In this article TTI’s director of TBU marketing, Gabe Osorio, reveal some of the current and future innovations that are pushing the adoption of electric vehicles
During a recent Uber journey in Chicago the driver couldn’t stop commenting on his vehicle’s lengthy charging time. Some 14-hours charging on a home plug would only deliver about a 15 per cent charge. Upgrading the home infrastructure would incur additional costs.
Charging EVs is still cumbersome, difficult and slow, a key reason why the US’ EV adoption of five per cent lags far behind Europe at around 20 per cent. However, there are some promising signs that greater acceptance is on the way:
- Lower EV costs: New vehicle prices in general rose by an average of 2.2 per cent from 2020 to 2021, compared with EVs which decreased by 10.8 per cent
- Increased public interest: 60 per cent of consumers say they would consider purchasing an EV
- Traditional automaker investment: $500 billion in EV development by 2030
- Government support: The Biden administration has committed $5 billion in the next few years to build an expanded network of EV charging stations
So, prices are lowering, people are more interested and there is a growing industry and government commitment. What’s lacking is the technology but it’s just around the corner with a showroom of innovations.
Smart Charging: Smart EV charging delivers reliable, safe, renewable and cost-effective energy to EVs while meeting the needs of drivers and local grids. The technology relies on back-end software that captures data from EVs, networked chargers and grid to optimize charging of EVs, integrate power from storage and renewable sources and minimize impact on the grid.
Wireless charging: Wireless charging is on the horizon. Companies like Wave are currently doing this for busses. Drivers pull up to a stop, the charging infrastructure is buried in the road and a receiving panel on the bottom of the bus is engaged wirelessly to charge when driven over the road plate. There is talk and testing of this on US freeways.
Mega-watt charging: Mega-watt charging is coming in 2023. This is the highest and fastest level of charging that will be used for Class 6 to 8 electric trucks. This system could reach 1,250V and 3,000A DC.
Improved battery technology: An alternative to lithium-ion batteries is being pursued that is less expensive, faster to charge, longer-lived and not reliant on scarce minerals. New options such as sodium-ion offer possibilities and innovators are also exploring solid state batteries and even quantum batteries, which can charge fully in three minutes.
Other made-for-home solutions: NeoCharge has developed smart outlet splitters that enable Level 2 charging at home without a panel upgrade, saving customers $2,200 on average on charger installation. Span created a smart electrical panel that, combined with an EV charger, software platform and user-facing app, provides intelligent management of electric appliances and devices.
If the infrastructure is built, people will come. That’s why TTI is making such a significant commitment to its future of EVs, offering the broadest and widest variety of electronic components, powertrain units, charging stations and more for the exciting road ahead in this fast-paced industry.
tti.com