With the upsurge in electric vehicle demand over the past few years, the pressure for manufacturers in the automotive sector to stay ahead of the curve and develop solutions that are compatible with the latest EV technology and models becomes more apparent. There aren’t many other industries that have evolved so rapidly in recent time, and the EV market is showing no signs of slowing down.
Battery technology is at the heart of EV development, with research taking place all over the world to find alternatives and improvements for lithium-ion battery performance. As manufacturers of specialist insulation solutions for EV batteries, we appreciate first-hand how the sector works and have been able to collaborate with other experts to gain a full understanding of what’s required to stay competitive. We wanted to use this opportunity to look ahead at 2024, to explore the EV battery innovations worth keeping an eye out for.
Winter is where festivities begin and we all look forward to a Christmas break seeing family and friends, however it can be a difficult time of year as well. Not only is the cold uncomfortable, but it’s expensive too. We spend more money on heating our homes, warm clothing and consumer electronics such as kettles and plug-in radiators.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been revolutionary for the transportation sector, helping to reduce greenhouse emissions and our reliance on fossil fuels. They are however another example of victims to freezing temperatures. With an estimated 950,000 fully EVs on UK roads, many owners will want to keep them running optimally during winter months. As temperatures drop and the frost rolls in, it’s important to take extra care of EVs to ensure they remain reliable and safe to drive throughout the winter season.
Hydrogen fuel cells have had a long and complex history from their initial theorisation to conception. It’s believed that the earliest hydrogen fuel cell to be invented was back in 1842 by Welsh physicist William Grove, and the technology used to maximise power generation and performance has continued to evolve. A major breakthrough occurred in the 1990s by fuel cell industry giants Ballard Power Systems, where their fuel cell stack achieved a power density of 700 watts per kilogram. This 700w/kg was enough to begin rivalling traditional petroleum-based engines from a performance perspective, before even being implemented into much larger automobiles such as buses and trams.
Since then, we’ve seen researchers and manufacturers from all over the world announcing further progress in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology. There have been times where it looked as though hydrogen fuel cell cars would be the next big step for the automotive sector, but even now it still hasn’t materialised. With the recent global shift to becoming more environmentally-conscious and prioritising sustainable development, now would’ve been the perfect time for hydrogen fuel cell cars to become widely available for everyday use. So it’s worth asking, why are we still not seeing hydrogen fuel cars on our roads?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionised various industries, and the automotive sector is no exception. Electric vehicles (EVs) have gained significant popularity in recent years due to their environmental benefits and technological advancements. However, the efficient charging of EVs remains a challenge. This is where AI in electric vehicles comes into play, offering innovative solutions to improve charging infrastructure and optimise the overall EV experience.
Not so long ago, having AI as a core feature within a car might’ve only been seen in the very top-end range of vehicles, such as Teslas when they initially broke onto the market. These days, all of the major automotive manufacturers are designing and releasing EVs that harness technology for both the vehicle owners, creating a truly modern driving experience, and the environmental implications of reaching net zero and limiting fossil fuel consumption.
The global charging network has been under significant pressure to meet the demands of charging station accessibility for EV owners. Between 2021 and 2022, there was a 55% increase in the number of public charging stations worldwide, and the trend isn’t showing signs of slowing down. In 2023, EV charging remains a critical topic in the automotive sector, with solutions still being developed to further reduce charging times and increase safety, but what role does AI have to play?
The development of EV batteries has come a significant distance when compared to the earlier models from only a decade ago. Advancements in battery technology have led to increased energy densities and longer driving ranges, with indications of ranges tripling over the past decade. One aspect that remains a challenge is the weight of these batteries, however there are positive and exciting indications that the research and development within this field have managed to find commercially viable solutions.
As the world embraces renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs), the demand for lithium-ion batteries continues to surge, but so does the pressure from the growing sustainability concerns of battery recycling and end-of-life processing. EV battery waste is now a global priority, with over 15 million tonnes of waste lithium-ion batteries predicted to be produced by 2030. Many of the metals and elements found within lithium-ion batteries are toxic and harmful to the environment, so the race to find recycling solutions is hotting up.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have gained significant popularity in recent years due to a range of factors, from their eco-friendly design and potential to reduce carbon emissions, to the wider momentum of EV advertising and social shift towards them. As EV technology continues to evolve, manufacturers are placing increased emphasis on safety features to ensure the well-being of both drivers and passengers. One crucial aspect of EV safety lies in the efficient management of battery temperature through cooling systems and insulation.
At Elmelin, we provide vital manufacturing support and solutions to the automotive sector, specifically EVs. The unique thermal and dielectric insulation properties of mica are the key reasons behind it being a core material within our EV battery insulation solutions. Our bespoke mica-based solutions are designed to be efficient, safe and long-lasting. Safety is critical to all of our solutions and is a major value of Elmelin, so we recognise both the importance of EV battery engine performance, but also the role safety plays in an EV. In this blog post, we explore how EV battery cooling systems and insulation play a vital role in ensuring vehicle safety. …
Electric vehicles are everywhere, from the road itself to the adverts on our televisions. There has been a significant increase in the number of electric vehicles being bought in many countries, and the sustainability of electric vehicles is becoming of more importance to buyers. In the UK, the transition from fossil fuel to electric vehicles is constantly growing, and this transition will play a major role in our journey towards net zero emissions.
Our planet has seen dramatic transformation in many areas due to numerous human activities, from deforestation and agriculture to the extraction and combustion of fossil fuels. The release of these harmful emissions into the atmosphere has led to the climate crisis we are currently facing. This has forced nations to collaborate and take desperate action to begin tackling climate change and create solutions.
It’s now easy to notice electric vehicles on our roads and they’re no longer the rare sight that they were many years ago. More electric vehicles equals less petroleum-based vehicles, and therefore implies a reduction in fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. There are multiple aspects that need to be considered when assessing the sustainability of electric vehicles. Not only the day-to-day running of them, but also their construction, maintenance and eventual disposal.
There has been a significant trend in the number of electric vehicles being both manufactured and purchased on a daily basis. Many people were originally sceptical about electric vehicles for a variety of reasons; the high upfront costs and concerns over their safety and performance were common causes for people resisting the transition from petroleum-based vehicles to electric.
These apprehensions are now fading away as a result of greater environmental awareness and media coverage, as well as improved affordability and accessibility tied with owning an electric vehicle. Plug-in electric vehicles are becoming easier to charge thanks to more charging stations being installed across the UK and home charging becoming much more affordable. EV batteries also have larger capacities allowing for longer journeys between charging, as well as improved safety and greater lifespans.
For many, the benefits of owning an electric vehicle are now outweighing any disadvantages. They’re being purchased by individuals for personal use, by businesses providing them to employees as company vehicles and also for public transportation services such as Uber. While there are many key components involved in the performance and safety of an EV, the battery is at the core of their functionality and caring for them is important for ensuring they remain efficient. Here we discuss 3 key factors affecting the battery life of electric vehicles.…
