What global technology trends will bring for EVs in Australia – The Driven

Sydney finds itself in an unique position when it comes to EV policy, infrastructure and uptake.

As other countries are ahead in this journey, we have the opportunity in order to learn from the particular successes plus failures of others. And while policy may be one associated with the most critical elements to ensuring the success of the transition to EVs, innovation and technology are equally important.

If we take a step back plus look for cues in other markets, there are usually four global technology trends that will play a role in Australia’s EV future.

Smart charging

Smart charging is an intelligent form of EV charging which optimises energy consumption. By enabling communication between a vehicle and the grid, getting can be automated to capitalise on cheaper electricity tariffs. It can also be used to restrict charging to minimise stress on the grid.

In Europe, high energy prices have seen smart getting technology grow rapidly. Ohme is an UK company, which has taken smart charging one step further, offering the option in order to charge when renewable energy generation around the grid is at its highest – helping to lower CO2 impact.

In Australia, companies including AGL and Origin are progressing at pace. In March AGL installed 200 EV smart chargers within homes as part associated with a trial. And more recently, Origin agreed to supply 100 per cent renewable power with regard to an ARENA-funded project triallling on-street chargers regarding homes without parking facilities.

As more EVs connect to the particular grid, the domestic need for this technology is expected to grow. Plus over time it will become the standard charging technologies for homes and businesses.

Artificial intelligence

Beyond self-driving vehicles, ELECTRONIC VEHICLES companies and manufacturers are still looking intended for ways to use AI effectively, but early research points in order to applications which usually may prove useful here.

Research by US organization Volta is using machine learning to identify the optimal locations to place charging stations. The technology analyses data including EV adoption rates in areas, demand plus expected utilisation. It furthermore analyses demographics to predict infrastructure needs.

Researchers from Idaho National Laboratory are using machine learning how to reduce electric vehicle charging times . The particular scientists have discovered how to create new charging protocols which allow lithium-ion batteries to become charged to 90 per cent within ten minutes. These intelligent technologies will become increasingly essential as the particular Australian Government rolls out the first National Electric Vehicle Strategy .

Home and business integration

Because more EVs come online in Quotes, both houses and companies – especially those that provide public getting stations – will see a good increase in demand for electrical power. This will require the integration of alternative energy in order to minimise power costs plus CO2 emissions, as well as increase energy supply.

Integrating solar panels into charge point power supply is one option. Another approach is to integrate battery storage.

We are likely to see both rolled out in Australia. In the particular US, EVgo is an early adopter of using batteries and smart energy management to provide the stable ELECTRONIC VEHICLES charging service. Power is fed in to the electric batteries from the grid off peak, or from onsite renewables, plus then released to charge EVs during peak occasions.

Companies in Australia are making moves in this space. For example. Chargefox’s ultra-rapid sites are backed by one hundred per penny green power, which is also catering to an increasing demand through EV owners to reduce their exhausts footprint. Within many instances, they also add solar and batteries upon site in order to enable charging via solar energy.

Integration makes clear business sense to get Australian homes and businesses and expectations among consumers to cost their vehicles using clean energy are expected to rise.

Battery and automobile design

Lithium-ion batteries are not ultra-efficient and research is underway to find better ways to energy EVs. Cell-to-pack batteries are an innovation we can expect to hear a lot more about.

Cell-to-pack refers in order to the direct integration associated with cells directly into a battery pack. Instead of flat packs of battery modules laying across the base of a car’s chassis, they can instead end up being integrated into this.

This style decreases the particular weight of the vehicle and can increase cabin space. The upside is quicker plus less frequent charging and an increased driving range.

Chinese battery business CATL claims its latest iteration associated with this tech can deliver 13 per cent more strength than Tesla’s latest cells. Leapmotor has developed a cell-to-chassis (CTC) battery technologies. The CTC tech uses the car’s underbody as a battery box and then integrates the cells into the vehicle’s frame.

Solid state batteries are usually another innovation close to being market ready. With the potential to decrease the carbon footprint of EV battiers up to 39 %, they are likely to be in production from 2025 with OEM testing imminent.

An eye within the long term

Australia is only on the cusp of starting its EV journey. Policy and ELECTRONIC VEHICLES supply are two barriers which need to be addressed 1st, but simply by keeping a good eye upon innovation around the globe, we are able to work towards a smart transition.

Paul Sinclair is Telematics Solutions Advisor at RACV’s mobility technology company, Intelematics.