EV myths and piston death debunked

Short-circuit

Battery Electric vehicles (BEV) (1) frenzy is not more than an overreaction. On a political perspective, it’s almost an imposture. This is complying with a communication necessity to sound ecofriendly. We are even close to reaching Godwin’s law when considering potential future for more efficient fuel or biofuel drivetrains. Lately, 12 cities (2) and 12 countries have announced their intention to ban gasoline and Diesel cars, respectively in 2030 and 2040 as hybrids then BEVs are supposed to take over. Those governments are fully aware the BEV market is elusive and they don’t put their money where their mouths are. They’re strategy to lead the change with restrictions is a dead end.

Matter fact is stringent measures must be accompanied by public and private investments to cope with higher demands in electricity, higher demand in materials for batteries, more efficient charging networks, and more mass and individual transportation services. These are the necessary triggers for the automobile industry to trustfully bet on electric cars with limited risks. Otherwise, the latest politic decisions will have no effect but rising unemployment. Lack of mobility and sudden industrial turnarounds require to retrain people, so they can embrace the induced job transformation. BEV adepts used to say the market will self-regulate as people will adapt and mobility services will reduce the demand for cars. This won’t happen overnight, and it must be a well thought of plan and implementation. Major changes are undeniable, but the vehicle demand knows different fate depending on the nature of each market and the demography in various areas within these market.

A massive shift to BEV requires immediate investments up to two hundred billion dollars or even more (power plants, battery plants, mass transportation, retraining, R&D, networks). In the meantime, such change would progressively reduce demand for gasoline and Diesel cars, therefore decreasing fuel tax revenues. No government will concede such investments without fiscal compensation. And at the end of the foodchain, it would undoubtedly impact BEVs cost of ownership.

This is a matter of time, technology and money because shifting to BEVs is a major disruption with too many unknown factors. BEVs must be flawless to succeed. They must be affordable, convenient to charge in all conditions, and clean to produce, use and recycle. This is the main reason why BEVs have a long way to go to become the main solution in all segments and markets, including emerging countries. So far, they answer specific segments of mobility and shouldn’t be considered for more until better technologies are ready for mass production.

What are the alternatives?

Since BEVs are not providing the expected answer to mobility needs, the upcoming technologies must be cleaner and cheaper to produce and operate than both BEVs and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. The first prerequisite is to slow the consumption of fossil fuels, the second is to reduce the environmental impact and the third is affordability. Cost is a driver for two reasons. First, developed markets are entering the era of autonomous vehicles. Those vehicles will not be privately owned but they will belong to fleet operators seeking for the cheapest and most reliable hardware solutions for an intensive use. Second, the next powertrain solutions must fulfil the growing need for mobility in emerging countries. These countries require easy to use, easy to repair solutions using existing charging networks. Several emerging solutions tend to answer the requirements correctly enough to be considered.

Most technologies have been already investigated. Many solutions have been forgotten due to inaccurate or inappropriate materials or know-how. It’s time to leave behind ICE and transition to technologies improving emissions in the short term, therefore fuel saving and soon capable of using second-generation biofuels. These solutions can’t just be an evolution of the current ICEs for obvious cost and environmental reasons. This is starting over for the better.

No one expects a miracle but the best compromise for our environment, our jobs, and our freedom of mobility. There are several solutions under development and some will break through in the upcoming years. A couple of technologies have already proposed mainstream solutions for automotive and mobility hardware.

Achates Power & Pinnacle engines: opposed pistons engine

The solution is lighter as it erases the heavy and energy consuming heads while delivering comparable power with half the emissions of current ICE solutions.

The lower number of parts also make it a lighter and cheaper solution for mass production. Achates Power declared working for large automotive industry actors and Pinnacle should introduce its technology by 2019.

Ingocar: hydraulic powertrain

The Ingocar solution is light, compact, and cut emissions by 50% down compared to traditional ICE powertrains. The gains offered by thermal hydraulic solutions are important as they release cars from their current design which is better suited for mobility hardware (autonomous vehicles), safety, and affordability.

Where do we go from here?

Politics are dangerously inconsistent when pointing at one technology only, especially without consideration for employment, affordability, and environmental impact, all important items according to their agenda. But don’t be fooled, governments know the situation. Current people in charge won’t be held responsible for promises they can’t afford as someone else will be in their office 10 to 20 years from now. Several solutions will have to be implemented and governments will have no choice but to cope with technology. For now, the matter is to exit the current all BEVs speeches without losing face. Opposed pistons and hydraulic powertrains offer the best opportunity.

ICEs are here for some more years, but the technologies are reaching to an end for environmental and financial reasons. Carmaker must resolve to mutualize and source powertrain. More and more parts and projects are in the hands of suppliers and engineering companies for financial and technical efficiency. This is a difficult but necessary move to focus on services and customers. Carmakers, tier 1 suppliers and newcomers must provide environmentally efficient solutions to avoid short term electrical failures.

 

(1)  BEVs or Battery Electric Vehicles are using only batteries. Electric Vehicles at large consider hybridization of fuel engines and electric motors with various electric capacities (battery based)

(2)   Paris, Londres, Barcelone, Quito, Vancouver, Mexico, Copenhague, Seattle, Le Cap, Los Angeles, Auckland et Milan

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