It’s funny how history repeats itself. To the majority of
consumers, electrifi cation of passenger vehicles might seem
like the becoming of a nascent technology but, in reality, it’s
not an invention of modern times at all. Those in the industry
will know that the fi rst examples of the technology appeared
as far back as the early 19th century and were well on their
way to widespread adoption in the early 1900s, until the
combination of Henry Ford and big oil put a halt to that. Over
100 years later, through both necessity and design, we’re back
at seeing the boom of battery power back on the roads.
So, are we at tipping point? Every OEM we’ve ever talked to
has spoken of the wish to see the moment when the adoption
of an electric powertrain isn’t a novel choice, but an organic
one. I believe we have.
I think a good measure of when a technology is beyond the
conversation of adoption is when there are people already
looking at ways to make it better. Take our cover story, for
example. The debate over the move to electric power is no
longer in question, rather it’s how, at component level, such
as battery cells and thermal management, improvements can
take it to the next level. With the introduction of 350kW high
power charging from the likes of Ionity, we’re already using
capacities over 100-times that of typical chargers. All this in
just a few years. However, it takes new technology to push the
industry forward, which is why thermal management is such
an important topic to unlock further developments.
Colleagues, friends, family and even strangers I talk to are
quick to tell me about the new EV they’re driving or plans
to buy one – all this has come about from an amalgamation
of factors, starting from the enforcement of CO2 emissions
178
targets, to OEMs investing in technology to create vehicles
to meet these, and offering more choice for consumers at
attractive prices. Yet, there is always that one type of person
I meet who is desperate to poke holes in battery power. This
person loves their diesel car because it’s cheap and effi cient,
selfi shly oblivious to the fact it’s using a fuel source that is
fi nite and choking the planet. They cite emission levels in EV
production, ignorant to the fact many OEMs are operating
carbon-neutral plants and charging networks use renewable
energy. Then they regurgitate tabloid headlines about EVs
‘spontaneously’ bursting into fl ames. Of course, with the need
for faster charging comes the handling of more energy but
clever thermal solutions and battery packaging is taking out
any risks, which are overblown. Besides, the safety of battery
power against internal combustion is almost incomparable.
As a well-known engineer rightly pointed out to me: “Why
are we still debating the comparisons in safety of electric
vehicles against combustion engines? If internal combustion
was invented today, it would never pass safety regulations.
And if it somehow did, could you imagine trying to convince
consumers to drive a vehicle powered by a highly fl ammable
liquid effectively being set alight inches away from their seat?
So why are consumers so concerned with battery safety?”
This year we will see the rollout of new electrifi ed fl eets
with more full-electric or hybrid models on sale than ever.
Tipping point has arrived, so simplistic doubts over safety or
environmental benefi t now need to disappear as quickly as the
emissions from that diesel owner’s tailpipe.
06 // January 2020 // www.electrichybridvehicletechnology.com
James Billington
CONTENTS
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
142. How cobots are molding the factory
of the future (Omron)
144. Chasing the sun (Yokogawa)
146. Introducing DC charging for
the home (RTL Group)
148. Next-gen circuit protection (Eaton)
150. EVSE infrastructure
(Universal Electric Corporation)
152. Hydrogen goes further(Mouser)
154. Direct connection
(Power & Signal Group)
156. Driving down costs (Ricardo)
158. Performance testing (Chroma)
160. Challenges ahead (Littelfuse)
162. Ten years on… (Semikron)
164. Eye on the ball (SKF)
166. Battery safety certifi cation
(Lithium Balance)
168. New age fl uid testing
(Afton Chemical)
170. Rethinking the box
(Hutchinson Group)
172. Power play (Hioki)
174. Start charging smart (NewMotion)
176. Intelligent management
(Phoenix Contact)
178. Charging ahead (Phihong)
179. Clean transportation (Hydrogenics)
180. Battery benchmarking (AVL)
181. Auditing build quality
(Brüel & Kjaer)
182. Faster on-board charging (Infi neon)
183. Well connected (Interplex)
184. ISO 26262 compliance
(EDN Group)
185. High voltage connectivity
(Huber+Suhner)
186. Products & services in brief
EDITOR’S NOTE
148
Editorial
Editor: James Billington
Contributors
James Allen, Roger Atkins, Guy
Bird, John Challen, Rob Clymo,
Richard Gooding, Alex Grant,
Frank Millard, Greg Offer,
Leon Poultney, Karl Vadaszffy
Design
Senior art editor: Louise Green
Design team: Andy Bass,
Anna Davie
Production
Emily Fanning
Editorial director
Tom Stone
Publisher
Simon Hughes
(simon.hughes@markallengroup.com)
Advertising
Sales and marketing director:
Simon Edmands
Sales manager:
Ed Marshall
COO Jon Benson
CEO Ben Allen
Chairman Mark Allen
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