Electric vehicle EVs have been getting a lot of attention in the transportation industry. In recent years, automakers have raced to bring electric cars and truck buses to the masses. It will only become more competitive as consumers are now more environmentally conscious and governments are taking legislative steps to reduce carbon emissions.

The electric vehicle trend that has dominated in recent years is not expected to wane this year in any case. In fact, the electric vehicle market is only expected to grow. Moreover, cars and trucks aren't the only vehicles expected to make the switch from fossil fuels to more environmentally friendly energy sources. Name a model and it's likely that electric alternatives are already available.

New Technology Bringing More New Technology

As the market for electric vehicles grows, so will the market for electric vehicle sensors. The reason is simple: just like vehicles with internal combustion engines, electric vehicles require high-performance and accurate sensor technology to ensure performance and safety.

Electric Vehicle Trends in 2023

The biggest electric vehicle trend we can expect this year is the electric vehicle itself. By this, we mean that the electric vehicle market is expected to continue its ongoing trend of gaining more market share. In short, electric vehicle adoption is not expected to slow down at all.

Think back: in 2018, only 2.1 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide. This year, sales are expected to nearly triple to 6 million units, and that number is likely to increase even more. In fact, this could be the first year that electric and gasoline-powered cars could be sold at nearly the same price.

We can expect improvements in electric vehicle range and performance. Electric cars are no longer limited to basic small commuter vehicles. We will start to see more high-performance electric vehicles with higher range and power capabilities, making them a viable option for luxury car buyers.

In terms of charging, we can expect better charging infrastructure and technology for the EV trend. More EV charging stations will be added globally, which is important to encourage adoption of electric vehicles.

Finally, government incentives will continue to drive consumer interest in electric vehicles this year. With increased awareness of global warming and increasingly stringent emissions standards, governments from around the world - most notably China, India, and the European Union - have implemented a variety of financial incentives to encourage consumers to purchase electric vehicles instead of gasoline-powered vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Industry Trends: Outpacing the Growth of Cars and Pickup Trucks

While electric cars and electric trucks are front and center of the "electrification revolution," they are only two components of a dramatic overall shift in transportation and electric vehicle trends.

Almost every vehicle type will be electrified. Many financial reporting and electric vehicle industry trends indicate that this shift is well underway. In addition to cars and pickup trucks, other electric vehicles you'll see more of include,

Buses: From buses that transport schoolchildren to those that support urban commutes, an all-electric bus fleet is on the horizon. Federal lawmakers are eyeing billions of dollars to fund the transition of transportation systems away from fossil fuels.

Semi-trucks: One of the largest vehicles on the road is one of the most impactful ways to reduce emissions. The market for electric semis is expected to more than double by 2026.

ATVs (all-terrain quads) and utility vehicles: The smallest of these vehicles will be electrified By 2030, the ATV and utility vehicle market is expected to grow from $468 million in 2020 to $4.3 billion.

Aircraft: With the shift to electric aircraft, the skies will become greener. Many major airlines are planning to follow the automotive industry's lead and eliminate the use of fossil fuels from their fleets.

Marine: The market for electric ships is already worth $5 billion and is expected to reach $10 billion by 2026.

Electric Vehicle Sensors: The Key to Continued Industry Growth

As the global fleet shifts from fossil fuels to electric power, the role of sensor technology - especially in battery management - will become critical.

Like the fueling system of an internal combustion engine, the battery system of an electric vehicle needs to be continuously monitored to ensure optimal performance and safety. Electric vehicle sensors for batteries are more than just updated versions of power meters. They are sophisticated tools for measuring key performance elements, such as

Thermal management

Energy management

Battery health

Humidity control

1. Thermal Management

One of the most detrimental environments for electric vehicle batteries is overheating. If left unchecked, thermal runaway can occur, during which the battery degrades and releases flammable gases. Without intervention, a battery thermal event can even trigger a chain reaction throughout the battery pack, with more batteries experiencing thermal runaway until the pack is damaged beyond recovery.

In addition, batteries, motors and inverters all have a temperature window in which performance is higher, but outside of that window, performance decreases. For batteries, the optimal range is approximately 15C to 35C. At cooler temperatures, the internal dynamics of the battery drive lower charging and discharging rates, thus reducing the available pack power, while at higher temperatures, the battery degrades rapidly, requiring the system to be controlled by a heat exchanger that can either extract heat from the battery cell or add heat as needed, all of which requires accurate temperature sensor feedback.

When it comes to EV battery thermal management systems, there is no shortage of places to integrate sensor technology into EV designs. Even areas that are not physically close are candidates for sensors. Why? If an EV component runs out of power, it will draw power from the battery. Without strategically placed sensors, it is impossible to monitor vehicle-wide temperatures and other stressors that affect EV battery efficiency.

What sensors are critical to EV thermal management? The most effective EV battery thermal management systems have

• Ambient temperature sensors
• EV battery pack sensors
• HVAC and air quality sensors
• Coolant sensors
• Refrigerant sensors
• Non-conductive temperature sensors

2. Humidity

Besides overheating, humidity is the biggest enemy of EV battery design. Humidity is accompanied by condensation.

In EV battery packs, condensation means an increased risk of short circuiting. an electrical short in an EV is enough to trigger thermal runaway or other failures. Monitoring battery packs for condensation over a long service life has become an increasing concern because water in moisture in the form of condensation and potential small leaks in the pack cooling system can lead to corrosion and electrical shorts which cannot just damage the pack, but can hydrolyze and form dangerous levels of hydrogen gas.

3. Energy Management

Running any size or type of electric vehicle requires a lot of energy. Therefore, monitoring energy intake during charging and consumption during use is key to maintaining consistent performance.

Fast charging is one of the main consumer requirements for electric vehicles and needs to be constantly monitored, as in rare cases fast charging lithium-ion batteries can lead to overheating. Sensors designed to manage a variety of systems, from the vehicle's HVAC to regenerative braking systems, are key to helping owners make the most of their vehicles without worry. A typical example includes monitoring the temperature of the vehicle's charging connections. A higher than expected temperature at the high voltage connection indicates that the charging handle or plug is worn and needs to be replaced.

4. Battery Health

Both short- and long-term EV battery performance is considered a barrier by many potential adopters - how can they trust that the car won't run out of juice and leave them stranded?

Understanding the overall battery health of an EV can provide owners with three purposes:

1. understanding how far the vehicle can travel on its current charge

2. to assess its usefulness over the life of the vehicle

3. identify small performance issues before they become larger

Sensors play a key role in accurately measuring the state of charge (how far you can drive) and the state of health (remaining battery pack life).

Conclusion

Can sensors keep up with the electric vehicle industry trends? With the electric vehicle industry in the early stages of unprecedented growth, sensor technology will follow whatever the electric vehicle trends are.

To some extent, the long-term future of electrified mobility depends on the availability of reliable and accurate sensors. While there are still some consumers who are reluctant to embrace the latest developments in transportation, today's electric vehicle sensors can ensure a quieter and higher quality ride in cars, buses and even airplanes than today's heat engine technology.

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