Auto: The future of electric automobiles

While electric automobiles are certainly not a new phenomenon - development first began in the late 19th century - they always took a back seat in the auto industry to developments like internal combustion engines and fuel cells. In the past decade, however, technology for electric vehicles has gotten on the fast track as the effect of emissions on the environment and rising fuel costs have become an increasing concern for consumers.

TÜV SÜD, an international certification and inspection group that provides consultation and guidance on optimizing technology systems, is one of the companies working behind the scenes to bring electric automobiles to the mainstream market and into the transportation infrastructure. The organization provides testing, homologation (certification of a product based on requirements set out by governmental bodies) and certification to ensure the safety and efficiency of electric-drive systems.

In the Czech Republic, TÜV SÜD has been a partner in helping to promote smart electric drive (ED) cars operated by Czech energy company E.ON in partnership with manufacturer Mercedes-Benz. The third generation of this car is expected to be released next year and for the first time will be offered for sale to the public.

The Prague Post sat down with e-mobility project manager Ondřej Vaculín to talk about the development of electric cars and what can be expected for the future.

Ondřej

The Prague Post: What role does TÜV SÜD play in the development of electric automobiles?

Ondřej Vaculín: There is a list of regulations defined for the European market that are different from the American, Japanese and Australian markets. We focus on homologation procedures and directives. This homologation must be done by some recognized service, and we are one such company that can perform this service.

TPP: What exactly is homologation?

OV: There are a lot of homologation rules based on a list of rules - for example, that headlights should have certain features, or that, in the case of the vehicle crashing, there should be a central compartment where the doors can open. In these e-cars, for example, high voltage cables should be marked. If everything is OK, we issue a technical report that confirms the unit complies with the technical and safety requirements. Based on this, a manufacturer can go to an approved authority like a country's Transportation Ministry and ask for permission to sell the cars in that country.

TPP: What are some of the challenges in the development of electric cars?

OV: There are some people talking about infrastructure, that there are no charging points to charge the vehicles. But, in my opinion, the most critical point is that we don't have enough cars on the market. You cannot go to the next dealership and buy an e-car. Maybe some e-scooters, but not an e-car. We expect that, in about two years, the most important vehicle manufacturers will really be able to sell the cars - not to lease cars as we have, but sell cars. They will finish their developments and finally be able to sell and to start the market. In the first phase - still the initial phase of the development of this market - we can expect business-to-business sales of thousands of cars per year, because there is still a question about the final costs of ownership of such cars. The real market is expected to kick in about 2018-19.

TPP: Will these cars ever be affordable for the mainstream?

OV: Another challenge is the capacity of batteries. The price of batteries is about 450 euros (10,900 Kč) per kilowatt hour, and the typical battery capacity is 20 kilowatt hours for a car, so you're talking about 9,000 euros for batteries, which is almost the price of a car. If the new generation of batteries could reduce this battery price, it will help vehicles to be more competitive compared to combustion-engine cars.

It's not just difference between electricity price and fuel price. If you compare electric and internal combustion cars, and we compare the current price level of electricity to that of petrol, in the future, we can expect the price of petrol to be much higher.

There are new concepts being discovered with e-cars, such as car sharing, which is very popular in Germany with internal combustion cars, and they are now preparing car sharing concepts for e-cars. You can reduce the total cost in that way.

TPP: Are there any issues with an e-car making it from point A to point B?

OV: You just need to plan. I took a car for a trip from Munich to the mountains about 80 km away and then back. I didn't have any problem with the distance. But these vehicles are particularly suited for city traffic or a commute, which is between 30 and 60 km on average for 90 percent of commuters.

TPP: So I shouldn't plan to take this car on a European tour?

OV: E-cars are typically city cars for commuters. If you would like to take a holiday trip through Europe, I'd recommend you take a train. We should understand e-cars as a part of the transportation system. There are new concepts being discovered with e-cars. In Switzerland, there are some studies to design a city commuter car so you can even go on the train and sit and work in your car. We should consider such e-cars as part of the larger transportation system, not an individual transportation system by itself. If you really want to make a round trip by car, then why not use a fuel-cell car? Then you have a range of more than 600 km.

TPP: How will the next generation of these e-cars released in 2013 be different?

OV: When talking about the smart ED, the current generation has power of 20 kw, and peak engine power is about 30 kw. This new model has a constant of 30 kw power and a peak of 50 kw. The new generation will have batteries with slightly higher capacity. The current model has a top speed of some 100 km/hour; the new one, 120 km/hour.

Also, the new generation will be able to communicate with smartphones, so you will be able to check the battery status or control your air conditioning system from your mobile phone.

Cat Contiguglia can be reached at
ccontiguglia@praguepost.com