Modern EVs are specifically designed to minimize fire risks and protect occupants, and undergo stringent safety testing procedures.
One study conducted among London taxi drivers using electric vehicles found they demonstrated a more peaceful and focused driving style compared to those using diesel-powered cars.
As demand for electric vehicles (EVs) continues to increase in Europe, SUVs and large models currently dominate EV offerings. Car manufacturers may shift focus more toward developing smaller EV models as demand grows.
1. Battery Technology
Battery technology is at the core of electric cars, providing an intriguing glimpse into their future mobility.
Batteries account for between 25-30% of an electric car’s overall cost, making their creation key to mass adoption. As such, manufacturers are racing to develop affordable yet powerful batteries which increase range while decreasing charge times.
Factorial Energy of the US is among a handful of companies developing solid-state batteries. These technologies, comprised of tightly compressed hard materials instead of the more mushy and moist materials used in lithium batteries, promise significant advantages including greater safety and power density.
Other technologies aim to lower costs by changing how batteries are manufactured, with sodium-ion batteries using less expensive and widely available nickel and cobalt materials than lithium-ion chemistries; however, they may not meet all current EV demands in terms of range and charging speed.
2. Autonomous Driving
Battery technology isn’t the only factor shaping the future of electric cars – autonomous driving has emerged from fiction to reality as well. Once adopted, these revolutionary machines will transform travel by providing greater safety, efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability benefits.
Autonomous vehicles will significantly decrease crashes by eliminating human error – according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, human error accounts for 90% of vehicle collisions. Furthermore, this will also lead to reduced emissions as road congestion diminishes and emissions decline accordingly.
Unmanned vehicles pose unique challenges. They must learn to identify numerous objects in their environment – everything from trees and litter to animals and people – before being able to navigate complex situations such as tunnels and construction sites safely. Another issue concerns liability; lawmakers have yet to establish who should pay in case of car accidents. Yet this technology continues to develop at an incredible speed and stands poised to revolutionize transportation industry worldwide.
3. Connectivity
Electric vehicles generate an abundance of data about their performance and energy use; this information rarely circulates outside of their manufacturer. Vehicle-to-cloud connectivity enables this sharing, to improve battery and vehicle performance, optimize energy use, and create better driving experiences.
In 2022, SUVs and other large models accounted for 60 percent of BEV options in China and Europe and 70 percent of ICE cars, but recent announcements from carmakers suggest that smaller electric vehicles may take a larger share in future years.
The United States has pledged its commitment to building a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations, prioritizing rural and urban communities that were previously underserved. The result will provide drivers from every background an accessible and practical alternative to conventional vehicles – something we expect will only grow over time as prices decrease further.
4. Range
Range anxiety has long been one of the key considerations when purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle (EV). New technologies are being created to ease this concern and give drivers confidence in their long-distance travels.
Regenerative braking technology is one such innovation, using the motor of your vehicle to save energy that would otherwise be lost through friction and heat loss. This energy can then be put to use to extend its range between charges.
New battery technology has also created smaller, more energy-efficient batteries with longer range. These new batteries use sodium rather than lithium as their chemistry source, potentially lowering both costs and weight while providing similar performance.
Governments at all levels are investing in charging infrastructure to facilitate widespread EV adoption. When fully deployed, these infrastructures will help ease consumer range anxiety and make transitioning to electric cars simpler than ever before.