Latest tech breakthroughs and innovations in the EV revolution

We witnessed significant growth in the EV industry, with the development of advanced battery technologies and the integration of smart tech solutions. These advancements are critical in driving the adoption of EVs and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

The electric vehicle industry has seen significant growth in the past year, with major advancements in technology and innovation. There are numerous innovative advancements that are crucial in driving the adoption of electric vehicles in the years ahead. Moving to electric vehicles is not just a sustainable action, but also a triumph of the automotive sector, with technology playing a key role in transitioning from fossil fuel to electric-powered models.

Let’s take a look at some of the significant tech innovations that have taken place in the electric vehicle industry over the past year.

Battery tech innovation/developments

The electric vehicle (EV) industry has seen several developments in battery technology.

• eTechnology: Swiss startup Morand has developed a hybrid energy storage system that can recharge an electric city car in 72 seconds, according to the company. The system uses a hybrid ultracapacitor (HUC) cell technology from Sech SA, which is combined with advanced controllers to produce the required high levels of performance. The energy packs are suitable for applications that require fast, semi-frequent charges of around five minutes or less, such as e-bikes, drones and rail locomotives. The system has been tested to over 50,000 cycles, with production plans being put in place to scale-up its manufacture.

• Ryden dual carbon: Power Japan Plus has developed Ryden dual carbon technology, which allows batteries to last longer and charge faster than lithium but can be made using the same factories where lithium batteries are produced. This new battery technologyoffers energy density comparable to a lithium-ion battery, but with a much longer functional lifetime and improved safety and sustainability. The Ryden battery has a unique chemistry with both the anode and cathode made of carbon. The battery is more cost-competitive, reliable, safe, and sustainable than other advanced batteries and is rated for more than 3,000 charge/discharge cycles. The battery can be 100% charged and discharged with no damage, and it contains no rare metals, rare earth metals, or heavy metals, making it 100% recyclable.
• Sodium-Ion Batteries: The Pacific Northwest National Lab recently announced a breakthrough in sodium-ion battery tech that promises greater efficiency and longevity. They were able to achieve this by making a shift in the ingredients that make up the liquid core of the battery. This shift prevented the performance issues that have hindered the large-scale applications of sodium-based batteries. The new electrolyte recipe designed by the team proved durable, holding 90% of its cell capacity after 300 cycles at 4.2 V, which is higher than most sodium-ion batteries previously reported. The new sodium-ion technology developed by the team also uses a naturally fire-extinguishing solution that is impervious to temperature changes and can operate at high voltages. Furthermore, the ultra-thin protective layer that forms on the anode remains stable once formed, providing the long cycle life reported in the research article.

• Solid-State Batteries: Solid-state batteries have been touted as the next big thing in battery technology, with the potential to provide a longer range and faster charging times than the current lithium-ion batteries. In the past year, several companies, including Toyota and QuantumScape, have made significant advancements in the development of solid-state batteries. QuantumScape, in particular, made headlines last year when it announced that it had developed a solid-state battery that could charge up to 80% in just 15 minutes. This breakthrough could potentially eliminate one of the major pain points of electric vehicles, which is the long charging times.

Source: Samsung

• Zinc-air battery: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has developed a mechanically rechargeable zinc-air battery, which could have applications in electric vehicles, portable electronics, and medical devices. The battery uses oxygen from the air to generate electricity, but the IIT Madras researchers added a mechanical method of recharging the battery, making it more practical and cost-effective. The zinc electrode has a 3D structure, which can be replaced with a new one to regenerate the battery. This mechanical method of recharging eliminates the need for an external power source and makes it a viable option for applications where access to an external power source may be limited. The battery is also environmentally friendly, rechargeable and has a high energy density. The researchers are currently working on improving the lifespan of the battery and reducing the amount of zinc needed to create the electrode.The development of new battery technology is critical for the transition to a low-carbon economy, as it enables the use of renewable energy sources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The IIT Madras researchers’ work on the mechanically rechargeable zinc-air battery is a promising development in this area.

Smart tech integration

AI, ML, and IoT kind of technologies are revolutionizing smart mobility.

• Predictive maintenance: IoT sensors can monitor various parts of the car, including brakes, tires, and engines and share the data. Additionally, AI and ML algorithms can analyze real-time data from vehicles and detect potential problems before they occur. It can help to reduce downtime and maintenance costs for fleet operators.

• Autonomous vehicles: AI, ML and IoT are essential for the development of self-driving cars. These technologies allow autonomous vehicles to perceive their surroundings, make decisions, and take action in real-time. For example, a self-driving car equipped with IoT sensors can detect pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles on the road and utilising AI and ML, can adjust its speed and direction accordingly. Companies such as Tesla, Waymo, and Cruise have made significant progress in autonomous driving technology. Tesla's Autopilot system has improved and expanded, while Waymo and Cruise have begun testing fully driverless vehicles on public roads.

• Vehicle Communication: With IoT, vehicles can communicate with other vehicles, traffic signals, road sensors, and other infrastructure in real-time. They can share data with each other, this can help to avoid accidents and traffic jams. Moreover it can enable to create more efficient and safer road networks. By analyzing data from traffic lights, road sensors, and other connected devices, traffic management systems can adjust traffic patterns and reduce congestion.

These are just a few examples of the technology innovations happening in the electric vehicle industry in the past year. However, an alternative technology is being developed. Reliance and Ashok Leyland have developed a heavy-duty truck based on H2-ICE technology, an internal combustion engine powered by hydrogen.

While it’s not a new technology, but now receiving renewed interest due to its potential for reducing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. H2-ICE vehicles emit only nitrogen oxides and a few hydrocarbons, making them a viable option for cost-conscious countries like India. However, hydrogen leakage and the material selection for H2-ICE engines need to be addressed to ensure long-term durability.

H2-ICE vehicles will require a hydrogen infrastructure, but the dynamics are different from electric vehicle charging, particularly for heavy vehicles. The advantage of fuel cell electric vehicles or hydrogen ICE vehicles over EVs is their ability to have quick refuelling times. The cost of H2-ICE technology will eventually be comparable to diesel once all the components are locally produced, and hydrogen can be produced at a lower cost. The technology is expected to come on the roads in the next one or two years.

The industry is constantly evolving and creating new advancements, so we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the coming years.