The EV of the future

Issue #234, Jan 14, 2024

We continue to innovate to address the electric vehicle (EV) adoption challenges. Repurposing existing infrastructure such as lampposts for EV charging is one option to address the shortage of charging stations. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas gave a glimpse of what to expect in EVs of the future. Consolidation of multiple chips to systems-on-chip for AI-enabled vehicles is a trend, for example. New cool features seem to be a trend to camouflage the high price. Honda gave a glimpse of how its concept EVs would look like, aerodynamic designs with low ground clearance. Demand for professionals with EV skills is expected to reach a peak in 2024 in India. Below are some recent updates that give a sneak peek into what to expect in EVs of the near future.

Lamppost EV charging

If electric cars are ever to become mainstream, then we are going to need a lot more places to charge them. The key is to find space for chargers where people would actually use them. For instance, lamppost EV charging is expanding. A big advantage of repurposing existing lampposts is that cities don't have to dig in order to lay new cables. Lamppost charging makes it possible to blanket towns and cities with lots of non-rapid chargers. - BBC

AI and the architecture of the future

A driver can instruct an endlessly patient AI-enabled voice assistant to map routes and make calls, while invisible mechanisms use lidar, radar and other sensors to navigate the complexities of hectic city driving. Meanwhile, EVs factor charging times and locations into route calculations. All of this happens through the magic of AI. The secret to AI-enabled vehicle tools is the computer chips that can handle the Herculean task of processing and responding to reams of data in real time. All the flashy tech visible to consumers requires a computer platform composed of hundreds and sometimes even thousands of semiconductors. But now, some of the most cutting-edge companies are trying to squeeze much of that onto a single chip. - Auto News

Cool features in EVs

To camouflage their high sales price, electric cars are becoming showcases of new features and nifty tech gizmos that aren’t strictly necessary. From regenerative braking to the quiet hum of battery-powered cruising, EVs are upending many a fundamental when it comes to the traditional driving experience. Today the interior of nearly every battery-powered car is veined with lights in the dashboard, door frames, foot wells and ceiling. - Bloomberg

Honda's Saloon and Space-hub

Honda revealed two concept EVs in CES 2024 — a sedan dubbed the Saloon and the minivan-esque Space-Hub. Honda said it will develop a model based on the Saloon concept car for North American markets in 2026. The Saloon, which is its flagship concept EV, has an aerodynamic design and rides low to the ground. While the Space-Hub is quite a bit boxier and renders show it with seating that has passengers facing each other. Besides touting a spacious cabin, Honda did not share much about when or if it plans to actually manufacture a car inspired by the Space-Hub concept. - Engadget

Surge in EV demand in India

Demand for skilled EV talent is poised to reach an all-time high in India in 2024 as EV manufacturers race to meet the growing appetite for green mobility solutions through new products and capacity expansion. Job profiles that are in demand include battery management system engineers, electric powertrain engineers, procurement engineers, charging infra professionals, and UI and UX engineers. - ET Auto