One of the presentations that stood out was a keynote by Witricity’s CEO Alex Gruzen. In his presentation, he spoke about the future of mobility as he envisions it, and it’s wireless.
Wireless charging solutions are rapidly becoming a high priority in our quest to integrate them seamlessly into the infrastructure of our cities and homes. Witricity, a pioneer in this field since 2007, has been at the forefront of this transformation.
From their integration with OEMs in 2012 to the upcoming 5th generation, the journey has been noteworthy.
The vision is clear: Passive charging through wireless infrastructure, creating an “energy cloud” that forms a virtual fleet of predictable wireless energy availability. This concept brings limitless range for consumers and opens doors to virtual power plans for utilities, enhancing the overall consumer experience and unlocking revenue opportunities across the network.
Witricity’s V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) ready product qualification and fast-track retrofit OEM integration in just 90 days pave the way for full-scale mass production in 3-4 years.
As we move towards a more electrified future, Witricity’s focus on making eMobility easy and efficient, if it realizes will perhaps someday soon, become an integral part of our everyday lives.
I recently had the opportunity to attend a presentation by Amir Tirosh, CEO of StoreDot, where he shared insights about the company and its innovative solutions for electric vehicles (EVs). Scaling up EVs is indeed a challenge, particularly when it comes to infrastructure. However, StoreDot is on the forefront of addressing this challenge.
StoreDot has engineered EV batteries that are not only faster to recharge but also safer and more sustainable, according to StoreDot. Their technology leverages patented organic nanomaterials, fine-tuned through AI, and is ready for mass production in high-energy cells.
They’re introducing EV battery technology that fills a crucial gap in the ecosystem, collaborating with top-tier manufacturers and infrastructure firms to make it a reality.
This journey towards ultra-fast charging and high-energy density batteries spans a decade and involves a cohesive team of 35 PhDs with expertise across multiple fields. Their dedication to changing the world through innovations like “Range on Demand” is inspiring.
It’s clear that if StoreDot’s proposals prove true, they could be transformative in the near term, revolutionizing the landscape of electric mobility. I’m excited to see where their technology takes us.
The discussion covered topics such as inductive charging roadways, autonomous lane engines, and the role of technology in reducing road accidents.
Sylvano Carrasco posed a crucial question about the impact of autonomous vehicles will depend, whether autonomous cars are owned by corporate giants like Google or they are privately owned. Regardless, with platforms like Getaround consumers can transition away from car ownership, offering on-demand access to vehicles that are both instant and convenient. Providing a crucial connecting resource for the transition in vehicle utilization for the future.
Michele Mueller emphasized the DOT’s vision for a multimodal future, focusing on safety and sustainability leveraging new technologies and startups as a partners in innovation.
Connectivity emerged as a crucial theme throughout the conversation, with a call to learn from other industries, particularly the aviation sector’s transformation in the 1970s.
The panel also highlighted Michigan’s pivotal role in future transportation implementation, emphasizing partnerships with startups and inclusive infrastructure development with local municipalities and networks.
The panel highlighted the imperative need to expedite the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Deliberations centered on investment prospects within the EV ecosystem, encompassing infrastructure development, charging network expansion, and the alignment of these initiatives with sustainability objectives.
Yates underscored the importance of creating transportation systems that are inclusive for all individuals. Detailed discussions ensued regarding investment strategies aimed at enhancing accessibility, catering to the needs of people with disabilities, low-income communities, and underserved regions.
Guzel highlighted the potential for domestic battery production, and investment opportunities within the United States’ battery manufacturing sector. This discussion underscored the critical role such investments play in securing the future of sustainable transportation.
As the discussion went it was clear: the future in mobility is collaborative and #Multimodal
Here we go! Early at #MOVEAmerica first things first, already met with Craig Lozofsky of MOTER Technologies. And what is an event without a great cup of coffee? Thank you to the good people at Aon for a great first cup!☕️ 🙏George Ayres
Practically the first to arrive at #MOVEAmerica2023
Meeting up with fellow early-riser Craig Lozofsky of MOTER
The good (and smart) people at Aon offering a fabulous cup of coffee at MOVE
I have long considered this roadway change to be a great way to reduce traffic congestion. My friends in the UK will wonder why the US has taken so long to embrace this simple approach. When I drove to work in Coventry, England, from my home in the West Midlands, I could usually make it all the way without stopping once. No idling, saves fuel, saves time, just works! Might even help Autonomous Vehicles be safer as there is no need for the “eye to eye” head nod required at 4-way stops. Of course roundabouts are nearly incompatible with cupholders (learned that the hard way) and they require drivers to actually understand how they work. In the US, many drivers unfamiliar with them stop in the middle of them, causing even bigger issues. And the enormous SUV’s that American’s seem to favor are not the best at handling quick right- left – right maneuvers. Roundabouts beg for more agile traffic conveyances. But I would love to see more of these. Maybe it can be a subcategory of the Infrastructure legislation? Let’s get rid of stop signs and replace all the intersections with a system that makes life smoother. #intelligenttransportation #roundabout #infrastructure
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The transformation of the auto industry from internal combustion engines to battery power is accelerating, no doubt about it. And the infrastructure, charging networks, and government support for this change are increasing. Consumer themselves are listening, learning, and becoming more interested in moving towards EV’s too. The article below describes a recent Consumer Reports survey that said 14% of people would definitely purchase an EV, but twice this number (28%) definitely “would not” consider an EV. What about the 58% in the middle? What will it take to move them? I think the main issue at the moment is not range, charging infrastructure, or fear of new tech. It’s simply cost. EV’s are expensive right now. Too expensive! And it seems things will be this way for at least 3 years. Let’s look at why.
It’s clear that soon we will have many varieties of electric vehicles available, and some will be more affordable. All OEM’s are moving quickly. Just take a look at the center-spread of this week’s Automotive News (shown below) and you can see that every Automaker is moving faster to transform their product line-up to more EV’s. And States like California are moving to full EV only. But much of this terrific new product development is not helping buyers yet, as the models currently available for sale are all just too expensive.
For example, the EV market leader, Tesla, has not expanded its model range for awhile, and even the Model 3 starts at $45k. Ford has the F-150 Lightning and Mach E, but they both cost $40k or more, and very hard to get. And yes, the Cadillac Lyriq sold out in a few hours, but it is in very limited production and costs over $60,000 which is much more expensive than the majority of the buyers in the new car market can afford. And because GM is no longer eligible, there is not even an EV tax credit for this vehicle. But GM did recently reduce the price of the Chevy Bolt. So GM is clearly thinking about EV affordability.
But all of the new EV vehicles are not here yet. And people need to buy something, or upgrade their current vehicle, and can’t wait. Supply is constrained due to the ongoing semi-conductor chip shortage. And component material prices for batteries are increasing, especially for lithium and cobalt, due to the overall growing EV demand. See the article below from Alix Partners, a research firm, outlining the current situation. One key point they mention is this comparison. “At $3,662 per vehicle (in the US), ICE raw-material content is nearly double pre-pandemic levels. This pales in comparison to BEV raw-material content, which is now $8,255 per vehicle. The disparity is driven largely by cobalt, nickel, and lithium prices.”
While new advances in battery technology like “solid-state” batteries promise better range and greater materials supply, these batteries currently cost four times more than standard lithium-ion batteries, exaggerating the current problem. Toyota is well placed to lead in this area, but it will be awhile before we see the majority of vehicles with solid-state batteries.
Add in rising global inflation, which means you can buy less for the same money, and a war in Ukraine which keeps energy markets volatile, and no wonder consumers are hesitating. While they are paying $5 for gasoline, and sure don’t like it, coming up with the cash for a new EV is getting harder and harder.
For example, the average new car payment is now over $700 per month. Since the cost of borrowing is rising as the Fed raises interest rates to combat inflation, car buyers can either buy less car, or they have to put up more of their income for a car. Since all other prices are also rising, like mortgage payments, groceries, and school supplies, they feel the squeeze.
And the average car loan length is now six years, which means that consumers that buy ICE vehicles today will be “upside down” a few more years longer, meaning they will owe more for the car than the car is worth. A negative equity situation. We have seen this phenomenon in the car market more than once, and it never works out for the either the consumer or the automaker. It delays purchases and keeps people trapped in their old technology. The average car on the road in the US is currently 12.2 years, which is much longer than historically we have seen. The current financing market dynamics are suggesting this may get even longer. The promise of a new EV will be in the distant future for too many.
So if OEM’s want people to move to EV’s they need to bring affordable EV’s to market. They need to work with the government and their ecosystem to ensure that there is wide penetration of EV infrastructure. And of course the government needs to increase EV incentives and encourage more switching from ICE to EV, and not with just tax cuts. What about helping people pay for installing home chargers? While there is good commitment for this from the current administration, these programs are not yet simple, practical, and easy to access. Why not a “voucher” system for anyone buying an EV from a dealer, or even online, to receive a rebate on the cost of a home charger. Tax credits are hard to access and too far removed from the original cost outlay. Consumers need relief on this cost more quickly.
Overall consumer will move to electric vehicles, the trend is now inevitable, as product development cycles for automakers are many years long. The ocean liner turns slowly. So we will see lots of EV choices for new car buyers in a few years. And high volume categories like Pick-up trucks will even be very EV competitive. This is all good for the future.
But we need to do some things now to ensure people make the move to EV earlier. I recall the “Get America Rolling” initiative GM introduced 10 days after the 9/11 attacks, when the auto market had become paralyzed. It used 0% financing to boost demand for new cars, boosting the US economy in the process, and by the end of 2001 it had helped sell 1 million more cars. It was like marketing adrenaline.
Given the existential threat of climate change and the need to reduce automotive emissions quickly, let’s find a way to move every current in-market buyer to pick their first EV today, and not wait one more cycle. How about it. Let’s “Charge Up America!” Today!
Learn more about how you can better prepare for the new mobility future and the changes, and opportunities this creates, by contacting us at Automobility Advisors.
You can subscribe to the AutoMobility Roadmap for free and continue to follow the dynamic and changing automotive mobility world. If you’d like to engage directly with the team at AutoMobility Advisors, contact us or contact us via Linked In.
