The most important questions about the future of electric cars: When will charging finally take the same amount of time as refueling?

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One in five newly registered cars in Switzerland in the first half of 2023 was an electric car; More than 50 percent of new cars now feature an alternative drive system, including models in the hybrid and plug-in hybrid categories.

Electrification of road transport is making progress, thanks to more and more electric models, advanced technology and increased range. At the same time, many drivers’ doubts about electric cars are gradually decreasing.

But there are still unanswered questions. For example: How can the range of electric vehicles be further increased? How can batteries be made more powerful, longer-lasting and more cost-effective? So how can charging infrastructure be designed to meet future demand reliably and comprehensively?

Below you can find answers to these and other burning questions.

Experts find: Faster than expected in Switzerland. Previous estimates had greatly underestimated the potential of electromobility, according to a report by the Swiss eMobility organization. Current scenarios assume that 60 percent of new registrations by 2025 could be plug-in cars (including plug-in hybrids). By 2030, this rate should be between 72 and 94 percent. By 2035, almost every new car, between 91 and 99 percent, will have electric drive. Even if we critically question these predictions due to the energy crisis and a scenario of 40 to 50 percent is also conceivable, it is certain that a sharp increase in electromobility is inevitable due to European legislation.

The EU’s requirements are clear: From 2035, the sale of new cars with conventional combustion engines will be banned. This decision essentially applies to non-EU Switzerland as well, since new cars registered there must also comply with EU type approvals and European emissions regulations. However, there may still be eFuels (vehicles powered by synthetic fuels produced from carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen (H2)) currently in development that can be used without major changes to existing combustion engines. These fuels are obtained from renewable energies (wind, solar) and are carbon neutral.

Electric cars in Switzerland have a good ecological balance. But this is not the case everywhere in the world. It is therefore clear for Toyota that global emissions-free mobility is not possible with battery-powered electric cars (BEVs) alone, but with a multi-technology strategy “due to the complementary advantages of both battery-powered and hydrogen-powered vehicles.” Vehicles” spokesman Björn Müller says. One reason for this approach is the scarcity and high cost of battery materials. “Then there is the lack of infrastructure. In this context, it is advantageous to use a combination of battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles to reduce CO₂ emissions in the best possible way over the next 10-15 years,” says Müller.

The battery is the heart of a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). However, in some respects it is also considered the Achilles heel of electromobility. The reason: Lithium-ion battery is expensive to produce (a lot of raw materials are required), its service life is limited and its recycling is complicated. When it comes to improving batteries, the biggest focus for electric car manufacturers is this: Batteries of the future must be cheaper to produce, last longer, be more climate-friendly and, of course, provide more power. For example, Toyota is significantly increasing its investments in this field. “Commercial production of bipolar nickel metal hydride (NiMh) batteries has started. These use fewer minerals and are more cost-effective with twice the power density,” says spokesman Björn Müller. “We are also working on the introduction of so-called solid-state batteries: They provide higher performance, greater range and much shorter charging times.” These super batteries will initially be installed as standard in Toyota’s hybrid electric models starting from 2027.

Solid-state battery technology is considered the next step in the development of electric cars. The innovation lies in the fact that the required solids are significantly easier to produce than with existing lithium-ion technology, and the battery is also much lighter. But its biggest plus is that it allows significantly wider ranges. Specifically, it will probably more than double compared to today: it is possible to travel up to 1200 kilometers with Toyota’s super battery.

This is (still) one of the biggest disadvantages of electric cars. Depending on the charging station, charging takes several hours. Although there are increasingly more fast charging stations available, these are primarily located on motorways and should not be used too regularly: fast charging accelerates the aging process of the battery. Sustainable fast charging will only be possible with the installation of the new battery technology we mentioned above. According to Toyota, an electric car will one day be powered by electricity within 10 minutes, so charging will no longer take longer than refueling an internal combustion engine.

Charging is not only one of the biggest hurdles in terms of time required: The general charging situation is also preventing some drivers in Switzerland from switching to electric cars. Mainly good news: Our country is in a good position in this regard; Currently with around 11,000 charging stations, our network is considered one of the busiest in Europe, after countries such as Norway, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. So is Switzerland’s charge also future-proof? A recently presented study by the Federal Office for Energy (SFOE) assumes that 84,000 public charging stations will be needed in Switzerland by 2035, and even 114,000 by 2050. The study also shows that a variety of charging options in general (at home, at work, in the neighborhood, at destination, fast charging) are needed to meet future demand.

Since Switzerland is a country of renters, many residents do not have access to a private charging station. If you, as a tenant, want to install a wall-mounted box, you must wait for the goodwill of the landlord. But the need will be great, as the BFE study makes clear: by 2025 there will likely be between 400,000 and 1 million e-car drivers in this country without access to private charging. A guide developed from scratch by the Swiss eMobility organization with the participation of various players from the energy authorities, administration, auto, power, electricity and real estate sectors, as well as the homeowners and tenants association, aims to help improve this situation. Among other things, it shows step by step the procedure for implementing a charging system. In addition, with the increase in vehicle types, not every electric vehicle driver will need a special charging station.

Countries like Germany already have this: the “right to conditions”. Although the rate of tenants is extremely high, there is no such regulation in this country. A corresponding motion by GLP National Councilor Jürg Grossen was rejected by the Federal Council in 2021. Last June, Grossen restarted his venture. This is to ensure access to charging infrastructure, including tenancies and condominiums.

Source: Blick

Ella

I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.