Contrary to former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s apprehensions about EVs jeopardizing weekends, future beach holidays might witness the integration of built-in wireless charging infrastructure along highways.
Dynamic wireless charging, allowing on-the-go EV charging, is set to address the range limitations faced during longer journeys. While most EVs can cover over 300 kilometres on a single charge, dynamic wireless charging integrated into highways promises to alleviate range anxiety.
This advancement means that purchasing a more expensive EV with a larger battery for extended coverage becomes unnecessary, a significant cost reduction considering batteries constitute the priciest component of an EV.
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The appeal of EVs lies not only in their cost efficiency but also in their potential to reduce global transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. However, the journey toward widespread EV adoption and environmental benefits is far from over.
Despite their environmentally friendly image, EVs contribute more carbon emissions during the manufacturing phase, primarily due to the ecologically taxing processes involved in producing their bulky batteries.
An analysis indicates that before a mid-size EV hits the road, it could generate 8,100kg of CO2. This, however, gets offset over the EV’s lifespan, thanks to its carbon-free propulsion system.
Whether charging via cable or wirelessly, the environmental impact of EVs is contingent on the carbon footprint of their energy source. A mid-size EV’s environmental performance, compared to a petrol-fueled Toyota Corolla, depends on whether the recharging grid relies on coal-fired power plants or renewable sources.
As EVs become a common sight on the roads, the power grid must evolve to handle the substantial power demand. Charging an electric car demands up to 22 kilowatts of power, a stark contrast to the energy consumption of household appliances. The national grid’s evolution requires digitalization to accommodate the complexities arising from the growing number of EVs and the increasing prevalence of renewable energy resources.
The future grid necessitates a data-driven, AI-integrated network, facilitating digital interaction among all energy entities, from consumers to distributed generators and renewable resources.
Amidst these challenges, artificial intelligence emerges as a promising tool to efficiently manage intricate energy grids. However, enhancing the batteries powering EVs remains a hurdle.
Current EV batteries, aside from being expensive and bulky, pose sustainability challenges in production and are susceptible to damage, especially with fast chargers injecting massive energy in a short time. Addressing these issues, researchers are exploring recycling processes for EV batteries at the end of their life, breaking them down into low-emission component parts.
Despite the challenges, EV batteries exhibit positive aspects, such as bidirectional chargers and vehicle-to-grid technology, exemplified in South Australia, where some EV drivers already contribute energy back to the grid.
Envision a future where driving your EV to the shops not only covers the cost of your coffee and lunch through energy fed back into the grid but also epitomizes the evolving landscape of sustainable and intelligent energy solutions.
