Advances in EV technology

by Eric Cohen, Marketing Manager, WiTricity

As I drive in California, it seems that every other car is electric. It’s easy to think the rest of the country (and world) is the same. But, at 25% of new car sales [1], California far surpasses the rest of the U.S., which stands at just 7.6%. [2] Compared to the EU, which has reached 22%, China at 25%, Japan at 3% [3], and South Korea at 1.8% [4], California is doing pretty well. However, everyone has a long way to go to reach even 50% of market share. 

What’s driving EV sales and what will continue to make electric vehicles a leading contender for new car buyers? Price, charging infrastructure, and technology. 

Considering where we were ten – or even five – years ago, technology has advanced rapidly. In the past decade, average EV efficiency has increased by 15 percent, while average range has increased by about 200 percent.[5] What’s driving these advances? 

Battery technology

The foundation of any electric vehicle is the battery. And nothing has advanced more than battery technology. These progressing advances (many of which have not yet been integrated into electric vehicles) have resulted in higher energy densities, longer range, and faster charging times. 

A. Solid-State Batteries offer higher energy density, improved safety, and faster charging times. Using solid electrolytes extends the lifespan of the battery pack.
B. Lithium-Sulfur Batteries tend to outperform traditional lithium-ion batteries. They’re lighter and have the potential for longer ranges.
C. Silicon Anodes can significantly increase energy storage capacity, potentially improving the efficiency and performance of electric vehicles. [6]
D. Lithium-Iron Phosphate Batteries charge faster than standard nickel cobalt manganese EV batteries and cost less to manufacture. 
E. Battery Cooling Advancements, such as liquid coolant to remove heat from the battery, which is more efficient than traditional air-cooling systems, helps improve the battery’s performance and range.

Vehicle materials

The weight of any vehicle directly impacts its range and efficiency. Any opportunity to make a vehicle lighter in weight has a direct impact on its performance. 

A. Carbon fiber and aluminum are being used to reduce the weight of electric vehicles – from body to chassis – resulting in improved efficiency and better handling.
B. 3-D Printing enables the production of lighter-weight components while allowing for the quicker customization of parts.

Charging infrastructure

One of the biggest impediments to electric vehicles is charging infrastructure. Whether it’s the lack of chargers or the availability of working chargers, people considering the purchase of an electric vehicle unanimously agree that this is a major reason they’re still driving a gas-powered vehicle. Although they need to be simply working and readily available, innovations in charging infrastructure include:

A. Ultra-Fast Charging capable of delivering hundreds of miles of range in just a few minutes, are becoming available. 
B. Wireless Charging enables EV owners to charge their vehicles without plugging in, is becoming noticed as a technology that consumers want. No cords. No plugs. Just park and charge. 

o    Wireless charging enables autonomous vehicles by eliminating the need for someone to plug the vehicle in to charge.
o    Wireless charging provides accessibility to those who cannot easily access a plug-in charger.
o    Wireless charging eliminates the need to get out of the car and plug in during rain, snow, or hot summer days.

C. V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) Integration: V2G technology allows EVs to not only draw power from the grid but also feed excess energy back to it – or to a home – creating a more sustainable future.
D. On-Site Energy Resources and Smart Energy Management
On-site energy storage and energy generation, in addition to electricity from the grid, are powering EV charging. Smart energy management software optimizes the use of distributed energy resources to reduce demand charges and lower operational costs, while maximizing renewable energy. 

Payment systems

Charging system operators are looking to make paying for EV charging easier and seamless with: 

o    Contactless payments via mobile apps
o    QR codes or RFID cards associated with an account and a payment method
o    Contactless (NFC) payments via smartphone wallets and bank cards. 
o    Plug & Charge and Autocharge technologies allow drivers to connect a charging cable to the EV to start charging while payment is taken care of in the background 

Many of the countries around the world have EV mandates. As we work toward meeting these goals, all of these technologies – and those yet to be implemented – will help get us there more efficiently, effectively, and environmentally. 

----------------------------------------------
[1] https://insideevs.com/news/688779/california-tops-us-ev-adoption-25-percent-share-total-sales-h1-2023/ 
[2] https://www.coxautoinc.com/market-insights/q4-2023-ev-sales/#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20the%20EV%20share,317%2C168%20and%208.1%25%2C%20respectively.
[3] https://eastasiaforum.org/2023/11/21/chinas-electric-vehicle-surge-will-shock-global-markets/#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20production%20it%20expected,ranging%20from%20US%245000%E2%80%9390%2C000.
[4] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1099571/south-korea-electric-vehicles-market-share/#:~:text=Market%20share%20of%20electric%20vehicles%20South%20Korea%202017%2D2023&text=Electric%20vehicles%20(EVs)%20accounted%20for,to%2033%20percent%20by%202030 
[5] https://engineering.cmu.edu/news-events/news/2023/05/31-ev-adoption.html
[6] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/silicon-anode-new-era-battery-technology-julian-renpenning/