When we look at the top 5 automobile markets, volume-wise, China, USA, EU, Japan, and India top the list. India is the 2nd largest two-wheeler market, standing next to China and Japan. The increasing demand for automobiles and the BS-IV to BS-VI transition help drive electric mobility in India. ICRA’s analysis report shares that “Diesel passenger vehicle share in India is expected to decline 15-18% in FY2022 from the current 29% in FY2020.” Out of which, the share of diesel cars will eventually slip to 5-7 percent making way for CNG and hybrid vehicles.
On the other hand, The UK plans to accelerate its “Net zero-emission” program, and ban diesel, petrol, and hybrid vehicles. The UK is one of the first countries to have already announced it and are now discussing the same with their experts to meet the timelines. Experts say that the country intends to ban combustion vehicles by as early as 2032 to meet the UK’s carbon reduction targets.
Electric vehicles have already made their mark in the modern-day world. They are usually marketed and segmented into three different categories, namely, Battery electric vehicles, Plug-in hybrids, and Fuel-cell vehicles. Electric vehicles in the US alone have diversified their operation roles, and the opportunities are still growing. Electric sanitization trucks are making significant moves in the western countries. German automotive company Daimler recently announced its upcoming new truck eEconic and said,
“The eEconic will at first be offered in the configuration 6×2/N NLA and is mainly in demand as a waste-collection vehicle. Battery-electric trucks are very well suited for urban use in waste management due to the comparatively short and plannable daily routes of up to 100 kilometers with a high proportion of stop-and-go in inner-city traffic. With an anticipatory driving style, electrical energy can be recovered during braking to charge the battery, which further improves range and efficiency.”
Rashmi Joglekar, a staff scientist at Earthjustice’s Toxic Exposure & Health Program, says that a study by Harvard University found
“There is a striking association between long-term exposure to harmful fine particulate matter and COVID-19 mortality in the United States”.
One of the primary causes of fine particulate matter pollution (PM2.5) is combustion from gasoline and diesel car engines. Climate change all around the world is driving electric mobility positively. Countries worldwide are promoting electric vehicles in the foreseeable future as an attempt to eradicate pollution and control climate change. One of the primary reasons behind the shift is because of the efficiency of an electric vehicle.
Electric vehicles run at an efficiency of approximately 60-80% compared to a traditional combustion vehicle, which runs at 20%. This considerable improvement is another critical reason that accelerates the adoption of electric vehicles. Electric vehicle critics say that the charging infrastructure required to operate Electric vehicles is a challenge and that not everyone has a garage to charge their vehicles. On the other hand, the workplace charging station concept is gaining traction today, and also claims that the idea helps the involved leadership demonstrate adoption of advanced technologies.
Almost all stakeholders in the present-day economy depend on Lithium ion cells to drive their vehicles. The cost and manufacturing involved in producing Li-ion cells take a massive share in adding to the vehicle’s luxury. Japanese Power pioneer Hideaki Horie recently invented a battery that is 90% cheaper than lithium ion. Hideaki Horie, formerly of Nissan Motor Co., founded the Tokyo based APB CORP in 2018 to make “All-polymer batteries.” In 2012, he was approached by Sanyo Chemical Industries Ltd., which was known for its super absorbent materials used in diapers. Later, in 2018, Sanyo Chemical became one of APB’s early investors. He claims that the construction and chemistry involved in his idea reduce the cost of batteries by 90%, making the assembly as easy as spreading butter on a toast. Efforts by Sanyo Chemicals and APB Corp will hopefully be one of the major factors driving electric mobility in the near future.
Horie also believes that the industry needs disruption, and was recently recorded saying, “Battery makers have become assemblers. We are putting chemistry back into the lead role.”
The electric vehicle industry is booming, and despite the pandemic, the developments in India and other countries have been noteworthy. The pandemic has led major stakeholders to realize the importance of sustainable innovation, and electric vehicles are at the forefront of it. Industrialists and visionaries worldwide are investing in technology, and the decisions taken by them would be a significant factor in driving electric mobility.
