Coping With The EV Surge
New charging technologies are necessary as the EV market grows
125 years after the first practical electric car was developed, the electric vehicle (EV) market is booming. January 2019 saw the number of EVs sold in the UK increase 110 per cent from the previous year, and Ireland saw a 500 per cent growth. Here, Franky So, chief technology officer of solar cell development company Nextgen Nano, explains how nanotechnology could facilitate the surging demand for power for EVs.
Picture: Franky So
One day, while sitting amidst the dense smog of Victorian London, inventor Thomas Parker had a realisation. Pollution from coal-powered machinery and transportation was harming the population of the UK and something had to be done to stop the issue from escalating.
Parker had already been responsible for overseeing the electrification of the London underground and tramways in other areas of the country. Drawing from this knowledge and interest in fuel efficiency, as well as his concerns about London's air pollution according to his great-grandson, Parker set about inventing and developing the first practical electric car in 1884.
It was effectively a horseless carriage, but it was the important first step on the journey of EVs. 125 years on, the technology has developed but the story remains almost unchanged. We may not be sitting in clouds of smoke in London, but pollution is still one of the most pressing problems of modern times. However, we appear to be turning the page, because adoption of EV technology has surged in recent years.
The surge
In January 2019, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed that 1,334 electric cars were sold, a significant increase from 635 in January 2018. Alongside this, registrations of traditional diesel and petrol cars have started to decrease year on year — a promising sign for the UK market.
There is a caveat to this, however. One of the concerns around the growth in the EV market has been the pressure new vehicles will add to existing electrical infrastructure. More cars necessitate more charging points, which requires more power from the national electrical grid. By nature, many drivers will choose to recharge their EVs during or following the early evening drivetime period. This is where we encounter problems.
The electrical infrastructure is not robust enough to handle a sudden spike in demand, which would lead to power outages and electrical issues like harmonic currents that damage electrical and electronic components. This would have the most significant impact on local infrastructure in areas with a high concentration of EVs, which is something highlighted in a McKinsey industry analysis.
To mitigate this risk, the UK's energy regulation body, Ofgem, has called for incentives to encourage drivers to charge EVs outside of peak hours. The trouble is, this isn't convenient for drivers. As such, another solution is needed.
Power for the road
At Nextgen Nano, we believe the solution is to rethink how EVs can charge. Instead of just plugging into charging points connected to the grid, we have the potential to facilitate charging through solar panels contained on the car itself, which enhances convenience for drivers and complements charging points. This can be achieved using Nextgen Nano's unique PolyPower organic solar cell technology. PolyPower combines the latest advancements in nanotechnology, biopolymer materials and organic polymer solar cells (PSCs) to offer a robust, flexible, sheet-like photovoltaic product that can be easily incorporated into the design of EVs.
Effectively, this technology means that EVs can be decentralised and, as long as there is sufficient sunlight for the cells to harvest, the vehicle's battery can be recharged on-the-go. This complements the existing charging infrastructure, alleviates the strain on the grid and allows EV manufacturers to extend the range of their vehicles.
What's more, the use of nanotechnology in developing PolyPower means that it remains incredibly thin, so automotive designers can incorporate it onto the exterior of the vehicle, without compromising on vehicle aesthetics.
It's not just the electrical infrastructure that would benefit from this design choice. Consumers get the benefit of recharging becoming a convenient process that fits their lifestyle, while the technology itself has the potential to be low-cost and will therefore keep the price of the vehicle low.
Likewise, the technology means that EV manufacturers can produce solar-powered cars that boast much higher ranges than their competitors, at a competitive price. And because solar is a renewable energy source, EV brands can also ensure vehicles can run on entirely sustainable power.
This technology alleviates some of the burden on electrical grids, but today's charging infrastructure must be overhauled to ensure a completely smooth transition to EVs. Charging systems should contain electrical components such as power filters that are designed to keep electrical distortion controlled and mitigate the risk of component damage to either EVs or the network infrastructure itself.
Just as the EV market is becoming increasingly mature and prevalent, so too is the charging technology underpinning it. If automotive manufacturers invest in the right technology, there is no reason why EVs can't become the standard in the years ahead. And after 125 years, it's about time.
Picture: Dr Carr Ho
