EV Magazine - August 2023

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LEVERAGE THE ELEMENTS TO MAKE ELECTRIFICATION SUSTAINABLE

Electrification isn’t just about sustainability from an emissions standpoint, but also— from the commercial perspective—it is driving efficiencies within businesses and the necessary transformation to make the most of the digital services offered today.

Cities are becoming smarter, mobility seamless, and new realms of

transportation are explored to leverage the least impactful technologies and the safest, cleanest routes of mobility. The questions still arise, but the answers are evolving every day. “How will we charge?”, “What is the cost?”, “How do we integrate?”. The reality is that faith in alternative and electric methods of mobility is recognised across a number of industries, and will echo down to consumers—as long as corporations truly support the movement.

Ultimately, industries will leverage all the naturally renewable elements—air, ground, water—to overcome the need for combustions, which has propelled industries over the past century.

TOM SWALLOW EDITOR-IN-CHIEF tom.swallow@bizclikmedia.com

FEATURES

028 COVER STORY

Will sustainable aviation take off in time?

040 CONNECTED CAR

Integrating self-driving cars into the smart cityscape

048 CHARGING & INFRASTRUCTURE

A rapid charge towards public electrification potential

058 FLEET & COMMERCIAL

What does it take to manufacture an electric fleet?

066 MOBILITY

Hydrofoiling: Tapping into unforeseen speed and mobility

074 TOP TEN Electric boat companies

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AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN BUILT AROUND THE BATTERY

AUTOMOTIVE BUILT THE I

n June 2023, AEHRA Automobili revealed its second ultra-premium luxury vehicle, and while it won’t be hitting a mass production line, the Sedan cements the statement already made by the EV startup.

Combining the best of Italian automotive design with the principles that have built some of the world’s most desirable cars, AEHRA’s two vehicles follow a battery-first approach and showcase how car makers can embody an allelectric solution in an elegant and sophisticated way. EV Magazine extends its thanks and congratulations to AEHRA for allowing us to be part of the AEHRA SUV and Sedan launches.

THE TROUBLESOME TRANSITION TO AN ELECTRIC FLEET

Business owners and fleet operators are faced with the daunting yet compulsory task of decarbonising not only their fleet vehicles, but also all other operations surrounding their commercial use of cars, vans, and trucks.

Firstly, companies must accept that their vehicles won’t serve them in the future – or at least as infrastructure and development currently stands. As a result of this, they have to seek alternatives.

For passenger cars and commercial vans it’s looking like battery-electric solutions are way forward, but trucks and other large vehicles have the added option of hydrogen, which is expensive and less available at present.

Because global and national demand for goods is high, and businesses can’t afford downtime, the transition to alternatively powered vehicles is a crucial talking point.

The key for operators is not to think they have to go it alone and support through digital means will allow them to make the best decisions possible. This is where connected fleet solutions or fleet management systems come into play.

EV-readiness programmes are available to collate and analyse data on the performance of fleet vehicles, which could find efficiencies to service an all-electric Such efficiencies include route planning and optimisation, spotting unnecessary stops or delays, and the number of available services on route.

From a safety perspective, connected fleet solutions – such as autonomous and driverless trucks – will allow companies to connect to in-cab digital devices,to remotely asses potentially dangerous situations.

TROUBLESOME FLEET

THE EVTOL

LEADING CORPORATIONS

Electric vertical-take-off-and-landing aircraft are attracting interest from major organisations, but how will the Midnight serve its customers?

Carefully crafted for comfort at elevation, the aircraft, Midnight, takes us into the future as an EV optimised for the skies above our heads. The aircraft is designed to hold a payload of around 1,000 lbs (half a tonne) and is one of the many solutions arriving in the aviation industry to both meet electrification demands and tackle transportation challenges.

Developed by Archer Aviation, Midnight is built with proprietary tech, including its homegrown powertrain system optimised for balanced power output. With a potential of 3,000 flights, this powertrain also benefits from the ability to charge in around 10 minutes.

To make Midnight a reliable means of electrified transport, Archer built it

BACKED BY CORPORATIONS

with six individual battery packs, which each independently powers one of its six propellers, and also aids weight distribution across the aircraft.

AN EVTOL BUILT FOR LIGHTWEIGHT AGILITY

While safety is of the essence, agility is also a key component of any small aircraft looking to cover regional

transportation and serve as part of an aviation fleet. The Midnight is built with composite at its heart, with an advanced carbon fibre body, enabling lightweight and structural integrity.

Midnight has space for five people, including the pilot, yet it is capable of travelling 150 mph—which Archer claims can turn hour-long journeys into minutes.

This aircraft has already seen great stakeholder interest. Stellantis invested in the company and continues to share its expertise to get the eVTOLs off the ground.

MIDNIGHT

Payload +1,000 lbs

100 miles

150 mph

Six independently power propellers

Seating for one pilot and four passengers

Rapid charging in as little as 10 minutes

Low direct operating costs

Optimised for 20 - 50 mile urban trips

United Airlines is also committed with a first order, which would be put to work to create an air taxi service from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to Vertiport Chicago.

Capable of transporting low volumes of passengers at higher speeds opens up all-new capabilities for aviation to become a shuttle mobility solution— reducing airport congestion and transport pollution while creating convenience for passengers.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:

MATCHING SPEED WITH POWER IN BOTH DRIVING AND CHARGING

A groundbreaking technology that will see a six-minute charge is the result of a combined effort from CALLUM and Nyobolt bringing EVs into ICE territory that are hindering the widespread adoption of electric cars. Right now, the world needs ultra-fast charging batteries with more power.

Aboundary was broken in June 2023 as a combined effort from the Cambridge-based design firm CALLUM and Nyobolt’s high-power charging innovations were brought to the public eye.

In order to address the much-needed function of fast charging, the teams came together with the idea to develop a fastcharging car, which follows the same story as all great electrified solutions that were created and fine-tuned for a track environment.

Discussing the announcement in June, Sai Shivareddy (SS), CEO of Nyobolt, and Aleck Jones (AJ), Creative Lead at CALLUM, tell us about the companies’ fast-charging, electrified, Lotus-Elise-inspired vehicle and the charging solutions that allow a sixminute charge.

TELL US WHAT LED YOU DOWN THE PATH TO CREATE AN ELECTRIC SPORTS CAR OF YOUR OWN

SS: Nyobolt’s vision is to resolve the core problems at the heart of the EV industry

Currently, owning an EV diminishes the driving experience. You have to plan your journey based on charging stations and then wait a considerable time for the vehicle to charge. Now, charging can be done in the time it takes to buy a coffee, or around the same time it would take to fill with petrol.

WHY REINVENT THE ELISE? WHY NOT USE AN EV ALREADY ON THE MARKET?

AJ: Rather than take a restomod approach, the aim was to evolve the design and bring it up to date, while keeping that iconic sports car character that was so well received in the Elise. Nyobolt’s technology allows this car to tick all the boxes that made the original Elise such a desirable drivers’ car with a cult following, but it’s electric.

These two things don’t usually come hand-in-hand due to weight and battery packaging constraints.

The Elise originally had bigger wheels on the rear, but we’ve chosen 19 inch rims all around on this concept. We needed to ensure that we maintained the right attitude with the body, so it’s nose down, taking that same aggressive stance—that was something really important to Julian and the CALLUM team.

The car has exaggerated proportions with a low-slung body that is 100mm wider and 150 mm longer than the original Elise. The wide stance quickly rolls into the body and back out again into muscular haunches, creating an exquisite hourglass shape. The car’s waistline has been lifted, too.

Typically, you run into feasibility issues with initial sketches and a design loses impact as it moves between concept and production, but incredibly we’ve been able to realise our early images. Thanks to the close working relationship between CALLUM’s design and engineering teams, they were able to realise this unique vision.

WHAT MAKES THE NYOBOLT SOLUTION DIFFERENT TO OTHERS ON THE MARKET—OF SOLUTIONS ENABLING RAPID CHARGING?

SS: Nyobolt has created batteries capable of charging in minutes by pioneering novel anode materials, cell designs, efficient software control and power electronics. The company’s system level approach has resulted in uniquely efficient and powerful batteries.

Nyobolt’s fast charging, high power battery technology is designed specifically for customers who rely on batteries to run their businesses. These include factories using robotics and automation, and/or heavy machinery operators such as mining and electric car manufacturers. It unlocks the potential of battery performance with a unique technology that is manufacturable and scalable right now, giving batteries ultrafast charging time and more power. This opens the possibility of the electrification of new products and services that are currently impossible.

WHO DO YOU SEE USING THIS CAR AND CHARGING SOLUTION?

The technology is proven across a range of applications and Nyobolt is engaged in a number of conversations with automotive customers with plans to begin battery production and subsequent supply into OEMS from 2026. While Nyobolt’s battery technology might initially be of greatest appeal to sportscar and premium automotive brands, it is capable of widespread adoption, with potentially enormous benefits.

WHAT IMPACT DO YOU EXPECT THE NYOBOLT TECHNOLOGY TO HAVE ON THE INDUSTRY?

Nyobolt’s battery technology combines fast charging and long cycle life, providing industrial users with a high uptime, long life solution to keep operations running with fewer vehicles and fewer batteries—advantages attractive to fleets, public transport operators, logistics and automation. This enables operators to

transition away from internal combustion engines using an appropriately sized battery, providing operational and commercial benefits.

Fast-charging, long life batteries are a game changer in the race to full electrification. Overall, fewer charging points are required, as vehicles will only be on stand for a fraction of the time. Home charging issues are alleviated, as power can quickly be obtained from public charging stations— similar to filling with petrol. Long charging times are consistently highlighted as a key barrier to electrification—Nyobolt has the solution to remove this.

DID YOU KNOW DID YOU KNOW

ELECTRIC BOATS HAVE A LONG-STANDING HISTORY, JUST LIKE COMBUSTION BOATS. THE FIRST ELECTRIC BOAT WAS INVENTED BY MORITZ VON JACOBI IN THE LATE 1830S, WHICH FIRST SET SAIL ON THE NEVA RIVER IN RUSSIA. THIS BOAT CARRIED 14 PASSENGERS UP STREAM FOR 7.5 KM.

“RANGE ANXIETY WILL SOON BE A THING OF THE PAST AND WE BELIEVE WE ALREADY OFFER CHARGE CONFIDENCE TO OUR DRIVERS”

ADRIAN KEEN CEO, INSTAVOLT

ELECTRIC VEHICLE WRITE-OFFS

Repairability is a major talking point for automakers. It recently came to light that some EVs are written off as repairs to minor damage on batteries is considered uneconomical in many cases.

While battery cost is still one of the reasons why EVs have such high price points, battery manufacturers and OEMs themselves will be looking to insure components are able to be fixed.

“THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IS GOING THROUGH AN UNPRECEDENTED TIME OF CHANGE AND CHALLENGE WITH THE TRANSITION TO NEWER FORMS OF PROPULSION”

KJELL WALOEN CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF MANUFACTURING OFFICER, VOLTA TRUCKS

STATISTICS

CONSUMER SENTIMENTS TOWARDS EV OWNERSHIP IN 2023

Deloitte: 2023 Global Automotive Consumer Study

47%

21%

14%

8%

Would prefer a HEV to ICE

Would rather a PHEV over ICE

Would prefer a BEV over ICE

Still prefer petrol or diesel vehicles

“VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AIRCRAFT DEMAND A LOT OF POWER, AND THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT'S LIMITED THEIR WIDER DEPLOYMENT IN THE PAST”

UNDERSTANDING EVs: EVOLVING POWER ARCHITECTURE

A trend that came to light over recent years as organisations build efficiency into their vehicles, when we say independent power we refer to architecture that links a single battery directly to an external motor.

This can be seen in eVTOL aircraft whereby a single battery supplies a single propeller motor to enable direct connect and instant torque with almost zero delay.

This is different for passenger cars as automakers build motors in the wheel and suspension units to minimise the space lost in the cab while increasing torque and power potential. From there chassis have evolved in platforms, which also allows for more customisable, adaptable engineering and EV production at scale.

Needless to say, despite how things may seem, no EV is the same. Manufacturers are making architecture choices based on their own design and performance needs. As a result, engineering as a process is evolving and car makers are no longer sticking to the rules.

For years, cars have been built around an engine with minimal options for moving the powertrain. Electric architecture opens a world of possibilities.

Adam Elman Head of Sustainability EMEA Google

Musidora Jorgensen Chief Sustainability Officer Microsoft

Nick Jenkinson Managing Director Verto Solutions Ltd

Susan Spence VP, Sourcing Procurement & Accounts FedEx VP,

Geraint John VP, Interos Resilience Lab Interos

Kate Rosenshine Director - Global Azure Technology Sales Microsoft

Aravind Narayan Global Director - Sales Strategy & Execution Refinitiv (LSEG)

Sam Clarke Chief Vehicle Officer Gridserve

WILL SUSTAINABLE TAKE OFF

WILL SUSTAINABLE AVIATION

IN TIME?

National and international air transport are part of electrification. This requires a unique approach to decarbonisation, comprising multiple methods

BY TOM SWALLOW

Over the past few years, we’ve seen some considerable changes in transportation, and conceptual ideas are coming to life as a result of great electric propulsion triumphs. It began with the transition from fuel to electric, and now air travel is taking a turn to incorporate further means of mobility.

Historically, the bigger the engine the more power and thrust an aircraft has, determining its suitability for short and long-haul flights. As it stands, you would fly light aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean; likewise an Airbus A380 is unsustainable as an intercity transport mechanism.

Similar principles apply in a sustainable aviation space with organisations looking at new ways to make aircraft that are suitable for specific tasks, and more flexible depending on the application. The ratio of weight to power is the current battle that technicians are facing in every instance,but battery architecture enables a different use of the skies above us. Electrical systems drive aircraft decarbonisation, which in turn is opening up new and intuitive ways to travel.

eVTOL COULD BE A NATIONAL AVIATION SOLUTION

Take the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as an example. With minimal components required by an all-electric system, aircraft engineers are stepping away from a conventional design to utilise a drone-style propeller layout, by creating aircraft that fits into the current culture of flexibility and convenience. However, this isn’t without its challenges.

“THERE'S GOING TO BE A CROSSOVER POINT, WHEREBY IF YOU FLY LONGER RANGES, YOU'RE GOING TO NEED HYBRID POWER”

JIA XU

CTO, HONEYWELL U AM AND UAS

“Vertical take-off aircraft demand a lot of power, and that's been one of the issues that's limited their wider deployment in the past. With distributed electric propulsion you win on multiple accounts,” says Jia Xu, CTO, Honeywell UAM and UAS.

“There's the noise benefit, there's a safety benefit, uh, but now you can also operate in this vertical takeoff mode without as much penalty as you had historically.”

The innovation we see in eVTOLs is testament to the capabilities of all-electric systems. Electrical components alleviate the need for more space to encapsulate bulky engines and fossil-fuel-driven propulsion systems. This principle is seen in the automotive industry as well with more vehicle manufacturers paying attention to the internal user experience and maximising smaller craft for larger capacity.

HONEYWELL AEROSPACE BRINGS

ELEC TRIC POWER INTO THE AVIATION DECAR BONISATION

EQUATION

We spoke to Honeywell Aerospace to gain a Understanding on aviation from a technology perspective. As the aviation industry evolves, it looks to such organisations to overcome the challenges faced in decarbonising their propulsion and transporting people and packages sustainability.

Honeywell carries out a lot of the work to support these tasks, including the development of certifiable electric motors for aircraft and other mission-critical systems that make them fly. An example of this is the company’s work with Vertical Aerospace, which is a UK-based manufacturer of eVTOLs, providing the avionics system—fly-by-wire systems that enable all of the crucial control functions of the aircraft.

Then there’s the propulsion layout. Traditionally, aircraft were built with large engines or propellers to provide the maximum power from one or two eternally mounted pieces. eVTOL enables a new, comfortable, and sophisticated means of people and parcel transport. They are given near car-like agility in the sky, which could create a flexible approach to aviation— something of a sci-fi movie prediction.

The idea of eVTOL on a wider scale is more than a novelty, but an exercise that could reduce aviation costs and enable purposebuilt aircraft that are scalable.

“Rather than having a giant electric motor, it can have 12 little ones—without paying too much penalty. Essentially the fixed cost of each motor is quite minimal. That allows

you to create this distributed propulsion arrangement where you can gain the safety benefit and the control benefit,” says Xu.

“Scalability also comes into the vertical takeoff dimension as well. That just means if you make a small, let's say five kilowatt electric motor, pound by pound—or kilogramme by kilogramme—it scales very well when you go to a 200 kilogram motor.”

CAN ELECTRIC DECARBONISATION INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT PATHS?

These are all well and good from a national perspective, but what about international transportation?

With more than 38 million international flights taking place in 2019—decreasing

rapidly by around 16.7 million due to the coronavirus pandemic—aviation plays a significant role in economic success, commerce, and recreation. But, the level of pollution that sparked change among airline operators to adopt more sustainable solutions.

Present efforts are focused on creating hybrid aircraft models or adopting SAF to reduce emissions by as much as 80% for trips abroad, but questions abound whether all-electric would be a suitable solution for long-term industry use.

“There's going to be a crossover point, whereby if you fly longer and longer ranges, you're going to need hybrid power to match the energy density of the fossil fuels,” says Xu.

“SCALABILITY ALSO COMES INTO THE VERTICAL TAKE-OFF DIMENSION”

JIA XU CTO, HONEYWELL U AM AND UAS

“There are alternatives. You can use a hydrogen fuel-cell system, which would be the same kind of backend prime mover, providing that sustained high energy density for the electric motor at the front. But, more than likely, with that hybrid system, you're still going to need electric motors at the front.

“You're probably going to need batteries to give you that high response time power, and then you're going to have a generator—be it a fuel cell system or a turbo generator or an internal combustion engine—to provide you with that sustaining element of power.”

When you consider all of the components Xu mentions, not only does it begin to sound expensive, but also very complex and heavy. It seems that solutions are enabling extended flight for hybrid-powered aircraft, but the inevitable truth is that they still burn fossil fuels—they don’t produce zero emissions.

This is the problem area that technicians are looking to resolve, because larger passenger aircraft are currently operating on a hybrid basis, but the goal is to get to zero emissions. So, how will they do that?

By slowly increasing the capabilities of electric propulsion in commercial aircraft, and perhaps hydrogen will make its way into the mix as its widespread use is yet to be leveraged fully.

JIA XU

CTO, HONEYWELL U AM AND UAS

“VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AIRCRAFT DEMAND A LOT OF POWER, AND THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT'S LIMITED THEIR WIDER DEPLOYMENT”

COMING SOON AWARDS

2024

The Global Sustainability Awards 2024 will be celebrating the very best in Sustainability & ESG with the following categories:

Sustainability Strategy Award

–

ESG Program Award

–

Climate Change Award

–

Diversity & Inclusion Award

–Net Zero Award

–

Sustainable Supply Chain Award

–

Sustainable Technology Award

–

Sustainable Consultancy Award

–

Future Leader Award

–

Executive of the Year Award

–

Project of the Year Award

–

Lifetime Achievement Award

INTEGRATING SELF-DRIVING CARS INTO THE SMART CITYSCAPE

CONNECTED CAR

Autonomous vehicles are finding their place in the future of our mobility network, enabling the transition to a truly smart city with energy efficiency

acting on overwatch across cities. With the ability to communicate with each other and traffic infrastructure in real-time, autonomous vehicles can optimise traffic flow and reduce congestion. AI-powered

algorithms analyse a vast amount of data, including patterns of traffic, weather conditions and reports, and provide real-time visibility to inform traffic decision-making much faster.

“Connectivity and data are vital elements to influence the evolution of e-mobility. First of all, it helps us understand urban mobility infrastructure better,” says Carlo Ratti, Professor of Practice of Urban Technologies and Planning at MIT.

“Furthermore, data can be leveraged to forge an overarching mobility system in which e-mobility plays a central role. In this scenario - we call it the “Moving Web”a digital platform aggregates data about all mobility solutions - buses, trains and other vehicles - and broadcasts it in real time through a mobile app. Commuters can use it to identify the optimal commuting options and reserve all the trips in one go.”

C ARLO RATTI PROFESSOR O F PRACTICE OF URBAN TE CHNOLOGIES AND PLANN ING AT MIT

“WE CAN ALREADY IMAGINE A NOT-TOODISTANT FUTURE OF SELF-DRIVING CARS”

CATCH THE LATEST UPDATES AND RECEIVE EV NEWS INSIGHTS

While many would presume that selfdriving cars are directly responsible for their reactions on the roads, signals and data from the infrastructure around provide more data points on which to base their decisions. By combining insights from the world around them while assessing scenarios internally means that cars will be much better informed than their drivers or passengers.

That’s not to discredit the work of autonomous vehicle creators as they are incredibly powerful vehicles. With the ability to assess millions of data points accessed via camera, radar, and lidar solutions, AVs consistently look to find the most energy efficient routes based on the road they see in front of them. In fact, if autonomy were available for ICE vehicles, dare I say there could have been a significant impact on the amount of carbon emissions in the atmosphere today.

According to studies, autonomous vehicles have the potential to improve fuel efficiency by up to 20%, which is a result of smoother operation and optimal speeds for the journey. From an EV perspective, AV technologies help drivers make their most of their energy and inform them when it really is time to charge.

“SENSOR-LADEN SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES, WHICH CAN COMMUNICATE WITH ONE ANOTHER TO MAINTAIN SAFE DISTANCES, WILL NEED LESS ASSISTANCE AT ROAD CROSSINGS”

C ARLO RATTI

PROFESSOR O F PRACTICE OF URBAN TE CHNOLOGIES AND PLANN ING AT MIT

ENABLING SHARED MOBILITY AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN PLANNING

Looking at the EV landscape with a broader lens means city planners will consider electrified and autonomous vehicles in their endeavours. With the introduction of shared mobility, regulations and demand are likely

to shift towards more publicly-available means of transport, which will reshape the way people navigate cities.

Understanding the routes that AVs take and how they interact with their environments could drive strategies and plans for charging locations to optimise the routes for autonomous taxis and the energy consumption of such services.

“Self-driving cars can promote car- and ride-sharing, hence changing urban mobility. Also, they can have a major effect on urban infrastructure,” says Ratti.

“DATA CAN BE LEVERAGED TO FORGE AN OVERARCHING MOBILITY SYSTEM IN WHICH E-MOBILITY PLAYS A CENTRAL ROLE”

C ARLO RATTI

PROFESSOR O F PRACTICE OF URBAN TE CHNOLOGIES AND PLANN ING AT MIT

“Sensor-laden self-driving vehicles, which can communicate with one another to maintain safe distances, will need less assistance at road crossings. As a result, slot-based intersections, modelled after air traffic control systems, could replace traffic lights.

“On approaching an intersection, a vehicle would be assigned an individualised time, or “slot,” to pass through the intersection –increasing throughput and making better use of the urban infrastructure.”

This shift also aligns with developing infrastructure for cyclists as smart cities also

incorporate docked cycling and scooter arrangements to provide consumers with simple, nimble transport options.

“We can already imagine a not-too-distant future of self-driving cars where your vehicle can give you a lift to work, and then, instead of sitting parked until you return home, give a lift to someone else in your family, or anyone else in the city,” Ratti explains.

“The combination of the two above phenomena – car-sharing and ride-sharing – could drastically reduce the total number of cars in a given city.”

CHARGING & INFRASTRUCTURE

A RAPID CHARGE TOWARDS PUBLIC ELECTRIFICATION POTENTIAL

The CEO of the UK’s largest public rapid EV charger network addresses power demand for electrification and the slow and steady death of range anxiety

No more negative press about EVs. Positivity around the subject is what drives the initiative forward, and with more companies and consumers on board with electrification, the faster the rate of innovation.

Few dispute the need to reassess our transport options, yet some remain to be convinced. Perhaps the only way to win over the naysayers is to give them what they want: faster charging options.

We can’t shake the fact that rapid EV charging is vital at this pivotal moment in automotive evolution, but is it truly necessary? And if so, when will it be commonplace? Adrian Keen (AK) CEO of InstaVolt shares his thoughts on this as the company drives innovation to reduce charge times.

TS: What is hindering further rollout of rapid charging?

AK: While private companies are hitting targets and making pledges to create a charging infrastructure that supports a full consumer transition, there is a lack of media and consumer confidence in the EV charging industry, which creates a barrier in the switch to electric.

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Ê Ù Ö Ú Ú Ì Ü Ù Ö × Ì

There should be no borders when it comes to electric travel That’s why IONITY operates charging stations along European motorways that are open to electric vehicles of any brand With several charging points at each location With ultra-fast charging stations that recharge your vehicle’s batteries for the next stretch of your journey in the shortest time possible And with electricity generated exclusively from renewable energy sources So, you are not only travelling emission-free: the journey really is carbon-neutral Find out more here: weareonit.biz

CHARGING & INFRASTRUCTURE

Negative media coverage is leading consumers to believe that there is an unfixable disparity between the number of EVs on the road and corresponding charging infrastructure, and while we respect the figures from the SMMT, the reality for EV drivers on the road is different.

Despite reports of queues for EV chargers on recent bank holiday weekends, the UK EV infrastructure providers should be being applauded. We are investing in our infrastructure, and more chargers are being installed than ever before. The pipeline is still strong enough to deliver the required numbers by 2030, with InstaVolt individually installing record numbers of chargers in the first quarter of 2023.

Stable infrastructure is just one part of the full EV transition. We must take the opportunity to encourage and applaud progress to give existing and future drivers confidence that there are rapid chargers available.

TS: Is there a viable alternative to rapid charging?

AK: Rapid public charging gives consumers convenience and an opportunity to rest and recharge their own batteries for 30 minutes to an hour while their EV is being charged. Drivers and their passengers can shop, grab a hot drink or a meal at nearby amenities or simply relax – something our busy world has grown accustomed to avoiding.

Most of our chargers are situated in locations with multiple food and drink amenities, to give consumers options while charging.

INSTAVOLT: CHARGING TOWARDS PUBLIC ELECT RIFICATION

InstaVolt – backed by investment firm EQT – holds great sway as the UK’s largest fully public rapid DC-charging operator. Its aim is to be 100% sustainable, a goal that is driving InstaVolt’s renewable energy strategy around its rapid-charger network.

As it aligns with governmental commitments to cleaner energy, InstaVolt’s sights are set on expansion, and growing its network to 10,000 chargers over the next five years.

CHARGING & INFRASTRUCTURE

When it comes to convenience, location is vital for the rapid-charge network in the UK. Where EV owners don’t have a private charger at their disposal, the public charging network gives EV drivers the confidence to travel, given the number of chargers available up and down the country.

For those who have a private driveway, home chargers are of course brilliantly convenient, allowing EV owners to charge overnight. But we know that that’s not the reality for a significant portion of the UK. This is why continuing to install as many

conveniently placed and efficient options as possible remains our end goal.

TS: How can we best reduce range anxiety?

AK: Range anxiety will soon be a thing of the past. Industry findings suggest that reports on charging anxiety don't match the reality. This is evidenced by The AA’s recent report of a 70% drop in call outs for ‘out of charge’ EVs. We already offer charge confidence to our drivers.

There is an array of tools allowing easy location of local chargers, such as ZapMap

or InstaVolt’s own app, and these allow drivers to plan their route accordingly.

While it requires a little more planning ahead of travel, such solutions are important for reducing range anxiety.

Businesses can help here by partnering with trusted charge-point networks, to ensure drivers have access to reliable chargers.

Choosing the InstaVolt network gives fleet drivers access to rapid, reliable charging at nationwide locations, and multi-charger sites helps minimise driver downtime.

“WE HAVE PLANS TO INSTALL 10,000 RAPID CHARGERS BY 2030”

A DRIAN KEEN CEO, INSTAVOLT

“RANGE ANXIETY WILL SOON BE A THING OF THE PAST”

A DRIAN KEEN CEO, INSTAVOLT

TS: What does an adequate charging network look like?

It’s essential it keeps up with the demand of EV adoption. However, this isn’t solely focused on charger numbers, but also network reliability and driver experience.

We’re focused on ensuring our network availability remains at an industry leading 99.9%, which is key to the customer experience. We monitor the health of our network in real time so our team of service engineers can react to any issue or fault as soon as it arises.

Vital to mass EV adoption is ensuring there are enough chargers available. We have plans to install 10,000 rapid chargers by 2030, and with 1,200 existing chargers across the country, InstaVolt is installing at a faster rate than any other charge point operator. We are committed to our rapid roll-out, to reach these goals and pave the way to an electric future.

Finally, we’re focusing on driver experience. We see the market demanding more hubs – sites of eight or more chargers, with food and drink amenities for drivers, good access and sufficient power. We’re building a truly nationwide network that provides an enjoyable charging experience for all drivers.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MANUFACTURE AN ELECTRIC FLEET?

Looking at the Volta Trucks journey, we find out how a fleet vehicle manufacturer can survive global disruption and decarbonise urban logistics with EVs

Automotive manufacturing is evolving. What was once an art of hand-building vehicles is now becoming an automated process that will allow companies to meet the growing demands for electrified vehicles.

I think it’s important to take a step back and recognise how far the automotive sector has come. Since the days of Henry Ford and his pioneering initiative to produce the Ford Model T at scale, the industry has taken on board these ideas of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.

It’s also important to recognise the feats of Toyota in the modern car-making era as its Kaizen approach made it one of the most successful manufacturers globally, and how

these principles echoed across the industry. But now is the time for a major shift. Contrary to the hoisting of engines into the front end of vehicles and assembly of gas exhausts, car makers and commercial fleet vehicle manufacturers are working with battery-electric components and revamping the process to meet sustainability demands and EV output requirements.

The process is being automated, because to meet a large scale demand, the output must be consistent and delays kept to a minimum. However, the process is simplified and able to evolve as manufacturers purpose-build vans and trucks to suit multiple applications.

“The automotive industry is going through an unprecedented time of change and challenge with the transition to newer forms

of propulsion, such as battery technology, and all while other global situations have had an impact on production,” says Kjell

Wallӧen, Co-Founder and Chief Manufacturing Officer at Volta Trucks.

It all begins with an optimised design

The Swedish purpose-built vehicle company Volta Trucks proves a great example of how fleet vehicle architecture has evolved, but also the manufacturing processes that have adapted to match their needs and simplify the production line. Having traditionally built vehicles around the internal combustion engine, Volta Trucks recognised that, from a design perspective, things can be made much easier to manufacture, reducing the costs in light of the expensive battery propulsion systems used.

“THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW”

KJE LL WALLOEN CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF MANUFACTURIN G OFFICER, VO LTA TRUCKS

“Designing the Volta Zero from the ground-up as an urban distribution vehicle has allowed us to think outside of the traditional box,” says Wallӧen.

By looking at the problem at hand while understanding the systems the company would be working with, it has really set the scene for how urban delivery vehicles will look. By reducing the emphasis on traditional design principles. Fleet vehicles are beginning to look futuristic. Not in a sense that they could hover or fly away, but more that they address the important issues like safety and ease-of-use—this is achieved through considerate and strategic design.

VOLTA ZERO: SETTING THE BAR FOR ELECTRIFIED DELIVERY VEHICLES

This is the truck that will protect people and the planet while delivering the goods as necessary. The Volta Zero is built for the urban environment and optimised for safety, efficiency, and comes as a zero-emission delivery package.

The company set out on a mission to reinvent urban delivery, by enabling the drivers of the Zero a 360-degree view of the road, mostly from the panoramic view of the cab accompanied by blind spot and rear-view monitoring.

The Volta Zero is purpose-built for electrified delivery and taps into a new era of supply chain.

Pioneering truck-as-a-service in the fleet space, Volta is keen to share its great solution with operators and ensure that each of its trucks remains safe, up-to-date, and provides users with a frictionless option for EV transition.

“HAVING WORKED CLOSELY WITH OUR PARTNERS AND SUPPLIERS, VOLTA TRUCKS HAVE NOT BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED WITH ANY DISRUPTION”

KJE LL WALLOEN CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF MANUFACTURIN G OFFICER, VO LTA TRUCKS

KJE LL WALLOEN CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF MANUFACTURING OFFICER, VO LTA TRUCKS

“Thanks to the removal of the internal combustion engine, the operator of a Volta Zero sits in a central driving position, and with a glass house-style cab design, giving the driver a wide 220-degrees of direct vision and minimising potentially dangerous blind spots.”

THE EV SUPPLY CHAIN BLOCKERS

Within the supply chain are a multitude of disruptions that affect all related industries, but have been particularly responsible for the rate of growth seen in the fleet vehicle sector. Manufacturing electrified trucks and vans in large quantities has been hindered by a number of factors, including the general global disruptions that have had longlasting effects on worldwide operations, the shortage of semiconductors that has delayed a number of products, and the slow growth of mineral production that is crucial for reducing the cost of production.

However, it seems despite these events, that Volta Trucks has seen minimal setbacks in bringing its electrified delivery vehicles to the market.

“THANKS TO THE REMOVAL OF THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, THE OPERATOR OF A VOLTA ZERO SITS IN A CENTRAL DRIVING POSITION”

“The supply chain into the automotive sector has been disrupted over the last few years with the unprecedented global situations that have been widely documented. However, having worked closely with our partners and suppliers, Volta Trucks have not been adversely affected with any disruption to our production plans and volumes,” says Wallӧen.

We can attribute this to the fact that Volta Trucks was strategic in developing partnerships with like-minded companies, which allowed the company to grow with more than a hundred years of expertise to support its commercial vehicle manufacturing challenges.

Partnerships being the crucial element here, collaborating with other organisations seems to be the saving grace of some of the freshest startups that have endeavoured to end the EV industry, and will also play a huge role in developing further strategies to decarbonise supply chains globally.

“THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW,” SAYS WALLӦEN.

“What we need is for leaders to be advocates in this space, who can steer the world away from creating any more tailpipe emissions. A reality in which all-electric delivery fleets operate in cities around the world is one tangible way to reduce the damage and minimise suffering from harmful fossil fuel pollution. Many people look to their governments and legislation in order to progress and change, but this is also a case of social responsibility.”

“Businesses, operators, and fleet managers are all responsible for their companies shift, where possible, to zero-tailpipe emissions.”

HYDROFOILING:

HYDROFOILING:

Sustainability is the aim and hydrofoils are reducing the impact of mobility, showing promise for applications in the future e-mobility ecosystem

Does hydrofoil come under the emobility bracket? Well, it’s powered by electricity, reducing the impact on the environment, and encourages greater access to transport in underserved areas and beyond—with that said, our guess is yes.

When you say it out loud “battery power is better than engine power” it sounds crazy, yet the phrase is most certainly true in the case of environmental impact. Long gone are the days of the fossil-fuelpowered projectile of boats and in comes the serenity and peaceful, non-impactful use of electricity to power even the most substantial of watercraft.

But the marine industry is no stranger to electric propulsion, and has in fact been in the works since well into the 1800s. Developing sustainable, powerful boats brings a whole new level of ingenuity to the transport sector, and one particular form of motion is created by hydrofoiling.

It’s widely applied to boats as more electric models make the grade, but what exactly are the benefits that put hydrofoil technology under the nose of marine engineers?

HOW DOES HYDROFOI LING WORK?

There are many theories as to how hydrofoils work, but the key point to note is that the shape of the wing enables it to leverage the pressure patterns of the water to create lift. The curvature of the hydrofoil deflects water downwards while the stream above the blade also alters in pressure, which, when propelled, results in an amount of lift that can push an entire vessel above the water’s surface.

The general idea of the hydrofoil is that it reduces surface tension to decrease the amount of drag from the water, even when travelling over choppy waters—depending on the ergonomics of the hydrofoil. For well over a century, engineers have been experimenting with hydrofoils and have seen some successful use cases, including the HD-4 developed by Alexander Graham Bell (who was also credited with the first patented telephone) and ships that were eventually decommissioned by the US Navy—they were said to be ineffective in terms of cost.

From a sustainability perspective, hydrofoil systems create minimal impact in the water. Compromising on wing-like or stiltlike blades, beneath the craft, and smaller propellers, this type of system reduce the surface contact of a boat—less surface area, less resistance. Such a system is why the likes of Candela was able to reduce a 50-minute drive across a Swedish archipelago to a 25-minute boat ride through Scandinavian waters.

Leveraging these kinds of solutions could prove influential in the modern mobility landscape, particularly in coastal region or areas where it’s possible to travel ‘as the crow flies’.

F LITEBOARD: CREATING A RECREATIONAL PLATFORM FOR HYDROFOILS

One of the key trends seen among EV users is their desire for freedom in a sustainable way. Well, nature lovers rejoice!

Fliteboard provides ocean lovers a way of exploring seas via electrified means as it delivers powered hydrofoil surfboards to the consumer market.

Riders are able to use the Fliteboard for more than two hours and ride more than 40 km at up to 50 km/h. While this product is firmly in the consumer product market, and surfing isn’t quite for everyone, the electrified Fliteboard bridges the gap for those looking to adventure and be free to cross waterways in a safe and simple way.

INTUITIVE PROPULSION WITH A MINIMAL IMPACT

Hydrofoils have been used in a variety of applications, demonstrating that they are flexible to applications in consumer and commercial products. From passenger transports vessels to recreational functions, hydrofoils not only prove sustainable but scalable.

To reduce the impact of power boats on waterways, hydrofoils reduce the scale of the propulsion system required, which in turn limits the force imposed on the water. As they push the watercraft up, the board or ship clears the surface and avoids creating more motion in the water, which, in coastal areas, can minimise erosion to coastlines and noise impacts on nearby populations as well as habitats in the ocean.

WHAT ARE THE USE CASES FOR HYDROFOILS?

Aside from their intuitive designs and uniquely aesthetic characteristics, hydrofoils prove practical in enabling electrified transportation at sea, but also retaining tranquillity in line with the silence of batterypowered motors. We see more applications for hydrofoils as they make their way into the leisure craft sector, but all manage to transport passengers through newly accessible routes worldwide.

Leveraging boats in a more sustainable way will reduce the dependence on cars and serve as further means of electrified transport in years to come. But for now, excitement builds as the full potential of hydrofoil technology is to be showcased at the UIM E1 Series World Championship, and the likes of boat makers build sustainable partnerships to deliver boats to more customers.

ELECTRIC BOAT COMPANIES

The leisure boating industry need not disappear amid the shift to electric, which is why these 10 boat makers are leveraging a new opportunity

As an all inclusive magazine, we keenly highlight some of the best solutions for areas of mobility, whether that includes electric road cars or focuses on more niche markets like watercraft.

In this month’s Top 10, we’re focusing on the latter as we introduce to you some of the top electrified boats to grace our seas.

#10

RAND BOATS

A pioneering producer of sleek and minimal electric boats, RAND’s watercraft speaks for itself as a luxury piece enhanced by digital. Its boats incorporate the best features of Scandinavian design and Danish craftsmanship, which come in both petrol and electric models. These boats are simple, stylish, and ready to roam the waters of the Archipelago and serve a number of needs with various customisations.

#09 DOMANI YACHTS

The company was founded as a sail boat business with its headquarters in Flanders, Belgium, but has invested more and more in the development of all-electric watercraft. To compete in the market, Domani built the E32, which is declared a great purchase for enthusiasts with a 50 kW motor and cruise speed of 20 knots. These credentials can be increased with options for a 60 or 70 kW motor to deliver an even better boating performance.

#08 X SHORE

It looks as though X Shore opted for minimalist styling as the Sweden-based company manufactures a rather iconic-looking X Shore 1 electric boat. Creating a soft aesthetic and minimising the resistance of the hull led to a unique design that gives the bot a compact yet commanding shape on the water. The Eelex achieves 50 nautical metres of range and has a top speed of 30 knots from its 125kW electric motor - it even enables smart boating by sharing real-time data through a built-in touch screen and mobile app.

#07

ELECTRACRAFT

This company presents a nimble and smart way to navigate smaller bodies of water as the Electracraft TRI-CAT series offers solar energy sequestration to deliver 800-watt generation on the brightest of days. Aside from its solarpowered ones, Electracraft offers a number of cruises that provide a tranquil experience on the lakes or zero disturbance coasting along quiet rivers - allowing users to experience the natural environment that surrounds them.

#06

VISION MARINE TECHNOLOGIES

Home to the Volt 180, Fantail 217, and Quietude 156, Vision Marine Technologies offers a selection of boats, including these electrified models, to cater for a variety of needs - whether that is someone who is looking for a romantic day out on calm waters or a power-hungry crafter navigating relentless ocean waves at speed. Its smaller boats can only be described as petite, elegantly designed, and carefully crafted.

#05 DUFFY ELECTRIC BOATS

Achieving more than US$13.9m, Duffy Electric Boats has been around for over 50 years and continues to provide its clients with electric boats to suit their need for luxury day trips, as well as repair services. The company prides itself on high-tech navigation systems for its e-boats, including the Snug Harbor 18, Bay Island 22, Buck Bay 16, and Sun Cruiser 22.

#04 TWIN VEE

Founded in 1994, Twin Vee is a manufacturer of high-quality, high-performance boats and is now venturing into the electrified watercraft space. The electric models offered by Twin Vee include the 240 and 280 Electric boats, which were launched in 2021 for customers looking for a suitable dayboat and fishing craft. There are currently more than 7,000 owners of its boats across the world and the company is now looking to increase this while developing boats more suitable for the environment of tomorrow.

#03 PURE WATERCRAFT

Building better boating experiences, Pure Watercraft serves for fishing and day-boating with a connected outboard motor, sporting bluetooth to present its charging status and manage its electrified power system.

The company’s patented modular power system delivers an exceptional energy per pound - a revolutionary piece of equipment to polarise the weight to power ratio of watercraft batteries. The team has also devised some start-of-the art technology to control its boats and optimise performance and efficiency.

CANDELA

The pure-play company partnered with the EV maker Polestar to develop some of the most efficient power systems for its boats. Candela is a young business in the boat space, having been founded by Gustav Hasselskog in 2014.

The company produces a few boats and has exceeded some of the electrified capabilities experienced in the industry. Its all-electric range caters for the leisure seekers, but is also directed towards more commercial applications. For example, the P-8 and P-12 Shuttle boats are built with passenger transportation in mind for fast electrified commuting.

The P-12 shuttle is already reducing travel times in the Stockholm archipelago with a journey between Tappström and Stockholm taking 50 minutes by car, but 25 minutes by P-12.

#1 NAUTIQUE BOATS

From hybrid-electric to all-electric, Nautique Boats was founded in 1961 and offers a number of watercraft to all owners to cruise the seas. Dayboating seems to be this company's forte as it provides electrified boats suited to towing wakeboard, waterskis, or simply taking a leisurely tour of local seas.

The company takes the lead in the market as it achieves an astounding US$143m annually and, while it made a name for itself in the petrol-powered boat segment, the company has since begun the shift to electric with its Super Air Nautique GS22E and prospects for more craft in the future.

The GS22E is also supercharger enabled, allowing it to charge to full capacity in 1.5 hours, or it can be charged using a 240V AC charger that will double the time.

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