Research Articles

This article discusses the changes in battery pack design that impact which cell chemistries can be used in a commercially viable way. An overview is given for future adoption of new cell chemistries such as LMFP and solid state batteries, and how pack structure will impact their applicability.

Many will be aware of the concerns around rare earth materials, such as price volatility and environmental impact. One way to alleviate concerns is by adopting magnetic materials that do not contain rare earths. Based on IDTechEx's latest research report on "Electric Motors for Electric Vehicles 2025-2035: Technologies, Materials, Markets, and Forecasts", this article will cover some of the most promising alternatives and their trade-offs.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have seen tremendous growth historically, but growth has slowed somewhat in 2024. The goal of automakers is to reduce the cost of making EVs, both to improve their profit margins on existing vehicles and to make lower-cost models more feasible.

This article aims to discuss some of the key factors and tradeoffs to be made for electric motor design if sustainability is the ultimate goal.

The growth of the EV market has slowed significantly in Europe and the US in the first half of 2024. A key route to reinvigorating growth will be the release of models in a more affordable price range. To this end, there are many avenues to reduce the cost of an EV. While the battery rightly takes focus, other components throughout the vehicle, such as the electric motor, can contribute to cost reduction too.

The key to wider adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) will be lower-cost models with a more approachable price point. The most expensive component of an EV is the battery pack. As well as increasing the energy density and reducing the cost of the battery cells, another avenue to cost reduction is through more efficient packaging of the cells.

While the focus of the automotive market has been on electrification to meet CO2 regulations, these are not the only regulations that will significantly impact the automotive industry. PFAS are becoming a greater concern throughout multiple industries. With the uncertainty around PFAS regulations, there are a few avenues that automotive players could pursue to replace the refrigerants they use.

Electric vehicles, much like combustion vehicles, require a suite of fluids in order to operate optimally. However, the quantities and properties of these fluids can be quite different. With a strongly growing EV market, this presents a large opportunity for not just fluid suppliers but also fluid additives and fluid handling component suppliers.

Electric vehicle (EV) related news has been somewhat bleak in the first part of 2024; you will have heard a lot about the downturn in the EV market and OEMs scaling back plans. This might make one think that EVs are beyond their hype and that they will not be the solution of the future, but is that really the message we should be taking away? In this article, IDTechEx discusses the current statistics, the state of the market, and the outlook for the future.

The sourcing of materials and components is becoming an increasingly discussed topic across multiple industries. One huge growth sector is the electric vehicle (EV) market, with IDTechEx predicting 4 fold growth in electric car sales over the next 10 years. Much of the conversation is focused on battery materials, but the rare earths used in the magnets in electric motors are another key concern.

With the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market and a focus on the importance of safety, EV fire protection brings a large opportunity for material suppliers. In this article by Dr James Edmondson, Research Director here at IDTechEx, we share some of these opportunities including those outside of the automotive market, along with some challenges for material suppliers in this space and findings from recent industry events.

At the end of February 2024, the UK ran its second Hydrogen Week. During this week, Hyundai set two new records for the driving range of its fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). While certainly a significant achievement, will the ultimate range of FCEVs impact consumer opinions and adoption?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a primary method to reach a net zero transportation sector, but in addition to CO2 emissions, overall sustainability is becoming an increased focus point. However, sustainability is a very complex topic that does not tend to deal with absolutes as many factors are involved.

Electric vehicle (EV) fire safety continues to be a critical topic. Data continues to support the fact that EVs are less likely to catch fire than internal combustion engine vehicles. However, as a new technology, EVs get more press, and besides, even a very low occurrence rate still poses significant risks to vehicle occupants and surroundings.

Die Verkäufe von Wasserstoff-Brennstoffzellenautos sind ab 2021 weitgehend zum Erliegen gekommen. Bedeutet dies jedoch, dass es in Zukunft keinen Markt für Brennstoffzellen-Elektrofahrzeuge (FCEV) geben wird, und was ist erforderlich, um sie zu einem Erfolg zu machen?

Electric motors are a core component of electrification in the automotive market. The market has heavily relied on rare earths for the permanent magnets used in these motors, but, as many will be aware, there is a drive to eliminate these rare earths due to their price volatility and environmental impact. Alternative motor technologies can often present a new and increased demand for copper.

The automotive market is a huge industry, and its evolution has spawned several giant corporations with many sub-brands, many of which are household names. However, the automotive industry is arguably undergoing the greatest technological shifts it has ever seen. Electrification, autonomous driving, and a shift to software-defined vehicles.

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have made monumental progress in the passenger car market, becoming a standard drivetrain option. The success in cars is also overflowing into other vehicle segments, such as vans, trucks, buses, 2-wheelers, and more. However, despite some key proponents, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have had a much tougher time getting to significant adoption.

The battery deservedly takes the major focus when it comes to technology development in EVs. But an EV's powertrain has to act holistically to operate with optimal performance and interact with the passenger cabin's conditioning system. This means that the thermal management of the motors, power electronics, and how this all interacts is just as important as the battery.

Historically, the aerogel market has experienced slow and steady growth. With the newly found demand for thermal insulation and fire protection in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, aerogel manufacturers are making big plans and investments in order to scale up in preparation to serve this new market.

2023 has proven another momentous year for the electric vehicle (EV) market. 2022 saw electric car sales rise by 62% compared with 2021, and IDTechEx estimates that 2023 will see global sales rise by another 16%. But what can we expect for the future of EVs? In this article, Dr James Edmondson and Shazan Siddiqi from IDTechEx discuss what can be learned about the future of electrification, not only for vehicles on land, but also for marine sectors and aerial vehicles.

The automotive sector is rapidly electrifying, with electric car sales totaling over 5.8 million units in the first half of 2023 across China, Europe, and the US. While automotive electrification is at the forefront of the public eye, other vehicle sectors also present huge opportunities, with IDTechEx predicting the global market of electric vehicles for land, sea, and air to be worth over US$1 trillion in 2044 (excl. automotive).

2022 saw the aerogels market take a large leap forward with the success of electric vehicle (EV) batteries as an application. Historic growth has been steady for other applications, but with the growth fuelled by the EV market, there is the opportunity for several other applications to take advantage of the scaling production volume.

Electrification in the US is at an earlier stage than other regions globally but has made huge progress over the last few years, with electric cars making up nearly 9% of new registrations in the first half of 2023. The pickup truck is a large portion of the US passenger vehicle market but is at an even earlier stage of electrification, with only approximately 5% of electric vehicles sold in the US in the first half of 2023 being pickup trucks.

Der Markt für Aerogele ist in der Vergangenheit stetig gewachsen und wird im Jahr 2022 ein Volumen von knapp 450 Millionen US-Dollar erreichen. Die Entwicklung verlief etwas langsamer, als manche erwarten würden, was größtenteils auf den Wettbewerb mit preiswerteren etablierten Isoliermaterialien zurückzuführen ist.

Die Verwendung von Seltenen Erden in verschiedenen modernen Technologien hat im Laufe der Jahre Aufmerksamkeit erregt. Doch mit der steigenden Nachfrage nach Elektrofahrzeugen (EVs) ist das Thema in den Vordergrund gerückt.

The sustainability, design, and recovery of electric vehicle (EV) batteries are set to be overhauled thanks to the approval of the EU's new regulations governing the battery market. In June 2023, parliament approved new regulations that set out battery requirements, including a 'Battery Passport' and recovery of certain materials.

Die Europäische Kommission hat das{Gesetz über kritische Rohstoffe|https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_1661} vorgeschlagen, um "den Zugang der EU zu einer sicheren, diversifizierten, erschwinglichen und nachhaltigen Versorgung mit kritischen Rohstoffen zu gewährleisten". Dieses Gesetz könnte große Auswirkungen auf verschiedene Technologien und Märkte haben, aber einer, der schnell wächst und stark auf kritische Rohstoffe angewiesen ist, ist der Markt für Elektrofahrzeuge (EV), insbesondere Elektromotoren.

Electric traction motors may have originally been developed in the 1800s, but the market continues to evolve today, with the growing electric vehicle (EV) market providing new technologies, opportunities, and demand.

Energy density of EV batteries continues to increase, but the innovation is not just limited to the battery cells. Much of the improvement is also coming from how the cells are packaged together.

Thursday 8 June 2023 - The Future of Cell Chemistry and Pack Structure. An overview of materials used in battery cells and battery packs; Trends in cathode chemistry and anode materials; Battery pack designs: cell-to-pack and cell-to-body; The impact on thermal management and materials; Trends in other materials: composite/polymer enclosures, interconnects and insulation

Thermisches Durchgehen und die damit verbundenen Batteriebrände haben sich als kritisches Problem für Kunden, Batterieentwickler und Hersteller von Elektrofahrzeugen erwiesen. Bei vielen Fahrzeugen sind Batteriebrände aufgetreten, und Hunderttausende wurden zurückgerufen.

In this complimentary whitepaper, Dr James Edmondson discusses the evolution in the architecture of electric vehicles, and the part this has to play in key challenges faced by the EV industry.

Electric vehicles (EVs) generate material demands that are very different to those historically typical of combustion engine vehicle markets. With ongoing supply chain disruption and rapidly evolving battery technology, the materials that will be in demand over the coming years will vary significantly.

Auf dem Investorentag von Tesla im März 2023 wurde angekündigt, dass die nächste Generation von Elektromotoren keine Seltenen Erden enthalten wird. Angesichts der enormen Präsenz von Tesla auf dem Markt für Elektrofahrzeuge könnte dies einen bedeutenden Wandel für das Design und die Nachhaltigkeit von Elektromotoren darstellen.

Battery thermal management is a critical component to an electric vehicles (EVs) operation. Cells need to be kept cool when under load from driving and charging or kept warm during cold ambient conditions. This enables more efficient operation of the batteries and improves safety.