LEC Team, Author at Learn Electric Cars

5 New EV Battery Technologies – Aluminium-ion to Niobium

New EV battery technologies are being developed vehemently all across the globe. The traditional and upcoming electric carmakers and traditional battery and tech companies are collaborating to develop future batteries as the electrification wave grips the mobility industry. The need for zero tailpipe pollution-emitting vehicles is a priority as the warnings from the scientific community about environmental degradation are unequivocal. As a result, R&D in battery technology has been underway for almost a decade now. Here are the top 5 relatively viable options that might make it into mass-production before the decade-end (some of these are already being tested in production vehicles starting this year (2023)). You might also like: Top Solid-State Battery Companies For EVs You might also like: Does the Future of EVs Rest on Sodium Ion Batteries? 5 New EV Battery Technologies Sodium-Ion Batteries We have already covered the details of the principle, advantages and disadvantages of Sodium-ion batteries previously. Just for recap, this battery type uses Sodium (instead of Lithium) to carry ions from the cathode to the anode and vice versa enabling the charge and discharge process. Sodium is the 6th most abundant element found in the earth’s crust, is non-inflammable, has a wider temperature range of operation, has low production cost, etc. These are the benefits over the existing Li-ion batteries. However, the issue is their low energy density and almost equal charge-discharge cycle counts compared to the Li-ion batteries. Also, mass production has only just commenced by CATL and BYD. You might also like: Are Chargers at DC Fast Charging Stations Bad For EVs? Solid State Batteries The next crucial and interesting EV technology is called a solid-state battery. As the name reflects, the electrolyte solution that is found between the cathode and anode of an electric car battery (or any other Li-ion battery used in other electronic gadgets) is in solid/gel form. In Li-ion batteries, this is in a liquid state which is what causes fire. But with solid-state technology, this electrolyte is in solid or gel form. Hence, the size and weight of the battery are reduced leading to increased range and faster charging times. However, more research is needed to produce these on a large scale. Lithium Sulfur Batteries Lithium Sulfur (Li-S) batteries use sulfur instead of complex, toxic, fast-diminishing and difficult-to-source elements like Cobalt or Nickel in their construction. This makes the batteries slightly lighter increasing their energy density which could be as high as around 500 Wh/kg compared to around 300 Wh/kg for regular Li-ion batteries. These can have around 1,500 charging cycles. However, the issues with these include polysulfide “shuttle” resulting in leakage of cathode material. You might also like: Tesla Battery (4680) vs BYD Blade Battery – Comparison Aluminium Ion Batteries Another interesting and potentially disruptive EV battery technology is the use of Al-ion. In this construction, Aluminium ions are used as charge carriers between the cathode and anode. Aluminium can exchange 3 electrons per ion which makes its energy density around 50 times higher than Li. Having 3 electrons has its advantages and disadvantages. The latter include relatively short shelf life and issues with heat, rate of charge, overall electrical behaviour and energy capacity. Niobium Batteries Finally, there are the exciting Niobium batteries that take 1 minute to recharge due to their layered molecular structure. Cambridge-based Nyobolt is working on this unique technology that uses Niobium anode reducing the charging time drastically. Even under severe temperatures, these batteries are less prone to catching fire. Their temperature gradient is just 8 degrees Celsius compared to around 27 degrees Celsius for regular batteries. While there has been significant development in the first two technologies with BYD and CATL having commenced the production of Sodium-ion batteries in mass-market EVs, the others still are in various stages of development and testing. It would be interesting to see which out of these (if any) dominates the space by the end of this decade. Also, chances are that these might co-exist or new technologies might also crop up.

Next-Gen Tesla PMS Motor Without Rare Earth Elements

Tesla to Make PMS Motor Without Rare Earth Elements

4 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

Tesla announced that it will make a Permanent Magnet Synchronous (PMS) Motor for its next-gen EVs (electric motors) without the rare earth elements. Interestingly, Tesla started making EVs using AC Induction Motors which didn’t contain any rare earth elements almost a decade ago. Rare earth elements include Lanthanides along with Yttrium and Scandium. PMSM primarily uses Neodymium. Also, most rare earth elements are found in China. However, after the arrival of Model 3, it introduced a new Permanent Magnet Motor which contained rare earth elements. In fact, between 2017 and 2022, Tesla was able to reduce the rare earth elements usage by 25% in the Model 3 drive units. You might also like: Qualcomm Plans to Dominate the Future of Electric Cars You might also like: Kia EV9 Electric SUV Partially Revealed Via Official Teasers Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) As the name suggests, this kind of motor consists of a permanent magnet which creates rotating magnetic fields in the rotor and stator. Both these components of the electric motor are in sync and there is no slip which is where the name comes from. They have high power density, high efficiency (~95%) and need low cooling. But these tend to be slightly more expensive and use rare earth elements. There is also a theoretical danger of demagnetization. You might also like: Does the Future of EVs Rest on Sodium Ion Batteries? However, Tesla aims to completely eliminate the use of rare earth elements in their next generation of electric motors. It has always been at the forefront of technological advancements in the EV space. In fact, its technological superiority for over a decade is what makes it the biggest EV maker in the world. At the Investor Day ceremony, Tesla compared the parameters of the rear earth elements usage in its existing Model Y permanent magnet motor with this next-gen motor on which they are working. While technical details were not revealed owing to the fear of letting the secret out but we suspect that Neodymium, Dysprosium and Terbium are the three rare earth elements that were being discussed during the presentation. You might also like: Top Solid-State Battery Companies For EVs Substitute for Rare Earth Elements Now, the rare earth elements are not only being used in the permanent magnet motors for EVs but also in various other electronic gadgets including speakers, hard drives, screens of smartphones, computers, new-gen light bulbs, flat panel televisions, etc. But there has been research going on regarding the alternatives to these elements for quite some time now. This includes materials like Ferrites (Iron Oxide with Barium or Strontium additives), AlNiCo (Aluminium-nickel-cobalt alloys) and Samarium Cobalt. Most of these materials and techniques are not in the mass-production phase yet. But there are also concerns about the use of Nickel and Cobalt for various reasons which is an issue in the Li-ion batteries too. So, it will be interesting to see how Tesla is able to deliver on this promise of using a PMS Motor without rare earth elements for EVs.

Qualcomm Snapdragon Digital Chassis for Electric Cars

Qualcomm Plans to Dominate the Future of Electric Cars

5 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

Qualcomm has always been a part of traditional ICE-powered, as well as modern electric cars. All new cars contain extensive use of electronic components. This includes semiconductor chips, ECUs, relays, etc. Essentially, all the mechanical operations in new cars have been substituted by electronic operations to enhance convenience. At CES 2023, Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon Digital Chassis software-defined concept vehicle. It showcases the next generation of mobility and automotive solutions. You might also like: Why Electric Cars Catching Fire Must Concern You Qualcomm Snapdragon for Electric Cars There are 4 main components of the Qualcomm Snapdragon Digital Chassis that will cover almost all the areas of modern EVs – Cloud-Connected Platforms for Telematics, Connectivity, Digital Cockpit and Driver Assistance & Autonomy. Auto Connectivity – This includes functions related to overall connectivity in any modern car like 5G, LTE, C-V2X, WiFi, Bluetooth, MF-GNSS, DSDA and more. Cockpit Platform – This is perhaps the most practical one of the lot where the drivers will evidently experience certain changes some of which have already arrived in EVs from a select few car marques. This incorporates things like a configurable 3D Digital Cluster, E-Mirrors, 3D Navigation, Natural Language Processing, Streaming Multimedia, Premium Audio and Intelligent UI. Car-to-Cloud – This is perhaps the most compelling aspect of modern cars where most operations will be accessible via OTA (Over-the-Air) updates pertaining to Device Management, Global Connectivity, Integrated Analysis, Service, Diagnostics and more. Ride Platform – This is aimed at enhancing the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and Autonomous Driving (AD) functions using the low-power, high-performance SoC (System-on-Chips) for Simulation and Continuous Learning. All these functions sum up the entire processes of modern cars and a successful firm like Qualcomm is perfectly positioned to leverage its expertise and experience in this field. You might also like: Top Solid-State Battery Companies For EVs Automotive-IT Collaborations Qualcomm has already partnered with the giants of the automotive industry including GM, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Sony Honda Mobility, Cadillac, Stellantis Group (Peugeot, Fiat, Citroen, Dodge, Maserati and Chrysler) and more. The Digital Chassis envelopes the entire automotive software stack including parking sensors, radar for ADAS, smartphone apps, downloadable upgrades and more. Qualcomm has received support from BMW, Hyundai Motor Group, Nio and Volvo for the new platform. Additionally, LG Electronics has established technical collaboration with Magna which is a major global automotive parts supplier and assembles cars for companies like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar and Fisker. Magna will develop a proof of concept for automated driver infotainment solutions for differentiated customer experiences. A more recent example of the Automotive-IT collaboration is the Sony Honda Mobility (SHM). In fact, its EV called Afeela was a major point of attraction at the CES 2023. This concept car even featured Fortnite and Spider-Man gameplay imagery on a digital display above its front bumper. The PS5 game ‘Horizon Forbidden West’ appeared on the rear seat displays of Afeela. Afeela will also use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis system for ADAS, Autonomous Driving, Interfaces and Telematics. You might also like: Does the Future of EVs Rest on Sodium Ion Batteries? No Semiconductor Shortage Issue Finally, no one is unfamiliar with the severe semiconductor shortage issue that has been plaguing the global automotive industry for a while now. The current cars need a dozen different ECUs for various things like display, parking, driver monitoring, audio, speakers, windows, AC, etc. However, with the Digital Chassis, all these will get integrated into a common platform reducing the number of semiconductor chips, thereby, reducing the overall cost. With almost every aspect of EVs becoming electronic, the future would certainly require automotive companies to collaborate with the giants of the IT and Tech industries. Source

Why Electric Cars Catching Fire Must Concern You

4 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

While industry experts and new car buyers are beginning to jump on the EV bandwagon, we must also acquaint ourselves with the issue of electric cars catching fire. Now, before we go any further, we must mention that this is not an EV-bashing blog or creating fear among potential buyers, but a rather factual piece of content which talks about why EV fires are different and worse than fire in ICE-powered vehicles. Also, for the record, USA Today shows data highlighting that the number of EVs catching fire out of 100,000 vehicles is just 25 compared to gas cars (1,530). So, EVs are clearly much safer when it comes to fire explosions. Furthermore, most fires occur when vehicles get crashed which may necessarily not be due to any defect in the battery or construction. With that out of the way, let us discuss the chemistry of an EV fire. You might also like: Does the Future of EVs Rest on Sodium Ion Batteries? Chemistry of Electric Cars Catching Fire When a traditional gas-powered vehicle gets engulfed in flames, standard procedures like putting water into the fire to cut the oxygen supply works adequately. Additionally, fire extinguishers can control the situation and people are aware of what to do in such situations. However, that is the most terrifying aspect of EVs catching fire. We know that most EV batteries use Lithium-ion chemistry with Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese metals and liquid electrolytes. Generally, the battery is sealed off securely and it is meant to stay that way even during unfortunate cases. However, if the battery catches fire once, most standard procedures won’t be effective in dousing it out. The reason behind that is simple. The EV battery components become the fuel themselves causing a thermal runaway. This is due to the electrolyte decomposing and releasing Oxygen among other toxic gases including Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Cyanide, Hydrofluoric Acid and Cobalt. You might also like: Top Solid-State Battery Companies For EVs You don’t need to get in contact with these gases to get affected negatively. Some of these gases could get absorbed by your skin. That is the reason why people have lost their lives in such fires. There have also been cases reported where the fire kept on going for hours despite being tried to control it using conventional water and fire extinguishers. Hence, if such a fire breaks out in a parking lot where multiple EVs are parked, we could have a serious problem on our hands. Since most people charge their EVs at their homes, this issue becomes more pertinent. Overnight charging is the most common and practical way of charging EVs across the world. In fact, some people, due to a lack of space around the house, end up installing charging equipment inside the house. In countries like Australia, solar charging and storage devices are quite common. But these must be away from the house, at least outside the building so that even if there are such terrible situations, lives are not at stake. That is the reason why EV fires are extremely perilous and we must be informed about such things. As mentioned previously, the chances of EVs catching fire are still a lot lesser compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles. Nevertheless, proper safety measures and procedures must be in place as EVs get more popular than ever. The concerned authorities must come up with safety protocols about what must be done in such situations so that people are able to deal with these scenarios in the best possible way.

2024 Cadillac Lyriq is Brand’s Foray into the Electric Future

9 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq is an all-electric SUV that marks the brand’s foray into the electric future. Despite being the first EV from the American car marque, it is evident that it has worked hard to ensure that while the design language resembles that brand’s DNA, the interior and cabin layout are ultra-modern. This is visible via the colossal 33-inch curved display that forms the centre of attraction around which the cabin is designed. The prices range from US$58,590 to US$63,190. You might also like: Kia EV9 Electric SUV Partially Revealed Via Official Teasers 2024 Cadillac Lyriq – Specs The electric SUV is based on GMC’s Ultium EV Battery Platform (same as Hummer EV) and is available in three variants – Tech, Luxury and Sport. One could choose between a single-motor RWD or a dual-motor AWD configuration. Lyriq is powered by a 102 kWh Li-ion battery pack that powers the electric motor(s). The range is almost similar in both AWD and RWD configurations at 307 miles (494 km) and 308 miles (496 km) respectively. Its power and torque figures range between 340 hp / 440 Nm and 500 hp / 610 Nm. 2024 Cadillac Lyriq Specs Battery 102 kWh Range (max) 308 mi (495 km) Power 340 hp – 500 hp Torque 440 Nm – 610 Nm 190 kW DC Fast Charging 10 mins for 77 miles (124 km) Platform Ultium EV Battery Platform 2024 Cadillac Lyriq Specs You might also like: Does the Future of EVs Rest on Sodium Ion Batteries? 2024 Cadillac Lyriq – Dimensions The luxury electric SUV has an imposing road presence on account of almost a 5 m length and spacious interior cabin with around 3.1 m wheelbase. It continues to be a large SUV that will surely make a lot of heads turn while it is being driven on the road. 2024 Cadillac Lyriq Dimensions Length 4,996 mm (196.7 in) Width (w/ mirrors) 2,207 mm (86.9 in) Height 1,623 mm (63.9 in) Wheelbase 3,094 mm (121.8 in) Cargo Storage 793 litres (28 cu.ft.) Dimensions Interior and Features As mentioned previously, the centre of attraction inside the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq is its humungous 33-inch Curved LED Screen that consists of an Infotainment System as well as Driver’s Digital Gauge, Google Built-in Capabilities, 19-Speaker Premium AKG Audio System, Wireless Phone Charging and Apple CarPlay and Android Capabilities, 5G WiFi Hotspot, Fixed Glass Roof, Faux Leather Upholstery, Interior Lighting, Wood Interior, Heated Steering Wheel, Heated Front Seats, Cadillac’s Super Cruise Hands-Free Driving, 3,500 lbs Towing Capacity, Touchscreen for Rear Passengers, Advanced Road Cancellation Technology and more. You might also like: Nio EC7 Has a CLTC Range of 920 km – Specs & More Safety Being a futuristic luxury electric SUV, the Lyriq comes packed with safety features to the gills. This includes Airbags for Front Impact, Side Impact, Overhead and Knee, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking, HD Surround View Camera, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Pedestrian Alert, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Vehicle Diagnostics and more.

Kia EV9 Electric SUV Partially Revealed Via Official Teasers

4 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

The upcoming Kia EV9 has been partially revealed via official teasers by the Korean carmaker. EV9 will sit above the existing and wildly successful EV6. In fact, the EV9 will be Kia’s flagship electric car based on the E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform). We have seen the 7-seat electric SUV undergoing thorough and rigorous tests over the last year but the latest teaser reveals the final production version. The global premiere is slated for March 15, 2023. You might also like: 2023 Hyundai KONA Electric vs 2023 Kia Niro EV – Specs, Range and Price Comparison Kia EV9 – Specs While the official figures will be out closer to the launch, we have an idea of what the Korean carmaker could equip the EV9 with. There could be three variants to choose from – a regular RWD, a long-range RWD and a performance-focused dual-motor AWD trim. As far as the battery capacity is concerned we might see a 100 kWh unit on the AWD and long-range RWD trims which would be the largest on any Kia EV ever. What we know is that it will support an 800 V electrical architecture which means that the DC ultra-fast charging will be capable of 350 kW charging. This will allow the EV to be charged upto 80% in around 20 mins. We could expect a driving range of around 300 miles (483 km) and the power figures could range from 200 hp to 400 hp. Kia EV9 Specs (expected) Battery 100 kWh Range 300 mi (483 km) Acceleration (0-100 km/h) (0-62 mph) 6 secs Power 200 hp – 400 hp DC Ultra-Fast Charging 350 kW Architecture 800 V Expected Specs of Kia EV9 You might also like: Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs, Price Comparison Kia EV9 – Dimensions The one thing we know from the concept is the dimensions. The electric SUV will be just under 5 m in length which will liberate a more-than-generous wheelbase of 3.1 m. Moreover, the flat floor will allow it to feel even more spacious which is a trait of the modern EVs. Kia EV9 Dimensions Length 4,929 mm (194 in) Width 2,055 mm (81 in) Height 1,790 mm (70 in) Wheelbase 3,100 mm (122 in) Kia EV9 Dimensions Interior and Features Hyundai Motor Group is focusing its attention on the use of sustainable and recyclable materials to develop the interior of its latest and futuristic EVs. As a result, the Kia EV9 will have no use of genuine leather but vegan leather and other sustainable materials including fishnet debris, recycled plastic water bottles, bio extracts and much more. Apart from that, there would be a large panoramic sunroof, a large infotainment display that could be connected to the instrument cluster to form a single seamless unit of glass (the concept features a 27-inch screen), V2L, Connected Car Tech Features with OTA Updates and Kia’s AutoMode for Autonomous Driving functions. You might also like: What Is Vehicle To Load (V2L) & Which EVs Have This Feature? Price While the official prices will be announced closer to the launch, there has been a survey that indicates that the electric SUV could retail in the vicinity of US$56,000 and US$73,000. Nevertheless, we shall update this post with the actual data once the Kia EV9 is revealed on March 15, 2023.

Top Solid-State Battery Companies For EVs

5 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

There are over 40 solid-state battery companies for EVs across the world at the moment. Some of these are owned or operated by the legacy carmakers themselves to stay ahead in the competition of the EV wave. These batteries have a cathode (+) and a solid-state ceramic separator in contact with the anode (-) which is formed after ion transfer. As the battery charges, the Lithium ions travel through the ceramic separator and deposit on the contact surface on the other side making an anode of pure metallic Lithium. You might also like: Does the Future of EVs Rest on Sodium Ion Batteries? This Lithium metal anode allows the energy to be stored in the battery in a smaller area increasing the energy density. Hence, the overall weight of this configuration is lower than the regular Lithium-ion batteries, the energy density is higher leading to an increased range, charging times are shorter and the system is non-inflammable. This construction, essentially, addresses all the shortcomings typical of Li-ion batteries. However, mass production has not commenced yet. Here are the top 5 companies that are developing this technology. You might also like: Are Chargers at DC Fast Charging Stations Bad For EVs? Top Solid-State Battery Companies For EVs Volkswagen & Bill Gates – QuantumScape QuantumScape is an American company that makes solid-state batteries for EVs and is based in San Jose, California. It was established in 2010 and employs around 400 people. However, the most important aspect of this company is the fact that it is backed by Volkswagen and Bill Gates. Its main features include a 650 km range, 380-500 Wh/kg energy density (regular Li-ion batteries have somewhere around 250 Wh/kg) and a charge time of around 15 mins. BMW & Ford – Solid Power Solid Power is a solid-state battery manufacturer that is partners with BMW and Ford. It specializes in sulfide-based solid ion-conducting chemistry (replacing liquid electrolytes in regular Li-ion batteries) and also swapping the graphite anode with a Lithium metal anode. It is producing 2 Ah cells with 320 Wh/kg energy density. You might also like: Tesla Battery (4680) vs BYD Blade Battery – Comparison Toyota and Panasonic – Prime Planet Energy & Solutions Inc. The Japanese auto-giant in amidst developing its own solid-state batteries to power future EVs. It partnered with Panasonic to form Prime Planet Energy & Solutions Inc. It is planning to produce solid-state batteries in limited numbers by 2025. The batteries will have a range of 700 km and will have a charging time from 0-100% of 10-15 mins. Hyundai – Factorial Energy With extensive research and investment in solid-state batteries over the past 6 years, Factorial Energy is a Hyundai-backed company. At the 2023 Consumers Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Factorial showcased its 100 Ah prototype cells. These will offer 30% higher energy density than the traditional Li-ion batteries. With such giants of the automotive industry backing this technology, it sure looks like a matter of time before mass production of these solid-state batteries for EVs starts offering greater and safer alternatives to the existing Li-ion batteries. Apart from that, alternative battery technologies like Sodium-ion will also witness some more R&D. Within a brief span of a few years, consumers might have a wide choice while considering electric cars in terms of price, range and safety.

Sodium Ion Battery - Representational Image

Does the Future of EVs Rest on Sodium Ion Batteries?

7 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

Sodium Ion batteries are emerging as a viable solution for EVs but there are pros and cons to them. Currently, almost all EV batteries are constructed using Lithium Ion chemistry. In addition to that, the other elements used in Li-ion configuration include Nickel, Copper, Manganese, Cobalt, etc. Now, all these (including Lithium) are limited resources found in a handful of areas around the globe. Not only that, there are environmental challenges associated with the mining of most of these elements. For instance, the Democratic Republic of the Congo sits on the largest Cobalt reserves in the world. There are numerous and frequent cases of child labour being used to extract Cobalt which raises human rights concerns in addition to the limited amount of such rare elements. Also, Lithium is primarily used in consumer electronics like smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc. Hence, the automobile industry will always be the second recipient of it. You might also like: Are Chargers at DC Fast Charging Stations Bad For EVs? Sodium Ion Batteries for EVs That is where Sodium comes into the picture. Sodium is the 6th most abundant element in earth’s crust. More importantly, it sits right next to Lithium on the periodic table which lends almost similar properties compared to Lithium. Being abundantly available means that the cost of the element is significantly lower than Lithium. At present, the cost of EVs is what is the biggest hurdle in mass adoption apart from the charging infrastructure. Advantages of Sodium Ion Batteries in EVs Disadvantages You might also like: Tesla Battery (4680) vs BYD Blade Battery – Comparison Could Sodium-Ion Batteries Replace Lithium-Ion in EVs? Well, it is that classic case of yes and no. Better put, there is a chance that both could co-exist depending on the use case and market. Markets, where cost is the driving factor for EV sales, could go for Sodium-Ion batteries. In fact, China has already started experimenting with these in their EVs that are on sale like Hina Battery in Sehol E10X compact EV. BYD and CATL are about to join the fray soon. For other markets and carmakers where affordability is not the issue and performance takes the front seat, Lithium-Ion batteries will continue. With the amount of R&D going into battery development in various parts of the world, there might be better alternatives or favourable modifications to Lithium-Ion batteries too.

Here’s Why You Won’t Get Full EV Tax Credit in 2023 in the USA

2 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

The updated EV tax credit scheme has made the entire process rather complex. Earlier, if the company of the EV or PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle) that you purchased had sold less than 200,000 EVs or PHEVs, you would have received the full $7,500 tax credit on the qualifying EVs. But now, there are many layers including income caps, price caps on eligible EVs, location of manufacturing of EV (US or outside) and source of battery components (US or outside). You won’t get the full amount if all of these criteria are not fulfilled. You might also like: Top 5 Mini EVs in 2023 – Future of Urban Mobility? Additionally, the amount of tax credit that you are eligible to get until the end of 2023 can be availed of at the time of filing the ITR (Income Tax Returns). But starting 2024, you will be able to apply the amount directly at the time of purchasing the EV, reducing the initial cost straightaway. This will allow car buyers to take lower credit through financial institutions, a great pull for a lot of new EV buyers. Under this act, the term used to describe EVs is “Clean Vehicles”. This means that EVs, PHEVs as well as Hydrogen cars will be eligible for the tax rebate/credit. This act will continue until 2032. You might also like: Electrify America Leads Non-Tesla DC Fast Charging Network with 800 Stations EV Tax Credit Depends on Many Factors You might also like: Factors on Which Energy Consumption of an EV Depends In conclusion, this new regulation will even allow the EV to re-attain the eligibility for the tax rebate who has previously lost it on account of the aforementioned rule where a 200,000 vehicle limit for a carmaker was applied. These companies were Tesla, GM and Toyota. Going forward, EVs from these three auto giants will also become eligible for the tax benefit yet again.

Top 5 Mini EVs in 2023 – Future of Urban Mobility?

11 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

This blog post discusses the top 5 mini EVs that we could see in 2023 from various parts of the world. The main challenges with EVs at the moment include high initial costs, range anxiety and lack of adequate charging infrastructure. However, with mini urban electric cars, these aspects are addressed quite convincingly. Mini EVs are affordable, the range is not that big of an issue because one uses it just for a quick city trip and the charging infrastructure is not that relevant since most of these will be charged exclusively at home. Hence, they make an excellent case for enabling the future of urban mobility. Here are the top 5 mini EVs to look forward to in 2023. You might also like: Does The Aptera Solar Electric Car Really Have a 1,000 Miles Range? Top 5 Mini EVs in 2023 Microlino Microlino mini EV has been developed by the Italian carmaker. It comes powered by 3 Lithium-ion battery packs – 6 kWh, 10.5 kWh and 14 kWh offering a range of 95 km, 175 km and 230 km respectively. Its power and torque outputs stand at a decent 12.5 kW (16.76 hp) and 89 Nm with a top speed of 90 km/h. The 496-530 kg mini electric car takes 3-4 hours to charge fully. It is 2.52 m long and has a handy luggage compartment of 230 litres. City Transformer (CT-1) City Transformer describes itself as the EV tech disruptor from Israel. The CT-1 boasts a party trick of being a shape-shifting EV. It can reduce its width while travelling from 1.4 m to 1 m under 40 km/h in real-time. The flexible chassis enables the wheels to retract reducing the overall width to accommodate itself into tight urban parking spots when needed. The 590 kg EV has a range of 180 km and takes 30 mins to charge from 10% to 80% with a top speed of 90 km/h. It has a power output of 15 kW propelling it from 0-50 km/h in just 5 secs. The length of CT-1 is 2.5 m and it has a wheelbase of 1.8 m. You might also like: Microlino Urban Mini EV – Specs, Range, Price & More PMV Eas-E is Among the Top Mini EVs in 2023 PMV Electric is an Indian EV start-up that has developed the 2-seater Eas-E mini EV (quad-cycle). It comes with a 48 V Lithium-Ion-Phosphate battery that can be charged in less than 4 hours. There are options of choosing from three trims (as per range) – 120 km, 160 km and 200 km. The electric motor churns out 13 hp and 50 Nm of max power and torque and has a top speed of 70 km/h. The acceleration from 0-40 km/h takes less than 5 secs. The micro EV is 2.91 m long and has a wheelbase of 2.08 m. The ground clearance is a decent 170 mm. Opel Rocks-e German auto giant Opel has created an urban EV, Rocks-e. It is 2.41 m long and has a weight of just 471 kg. It comes with a 5.5 kWh battery pack that powers an electric motor to produce 12 hp of max power. The Rocks-e boasts a decent range of 75 km on a single charge and can be fully charged in around 4 hours. The 2-seater mini EV has door openings in opposite directions. You might also like: Abarth 500e Electric Hot Hatch – Specs, Range, Features & More Estrima Biro is Among the Top Mini EVs in 2023 Estrima is an Italian company that makes the Biro 2-seater 4-wheeled mini EV. It comes powered by two battery pack options offering 55 km and 100 km of range on a single charge. The Biro has a maximum power output of 3.3 kW and a top speed of 60 km/h if it has the Bolt set up. The mini EV is 1.74 m long, 1.03 m wide and 1.565 m high. It has a ground clearance of 190 mm. The main highlight of the Biro is its detachable battery pack enhancing the security and convenience of charging it at home or the workplace. These are some of the top mini EVs to watch out for in 2023.

LEC Team

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