Ever since the first-generation Nissan Leaf, an electric vehicle (EV), was introduced 12 years ago, it changed people’s perception of modern vehicles, giving them centre stage in the motoring world. In the years since, considerable progress and enhancement have been achieved, with the Leaf’s initial range of 160km and 50kW quick charging being outdated by the current standard range of 400km and an over 350kW charging capacity for most EVs.
If we tip the scale back over a hundred years, 12 years subsequent to selling the first car – the Benz Patentwagen – the automotive industry reminiscent 1898 found most vehicles maintaining their resemblance to horse-drawn carriages. They often featured tiller steering, some had carburettors that leaked fuel into open cylinders, and a significant number exhibited performance rates that a swift horse could outdo. This phase is similar to the present state of EVs, bringing attention to the upcoming advancements that might take place in the next 10 years.
A key amongst these will be solid-state batteries, as they are designed to replace the existing liquid-filled batteries. They promise more energy storage, quicker charging times, enhanced safety, and better reliability. Renowned as a ‘Holy Grail’ in battery design, and despite previous unsuccessful attempts, numerous brands including MG, Nissan, and Toyota intend to market solid-state batteries within this decade. Due to the high costs associated with this type of technology, initially, they will be available in more upscale models. Nonetheless, as with any technology – airbags, traction control, stability control, touchscreens – the cost will gradually become affordable, making it accessible to more standard models.
It is anticipated that solid-state batteries could induce significant changes. CATL, China’s largest battery manufacturer, already hypothesises about batteries that could last upto one million kilometres and be warrantied for such. Furthermore, Samsung asserts that its solid-state batteries could last upto 20 years, thereby addressing concerns surrounding battery longevity.
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A standout in the world of electric vehicles, Zeekr, a branch of the Geely consortium, has introduced the 007 saloon, equipped with a lithium-iron-phosphate battery. When connected to an efficient rapid charger, the battery can leap from 10% to 80% charge within a swift 10 minutes, 30 seconds. Zeekr is a remote partner of Volvo and Polestar.
In the foreseeable future, lithium-iron phosphate batteries will likely gain prominence. While these may not be as energy efficient as the top-tier lithium-ion designs, they make up with their reliability and resilience to charging. This means batteries do not wear out as swiftly, allowing for more frequent complete charges.
As artificial intelligence makes advancements, charging technology and battery management will also vastly improve, thus reducing charging times. Future charging stations will have the capacity to communicate directly with the battery to determine both the optimal charging speed and battery temperature. This will result in faster charging which surprisingly will not decrease the battery life.
Additionally, charging stations are expected to house automatic robotic arms that would let drivers plug in without even needing to exit the vehicle. This will be helpful in rainy weather but is a significant development for drivers with disabilities who desire an electric vehicle.
While advancements in technology might make some potential electric car owners pause, worried that new and superior technology is on the horizon, the truth is that the existing technology is exceptionally impressive and will continue to remain relevant for a considerable amount of time.
Deirdre Schwer, the leader of marketing and customer experience at Audi Ireland, highlighted that German car manufacturing company, Audi, is a leader in lithium-ion battery technology and EV platform innovation. Schwer said, “Audi is currently intensifying its range of electric car products with the Premium Platform Electric, or PPE. The PPE is an essential element for enlarging the breadth of all-electric Audi models on a global scale.”
Audi is making a significant stride towards becoming a main provider of eco-friendly premium mobility, as announced by Schwer. A new breed of electric vehicles from Audi will have electric motors, power electronics, transmission, high-voltage battery and all interrelated elements that have been specifically customised for battery electric vehicles, all reworked by the company. The PPE base, already operational in the newly released Audi Q6 e-tron SUV, also serves as the foundation for the forthcoming A6 e-tron saloon and Avant estate.
However, Schwer affirms that advancements extend beyond simply enhancing the batteries. In their quest to make the production of electric automobiles more efficient and cost-effective, Audi is using PPE technology. Rather than building new factories, Audi is progressively converting all manufacturing sites for the production of purely electric models. Audi has also thoroughly facilitated the transformation of its employees, in keeping with its early decision to discontinue the internal combustion engine, preparing the workforce for future-oriented fields, such as at the new battery assembly plant in Ingolstadt.
The standardised and future-ready electronic architecture provided via the PPE allows Audi to produce a variety of vehicle models and derivatives, minimising complexity in development and production, and setting up further economies of scale. This novel electronic framework also lays the groundwork for future innovations. As part of their overarching journey towards carbon neutrality, which commences in 2026 with the sole production of all-electric vehicles, the PPE will contribute significantly. It’s projected that the manufacturing of internal combustion engines will completely cease by 2033.