As we know, most EV companies make their identity in the automobile industry. EV is the abbreviation of Electronic Vehicle, and it is run using different types of batteries instead of engines running on gas and fuel, resulting in gas emissions. EVs can partially or fully rely on batteries. The main advantage of electronic vehicles is that they are environment friendly and do not use fossil fuels, which results in zero combustion and emission of greenhouse gasses. The rise in pollution, depletion of natural resources, depletion of the ozone layer, and environmental problems like global warming are the reasons why car users around the world are preferring EVs over their conventional counterparts. During the pandemic, the automobile industry was also at a loss like other industries, but EVs steadily stole the spotlight globally. In 2019 most of the EV companies have the greatest sales, so the future is also ready to be glare with new innovations in the automobile industry. Many companies like BMW, Hyundai, and Volkswagen are starting to launch their new models with Ev technology.
Globally, the leaders, entrepreneurs, and many business tycoons are also showing interest in Ev technology to introduce it into the market on a large scale. The statistical data suggests that most passengers and consumers will rely on and demand EVs by 2035. The invention of electric vehicles was started between 1832-95, late in the 19th century. But from the early 1990, modifications in automobile devices and the thinking of engineers developed electric models, which helped the evolution of the automobile industry.
There are mainly three types of EVs currently in the global market. Let’s discuss types and their benefits to consumers.
- BEVs
BEVs is an acronym for Battery Electric Vehicles. These vehicles entirely run on the battery without any combustible engine. If you are buying BEVs as a consumer or user, it will help you in many ways, like it adapts to fast charging and gives the feeling of lightness while riding the vehicle. Zero emission is the quality and advantage of these BEVs. As the world is trying to reduce carbon footprints on the earth, and this revolutionary automobile technology will help us to fulfill that.
Advantages of BEVs
- Does not use any fossil fuel; instead, use rechargeable batteries.
- Create no noise.
- Does not emit any combustible gasses.
- It requires less maintenance as batteries don’t have any moving parts like engines.
- PHEVs
PHEV is a Plug-in Hybrid Electric vehicle, nearly similar to hybrid EVs but has larger batteries and a fuel engine. You can use that electric car with gasoline or rechargeable mode. Before you turn on the engine mode, you can go up to 1-2 miles away until your battery range gets low. After your fuel engine gets on, you can go up to a large distance like any other hybrid Evs.
Advantages of PHEVs
- You have the option of either battery or fuel engine.
- You can cover the long distance without any disturbance.
Disadvantage of PHEVs
- Look for maintenance like fuel engines.
- Pay cost for petrol or diesel
- Engine noise
- Emissions from engine
- HEVs
HEV is a Hybrid Electric vehicle that is a mixture of battery and fuel engine. But this battery is not rechargeable with charging points. In this case, batteries use the braking energy of the machine to get charged. So, we can say the soul of these HEV is a fuel engine. The battery is supportive in case of an emergency.
Advantages of using Evs
- Zero emissions
Using Evs, you can experience lesser engine noise and no emission of any combustible gas.
- Lower running cost
As Evs run on batteries, they don’t burn fossil fuels, so the large amount and money you don’t need to pay if you adapt to Evs.
- Nice experience while driving
When riding an electric scooter or electric car, you will have to face less engine noise and feel light while driving.
- Free Parking
Countries that are adapting to EVs are giving free parking for electric vehicles. So it will be a great investment if you buy an EV without any future regret.
- Low maintenance
Batteries have no moving parts like fuel engines, so it does not require time-to-time servicing like engines.
Disadvantages of EV
- Electric car covers a short distance.
- There are not enough charging points.
- Charging of EV is quite a lengthy process.
- Sometimes it is expensive to buy an EV which will depend upon battery type.
Future needs and supply chain for EV production
As needs and demands increase, proper supply and production must be done perfectly. Evs are a new trending mobility vehicle hence supply for its raw material becomes essential. The heart of the Evs is their batteries, so metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel extraction are a need for the future. Most companies use Lithium-ion batteries in the Evs. Some future needs and raw materials are listed below.
- Special chemicals and metals
Cobalt is a costly metal, increasing battery life’s durability and energy density. About 28% of graphite, 18% aluminum, 3.5% lithium, and 4% cobalt are required in battery packing. In lithium-ion batteries, lithium is used in large amounts, about 80%. These chemicals and minerals are necessary to fill batteries’ anode and cathode surfaces.
- Charging infrastructure
There is a need to strengthen the electricity grid in countries like UK and US, where EV vehicles are already running on the road. If EVs run on the street, proper charging points should be established in targeted areas and regions because the electric range and fewer charging points are sometimes key barriers in many countries. Large EV companies like Tesla superpower are a great example and solution to street charging points.