Technological breakthroughs alone will not be sufficient to address the challenges associated with BEVs. No battery on the horizon magically combines a range of over 1000 km, low costs, readily available raw materials, low weight, and fast charging. However, there are technologies that, when combined, can revolutionize how we approach individual mobility.
Combination is the pivotal term here – not everyone can engage in carpooling or install solar panels on their roofs. However, those who possess solar panels and can generate, store, and charge their electricity should do so – this will significantly reduce the overall electricity demand and alleviate the requirements for power grid infrastructure.
Furthermore, new battery technology, when integrated with such solar power generation, can substantially lower the costs of BEVs. How? By utilizing smaller batteries that can be charged faster and more frequently. Unlike internal combustion engines, the range in BEVs is not free – assuming that a larger tank in an ICE is almost free.
Therefore, we must contemplate the range more intensively – does it truly need to be as high as possible, or could we discover a more efficient approach for BEVs? Can we envision solar-powered charging stations for extended trips and at home for daily needs? Suddenly, we could employ sodium batteries with shorter ranges, consume fewer hard-to-extract raw materials, require much less energy for battery production, and so forth.
The only prerequisite is the integration of existing technologies in a manner that revolutionizes the use of BEVs.