Innovations in Electric Vehicles – Explore the ten most groundbreaking innovations which are reshaping the electric vehicle journey. These developments are designed to enhance environmental sustainability, make driving more widely accessible to all drivers and propel smart cities forwards.
Voice-User-Interface technology
Engineering specialists at BeWorks Automation have secured a £68,200 (USD$86,400) grant from the Innovate UK Design Foundations Grant, designed to fund research and studies on Voice-User-Interface (VUI) technology. It is hoped that this technology will go on to support EV drivers with disabilities.
Alongside their design partner, Kinneir Dufort, the two will conduct research and feasibility studies surrounding the challenges of Al-incorporated Voice-User-Interface technology for EV charging. With a focus on accessibility challenges, this will look at the impact of EV charging on individuals with disabilities.
Smaller EV chargers
Charging stations are bulky and are not always effectively used on the streetside. Companies such as Connected Kerb uses 5G and IoT for its charging infrastructure innovation, to provide charging systems that are not only compact, but provide the necessary charging capabilities for urban homes where the majority of drivers park on the street.
Mobility for Africa
Mobility for Africa is an electric mobility company which provides cargo-carrying e-tricycles and solar-powered battery charging solutions, to underserved communities across Africa.
“If the world is going to eradicate poverty in all forms and dimensions by 2030 then the world must empower entrepreneurs to build their economies,” says Geraldine Mupandanyama, Member Board of Directors at Mobility for Africa, who we included in our Top 10: Women in EV in MEA
Ultra-fast charging technology
In the 6th century, former Greek slave Aesop wrote his fables, including The Hare and the Tortoise, which hatched a mantra repeated to this day by EV innovators: ‘Slow and steady wins the race’. For EV drivers however, the faster their vehicle can charge, the better – but safety must come first.
Ultra-fast charging technology is one of the most in-demand solutions of our time and until EV drivers can match their charging time with that taken by ICE vehicle drivers, innovators are needed.
Battery swapping technology
One of the biggest drawbacks to owning an EV is the time a battery takes to charge, but battery swapping allows a driver to exchange their empty battery, with a fully charged one, to get them back on the road. China’s automotive technology leader Zhejiang Geely Holding Group has signed a strategic partnership agreement with NIO regarding battery standards, battery swapping technology, battery swapping network expansion, swappable model development and also battery asset management.
Cybersecurity defence
Cybersecurity is a threat across all industries and the EV sector is well aware of the potential for catastrophe should an attack occur. In July 2024, the UNECE Cyber Security (UN R 155) and UNECE Software Updating (UN R 156) regulations will become mandatory, which aim to uphold vehicle safety in this space. This will mitigate the risks of cyberattacks and unauthorised access to connected electric vehicles.