Volvo

Updated Emissions Regulations and Market Drivers to Electric Trucks

Historically, heavy-duty trucks have proven difficult to electrify, with the average annual mileage of a truck approximately ten times that of a passenger vehicle, regularly driving hundreds of km a day. 2024 has seen further growth in the global electric truck market, with progressive emissions reductions mandated by governments projected to propel further uptake.

Software-Defined Vehicles: AI Assistants and Biometrics

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) represent a combination of automotive features that provide new possibilities for passengers to engage with vehicles. IDTechEx depicts how the cellular connectivity within SDVs can provide access to IoT (Internet of Things) features including OTA (over-the-air) updates, personalization, and entertainment options.

Magnetic Materials That Could Replace Rare Earths in EV Motors

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.

Elven Technologies

Elven Technologies provides proprietary fire protection materials with very high flame and temperature resistance. The early target market was in firefighter suits, but Elven is now looking to become involved in other markets including electric vehicle (EV) battery packs and battery transport containers.

Bcomp

Founded in 2011 and based in Fribourg, Switzerland, Bcomp is a company specializing in natural fiber composites, primarily for applications in the automotive, sports, and aerospace industries. Bcomp was established with the mission to reduce the environmental footprint of materials by offering high-performance, sustainable alternatives to traditional carbon fiber and synthetic composites. The company's flagship technologies, powerRibs® and ampliTex®, leverage natural fibers like flax to create lightweight, strong, and sustainable materials.

Volkswagen AG: SSP and Electrification

Volkswagen Group is one of the largest producers of vehicles in the world. It sells passenger vehicles through its various brands (including VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Cupra, and Porsche). In 2023, it sold over 770,000 BEVs globally, mostly based on its MEB platform. This profile assesses VW Group's electrification efforts so far, as well as its plans to move to a unified SSP architecture and its performance in light of the European Union's CO2 regulations.

Connected Energy

Connected Energy is a key second-life battery storage developer, based in the UK. The company has multiple second-life projects across Europe. This profile discusses developments made by Connected Energy since IDTechEx's last interview with the company in November 2022.

PowerCell

PowerCell is a Swedish fuel cell company, based in Gothernburg, that has been operating for almost 30 years. The company targets marine, aviation, off-road, on-road and stationary power generation sectors for the installation of its proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).