Electromobility is at a turning point. The registration figures for electric vehicles show a differentiated picture in different regions of the world and raise questions about how this sector will develop in the future.
In Europe, e-mobility is (for the moment) on a growth course. Countries such as Norway lead the way in new registrations with a high share of electric cars. The EU aims to stop registering cars with internal combustion engines by 2035. This ambitious plan is supported by an ever-growing charging infrastructure, with countries such as the Netherlands and Germany leading the way.
USA: More than one million electric cars were newly registered in the USA for the first time in 2023. This increase is notable as new registrations had declined in 2019 and 2020. The U.S. is experiencing increasing adoption of electric vehicles, driven by manufacturers like Tesla.
China: China dominates the EV market with a 60% market share and nearly 6 million vehicles sold in 2022. The Chinese government is strongly promoting e-mobility, which is reflected in a high share of electric cars in new registrations.
Future of e-mobility: The future of e-mobility will be shaped by various types of drives:
ICE (Internal Combustion Engine): The traditional combustion engine is increasingly being replaced by alternative drives.
Hybrid: Hybrid vehicles that use both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor serve as a temporary solution.
Battery: Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are on the rise, supported by advances in battery technology and charging infrastructure.
Fuel cell: Fuel cell vehicles that use hydrogen as an energy source offer a long range and fast refueling, but face challenges in terms of cost and infrastructure.
Decline in registrations: Current declines in the number of registrations of electric vehicles are due to various factors:
End of purchase incentives: In Germany, for example, the expiry of state subsidies led to a decline in new registrations.
High initial cost: The high cost of EVs is an obstacle for many potential buyers.
Drivers and obstacles of the e-transformation:
Drivers: Technological innovations, government subsidies and growing environmental awareness are driving the e-transformation.
Obstacles: High costs, a lack of infrastructure and uncertainties regarding the long-term use of electric vehicles are slowing down development.
Winners in the field of e-mobility: Current winners in the field of e-mobility are companies that specialized in the production of electric vehicles at an early stage, such as Tesla, and countries with an advanced charging infrastructure.
Most successful OEMs: Tesla remains the most innovative OEM in the field of battery-electric mobility, followed by VW and Hyundai. Chinese manufacturers such as BYD and Geely are also showing enormous innovation and could play a leading role in the future.
E-mobility is on a dynamic path that is characterized by regional differences, technological breakthroughs and political decisions. The next few years will show how this sector develops and which players will prevail.
Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a number of significant advantages compared to internal combustion engines:
Zero emissions:
E-vehicles are 100% emission-free. In contrast to combustion engines, they do not emit any direct exhaust gases while driving. This helps to improve air quality in urban areas.
Uncomplicated charging:
Charging e-cars is uncomplicated. You simply have to connect the vehicle to a power source. With the growing charging network, charging options are easy to find on the go.
Financial support:
When buying an electric vehicle, you can apply for financial subsidies. These support the purchase price. There are subsidies for both e-cars and the charging infrastructure.
Efficiency:
Electric motors have a better efficiency than combustion engines. Electric vehicles use the energy supplied more efficiently.
Overall, electric vehicles offer an environmentally friendly, practical and future-oriented alternative to the conventional combustion engine. 🌿🚗
Renewable energies play a decisive role in e-mobility. Here are some important aspects:
CO2 emissions: Electric vehicles (e-vehicles) emit less CO2 during operation than combustion engines.
Climate advantage: The climate advantage for e-cars will increase from 40% if registered in 2020 to up to 55% for passenger cars registered in 2030 if the share of renewable energies is rapidly expanded.
Power source: Only if electric vehicles run exclusively on electricity from renewable energy sources will their entire energy balance come from CO2.
Battery storage: The batteries of electric vehicles can serve as energy storage to compensate for fluctuations in the power grid.nThis is particularly important as the share of wind and solar power in the electricity mix is increasing.
Funding and expansion: The German government is promoting electromobility and the expansion of a nationwide charging infrastructure. Goal: To put at least 15 million fully electric cars on Germany's roads by 2030 .
Charging infrastructure: The goal is to have one million publicly accessible charging points by 2030.
Battery production: Promotion of battery projects to establish a battery value chain in Germany and Europe.
Winners and Challenges:
Winners: Companies that specialized in the production of electric vehicles at an early stage, such as Tesla.
Challenges: High acquisition costs, lack of infrastructure and uncertainties regarding the long-term use of electric vehicles.
The future of e-mobility is closely linked to the development of renewable energies. Only by increasing the use of clean electricity can we achieve sustainable and climate-friendly mobility. 🌿🚗
Which countries are pioneers in renewable energies for e-mobility?
Sweden: Leading the way in investments in the energy transition.
Norway: With almost 80% share of battery vehicles in new registrations.
Denmark: Also strong in the field of renewable energies.
Worldwide, Hong Kong, Norway and China dominate the ranking of e-mobility. Norway stands out in particular for its comprehensive range of electric cars. Switzerland, the USA, South Korea, Japan and the European Union are aiming for climate neutrality by 2050, while Russia and China do not want to become climate neutral until 2060 .
Challenges in the expansion of the charging infrastructure
The expansion of the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (e-vehicles) is an important step for e-mobility. Companies and municipalities face various challenges:1. Power grid load: The German government's goal is to have up to 15 million fully electric electric cars on German roads by 2030. However, the President of the Federal Network Agency has already warned of an overload of the power grid. New heat pumps and charging stations could cause local power outages if action is not taken. Temporary electricity rationing for heat pumps and charging stations is a possible solution to relieve the grid.
Network expansion and approval procedures:
The grid expansion can be a damper on the desired expansion of the charging infrastructure. Long approval procedures complicate the process. Delivery times for required components such as chips can cause additional delays.
Sustainability and decarbonization: Companies and municipalities are striving for climate neutrality. The charging infrastructure must therefore be sustainable. The availability of charging stations and services as well as reliability are important aspects.
Shortage of space in residential areas: In densely populated urban areas, space for the installation of charging stations is limited. The areas must be used efficiently to create sufficient charging facilities.
The expansion of the charging infrastructure therefore requires a holistic approach in order to drive e-mobility forward and at the same time ensure sustainability. 🚗🔌
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly important in the public transport sector, as they play a key role in reducing CO2 emissions and improving air quality. The use of electric buses in local public transport is being promoted in order to reduce emissions and support climate protection goals. The development of a public charging infrastructure is crucial in order to operate e-vehicles efficiently. Municipalities are called upon to provide charging facilities for e-buses and other e-vehicles.
The challenges in the expansion of the charging infrastructure are manifold. They range from the load on the electricity grid to long approval procedures to the shortage of land in residential areas. The availability of charging stations at strategic points such as bus stations and terminal stops is essential for the widespread deployment of electric buses. Despite these challenges, the expansion of the charging infrastructure is an important step towards promoting e-mobility and achieving sustainable and climate-friendly mobility.
Fast charging stations offer the advantage of a significantly faster charging time compared to normal charging stations, which is especially advantageous for people who travel a lot. They make it possible to charge the battery of an electric car in just a few minutes, making them a practical solution for those who need a fast and flexible charging option.
Overall, electric vehicles in the public transport sector make a significant contribution to the transport transition and are an important part of efforts to achieve sustainable and climate-friendly mobility. The expansion of the charging infrastructure and the use of fast-charging stations are decisive factors that will have a significant influence on the success of e-mobility.
Suppliers play a crucial role in the transformation to e-mobility. Companies such as the Felss Group make a significant contribution to this with their expertise in precision components and system solutions. They develop and produce parts needed for the production of electric vehicles, such as special transmission components, rotors and stator packs for electric motors.
In addition, suppliers support automotive manufacturers in developing new technologies and manufacturing processes required for the mass production of electric vehicles. They also contribute to the value chain by offering innovative solutions to the challenges of electric mobility, such as the integration of lightweight construction methods and the optimization of energy efficiency.
The transformation to e-mobility requires close cooperation between car manufacturers and suppliers in order to master the technological and economic challenges. Suppliers are therefore an integral part of the transition to more sustainable mobility.
The production of electric vehicle components presents some specific challenges. Here are some important aspects:
Solid-state batteries (SSB):
Solid-state batteries are considered a promising technology for overcoming the technical limitations of current lithium-ion battery technology. They promise a very high energy density in electric vehicle batteries and thus potentially a long range. The absence of liquid electrolytes in solid-state batteries reduces the risk of hazards in the event of accidents. Nevertheless, only a few solid-state battery cells have been commercialized, as the production processes differ significantly from those of conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Industrial networking and digitalization:
Modern electric car production requires close networking of development, work preparation, production planning and production. Digital development and manufacturing can avoid data redundancies and achieve better consistency.
Quality and cleanliness:
Fewer components and less complexity pose new challenges for plant technology. Cleanliness and quality are crucial to meet the high standards for electric vehicles.
Resource scarcity and market launch:
The battery industry is facing challenges such as resource scarcity, industry expertise and time to market. Efficient data analysis and more diverse electric car batteries are also important aspects.
Overall, the production of electric vehicle components requires close cooperation between manufacturers, suppliers and research institutions in order to master these challenges and further advance electromobility.
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