Transportation revolution: An update on vehicle electrification
It is clear that, despite the numerous challenges facing automotive OEMs today, the goals of next-generation electric, autonomous and connected vehicles remain as primary objectives. As we continue to look forward, widespread electrification is fast approaching the mainstream automotive market. Nand I sat down to discuss the rapid growth of EVs in today’s automotive market, what is pushing them forward and how companies are planning for the future.
Rapid technological and product improvements have been a primary driving force in the recent EV explosion. EV battery capacity and performance are rapidly improving. As a result, electric vehicles today are finally beginning to offer that elusive mix of environmental friendliness, convenience, comfort and cool design, making them an ever-more attractive option for consumers. However, there are still challenges. According to Nand, some of the largest remaining hurdles involve adapting manufacturing technologies, processes and safety procedures to better fit the unique needs of an EV. Also, the industry at large is still determining the best means of battery recycling and other end-of-life considerations.
You can listen to our conversation below. Subscribe to the Future Car to hear more from Nand and I in the coming weeks, as well as Ed Bernardon’s fascinating interviews with experts from around the industry.
Transportation Revolution: Vehicle Electrification
I’m your host, Conor Peick, Thought Leadership Writer at Mentor Graphics. In this episode, I welcome back Nand Kochhar to talk about electric vehicles. Nand is the Vice President at Siemens Automotive and Transportation Industry and offers a unique perspective on the EV field.
We chat about the environmental factors driving the EV revolution, the challenges traditional fueling station infrastructures face, and the concept of customization regarding EVs. Nand and I also explore what the rise of electric vehicles means for the autonomous vehicle field and much more.
Some Questions I Ask:
- What are the main factors pushing EV innovation? (2:04)
- What are the most pressing engineering and design challenges facing EVs? (5:20)
- How can the industry make charging stations as ubiquitous as gas stations? (10:48)
- Will the availability of EV service infrastructure limit their geographical reach? (18:40)
- What are companies doing to address the challenge of end-of-life recycling? (28:30)
- What impact does the societal trend toward the electrification of public transport have on EV adoption? (33:57)
- What do you see as the relationship between EVs and autonomous vehicles? (36:36)
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- The challenges that play into mass customization of EVs (7:10)
- How EVs will change the concept of auto upgrades (9:00)
- Whether Tesla is the leader of the pack in regards to EV battery technology (21:49)
- What other leading automotive companies are doing to catch up to Tesla (24:27)
- About the safety concerns involving rapid charging (25:25)
- The environmental implications of creating EV batteries (29:54)
Let’s Connect!
Connect With Nand Kochhar:
Conor Peick – Moderator
Conor Peick is a Marketing Coordinator helping to create forward-looking content for the Thought Leadership team at Siemens Digital Industries Software. Conor collaborates with seasoned industry experts to produce podcasts, articles, blogs, and other forms of content focused on the trends and challenges companies face in the future, and the technologies that may provide solutions.
On the Move: A Siemens Automotive Podcast
The automotive and transportation industries are in the middle of a transformation in how vehicles are designed, made, and sold. Driven by an influx of new technologies, consumer demands, environmental pressures, and a changing workforce in factories and offices, automotive companies are pushing to reinvent fundamental aspects of their businesses. This includes developing more advanced and capable vehicles, identifying new revenue sources, improving customer experiences, and changing the ways in which features and functionality are built into vehicles.
Welcome to On the Move, a podcast from Siemens Digital Industries Software that will dive into the acceleration of mobility innovation amid unprecedented change in the automotive and transportation industries. Join hosts Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation, and Conor Peick, Automotive and Transportation Writer, as they dive into the shifting automotive landscape with expert guests from Siemens and around the industry. Tune in to learn about modern automotive design and engineering challenges, how software and electronics have grown in use and importance, and where the industries might be heading in the future.
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