Automotive

 Major car manufacturers were relatively quick to recognize the importance of "clean" energy and are already dipping their toes in the electric car market. Sales in the US almost tripled in the last year, and the number of electric vehicles is expected to jump from 3 million to 25 million in the next decade. We should all look to contribute to a greener future, so the big question is:

Will the new technology trends of 2023 be the beginning of the end for the combustion engine? Seems that way, doesn’t it?

Lately, the number of electric vehicles has soared. Companies like Tesla are leading the way, yet numerous other car manufacturers are selling a significant amount of EVs. This is quite understandable, given the wide variety of benefits offered by electric vehicles. These include zero emissions, government incentives, lower costs for fill-ups, and instant torque. Despite these advantages, the percentage of EVs compared to combustion-based cars is still low.

So, where is EV technology going?

Several trends will pave the way for worldwide EV adoption. In the next two years, we can expect two major developments: better EVs, and better infrastructure. So far, the EV market has mostly focused on sedans and small cars. The next few years will bring forward more options for car buyers, as manufacturers are ramping up production.

The range represents another issue that the EV market is dealing with. In this case, Tesla wins by far, and the competition looks too far away. Consumers are in need of higher ranges if EVs are to replace traditional combustion cars.

As a result, battery tech sees extensive R&D, creating new innovation potential. By 2050, future technology will likely facilitate a world where EVs are the norm.

Regarding actual EV purchase prices, 2022 will not bring a considerable decrease. Yet, consumers can expect a gradual decline in price, which is also essential for worldwide adoption. With luck, government incentives will continue.

Last but not least, recharging stations are still few and far between – especially when compared to the number of gas stations. However, more and more charging points are popping up throughout the world. As market demand grows, the infrastructure will surely improve.

A Renaissance for self-driving cars also seems to be around the corner. Future technology trends indicate an increased interest and developmental effort. Waymo, a subsidiary of Google, rolled out its autonomous test vehicles just two years ago. Today they already own the first commercial driverless taxi service. The US legislation is duly adapting to this situation and already defining additional clauses in their traffic laws for self-driving cars.

In a word, the automotive industry is looking at a cleaner, safer, and smarter future.

Safety is a state that implies being protected from any risk, danger, damage, or cause of injury. In the automotive industry, safety means that users, operators, or manufacturers do not face any risk or danger coming from the motor vehicle or its spare parts. Safety for the automobiles themselves implies that there is no risk of damage.

Safety in the automotive industry is particularly important and therefore highly regulated. Automobiles and other motor vehicles have to comply with a certain number of regulations, whether local or international, in order to be accepted on the market. The standard ISO 26262, is considered one of the best practice frameworks for achieving automotive functional safety.

In case of safety issues, danger, product defect, or faulty procedure during the manufacturing of the motor vehicle, the maker can request to return either a batch or the entire production run. This procedure is called product recall. Product recalls happen in every industry and can be production-related or stem from raw materials.

Product and operation tests and inspections at different stages of the value chain are made to avoid these product recalls by ensuring end-user security and safety and compliance with the automotive industry requirements. However, the automotive industry is still particularly concerned about product recalls, which cause considerable financial consequences.