The Electric Vehicle

The first Electric Vehicle (EV) was built late in the 19th century and was powered by electrochemical batteries. However, despite this early innovation, car manufacturers focused their efforts on the Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle (ICEV) due to its perceived efficiency and power at that time. It was not until the end of the 20th century that the global population and governments began to recognize the detrimental effects of ICEVs on the environment. These vehicles are highly polluting, emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In fact, approximately 26% of the world's GHG emissions are generated by the ground transportation sector.

Environmental Impact

The International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) reported in early 2014 that there were over 1.200 million cars globally, and they predicted an additional 2000 million vehicles by the year 2035, constituting a significant 60% increase. Consequently, without intervention, this growth would have a corresponding impact on the environment. To address this issue, it has been enacted legislation stipulating that all vehicles produced after 2020 must emit less than 95 g/km of CO2 into the atmosphere and comply with even stricter regulations ranging from 68-78 g/km in emissions by 2025.

In order to meet these standards set out within new regulatory laws car manufacturers are focusing their efforts on developing alternative energy-efficient vehicle options such as electric vehicles. The progress made in EV technology development is closely linked to advancements in portable energy storage devices - specifically, the battery. This component plays a crucial role in determining the car's performance levels.

The Lithium-Ion Battery

The driving range of electric vehicles has significantly improved with the introduction of Lithium-Ion batteries. These batteries now meet the day-to-day needs of most urban drivers. Since the first Lithium-Ion battery for portable applications was introduced in 1990, there have been considerable advancements in this technology. However, Lithium-Ion batteries still face limitations in terms of range and cost, preventing them from fully replacing internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). On average, EVs can travel up to 350 Km, whereas conventional ICEVs can achieve 1000 Km. Extensive research is being conducted to enhance the performance of Lithium-Ion batteries, but some experts argue that they are approaching their practical specific energy limit of 200-250 Wh/kg, which falls short of market requirements. To achieve a target range of 550 Km and a consumption of 15kWh/100 km, it is estimated that batteries should attain a practical specific energy of 550 Wh/kg.

 

 

The projected increase in battery pack demand across various applications is forecasted to surge from $26.6B in 2019 to $137.1B by the conclusion of 2025. The growth rates for distinct applications differ due to varying market dynamics driven by different factors. It is anticipated that the rise in demand will primarily be fuelled by the escalating sales of fully electric vehicles, particularly BEVs, which are expected to account for 75.9% of the total demand in GWh by 2025.

 

 

The Necessity to Reduce CO2 Emissions

The EV market is the main catalyst for battery pack applications, experiencing significant growth. This surge is primarily driven by the urgent necessity to drastically lower average vehicle fleet CO2 emissions in order to comply with stringent government emission reduction goals and evade severe penalties.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have demonstrated substantial reductions in CO2 emissions through their electric motors while maintaining extensive driving ranges with their Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs). By 2025, they are projected to secure the second spot in the total demand ranking measured in GWh.

The high levels of air pollution in many big cities worldwide have led to the increased adoption of electric buses, which stop frequently and can charge at each stop or terminus station, making them ideal for battery power. This technology can also be applied to electric trucks, which can benefit from the same battery and charging station technology developed for buses. The use of electric trucks in urban areas can further reduce air pollution, helping to bring it to acceptable levels.

The Demand for Fast Charging

The stationary battery energy business is not the primary focus of most battery manufacturers, who are mainly concentrating on electric mobility. However, the market for stationary battery systems is growing and is primarily driven by renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics and wind, as well as electricity grid regulation. With the emergence of EV/PHEV charging stations, stationary battery energy storage solutions have become an interesting market for levelling high electricity demand peaks while charging multiple EV/PHEVs simultaneously.

 

 

The advancement in EV battery chemistry and related technologies stands out as a key catalyst in propelling the global electric vehicle battery market forward. Presently, numerous automotive companies are dedicated to enhancing battery specifications through collaborative partnerships with other manufacturers. The next-generation battery solutions are expected to offer significantly improved safety features compared to lithium-ion batteries, along with rapid charging capabilities and reduced battery leakage risks.