Top 3 innovations that might change EV industry forever

The emerging sector of electric vehicles is a perfect breeding ground for innovations. Whether it be demand driven research or cost cutting developments, new technologies are constantly changing the electric vehicle Industry as we know it.

Yes, these innovations will undoubtedly be beneficial for the market, but they will also shift the global landscape, with some countries emerging as leaders and others as just a dependent participant. 

We have already seen mind-bending technologies like autonomous driving, i.e. self driving cars and AI-based customised driving modes. However, these technologies are more like added convenience, rather than addressing the fundamental challenges of mobility.

So here are the top 3 innovations that have the potential to transform the EV industry–

3rd- Solid State battery: Charge for 10 min and get a range of 300km

Solving range anxiety and lack of charging station has long remained an obstacle in the adoption of EVs, however, in a breakthrough, Donut Lab has developed a solid-ion battery technology that can be a game changer in the electric mobility space, with its recent use in Verge Motorcycles’ TS Pro and TS Ultra models being only the beginning.

The true highlight lies in the battery itself:

3.1- Users can enjoy 300km of range just by charging for 6 minutes. In total, the bike claims 600km of range owing to the higher power capacity of the battery

3.2- More importantly, the solid-ion battery reportedly delivers an exceptional lifespan of up to 100,000 charging cycles nearly 20 times higher than conventional lithium-ion batteries, dramatically improving long term value and sustainability. 

3.3- It also maintains 99% charge retention across extreme temperature conditions ranging from –30°C to 100°C, addressing one of the most critical limitations of existing battery chemistries. 

3.4- Adding to its disruptive potential, Donut Lab claims that this technology is even more cost effective than traditional lithium-ion batteries and is manufactured without the use of rare earth materials. 

If this is true on a commercial scale, solid-ion batteries could have a profound impact on the competitive landscape currently dominated by leaders such as CATL.

2nd- EV Charging Roads: No more stopping for EV charging

The concept of electric vehicle (EV) charging roads, where vehicles can wirelessly charge as they drive, is gaining global attention as a transformative solution for sustainable transportation. 

As of now, France, Norway and Sweden have been in the news to operationalise an electric vehicle road that can charge an electric vehicle on the go. These projects utilize specialized copper coils embedded beneath the road surface, allowing vehicles equipped with compatible technology to change dynamically. 

With these roads available on a large scale, riders might not need to stop frequently for charging on highways and metro roads. 

1st- Self-healing Batteries: A battery that can fix itself 

One of the major breakthroughs in the EV industry might be the hope to develop a self-healing battery. Last year, Gadget360 reported that the Chinese Academy of Sciences had developed an autonomous self-repairing "Dynamically Adaptive Interphase," or DAI layer that releases mobile iodide ions to fill any micro gaps between the solid lithium anode and electrolyte. In layman's terms, a battery that can heal itself of any internal fracture. 

Although it’s not ready to use as of now, many companies and research labs like Vrije Universiteit Brussel are trying to develop an EV compatible self-healing battery based on Smart polymers. Smart polymers are an application of textile based engineering that fixes any cracks in the cells of the battery. Potentially, these polymers can increase the life of the battery by 10 or 20 times.