APC report puts EV manufacturers in fast lane

According to APC, the most promising is a switch to dedicated EV platforms, rather than the method of modifying ICE model platforms to suit EVs.

By having vehicles designed as EVs from the bottom up, OEMs will have greater flexibility to accommodate battery packs and be more efficient with space without the need for legacy engine compartments.

This modification will have a positive impact on the overall cost reduction of BEV’s, as it can accommodate dedicated, potentially larger battery packs, leading to higher kWh and range.

Additionally, it will allow more floor space as there is no need for engine compartments, allowing more compact cars to go electric​, and will provide the ability to centralise power electronics and electrical drive units to support over the air connectivity and 4G/5G services. 

APC’s latest Demand Report also looks at the ongoing development of lithium-ion battery packs and low-cost cathode alternatives, which will help to reduce costs to OEMs, by as much as 40 per cent. In turn, these savings could be passed onto consumers, making the purchase cost of EVs comparable to ICE vehicles.  

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The BNEF predicts that by 2030 the cost of a lithium-ion battery pack could drop to as low as $77/kWh, down from a peak of over $400/kWh in the latter half of the previous decade.

A move towards predictive maintenance and battery management systems could help to reduce insurance costs and improve resale values, APC added.

The data collected could be used to improve battery efficiency and performance, as well as providing confidence to insurers. Finally, the APC reports that there are positive signs through regulations and grant funding to accelerate charging infrastructure for increasing EV adoption. 

In a statement, Dr Hadi Moztarzadeh, head of Technology Trends, APC, said: “Despite a slowdown in the global BEV sales recently, there are certainly reasons to be optimistic in the UK. APC have studied data from the USA, Norway, Germany, China, Canada, and India with all having experienced a downward trend in BEV sales recently. The UK has an opportunity to reverse the trends, instil consumer confidence in the industry, and supercharge the UK supply chain.”

The full report can be read here.