5th September 2023
Written by Mitchell LakinEV Types and Future Innovations
The electric vehicle industry is growing rapidly and, with gas-powered vehicles ceasing production in 2030, new innovations and improvements to EV technology mean greater efficiency, affordability and accessibility. If you are looking to make the switch from fossil fuels and are unsure where to begin, this article breaks down the three different EV categories as well as the latest technology that may become the norm between now and 2030.
Three Kinds of EV – HEV, PHEV and BEV
- Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) – as the name suggests, these are powered with a combination of a gas engine and electric motor. These work in tandem so the battery’s energy is gained through regenerative braking. For a regular gas car, this friction causes latent heat. HEVs capture this previously wasted energy and use it to charge the battery, which also means reduced wear of the braking components.
- Examples: Ford Kuga, Honda Civic, Toyota Yaris
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) – like regular hybrids, they are powered by an engine and electric motor. PHEVs differ by having a larger battery that enables them to power through chargepoints and can go 10 to 40 miles before the gas engine turns on.
- Examples: Audi A3 E-Tron, Toyota Prius, BMW i8
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVS) – what is most commonly understood as an electric vehicle. They are fully run by an electric motor with no combustion engine. Because of this, they are zero-carbon and powered via chargepoints (EVCPs). At Car Charged UK, we enhance the efficiency of chargepoints with wireless charging and solar-powered carports.
- Examples: Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3, Peugeot e-208
A New Kind of EV
Glass roofs have been a common feature of EVs after being popularized by the Tesla Model 3 since it first arrived in the UK in 2019. Now, American motor company Tesla are set to release their new SUV, Ocean, which embeds its glass roof with solar PV to provide the car with additional energy. Glass roofs already reduce air drag as they are thinner and lighter than traditional metal roofs. Fisker have added the extra benefit of using the Sun’s energy to power the battery even when the car is turned off. This gives an additional 1,500 miles in an environment like California, so expect this number to drop in the UK, especially in the winter months. Henri Fisker describes the ideal conditions as ‘snail traffic on the way to work’, which has the potential to boost the mileage by 500 miles per year, according to his interview with Motortrend.
Solar roofs are not without their obstacles, however. There is a reason why they are not widespread across our roads just yet. Firstly, they are expensive. Due to the relatively small size of car roofs when compared to the panels found upon buildings, the investment can be difficult to become worthwhile. This is especially true if the car spends a lot of its time indoors. Fisker explains that they are not yet at the point where the solar technology can enable small trips without using any power from the grid, but that is their goal in the future.
The Ocean is set to hit the UK at the end of this year, with an RRP of £34,990.
The Growing Solar Trend
Fisker is not the only brand that has considered implementing solar technology. The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq now includes optional solar panels, adding up to 1,240 miles per year. Tesla and Toyota are developing solar cars too, but there is one car in particular that is taking this phase one step further.
The Lightyear 2 is the latest iteration of the Netherlands manufacturer’s ground-breaking solar car that boasts being able to ‘drive for months without charging’. Based in Helmond, this budding brand was formed by a number of Dutch university graduates looking to push the boundary of solar innovation. After major funding issues, the Lightyear 2 picks up where the previously cancelled Lightyear 0 left off, meaning the solar roof and bonnet is supposed to double the range to more than 500 miles per charge. This means three times less charging than a regular BEV. Although the launch is not as imminent as the Ocean, the Lightyear 2 has an anticipated price of £35,000.
Record Fast Charging
UK-based Nyobolt began as a battery company until they decided to move their knowledge to EVs by developing their own. Although the vehicle is still in its infancy, Nyobolt’s EV is capable of charging in under six minutes as well as being compatible with existing charging infrastructure, making it far easier to integrate onto our roads. The progress is looking promising too, as Nyobolt have tested their batteries for over 2,000 fast charge cycles without significantly losing performance.
Our Contribution
The EV industry is moving rapidly. As new innovations crowd the market, it is important the infrastructure keeps up. Car Charged UK is committed to staying at the forefront of this change with our solar carports and wireless charging. We are also striving to develop new technology to better the efficiency of our existing carports. To keep updated on our latest news follow us on:
Facebook: Car Charged UK
Instagram: Car_Chargeduk
Twitter: CarChargedUK
Linkedin: car-charged-uk
EV Types and Future Innovations
The electric vehicle industry is growing rapidly and, with gas-powered vehicles ceasing production in 2030, new innovations and improvements to EV technology mean greater efficiency, affordability and accessibility. If you are looking to make the switch from fossil fuels and are unsure where to begin, this article breaks down the three different EV categories as well as the latest technology that may become the norm between now and 2030.
Three Kinds of EV – HEV, PHEV and BEV
- Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) – as the name suggests, these are powered with a combination of a gas engine and electric motor. These work in tandem so the battery’s energy is gained through regenerative braking. For a regular gas car, this friction causes latent heat. HEVs capture this previously wasted energy and use it to charge the battery, which also means reduced wear of the braking components.
- Examples: Ford Kuga, Honda Civic, Toyota Yaris
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) – like regular hybrids, they are powered by an engine and electric motor. PHEVs differ by having a larger battery that enables them to power through chargepoints and can go 10 to 40 miles before the gas engine turns on.
- Examples: Audi A3 E-Tron, Toyota Prius, BMW i8
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVS) – what is most commonly understood as an electric vehicle. They are fully run by an electric motor with no combustion engine. Because of this, they are zero-carbon and powered via chargepoints (EVCPs). At Car Charged UK, we enhance the efficiency of chargepoints with wireless charging and solar-powered carports.
- Examples: Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3, Peugeot e-208
A New Kind of EV
Glass roofs have been a common feature of EVs after being popularized by the Tesla Model 3 since it first arrived in the UK in 2019. Now, American motor company Tesla are set to release their new SUV, Ocean, which embeds its glass roof with solar PV to provide the car with additional energy. Glass roofs already reduce air drag as they are thinner and lighter than traditional metal roofs. Fisker have added the extra benefit of using the Sun’s energy to power the battery even when the car is turned off. This gives an additional 1,500 miles in an environment like California, so expect this number to drop in the UK, especially in the winter months. Henri Fisker describes the ideal conditions as ‘snail traffic on the way to work’, which has the potential to boost the mileage by 500 miles per year, according to his interview with Motortrend.
Solar roofs are not without their obstacles, however. There is a reason why they are not widespread across our roads just yet. Firstly, they are expensive. Due to the relatively small size of car roofs when compared to the panels found upon buildings, the investment can be difficult to become worthwhile. This is especially true if the car spends a lot of its time indoors. Fisker explains that they are not yet at the point where the solar technology can enable small trips without using any power from the grid, but that is their goal in the future.
The Ocean is set to hit the UK at the end of this year, with an RRP of £34,990.
The Growing Solar Trend
Fisker is not the only brand that has considered implementing solar technology. The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq now includes optional solar panels, adding up to 1,240 miles per year. Tesla and Toyota are developing solar cars too, but there is one car in particular that is taking this phase one step further.
The Lightyear 2 is the latest iteration of the Netherlands manufacturer’s ground-breaking solar car that boasts being able to ‘drive for months without charging’. Based in Helmond, this budding brand was formed by a number of Dutch university graduates looking to push the boundary of solar innovation. After major funding issues, the Lightyear 2 picks up where the previously cancelled Lightyear 0 left off, meaning the solar roof and bonnet is supposed to double the range to more than 500 miles per charge. This means three times less charging than a regular BEV. Although the launch is not as imminent as the Ocean, the Lightyear 2 has an anticipated price of £35,000.
Record Fast Charging
UK-based Nyobolt began as a battery company until they decided to move their knowledge to EVs by developing their own. Although the vehicle is still in its infancy, Nyobolt’s EV is capable of charging in under six minutes as well as being compatible with existing charging infrastructure, making it far easier to integrate onto our roads. The progress is looking promising too, as Nyobolt have tested their batteries for over 2,000 fast charge cycles without significantly losing performance.
Our Contribution
The EV industry is moving rapidly. As new innovations crowd the market, it is important the infrastructure keeps up. Car Charged UK is committed to staying at the forefront of this change with our solar carports and wireless charging. We are also striving to develop new technology to better the efficiency of our existing carports. To keep updated on our latest news follow us on:
Facebook: Car Charged UK
Instagram: Car_Chargeduk
Twitter: CarChargedUK
Linkedin: car-charged-uk