As the world becomes more and more conscious of its environmental effects, an increasing amount of sustainable solutions emerge. However, before these solutions see widespread adoption, questions remain about how efficient, reliable and convenient these solutions can be in relation to their polluting counterparts. This is true in the automotive industry, where electric (EV) and hybrid vehicles have taken to the roads as a more sustainable option than traditionally fuelled cars in recent years.
In answer to climate concerns, the European Parliament has banned the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2035. Cars are one of the biggest polluters on the planet, with the transport sector accounting for around a fifth of GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions. This new law will help to combat climate change in the EU and speed up the transition to electric vehicles, with climate goals of reaching zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, from a lack of charging infrastructure to range anxiety, there are multiple obstacles that the EV industry has to overcome in the next decade.
In this article, we will explore the challenges faced by the EV industry, with a particular focus on dissecting the issue of range anxiety. Some countries are further ahead than others when it comes to being ready for the transition to EV, and those that are lagging behind need to catch up over the next ten years.
The Challenges for Electric Vehicles
We have mentioned that although EVs bring multiple benefits, there are still some concerns about the transition to electric vehicles. Let’s take a closer look at some of these challenges:
Battery Issues
The battery of an EV provides certain concerns, such as range anxiety, which refers to the worry of running out of power before reaching your destination – something that doesn’t affect combustion engines too much due to the plethora of petrol stations in every pocket of the continent. According to The Times, on average, a full tank of petrol can take you 500 miles, a full diesel car around 700 miles and a fully-charged electric car just 211 miles. Even with sufficient charging infrastructure, this can add a lot of time to your journey, having to wait for your vehicle to be charged, which can take around 30 minutes at a rapid charging station. Battery degradation is also likely to occur over time, reducing battery capacity and performance.
Lack of Charging Infrastructure
Some consumers find owning an EV impractical due to a lack of widely available and accessible charging infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved metropolitan regions.
In the UK, charging infrastructure is becoming more and more available. As of 1st January 2024, there were over 53,000 public charging stations installed in the UK – a 45% increase on the number a year earlier. Across the continent, the availability of public charging stations needs to be improved, and reducing charging times at these public charging points should be a goal too. Brands like ABB are leading the innovation of fast chargers. Have a look at how charging infrastructure looks in other countries in our ranking of world’s leading electric vehicle markets in 2024.
High Purchase Price
Another barrier to owning an EV is their high initial purchase cost. EVs are often more expensive upfront than conventional internal combustion engine cars, even with declining battery costs. Many prospective purchasers may find this initial price gap to be a major deterrent, even if EVs may eventually have a cheaper total cost of ownership due to decreased fuel and maintenance expenses. However, experts believe that EV manufacturers will have to slash their prices in 2024 to remain competitive in the market, which will help many users complete the shift to being an EV owner.
Can EVs Last 1000 Kilometres?
How far an EV can go on a single charge is one of the owners’ top immediate concerns. With major advancements in battery technology, many contemporary EVs can now easily go more than 250 miles between charges. High-end models surpass this limit even more, with optimal conditions allowing them to travel up to 400 miles. Although the actual range might vary depending on a number of factors like driving style, topography, and the usage of in-car electronics, improvements in efficiency and battery capacity keep EVs’ range from falling behind that of gasoline-powered vehicles.
Lithium-ion EV Battery Breakthrough
Earlier in 2024, it was revealed that there had been a major breakthrough in the development of batteries for EVs. Due to its high energy storage properties, researchers have been trying to use silicone as an electrode material in lithium-ion batteries. South Korean Scientists have managed to produce a ‘next-generation’ high-energy-density lithium-ion battery system that uses tiny silicone particles and gel polymer electrolytes. They say that the results of the trial showed that the cost-effective gel system delivered similar conductivity to conventional batteries that use liquid electrolytes whilst having a 40% improvement in energy density. The new battery systems may help EVs reach a range of 1000km, which would kick any hint of range anxiety to the curb.
Nio’s EV Battery Swap System
Nio, a Chinese EV manufacturer, has claimed that they have produced a new electric vehicle which has the ability to travel more than 1,000km on one single charge, blowing any of its rivals out of the water. Unlike other EV manufacturers, which use public or home charging points, Nio uses a battery swap system. The company’s cars include a technology that allows a fully charged battery to be switched out for an empty one.
According to Nio, this process can be completed in under three minutes. This indicates that the amount of time needed to recharge the car is comparable to the time needed to fill up an internal combustion car at a forecourt. However, to use this capability, owners would have to pay Nio a monthly subscription fee. They’ve now released this semi-solid, 150 kWh battery pack with the battery swap to come into play later in 2024.
What is the Lifespan of an EV Battery?
An EV battery’s average lifespan as of 2024 is predicted to be between 15 and 20 years, however this might vary greatly depending on a number of factors. Generally, battery manufacturers provide a warranty of around eight years or 160,000km, during which they guarantee a specific percentage (generally between 70 and 80 percent) of the battery’s capacity. The maximum range of an electric vehicle on a full charge will gradually decrease due to the slow loss of battery capacity, sometimes referred to as degradation.
Why Does an EV Battery Degrade?
Several key factors can impact the longevity of an EV battery. Some of the most common factors are listed below:
- Temperature exposure: Batteries can degrade more quickly in extremely hot or cold temperatures. Batteries in cars often last longer in temperate conditions.
- Charging practices: Optimal battery health is maintained by avoiding full 0-100% charging cycles. Instead, keeping the battery between 20% and 80% charged is recommended.
- Use of fast charging: Frequent use of fast-charging stations can lead to quicker battery degradation. Regular, slower charging methods are preferable for daily use.
- Driving style: Compared to more moderate use, aggressive driving that regularly uses the battery’s maximum capacity might accelerate wear.
Can an EV Battery Last 1 Million Kilometres?
Chinese EV battery manufacturer CATL has recently released its breakthrough new battery pack with a staggering 1.5 million km, 15-year warranty. The company has launched the product in partnership with Yutung Bus Co, with the battery set to power commercial vehicles like buses and trucks. The new lithium-ion phosphate battery is said to have zero degradation within its first 1000 cycles.
The ongoing advancements in EV battery technology promise for a future where they last much longer than they do now. Longevity will be enhanced by research into solid-state batteries, more effective lithium-ion formulations, and other advances like that of the silicone battery pack which are expected to boost energy density and shorten charging periods. As these technologies mature, the gap between the lifespan of an EV and its battery is expected to narrow, making electric vehicles an even more attractive option for consumers.
Conclusion
With battery technology at the centre of this transformation, the EV industry is more dynamic and promising in 2024 than it has ever been. While the concerns about range and longevity remain, advancements in battery technology and smart usage practices offer a sustainable and efficient future for electric mobility. With companies like Nio and CATL at the forefront of innovation in 2024, helping to mitigate some of the challenges faced by the industry, the future looks bright for the EV industry. As 2035 approaches, life as an EV owner will be a lot more stress-free in the next decade, and the choice to transition to EVs will become more risk-free as technology develops. Who knows, maybe we will all be driving an EV car capable of taking us a million kilometres.
Most all-electric and hybrid vehicles use lithium-ion batteries.
In 2024, an electric vehicle battery is expected to last between 10-20 years on average.
It can be more expensive to replace an electric car battery compared to petrol or diesel cars. A Tesla Model S battery can cost over £8,000 or €9.324.96. Typical electric vehicle battery costs can range from £5,000 to £15,000 (€5.828 to €17.484).
Lithium-ion batteries are very sensitive to high temperatures, are expensive and have a risk of bursting.
The materials used to make EV lithium-ion battery packs can be costly, toxic, and flammable. The mining, manufacturing and disposal of rare, primary materials such as copper, nickel, cobalt, and lithium provide very substantial environmental concerns. Only 5% of lithium-ion EV batteries are recycled, compared to over 90% of combustion engine vehicles. However, electric cars emit less greenhouse gases over their lifetime than conventional engine cars.
