The electric vehicle (EV) industry is often presented as a key ally in the fight against climate change and the decarbonisation of transport. However, as the EV market expands, it is becoming apparent that vehicle electrification alone is not enough. In order for electric vehicles to fully justify their status as an environmentally acceptable alternative, it is necessary to improve every segment of their production, use and disposal.
In the following text, we present three key innovations that can transform the EV sector into an even greener pillar of global decarbonization efforts whose performance will not lag behind fossil fuel vehicles.
Sodium-ion batteries – Lithium-ion batteries have dominated the electric vehicle market for many years, however, sodium-ion technology is increasingly attracting attention as a viable and cost-effective alternative.
Proponents of sodium-ion batteries emphasize their numerous advantages: lower production costs, environmental friendliness and easier availability of raw materials. Unlike lithium, which can be challenging to procure and process, sodium is a much more abundant element, which significantly reduces supply chain challenges.
In addition, materials for manufacturing sodium-ion batteries are generally less expensive than those for lithium-ion batteries, resulting in lower overall costs per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Also, the production costs of these batteries are expected to be more stable compared to lithium-ion technologies, which further ensures their viability in the market, writes Innovation News Netwotk.
One of the leaders in the development of sodium-ion technology is the Chinese company CATL. At the recently held World Summit of Young Scientists, chief scientist Wu Kai presented the second generation of sodium-ion batteries, which will be launched in 2025. CATL already produces sodium-ion batteries and uses them in its new hybrid Freevoi battery pack, which combines sodium-ion and lithium-ion cells.
Freevoi the battery is specially designed for electric vehicles with an extended range, offering a range of more than 400 kilometers and the possibility of ultra-fast charging. This innovation represents a significant step towards expanding the application of sodium-ion technology and demonstrates its potential in developing more sustainable solutions for the future of the electric vehicle industry.
Solar cars and solar canopies– Solar cars are electric vehicles that use solar energy to directly power the battery. The key to the success of solar cars lies in their efficiency and lightweight construction, which allows maximizing range with limited energy collected from the sun.
One of the first significant steps in the development of solar vehicles was made in 2013, when students from the Netherlands presented the Stella, the first family solar car. The Stella can travel 890 km on a single charge during sunlight, with a mass of only 390 kg and a solar network with a capacity of 1.5 kWh.
Her successor, Stella Lux, raised the standard even higher. This model broke the record with a range of 1,500 km on a single charge. Thanks to its exceptional aerodynamics (drag coefficient of only 0.16) and high energy efficiency, Stella Lux at a speed of 72 km/h practically has an infinite range on sunny days. The average family, which does not exceed 320 km per day, would never have to charge the vehicle from the electric network, unless they wanted to return the excess energy to the network.
On the other side of the world, the American company Aptera Motors is dedicated to the development of solar electric cars intended for the general public. Their models are designed with the goal of maximum energy efficiency and affordability. Aptera cars use advanced solar cells that can generate enough energy to drive up to 64 km per day on solar energy alone, which is ideal for everyday urban routes without the need for recharging.
In addition to solar cars, there are also solar canopies – another efficient solution suitable for both homes and businesses. Solar canopies provide shade and weather protection for vehicles while providing green energy to charge the battery.
This technology is becoming more and more popular in our country, and numerous companies have already recognized its multiple profitability. The domestic company MT-KOMEX specializes in the construction of charging stations for electric cars with slow (AC) and fast (DC) chargers in combination with canopies or without. The integrated team of MT-KOMEX is here to always provide a quality solution that combines practicality, efficiency and environmental responsibility, ensuring a simple and safe way to charge electric vehicles.
Wireless charging – Wireless charging of electric vehicles (EVs) represents a significant step towards simplifying and improving the experience of EV owners. This technology comes in two main variants:
- Static wireless charging works similarly to wireless smartphone chargers. When a compatible electric car is parked above the charger, power is transferred wirelessly, eliminating the need for connecting cables.
- Dynamic wireless charging, a more ambitious concept, allows cars to be charged as they move along the road, which represents a major engineering challenge, but also a potentially revolutionary solution.
The industry recognizes the potential of wireless charging, so many companies have begun to invest in the development and testing of these systems. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) published official standards back in 2020, which opened the door for accelerated technology development. Companies such as BMW, Hyundai, Genesis and Volvo are now actively developing their prototypes, writes PCMag.
It is also interesting that the company Tesla recognized the potential of this technology, buying the German supplier of wireless EV chargers Viferon in 2023. This move is being interpreted by many as a signal that wireless charging will soon become a key part of the EV infrastructure.
Milena Maglovski
Source: energetskiportal.rs
