Over the course of the last decade, in particular, electric vehicles have been a prime example of the power of innovation in a wide range of different ways.
Advancements in battery longevity have made it possible for people to get farther than ever on a single charge. The environmental impact of EVs has already shown to be a positive one, significantly reducing carbon emissions and allowing the industry to do its part to help combat climate change at the same time. Cost efficiency has soared, as rather than paying an estimated $3.50 per gallon of gasoline on average, owners only have to pay approximately $0.078 per mile in an EV. The list goes on and on.
Yet, at the same time, it's important to acknowledge that the only way the electric vehicle industry and the entire concept of sustainable transportation, in general, has been able to get to this point has to do with the innovative materials at the heart of it all. Indeed, both the assembly and the larger design of these EVs leverage a wide range of different materials, all of which are more than worth a closer look.
#1. Electric Vehicle Batteries
One of the more innovative types of materials that are being used for electric vehicles has to do with EV batteries themselves. If you asked someone to name their major point of concern that is preventing them from buying an electric vehicle, the battery itself would likely be it. People assume that EVs simply cannot go as far as gasoline-powered cars that they're used to.
Having said that, innovative materials like lithium-ion cells have not only made it possible to make EV batteries with longer lifespans, but lighter batteries as well. All of this contributes to the maximum range of the vehicle in question, which is on pace to at least match the performance of a traditional vehicle in the not-too-distant future. Materials have made it possible for better thermal management as well, preventing said batteries from overheating or significantly degrading their performance over time.
#2. Adhesives in Electric Vehicle Design
Innovative types of adhesives have also been used in a similar capacity. For electric vehicle batteries in particular, various types of adhesives have been commonly used for weight reduction—something that helps to reduce fuel usage and increase energy efficiency as much as possible.
Not only that, but there are other advantages, too. As these adhesives expand within their closed container, they create a "skin" that is highly conductive. This takes the energy generated by the EV and transfers it into the coolant system, offering better thermal management (and all of the benefits that come with it) as a result.
#3. The Advantages of Friable Adhesives
Friable adhesives are also commonly used in electric vehicles, particularly when it comes to safety features. In the event that an electric vehicle was to be in a collision, the battery is essentially detached from the larger electronics system of the EV. This is to prevent not only the type of puncture that could lead to a fire, but a potential explosion as well.
#4. The Prominence of Graphite
Graphite is also often used in the construction of both slides and lubricants for electric vehicle fuel cells. Part of the reason for this selection has to do with how graphite forms a strong bond with other adhesives. This helps to include many fuel cells within a single basic container, which again helps improve qualities that are important to consumers, like longevity and energy efficiency.
#5. The Impact of Rare Earth Minerals
Other examples of innovative materials worth mentioning in this context have to do with rare Earth minerals like neodymium and dysprosium. These are often used in the design and construction of electric vehicle motors—one of the most essential components that makes an EV possible.
In the end, these are only a few of the innovative materials that are being used in electric vehicle assembly and design on a daily basis. At this point, it's also crucial to acknowledge the various engineers and other professionals that are putting those materials to good use, allowing them to come together to form something far more important than any one of them could be on their own. It is all of these elements together that will allow electric vehicles to continue to make their indelible impact for generations to come.
If you're interested in finding out more information about the various innovative types of materials that are used in both the assembly and the design of electric vehicles, or if you just have any additional questions that you'd like to go over with someone in a bit more detail, please don't delay—contact us today.
