Technology and market trends in electric and hybrid vehicles

Abstract

Road transportation is one of the most significant CO2 emission sources, mostly done by passenger cars in cities. A few regulations have been approved by the European Union and other countries such as the United states and Japan to regulate this average emission of passenger vehicle, resulting to a push by manufacturers towards vehicle electrification.

Electricity as an alternative fuel is becoming more and more common on vehicles. But some limitations are still present with the driving range being the most problematic. It can be extended by increasing the battery pack capacity but also, the efficiency of the power electronics as well as the electric motor(s).

This research focuses on collecting as much information possible on the technology present in hybrid and electric vehicle to understand how it works and forecast the innovations that will be used in the future by big actors in the market. By comparing older and future model with as much characteristics as possible and analyzing the roadmap of car manufacturers and suppliers, it is possible to imagine what technology will be implemented next.

Some innovations found are the use of 800 V battery instead of 400 V, the use of wide band gap semiconductor instead of silicon in power electronics, and other trends focusing the battery chemistry or the number and type of electric motor.