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Why passenger cars remain the most prominent vehicle in the EV battery market
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Africa is one of the top countries undergoing a major transition in the vehicle segment. The major shift from traditional cars to electric battery-powered vehicles has been an impressive and a major one. This dramatic inclination is a result of increased awareness of environmental issues and the need to fulfil greener ambitions set by African economies. Future Market Insights projects the electric vehicle battery market to surpass nearly $13 billion in 2027, likely to grow at a CAGR of 8.5%.
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Electric vehicles are highly dependent on the strengthto-weight ratio to perform efficiently on the road. Along with this, the increasing dependency on passenger cars for daily travel and commute along with the penetration of plug-in hybrid electric cars is playing a crucial role in the rapid adoption of the same. In this article, we will look at why passenger cars remain the most prominent vehicle type in the electric vehicle battery market.
Environment-friendly initiatives by the African government to add immense growth
The adoption of electric passenger vehicles in Africa has grown gradually over the years owing to the initiatives launched by African governments. They are increasingly investing in research and development activities to cater to environmental issues, taking charge of spreading awareness of vehicle electrification. They are doing this by pointing out the positive impacts on climate change driven by a global tide in the use of electric vehicles (EVs).
African economies like Ghana and Kenya are aiming toward high development and growth by the end of 2030. Even if the target is met halfway, the overall automotive market in the regions is anticipated to grow at a tremendous pace. The Automobile Association of Zimbabwe, along with the other members of the African Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs, revealed that the unregulated importing of cars in many African countries has a negative impact on the continent’s environment, health, society and economy.
Additionally, there are a varied number of reasons why people and organisations from Africa are choosing to invest in electric vehicle-powered passenger cars rather than traditional passenger cars. In 2021, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), along with the global electric facility, announced its plans to help South Africa to shift to zero-emission electric mobility. Through this partnership, the programme will focus on building electric charging stations, cutting down
on production and manufacturing costs and offering affordable plug-in hybrid electric cars. This, in turn, is expected to drive the sales of electric battery-powered passenger cars.
Furthermore, the uYilo eMobility programme was awarded funding within the Smart Energy Solutions for Africa project. The project started in October 2021 and will run till September 2025. Through this programme, Africa’s electric mobility solutions along with repurposing batteries utilised in electric vehicles will be extended. This, in turn, will drive the growth of passenger vehicles in the region.
Looking at the current scenario, Africa is dealing with the major issue of combating pollution. Thus, to penetrate the market, manufacturers of electric passenger vehicles are launching and introducing initiatives, driving the growth the same.
Increasing the prices of fossil fuels to make a difference in the market
Most of the top automakers based out of Africa are concerned about educating consumers and changing their perception of the benefits of vehicle electrification. They are doing this by offering them the chance to experience the enhanced performance of electric vehicles. For instance, in October 2021, Electric vehicle company Tesla deployed its first two Supercharger stations in Morocco, marking its first entry into the African market. Supercharger stations are generally the first step toward Tesla entering a new market, reports Electrek. The electric vehicle company has opened new stations at the Onomo Hotel in Casablanca and the Al Houara Resort and Spa in Tangier.
According to sources, SubSaharan African (SSA) countries are looking for alternative energy sources for reducing the growing burden of fuel dependency by leveraging their abundant renewable energy resources. Electric Vehicles (EVs), powered by batteries, offer a potential solution to such problems. Furthermore, Author: Aditi Basu, the Marketing Head at Future Market Insights (FMI), an ESOMAR-certified market research and consulting Market Research Company there are many reasons why the increasing prices of fossil fuels are making difference in the whole market scenario. Conclusion
In February 2022, Agilitee Africa, one of the leading South Africabased Electric Vehicles manufacturers, launched its first self-charging fourwheeler electric vehicle named the Agility-Go. The car has a travel range that can cover 300km if fully charged and also selfcharges, 1100p HD Reverse
Camera with a large central screen, sensitive and quick response combined hydraulic brakes, Front & Rear impact guard with side protection for all occupants, Bluetooth hands-free calls, child lock Hill-Start assist control (HAC) and Automatic Gear.
Africa’s transport facilities are mostly fuel-based which has led to the creation of a financial burden on citizens and a fiscal burden on economies. Secondly, the demand for electricity in the region is projected to increase fourfold by the end of 2040. To cater to the demand, African countries are optimally utilising their available resources and putting them to use in the passenger vehicle segment.
As the African region shifts its focus toward more cuttingedge technologies and forms strategic collaborations with automotive OEMs, the electric vehicle battery market will have brighter prospects. Mounting environmental concerns such as global warming and rising pollution levels have prompted manufacturers to propose alternative energy sources to power vehicles. Across the globe, the electric vehicle battery market is expanding at a breakneck pace. As a result of the increased demand for EVs, major vehicle manufacturers are entering the African market, which is ultimately expected to stimulate demand for EV batteries in the long run. Future market insights project the demand for stored electricitybased EV batteries to gain significant traction, attributed to the fact that electric vehicles for travelling larger distances are acquiring popularity.
Over the years, a massive amount of transformation is happening in the African automotive industry. The players in the region are optimising as per the need and looking forward to making smart decisions necessary to achieve e-mobility. Looking at the way momentum is building, Africa is projected to adapt to newer technologies and change with time.
SAF TRAKr regenerative braking axle goes into production
The SAF TRAKr electric trailer axle from SAF-HOLLAND is introduced on the market in stages: After the successful test phase over several years, pre-production has been in full swing in Bessenbach since June 2022. Standard production of the recuperation axle will start in 2022.
The use of electrified trailer axles is becoming increasingly important for low emis-sion transports, such as for refrigerated semitrailers and inner-city applications. Another innovation driver for the electric technology are the legal regulations: More than 50 zero emission zones are planned in Europe for the near future, including in Berlin, Paris and London. Stricter noise pollution standards also encourage man-ufacturers to produce vehicles that are significantly more quiet. To limit global warming as planned, CO2 emissions have to be lowered by up to 95 per cent by 2050. “We see great opportunities for electrified trailer axles here: They reduce CO2 and noise emissions and meet legal requirements, for example for night-time refrigerated transports on inner city routes. The electric axles
The SAF TRAKr regenerative braking axle from SAF-HOLLAND is scheduled to go into regular production in 2022. Image credit: SAF-HOLLAND also cater to the in-dustry trend towards ‘greener transport’,” says Olaf Drewes, Director Group Inno-vation EMEA at SAFHOLLAND.
SAF TRAKr lowers emissions and fuel consumption
The SAF TRAKr trailer axle uses regenerative braking to lower the emissions and fuel con-sumption of the overall vehicle. To do this, the centrally positioned high voltage generator unit converts the kinetic energy of the trailer into elec-trical energy. The generated energy is stored in a Li-ion battery and then used to run the electrical units in the trailer, such as the refrigeration units, on electricity alone.
The main areas of application are refrigerated semi-trailers, tank trucks and silo trailers. For the drivers, the purely electrical operation of the refrigeration unit pro-vides appreciable added comfort on the road, as they are exposed to significantly lower noise emissions. The regenerative braking axle is manufactured at the SAF-HOLLAND factory in Bessenbach in northern Bavaria. It is initially launched on the European market, before the SAF TRAKr will then also be introduced in other re-gions worldwide next year.
Easy maintenance and reliable spare parts supply
For maximum flexibility and ease of maintenance, the operating strategy and the individual components of the SAF TRAKr are perfectly coordinated. Numerous components are permanently integrated into the electric axle. This allows vehicle manufacturers to install or retrofit the SAF TRAKr with only little effort while using standard interfaces. Maintenance is also easy and cost efficient: Neither the centrally installed gearbox with the flanged-on generator nor other HV components have to be removed to uninstall wheel ends and wheels. Wear parts such as brake pads or brake rotors are identical to the components for the non-electrified SAF-HOLLAND axles. This makes the spare parts supply easier and more reliable.
SAF TRAKr: modular design offers flexibility
The SAF TRAKr uses a high-voltage generator module for electric regenerative braking, with a maximum power of 20 kW by design. The axle is designed for axle loads from nine to ten tons. It is available with different disc brakes for 19.5” and 22.5” tyres and for the SAF INTRA and SAF MODUL suspension systems. SAF-HOLLAND is cooperating with external partners for the regenerative braking systems.
The generator runs independently of the tractor unit and only while the vehicle is in motion, but not during interventions by the ABS braking system or driving dynamics. For reasons of type approval, regenerative braking is currently not yet permit-ted for adaptive braking. The generator is deactivated at vehicle speeds below 15 km/h so the required start-up torque and therefore the fuel consumption of the tractor unit are not increased during these phases. Charging options are energy generation by the axle while driving (generator operation) and charging from the external power supply during standstill, for example when the vehicle is loaded or unloaded.
Tested successfully together with part-ners, the SAF TRAKr electric axle from SAF-HOLLAND will go into standard pro-duction in 2022. Image credit: SAF-HOLLAND Following successful tests together with partners, the SAF TRAKr electric axle from SAF-HOLLAND has now reached market maturity. Image credit: SAF-HOLLAND
How to Apply Automotive Protective Coatings and Overlays
If you have a new car or just want to protect the paint on your old one, you should consider applying a protective coating to it. Overlays and coatings bond with the surface of the vehicle’s paint to provide protection from chemicals, scratches, and dings. They are virtually permanent and will not require any maintenance. You can apply these on your car or truck yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.
Overlays are protected from many environmental and manufacturing conditions. They are exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun, chemicals, grease, and usage. Overlays will start to wear out over time and will need to be replaced. Fortunately, these types of protective covers are easy to remove and have a 3-6 year life span. Here’s how to apply them yourself. You should begin by applying a protective film over the surface of your car.
Overlays are not the only thing that protect your car. The exterior of your vehicle is exposed to many different conditions. From the weather to ultraviolet rays, from the sun to chemicals and grease, to the usage of the car, the outer coating of an automobile is vulnerable to damage. Luckily, there are a variety of products that can protect your car. The most effective type of protection is the one that keeps it looking new longer. Overlays are a great option for protecting your car from the harsh elements that can damage them. The most effective protective coating will keep the car looking great for much longer. The best way to protect your car’s paint from abrasion and other harmful elements is to use an automotive paint protection film. There are two types of urethane films. These are made of plastic and are often used on cars.
While the material of an automotive overlay is durable, it is vulnerable to many environmental and manufacturing conditions that can damage it. Exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun, chemicals, grease, and other substances can cause the cover to become damaged. Overlays can be protected with a protective coating to minimize these types of damages. Once applied, it can last up to six years and is maintenance-free. You can even remove them without damaging the surface.
There are several different types of automotive protective coatings. The best ones are those that are UV resistant to chemicals. These films are a great choice for cars that are exposed to harsh environments. They also help to keep the paint on the car looking great longer. Most of them are OEM approved, meaning they will not cause any harm to the car. They can be removed easily and can last for up to six years.
Passanger Tyres
What to look for in Passenger Tyres
You may be unsure of what to look for in your Passenger Tyres. The sidewall of the passenger tyre shows the maximum load the tyre can carry. A P265/70R17 116 tire, for example, has a maximum load capacity of 2,756 pounds. These types of tyres are identified as light load (LL), standard load (SL), and extra load or high load. The load index of these tyres is the same in both P-metric and Euro-metric sizes, but the maximum load capacity may differ.
The tread pattern of passenger tyres can be either wide or narrow. SUV tyres are designed for off-road driving. While passenger tyres are designed for road use, they may differ from SUV tires. Aside from the tread pattern, the sidewall of passenger tyres is a crucial part of a vehicle’s handling. As the technology in cars and trucks continues to evolve,
tyre manufacturers must adapt to these changes. The key challenge for transportation companies is to reduce rolling resistance, which accounts for up to 50% of the fuel consumed by passenger vehicles. While it is possible to reduce rolling resistance by reducing the viscoelastic properties of the rubber compound, this comes at the cost of wet traction and grip. To achieve low rolling resistance, you need high tangent and high hysteresis.
Layers Tread
A tyre’s tread is made up of various materials. While the tread is made up of rubber, other components are responsible for other important functions. These include rim designs, spoke orientation, and suspension. Passenger tyres are created from specific materials with specific properties and work together to meet these needs. If they are not properly maintained, the tires could be detrimental to the safety of passengers. Fortunately, modern vehicle manufacturers are beginning to take note of these factors.
The body of a passenger tyre is made up of several layers of textile material called plies. These plies add strength, resistance to wear, and directional stability. A majority of passenger tyre casings are multi-ply. Most ply materials are polyester, nylon, or rayon, each with its own distinct advantages. In addition to these, inner tubes are used in passenger tyres as an air seal. These tubes lie under the body plies and are filled with air when the tyre is inflated. The sidewall of a passenger tyre contains a significant amount of information. This information can be used to determine the purpose of the tyre, its dimensions, load capacity, and speed. The designation “OE” indicates that the tyre is factory fitted to a particular model. However, some manufacturers do not offer a tyre with OE characteristics. For this reason, it is vital to understand the specifications of passenger tyres to make a purchase decision. Whether it is a truck or passenger tyre, a tyre rack is an excellent way to store them. Many of these racks are stacked and interlaced to allow you to store as many as possible. The Barrel Stack & Lacing Tyre Rack is designed to store up to 100 interlaced passenger tyres. The barrel tyre rack has a fork guide for easy loading and unloading.
