Battery Anxiety is a significant challenge for the faster adoption of Electric Vehicles in India. Union & State Governments along with Indian Automotive Giants are now investing in the EV ecosystem. Many research is developed to bring constructive solutions to the Battery challenges faced across the globe
Electric Vehicles are the answer to cleaner and efficient mobility. Companies like Tesla, made into the game decades ago whereas India jumped into the bandwagon a little late. The initial impetus of Indian EV movement came from the Chinese assembled 2Wheeler EVs, Ebikes, and 3Wheeler EVs, and with battery-powered local eRickshaws. Lockdown and the sentiments of anti-China are now getting India to develop the local ecosystem.
The Indian consciousness is slowly shifting towards EV – the Indian Government, as well as Indian automobile companies like Mahindra, Tata Motors, Hyundai etc., are all putting their heads together to come up with a conducive and sustainable environment for EVs in India. Many Indian states came up with their EV policies, and recently Delhi Government offered special incentives to purchase TATA EVs to their residents.
But the real anxiety about EVs is all about the charging and battery mileage. There are many innovations regarding EV’s which the world has invested its time and money in and which India needs to not only keep an eye on but also work towards making it a reality. We bring you 5 such innovations, which can bring a major change in the Electric Vehicle charging Ecosystem. Is it going to make a difference, you need to decide.
Vehicle to X: Smart Charging of EVs
Fermata Energy is a Virginia-based startup, connecting electric vehicles to the grid, buildings, and eventually homes through a bi-directional charger and software. The Vehicle to X(V2X) charger is more accessible and efficient than Vehicle to Grid charger(V2G). The V2X charger is characterized by its lightweight design, making the device more suitable for easy installation at private homes, offices, and many other locations. In addition, V2X chargers are more energy efficient. For more details, visit https://www.fermataenergy.com/
High Efficiency, Low Cost – Solid state battery
QuantumScape an American company has worked on developing what the industry calls a solid-state, lithium-metal battery. Also, the batteries negative terminal – anode – is made of pure lithium metal which results in higher energy density and delivers a long cycle life. QuantumScape’s co-founder and CEO, Jagdeep Singh, said that solid-state batteries can charge to 80 percent of capacity in 15 minutes, it retains more than 80 percent of its capacity after 800 charging cycles, it’s noncombustible, and it has a volumetric energy density of more than 1,000 watt-hours per litre at the cell level which is nearly double the energy density of lithium-ion cells. For more details, visit https://www.quantumscape.com/
Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging
Wireless EV charging may prove to be a catalyst for mass adoption of electric vehicles. With a high-powered wireless EV charging system, vehicles can automatically charge while parked in selected pick-up/drop-off locations – an ideal solution to keep taxis or autonomous vehicles perpetually charged. The system does not require physical charger-vehicle connection; it consists of multiple charging plates installed underground that engage automatically. No charging station is required, thus deliver convenience and less clutter in the public space.
Stanford researchers have recently come up with a new way of wireless charging moving cars hence making it practical for EV’s to charge while driving through a highway built to “refuel” vehicles wirelessly. Stanford Electrical Engineer who was part of the project, Shanhui Fan said that even when the EVs and robots are moving at high speed, recharging can be done wirelessly, making it a practical and efficient system. For more details, visit https://news.stanford.edu/2020/05/04/wirelessly-charging-electric-cars-drive
Battery Pool: SaaS Platform for EVs
Founded by Ashwin Shankar in 2018, Battery Pool brings the entire electric vehicle ecosystem into your computer/ mobile dashboard. This Pune based company provides SaaS and hardware solutions that allow fleet to deploy and manage electric vehicles, battery-swapping station hardware, vehicle telematics unit and a modular SaaS platform that provides real-time data about the electric vehicle charging, maintenance and operations. For more details, visit https://www.batterypool.com
Mobile Charging for Electric Vehicles
Mobile charging includes charging vans, portable chargers, and temporary chargers. With mobile charging, there’s no need for structural changes or huge financial outlays, and no more problems for fleet EVs who need fast roadside charges. Volkswagen has stationed electric charging stations with giant integrated batteries to manage station demand and keep them online if the grid goes down. The stations can be deployed anywhere, either temporarily or permanently and provide charging points in areas where building large EV charging stations isn’t possible. For more details, visit https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/charging-charging-infrastructure-3981
