When it comes to developments, IDTechEx sees 800V powertrains rising in popularity regardless of the added prices, with GM, Hyundai, and VW present process a transition from the present ~400V. platforms, following within the footsteps of start-ups comparable to Lucid Motors.
“The important thing advantage of 800V is it improves effectivity by decreasing joule losses and permitting excessive voltage cabling to be downsized (saving weight),” the report states. “The draw back is it requires deep system adjustments, comparable to design optimization of the electrical motors for the brand new voltage and a transition in direction of dearer silicon carbide MOSFET inverters.”
The consultants at IDTechEx clarify that, total, there’s a compelling worth proposition for 800V. For instance, they pose the thought of a 200-mile WLTP automotive with a 50kWh battery attaining a drive cycle effectivity enchancment of 10% that displays a transition to an 800V platform, silicon carbide inverters, and decreasing the present within the system, bettering efficiency to ~4.4 miles per kWh.
“The result’s a possible battery capability discount of 4-5kWh whereas attaining the unique 200-mile vary,” the file reads. “At immediately’s common costs, this could save round $500 – $600 on the battery pack (roughly the whole price of Tesla’s silicon carbide inverter).”
The evaluation factors out that if this situation is scaled to 50 million electrical vehicles, ~225GWh of stress can be faraway from the battery provide chain. That is greater than the whole battery demand IDTechEx expects from off-road electrical automobile sectors by 2043, together with building, marine, and sky taxis.
Cable optimization
The market researcher notes that one other rising development is and can be optimizing EV high-voltage cabling to cut back the automobile’s weight.
“Each the BMW i3 and the primary Tesla Mannequin S used ~20m of excessive voltage cabling, in comparison with < 10m within the extra fashionable Tesla Mannequin 3, reflecting the potential for design optimization with out main technological developments,” the doc states.
One other strategy – IDTechEx believes – is altering the conductive core from copper to a lighter materials. Aluminum is one such possibility as its density and conductivity are one-third and 60% that of copper, respectively.
“Whereas the nominal core space of Al would enhance to hold the identical electrical present (e.g., roughly 70mm2 of Al wire for 50mm2 of copper wire), there may be nonetheless a internet weight discount of ~45%, in addition to a value discount (Al is cheaper and lighter for a similar ampacity),” the report highlights. “The primary instance is from Tesla, which reportedly ordered 3000km of Al cable from Gebauer & Griller in 2017. Newer teardown stories from China recommend Tesla makes use of Al cable on the part between the OBC and exterior plug within the Mannequin 3, utilizing ~3m of cable.”
