ev news: the road ahead for ev’s
Welcome back to our first blog for October! With Autumn now in full swing, we’d like to take a step back and have a look at what the future holds for EVs, as well as uncover how some seriously intelligent tech is helping revolutionise how we care for our vehicles. So, grab yourself a warm (or cold!) brew, and get ready for this week’s latest EV news.
The Road Ahead for EVs
EV’s buck the trend as new car sales plummet
2021 likely hasn’t been a great year for you if you’re a car salesman. Taking the figures from this September, new car sales are sitting at a whopping 44.7% below the ten-year average, largely due to the effects of the pandemic, as well as a shortage of much-needed materials.
It’s been a rather different story however in the EV sphere. According to The Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT), this September has been the best month to date for registering new BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles). BEVs now hold a 15.2% market share, which is a tremendous increase and really paints a positive picture for the future of EVs in the UK.
Current public opinion
With around 45% of UK drivers considering the switch to an electric vehicle, it really does seem as if we’re standing on the edge of a new dawn for EVs. However, there are still obstacles standing in the way of this change.
What’s one challenge facing EVs?
One major challenge facing the EV sphere is, of course, infrastructure, or rather the lack of it. For the UK to meet its target of being net-zero by 2030, at least ten times as many EV charging points will be required. There are companies ready to tackle the challenge, however, with Shell aiming to install over 50,000 EV charging stations by 2025.
A brighter, eco-friendly future
We’re certain that the next ten years will see rapid changes in infrastructure, as well as even more drivers deciding that an EV is for them. We can already see this change happening, and we can’t wait to see what’s ahead!
Navigation: Then and now
Gone are the days where an atlas would take up most of the car windshield as you desperately struggle to find that sneaky turning, while the kids scream in the back seat. The likes of google maps and other navigational apps really have, for the most part, made navigation a breeze. We can’t say the same about the kids’ part though, sadly…
Google has been hard at work, bringing out updates to Android Auto, Android Automotive and Google maps, with some of the most recent features being of particular use to EV drivers out there.
What does this new tech do?
The latest Google Maps update integrates a system into your EV that directly monitors the temperature of the battery, as well as the location of the vehicle in comparison to the designated charging point, to ensure that the battery is at an optimum temperature before you begin charging. By doing so, you help safeguard your battery against damage and prolong its lifespan.
So, what’s the catch?
Well, at the moment you’ll need a vehicle that is compatible with Android Automotive, however we’re sure that more and more vehicles will be adopting this technology over time, quicker than you can say “Charging point!”
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