Electric Vehicle Tech Advancements
Last week we saw several breakthrough tech developments in the electric vehicle (EV) industry.
From battery power to vehicle range, EV tech is advancing rapidly. So it’s not surprising that a lot of businesses are now looking to EVs as the future of their fleet.
A study last year found 43% of businesses were looking to introduce greener transport options into their fleet.
New car sale figures for November 2021 found that 1 in 3 (28%) new cars were plug-in EVs.
With such a high demand for EVs, tech within the industry is constantly evolving to give drivers a better experience.
So here are some Electric Vehicle Tech Advancements that happened last week:
5 Minute Charging
StoreDot has announced the development of a supercharge battery. The batteries will have the potential to deliver 100 miles of power with as little as 5 minutes charge. The manufacturer aims to have the batteries in circulation by 2024.
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CEO of StoreDot, Dr Doron Myersdorf, says the main aim of the company is to “revolutionize charging times” for drivers.
He continued:
“After intense development of our silicon-dominant chemistries we will be mass-production ready by 2024, delivering a transformative product that will overcome the major barrier to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.”
The company already has its eyes set on better things in the future. StoreDot is also using semi-solid-state technologies to develop a battery that could deliver 100 miles of charge with 2 minutes charge. This is a 40% improvement on the battery they are currently getting ready to take to market. Technicians hope this next product will be fully developed within the next 10 years.
Ford Splits in Two
Household brand Ford has announced they will be splitting into two new businesses. Ford Blue will continue to focus on the manufacturing of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
Meanwhile, Ford Model e will focus on the development and delivery of new EVs. Together the two businesses form the Ford+ plan.
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Ford President and CEO Jim Farley called the Ford+ plan the company’s ‘biggest opportunity for growth since Henry Ford scaled production of the Model T’.
He said:
“Our ambition with Ford+ is to become a truly great, world-changing company again, and that requires focus. We are going all in, creating separate but complementary businesses that give us start-up speed and unbridled innovation in Ford Model e together with Ford Blue’s industrial know-how. Ford Model e will be Ford’s centre of innovation and growth, a team of the world’s best software, electrical and automotive talent turned loose to create truly incredible electric vehicles.”
Ford Blue and Ford Model e will join Ford Pro as three separate businesses that all support each other. Governments and larger commercial clients will be supplied by Ford Pro.
Kia Becomes EV Brand
Fiat and Abarth have announced schemes to become a 100% Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) brand by 2027.
Fiat set out its goal for the company to develop a “100% BEV portfolio by 2027 in Europe”.
In its annual report. Fiat already has three electric models on its production line including the Fiat Electric 500 models. This was the best-selling BEV model in twelve countries last year selling over 44,000 units worldwide. The range also includes the electric Ducato and electric Scudo commercial vehicles. Kia plans to expand this range by two new models released every ear starting from 2023. The new plans will see 14 more EV models added to their range by 2027.
Volvo Wireless Charging
Volvo is trialling its newest EV breakthrough in Gothenburg, Sweden. The wireless charging vehicles are being tested in a ‘live’ environment with real customers as part of a new taxi system.
The small fleet will join Cabonline which already operates a taxi firm in the area. As part of the taxi service, the vehicles are travelling an average of 60,000 miles a year each. This makes these trials also take into account the long-term durability of the technology.
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Mats Moberg, head of research and development at Volvo Cars, said:
“Gothenburg Green City Zone lets us try exciting new technologies in a real environment and evaluate them overtime for a potential future broader introduction. Testing new charging technologies together with selected partners is a good way to evaluate alternative charging options for our future cars.”
The vehicles use charging pads to gain power. The pad situated at key spots around the city allows the car to start charging as soon as it parks over them.
The charging station then sends the energy up to the car which has a receiver unit.
Volvo says although the pad doesn’t charge as fast as a typical ‘plugged in’ rapid charger would, they do offer more convenience.
Volvo also says it may improve the range of the vehicle as it can top up at multiple charging stations.
How Can We Help?
At Cambrian Fuel Cards Services we are looking to the future. With over 45 years of experience in the industry, we know how technology can evolve and shift. That’s why we are now offering the UK’s first EV fuel card as part of our portfolio.
The Shell EV card offers drivers access to over 7500 charging hubs nationwide. This includes over 950 rapid charging hubs that can charge your vehicle in as little as 30 minutes*.
All our Shell stations feature welcoming facilities so drivers can take some time to recharge while your fleet does.
*Charge time dependent on vehicle model
Electric Vehicle Tech Advancements
