automakers need to make better electric cars. To achieve this goal, auto manufacturers are leveraging advanced technologies. Tech developments in the EV industry play a significant role in boosting electric car performance and adoption. Keep reading to learn the latest EV technologies and how they are speeding up the electric vehicle revolution.
Advanced Battery Technologies
Lithium-ion batteries used in many electric vehicles contain lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt. These components can catch fire, freeze, or even cause a short circuit when EV users charge the battery quickly. To ensure EV batteries are safe, eco-friendly, and affordable, auto manufacturers are exploring alternative battery technologies.
Currently, EV automakers are integrating sila nanotechnologies in lithium-ion batteries to replace the graphite anode. Doing so makes electric car batteries lightweight, denser, and supports fast charging. Other emerging battery technologies in the EV landscape are sodium-ion and solid-state batteries. These new battery innovations aim to improve charge time, increase EV range, prevent battery degradation, and lower overall electric car prices. Several automakers, including Honda, Ford, and Toyota plan to manufacture EVs running on all-solid-state battery tech to enhance driving efficiency.
Enhanced Electric Motor Tech
Development in electric motors focuses on improving torque and power density, resulting in driving efficiency in a light and compact package. Advanced electric motors for EVs include axial flux rotors, square wire windings, trapezoidal radial flux, permanent magnet drives, and switched reluctance motors. Each electric motor technology has its benefits, from improved torque and power density to affordable materials, and enhanced range. Based on Carscoops, Mercedes Benz and Renault claim axial flux technology is the future of electric motors and they plan to integrate new motors in their EVs.
While new electric motors improve range, there are ways drivers can improve EV range when driving. This includes maintaining slow accelerations and gentle stops and preheating EVs while plugged in a charger to ensure it stays efficient during the cold weather. Also, apply the 80/20 battery charging rule to prevent battery power from depleting and extend the battery life cycle.
Innovative Charging Infrastructure
Reducing range anxiety is vital to boosting the sales of electric cars. This has resulted in the development of high-tech infrastructure that will make reliable and affordable charging for all-electric car models possible. Innovative EV charging technologies promoting fast charging include pop-up pavement chargers, smart EV charging, wireless charging, and vehicle-to-grid or bi-directional charging. Megawatt charging systems designed for big trucks, self-heating batteries, lamppost chargers, and roadside street charging cabinets are also providing EV users fast and cost-effective charging.
The electric car landscape is growing fast, thanks to government policies and tax incentives, and investments from automakers. Technology is also speeding up the EV revolution as automakers look for ways to improve range, reduce EV buying price, enhance safety, and fast charging. Technologies revolutionizing the electric car sector are high-tech electric motors, advanced battery technologies, and innovative charging systems like wireless chargers, pop-up pavement EV chargers, smart charging, and self-heating batteries.
