There was a dip in accidents during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have increased steadily since
In the last 5 years, 2022 had the highest number of fatalities.
Over 60,000 fatalities happened on national highways, which account for only 2 percent of roads in the country.
2020 had the least accidents, mostly due to the lockdowns that reduced the number of cars on the roads.
Road safety has been a long-term concern for India, with various programs in progress to curb the high number of accidents and related fatalities. However, according to a new report on road accidents in 2022 published by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), road fatalities have been on the rise since the country opened up after the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2018 to 2022, over 21 lakh accidents have happened on the country’s roads, costing the lives of over 7.7 lakh people. For a more detailed insight, have a look at the number of accidents that have happened each year.
The Last 5 Years
Year
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Accidents
4,70,403
4,56,959
3,72,181
4,12,432
4,61,312
Fatalities
1,57,593
1,58,984
1,38,383
1,53,972
1,68,491
Injured
4,64,715
4,49,360
3,46,747
3,84,448
4,43,366
There was a big drop in road accidents in 2020, which is when the pandemic led to lockdowns across the country, taking many road users off the road. Number of accidents started to rise in 2021, and last year, this number started to inch closer to the worrying high tally of 2018.
Worse still, the number of lives lost was highest in 2022 in the last five years, accounting for a percentage increase of 6.9 percent compared to 2018. In 2022, out of all the accidents that happened, 33.8 percent were fatal for at least one person involved, while the other resulted in injuries to the driver and occupants. Compared to 2021, the fatalities increased by 9.4 percent and the number of people getting injured increased by 15.3 percent.
Where Do Most Accidents Happen?
2022
Roads
National Highways
State Highways
Other Roads
Accidents
1,51,997
1,06,682
2,02,633
Fatalities
61,038
41,012
66,441
Injured
1,44,352
1,06,485
1,92,529
As per the data provided by the MoRTH study, almost 33 percent of total accidents in 2022 occurred on national highways, which is only 2 percent of all the roads in the country. The ‘other roads’ in India, as per the report, include district, rural, urban and project roads, which combined contribute to 95 percent of the road length of the country, but were the locations for 44 percent of all accidents.
What The Future Looks Like
While the number of accidents seems to be increasing compared to the previous years, we also have to understand that the number of cars plying on the roads in the country is also on the rise. In the future, as carmakers work on making their cars safer with more standard safety features and better build quality, and the government makes better and safer roads for commuting, we can hope to see a fall in these grim numbers.
Till then, we can work on doing our part in making the roads safer for travel, by following the traffic rules, driving responsibly even when others around us may not, and keeping a check on the condition of our vehicle to avoid any mishap.
Despite challenges in the market, Volkswagen Group delivered solid nine-month results. Sales volumes and revenues increased in the third quarter, but profitability fell short of expectations. The company is focusing on implementing its 10-point plan and cross-brand performance programs to improve profitability.
Key highlights from the report:
Robust Results in the First Nine Months
The Group’s operating profit decreased by 7% to 16.2 billion euros, mainly due to negative valuation effects. Adjusted for these effects, the operating profit increased to 18.7 billion euros, with a return on sales of 8.0%.
A significant volume increase in Passenger Cars contributed to the positive results, but production disruptions and higher product costs affected profitability for the Core brand group.
Financial Outlook for Fiscal 2023
Volkswagen AG updated its outlook, expecting deliveries to customers to be between 9 and 9.5 million vehicles. Group sales revenue is expected to be 10 to 15% higher than the previous year.
The company no longer expects to compensate for the effects of negative valuation of hedging transactions by the end of the year, resulting in an operating result for the full year around the previous year’s level.
Electrification Strategy
Deliveries of battery electric vehicles (BEV) increased by 45% in the first nine months. The targeted annual range of 8-10% of total deliveries remains in sight.
Volkswagen-owned battery maker PowerCo and Belgian materials technology group Umicore announced the location for their cathode material manufacturing plant in Nysa, Poland. The partnership aims to produce materials for battery production sufficient for around 2.2 million fully electric vehicles annually by the end of the decade.
Competitive Product Portfolio
The all-electric ID.7 was voted “German Car of the Year 2024”. Volkswagen also unveiled the new generation of the Tiguan and launched pre-sales of the upgraded ID.4 and ID.5.
Audi launched several models in its Q8 family, including the SQ8 e-tron as the new top model of the all-electric SUV and crossover. Porsche increased the hybrid range of the Cayenne series.
Group-wide Performance Programs
All brands within the Group have launched performance programs to strengthen their competitiveness and achieve a long-term operating return on sales of over 10%.
Sustainability
Volkswagen Group published its Responsible Raw Materials Report, focusing on transparency in supply chains. The Group also issued its first Green Hybrid Bond and Green Bond through Volkswagen Leasing GmbH.
Brand Group Results
The Core brand group saw an increase in sales revenues, but profitability was affected by higher product costs and production disruptions. The Progressive brand group and Sport Luxury brand group reported positive results. TRATON and Financial Services divisions also showed growth in sales revenues.
Note: The article contains a summary of Volkswagen Group’s financial results and highlights. Please refer to the original article for complete information.
Yew Tree has increased its ownership in Aston Martin to over 25%, despite a previous commitment to Geely and sparking rumors of a potential partnership with another car manufacturer.
The group, headed by billionaire chairman Lawrence Stroll, announced last Friday that it acquired an additional 3.27% stake in Aston Martin, bringing its total ownership to 26.23%.
This share purchase contradicts an agreement made with Geely earlier this year when the Chinese company increased its stake to 17% and resolved a conflict with Stroll by purchasing Aston Martin shares at a premium price.
Many vehicle segments are seeing an increase in the number of new fully electric or hybrid models. However, the SUV and truck segments are lagging behind. This is because it’s more challenging to electrify or hybridize a truck or SUV while maintaining its usability and capability.
There are only two hybrid SUVs that have successfully combined efficiency with great off-road abilities: the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe and the upcoming Toyota Land Cruiser J250. Most other hybrids are crossovers and lack the abilities and features of the Jeep and Toyota.
The Toyota Land Cruiser J250 will feature the same hybrid drivetrain as the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid. It appears to be the best all-around off-roader on the market. Let’s take a closer look at why.
What’s The New Land Cruiser All About?
Toyota
You might be wondering why a new Land Cruiser has already been released when the 300 Series was introduced just a few years ago. Well, the all-new J250 isn’t a replacement for the 300 Series. The Land Cruiser lineup consists of three models: the luxurious 300 Series, the utilitarian 70 Series, and the smaller Prado. The 300 Series and the 70 Series are not available in the US or Europe, and until recently, the US did not even get the Prado.
However, Toyota has announced the return of the Land Cruiser to the US with the introduction of the J250. The J250 is essentially a replacement for the current 150 Series Prado. Being smaller and lighter than the 300 Series, it is expected to be more capable and better suited for off-road use. It will also be more affordable with an expected starting price of $50,000. While this is not cheap, it is lower than the price of the previously available 200 Series model in the US.
The Land Cruiser J250 Blends New Technology With Old Underpinnings
Toyota
New 4x4s need to combine new technology with old-school chassis. New technology provides efficiency, economy, and reduced emissions, while old-school underpinnings bring ruggedness and off-road abilities. In the case of the new Land Cruiser, Toyota has opted for a body and frame design with a solid rear axle and independent front suspension. But what does this mean exactly?
First and foremost, the solid rear axle is better at carrying heavy loads, allowing the Land Cruiser to tow and haul more weight than a conventional crossover. This design also provides better wheel articulation, which helps keep the Land Cruiser’s wheels in contact with the ground when off-roading. Maximizing contact with the ground improves grip and enhances off-road performance.
The front suspension of the Land Cruiser has been designed with an independent suspension system for many years. The combination of a rear solid axle and independent front suspension strikes a balance between good road manners and off-road capabilities. Independent suspension, commonly found in regular cars or crossovers, offers better road manners but is not as tough or as capable off-road.
This old-school chassis is paired with a modern powertrain. The Land Cruiser utilizes Toyota’s new 2.4-liter engine paired with a hybrid system, resulting in a total power output of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. Power is delivered to all four wheels through a permanent four-wheel-drive system.
The Land Cruiser Offers Good Off-Road Features
Toyota
A vehicle bearing the Land Cruiser name must be capable of cruising any land, regardless of how uneven or rough it may be. The new J250 Land Cruiser is equipped with features such as a rear differential locker, Multi-Terrain Select, Downhill Assist, Crawl Control, and a disconnectable front sway bar to handle any off-road challenge.
The rear differential locker ensures power is evenly distributed to both rear wheels regardless of the terrain’s unevenness or slipperiness. Multi-Terrain Select functions as an off-road traction control system, while Crawl Control acts as off-road cruise control, allowing the driver to take their foot off the gas pedal and let the car do the work. Crawl Control is particularly effective in getting a vehicle unstuck from sand. Toyota’s newest generation vehicles, including the Land Cruiser and Tacoma, have a much quieter version of Crawl Control compared to previous models.
What Does The Land Cruiser Hybrid Compete Against?
Jeep
Returning to our initial point, the Land Cruiser doesn’t have much direct competition. The only other hybrid vehicle that is also a proper off-roader is the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. While the Jeep is more capable in extreme off-road scenarios like hardcore rock crawling or tackling tough trails, being equipped with both solid front and rear axles, differential lockers, and larger tires, it being the most capable doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best choice.
The Toyota Land Cruiser Is The Hybrid Off-Roader To Get
Toyota
If you don’t plan on tackling extreme off-road trails like the Rubicon or Moab, the Land Cruiser is the best choice as an all-around hybrid off-roader. It offers more interior space, a more comfortable seating position, better on-road performance, enhanced safety features, and potentially greater reliability.
The Land Cruiser’s new 2.4-liter engine is designed to be simple and reliable. It utilizes a mechanical fuel pump and a vacuum-operated wastegate on the turbos, minimizing potential problems. Internally, the engine is based on the proven and reliable 2.5-liter naturally aspirated unit found in other Toyota models like the RAV4. While the hybrid system does add complexity to the vehicle, Toyota has extensive experience producing reliable hybrids.
Toyota Land Cruiser J250 VS Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe
Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid J250
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe
Powertrain
2.4-liter hybrid
2.0-liter plug-in hybrid
Total Power Output
326 horsepower
375 horsepower
Total Torque
465 lb-ft
470 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Permanent four-wheel drive
Part-time four-wheel drive
Suspension
Solid rear axle with independent front
Solid front and rear axles
Off-Road Features
Multi-Terrain Select, Downhill Assist, Crawl Control, disconnectable front sway bar
Electronic sway bar disconnect, Tru-Lok Electronic Locking Differentials, Rock-Trac 4×4 System
Road Manners
Better on-road comfort and manners
More rugged, potentially compromising comfort
In summary, while the Land Cruiser may not be the most capable off-roader, it is the best choice as an all-around hybrid off-roader.
Purchasing a new car is always an exciting experience, with the promise of new technologies, improved powertrains, increased safety, fresh designs, and more. While automakers sell millions of new cars each year in the US, the majority of Americans opt to buy used cars. However, buying used has become significantly more expensive in recent years.
A recent study by iSeeCars reveals that buyers of used cars today are spending 33% more than they did in 2019. Not only are the cars older, with an increase from an average age of 4.8 years to 6.1 years, but they are also more expensive. In 2019, $23,000 could buy a three-year-old used car. Today, that same amount would only purchase a six-year-old model. To complete the same transaction in today’s market, one would need $24,210.
The scarcity of used cars built within the last three years is one of the reasons for the increased prices. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted new car production in 2020, resulting in a series of events that impacted automakers, suppliers, and overall production capacity in recent years. The study discovered that the used car market has 28% fewer one- to three-year-old used cars compared to 2019, leading to an increase in market share for cars older than five years.
The reduced availability of recent used cars has driven up prices significantly. One-year-old used cars are now 67% more expensive on average, costing around $46,403 compared to $27,793 in 2019. Similarly, two- and three-year-old car prices have risen by 57.7% and 41% respectively. Prices have increased from $23,886 to $37,403 for two-year-old cars and from $23,048 to $32,493 for three-year-old cars.
Furthermore, prices of six-year-old cars have surged by 53.4% to an average of $24,210. Even cars that are a decade or older have seen price hikes. Ten-year-old cars are now 38.9% more expensive, with prices increasing from $10,728 to almost $15,000. On average, an 11-year-old car costs over $11,000.
The study also analyzed the price changes of specific models. For example, in 2019, a three-year-old Chevrolet Spark had an average price of $9,878. In 2023, a Chevy with a similar price of $9,692 would be nine years old. Similarly, a three-year-old Ford Mustang in 2019 priced at $23,584 has become an eight-year-old Mustang priced at $23,755 in 2023.
iSeeCars examined over 21 million car sales between January and August of 2019 and 2023 to conduct this study. For more detailed information and charts, please refer to the source link below.
In 2020, BMW introduced the BMW Operating System 7, which included the BMW ConnectedDrive Store. This online store allowed BMW owners to download and activate additional features and capabilities for their cars. However, BMW limited certain features, such as heated seats, to specific countries, which caused controversy.
BMW’s approach of using microtransactions and paywalled features as a revenue stream is not unique to the company. Tesla also faced criticism for initially limiting battery capacity and requiring customers to pay extra to unlock full performance through a software update. Volkswagen has also hinted at potentially placing its driverless car feature behind a subscription paywall. While recent events suggest that customer backlash may deter automakers from continuing such practices, the industry may still move towards a future where microtransactions for “connected” cars become common.
Ford dropped the base Bronco and increased prices on most of the remaining trim levels for 2024. That means after 2023, there will no longer be a model available for less than $40,000. Additionally, Ford has already switched its online configurator over to the new model year. So the best opportunity to find a new 2023 base model is through existing dealer inventory.
The Big Bend is now the price leader of the Ford Bronco family and the only trim level that doesn’t see a price hike. It starts at $41,025, including a $1,895 destination fee. Options include a 10-speed automatic transmission and the 222A Mid Package with popular features like remote start, dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and Ford’s Co-Pilot360 driver assist. The Sasquatch package is available for an extra $8,660, as are a multitude of roof choices and appearance options.
Stepping up to the Black Diamond model now costs $44,525. It also includes a choice of a seven-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission and the same options as the Big Bend while adding additional off-road equipment like heavy-duty bash plates and rock rails.
Trim Level
2023
2024
Big Bend
$41,025
$41,025
Black Diamond
$43,395
$44,525
Heritage Edition
$44,305
$49,750
Outer Banks
$48,245
$49,835
Badlands
$50,040
$51,290
Everglades
$56,540
$57,415
Wildtrak
$60,670
$61,920
Heritage Limited Edition
$69,445
$71,580
Raptor
$88,475
$91,730
Returning this year is the Bronco Heritage Edition, which starts at $49,750. It adds classic styling cues taken from the original Ford Bronco, including a white hardtop, white grille, and unique body graphics. The Sasquatch package is standard on the Heritage model, as are other features which were options on the Big Bend and Black Diamond trim levels.
Both the Outer Banks and Badlands models add luxury features like leather seats and a 12-inch touchscreen with Sync 4 and enhanced voice recognition. The Badlands adds more off-road capability with features like a front stabilizer disconnect, electronic locking axels, and advanced on-demand four-wheel drive.
For the truly adventurous, the trail-ready Everglades model includes a factory-installed WARN winch, snorkel, and 35-inch mud-terrain tires. Both the Wildtrak and Heritage Limited Edition add a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine with up to 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.
The Raptor is still the ultimate Bronco with 418 horsepower on tap from a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6. Starting at $91,730, it’s a serious off-road brute. For those who want to explore its full capabilities, Ford Performance teamed with Vaughn Gittin Jr. to teach owners how to drive it offroad.
Except for the price increases and the discontinued base model, the Bronco receives very few changes for 2024. All models are now equipped with a 12.0-inch infotainment screen. The Badlands now comes standard with a powder-coated heavy-duty front bumper while the Bronco Raptor gets a new Code Orange package that adds vivid accents and body-colored fenders.
There is a wide variety of 700+ horsepower cars available in the market.
Although these high-performance vehicles may not be affordable for everyone, some options are more attainable.
Some of the top performers in the 700+ horsepower club include the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye, McLaren 720S, and Aston Martin DBS Superleggera.
The 700+ horsepower club was once exclusive, but now more cars are joining it every year. If you’re in the market for a 700+ horsepower car, you’ll have a wide range of options with different prices, styles, and tech levels to choose from.
While these high-performance cars may not be practical or affordable for everyone, it’s still impressive to see the advancements in automotive technology that have brought us these powerful machines.
Updated 22 August 2023: We are adding a few more cars with over 700 horsepower that are still on sale and can be had as brand-new models.
The RAM 1500 TRX takes the 6.2-liter, supercharged Hellcat V-8 engine from the Dodge Charger and Challenger Hellcat models and puts it in a truck. With 702 horsepower, the TRX is a beast on and off the road. It features aggressive styling, all-terrain tires, and off-road suspension. The TRX can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 118 mph.
Specifications
Engine
6.2-liter supercharged V-8
Horsepower
702 horsepower
Torque
650 pound-feet
Weight
6,349 pounds
0-60 mph
4.5 seconds
Top Speed
118 mph
Base Price
$106,445
The RAM 1500 TRX combines the power of a muscle car with the versatility of a pickup truck. It offers an exhilarating driving experience both on and off the road.
The prices of used cars have seen a significant increase in recent years. On average, prices have gone up by 47.7% since 2019. Additionally, the mileage on these vehicles has also increased by 46% compared to four years ago. This poses a challenge for buyers looking for affordable used cars, as they may need to spend more money on older vehicles with higher mileage.
These findings come from a recent study conducted by iSeeCars, a popular website that offers data and guidance for purchasing used vehicles. The study revealed that popular car models such as the Honda Civic and Toyota RAV4 are now 41% to 46% more expensive than they were in 2019. Full-size trucks like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500 have seen price increases ranging from 30% to 50% during the same period. In terms of actual prices, the average used car price has risen from $23,351 to $34,491 in four years.
Not only have prices gone up, but the average mileage on used cars has also increased by 45.7%. In 2019, the average mileage was 43,541 miles, which has now risen to 63,457 miles. Full-size trucks experienced an even higher increase in mileage, with an average of 49% to 53% more miles. The Honda Civic and Toyota RAV4 saw mileage increases of 81% and 139.6%, respectively.
The study by iSeeCars analyzed over 10.8 million used vehicles aged one to five years. Apart from the price and mileage increases, the study indicated that finding a $20,000 car with less than 44,000 miles is becoming increasingly difficult. In 2019, 20% of the used car market met these criteria, but that percentage has now dropped to 11%, with the average vehicle having over 63,000 miles.
However, there is some good news as well. Another study by iSeeCars found that used car prices have actually decreased this year. Overall prices dropped by 4.7% from September 2022 to March 2023 and 8.7% compared to the previous year. Notable models with the largest price declines include the Tesla Model 3, as well as SUVs from Nissan, Infiniti, and Land Rover, all of which saw prices drop by around 20%.
Solid-state batteries hold promise for longer lifespan, increased range, and faster charging times, making EV ownership more appealing for consumers.
The challenges faced by solid-state batteries, such as poor stability and high surface resistance, are being addressed through research and development efforts by various institutions and companies.
While solid-state batteries have the potential to be a game-changer, improvements to current battery technology and the development of sodium-ion batteries could impact their widespread adoption.
Solid-state batteries have been promised by major car manufacturers for quite some time now. Toyota, one such carmaker that invests in developing this technology, intends to launch a hybrid car with solid-state batteries by 2025. Solid-state batteries are the foremost in terms of battery technology for the EV future coming to fruition faster than many legacy automakers expected.
This battery technology should deliver a longer life span than currently used lithium-ion batteries, more range, and faster charging times, among other benefits. Since legacy automakers are banking on this technology to hit mass markets by 2025, people waiting for some nuances of owning an EV to be addressed to pull the trigger on buying one should be excited. But why wait until 2025? What are the challenges preventing the widespread use of solid-state batteries right now? Is the advancement toward this technology noticeable, or is it stuck in time? Here’s what’s been going on with solid-state batteries.
Updated on August 5, 2023: As 2025 approaches, the thought of solid-state batteries taking over the EV industry has many people watching the market. Waiting to see how everything unfolds, including those of us reporting on the process. For now, we must all contend with reading about the updates as things progress, so keep coming back for the latest information as it becomes available.
There Are Still Tricky Issues For A Viable EV Solid-State Battery
Many challenges are posed by using solid electrolytes versus the current liquid electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries. The stability of these batteries is usually poor, and their high surface resistance limits their output and, concurrently, their applications. But advancements are, in fact, happening on more than one front.
From companies like battery manufacturer QuantumScape to renowned universities all over the world, such as Harvard in the States, as well as Tokyo University of Science, among others, from legacy and BEV carmakers to even NASA, many institutions are working on improving the technology, fix its issues and make the leap toward mass-market application.
Solid-State Battery Use Will Depend On Figuring Out The EDL
Nissan
The widespread commercial application of solid-state batteries is currently faced with a still unknown challenge. Exactly how the surface resistance shown by these batteries happen continues to be something that evades researchers’ knowledge and is linked by them to a phenom called the Electric Double Layer (EDL). This EDL effect happens at the solid/solid electrolyte interface, an issue that, for obvious reasons, doesn’t happen with liquid-chemistry batteries such as the ones used in BEVs and hybrids today.
This unpredictable EDL effect is one of the main reasons solid-state batteries aren’t available on present-day EVs. But as researchers’ optimism remains resilient and more resources are put into it, it seems reasonable to believe the needed breakthroughs for solid-state batteries will happen in the coming years, if not sooner. All this research and development is, after all, highly fueled by the gigantic EV market in the world today. As the saying goes, ‒ money talks ‒, and there is a lot of it to be made with suitable solid-state batteries.
Solid-State Can Be A Game-Changer, But Others Are Trying To Improve Current Battery Technology Instead
QuantumScape
Different approaches to building a solid-state battery are being tested, and the EDL effect is being reduced to the point where it is becoming more predictable. But solid-state technology faces other problems, like the further development of current liquid-chemistry batteries. CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, as well as the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, has experimented with sodium-ion batteries,
Sodium has some advantages over lithium-ion batteries, one of them being the high availability of the material over lithium, but it also has some trade-offs. A hybrid battery pack that uses sodium and lithium-ion is also being tested by CATL and could make batteries more affordable and better overall for current BEVs. This solution could put solid-state batteries in check should their cost be prohibitive.
Solid-State Batteries Could Virtually Eliminate Range Anxiety
Nissan
The current average range for an EV is around 300 miles now, with every year that passes raising the distances even more. But, take a step back for a moment and look at what the people at NASA have been able to accomplish with their solid-state battery research. Granted, the people at NASA have some of the best minds on the planet, but they are more than willing to share their knowledge and findings with the rest of the world.
What they have found, last year no less, is that by using the technology that they currently use in aircraft, they can produce automobile batteries that can double, or even triple, the range of any current EV on the market. Not to mention, cut the charging times down to hours rather than days. Since one of the leaders in space technology, QuantumSpace, has joined forces with Volkswagen to prove the point by 2025, time will show if the numbers can be formed into fact.
Conventional Battery Technology Still Has Room For Improvement
BYD
Battery technology has improved tremendously since the beginning of the current BEV revolution, and their cost, which accounts for a large portion of a BEV’s price, has decreased proportionally. BYD, the largest EV automaker in China, far ahead of Tesla in sales in that market, has plans to tackle the EV market Stateside, and that promises to bring EV prices further down, much closer to current ICE vehicles, making the transition towards a BEV easier for customers.
BYD already supplies a few cities in the U.S. with electric buses made in a factory built several years ago in Lancaster, California. They’ve been analyzing the American market for some time now, and when they come with all their resources, they’ll do so with a sound strategy that could really shake things up in the EV market in the US.
Solid-State Batteries Are Not As Explosive As Lithium-Ion Batteries
Nissan
There are a ton of news write-ups online and on paper about the dangers of EVs and the battery fires that will surely happen if you own one. The facts are not quite that straightforward, though, because, for the most part, the findings are that an EV is just as safe to own as an ICE vehicle when it comes to the chance of it spontaneously erupting into flames due to an explosive battery.
That is not to say that lithium-ion batteries are not explosive because they are. They actually have an explosive flash point of 18 to 145 degrees Celsius, with the most dangerous point being right around room temperature. Of course, safeguards are built into the battery, so the occurrence of an explosion is far less than you would imagine, but it does happen. On the other hand, solid-state batteries are not flammable, so a blast due to a battery will never happen.
Saving The Environment Until It Is Time To Replace The Solid-State Battery
Toyota
Reducing your carbon footprint on the Earth is one big reason to invest in an EV, so it goes without saying that you will recycle and reuse everything you can. After all, there is no point in trying to reduce the harm you do to the environment in one way without taking steps in other areas of your life to do the same. The problem with that line of thinking is that if you purchase an EV with a solid-state battery installed, when it comes time to replace it, you will not have any way to safely discard or recycle it.
As of yet, there is no good way to recycle a solid-state battery. The only way to get rid of them is to toss them out. Doing this will cause irreparable harm to the planet because of the chemicals used during the manufacturing process to make the battery in the first place, including lithium. Hopefully, by the time the batteries need to be replaced, a solution will be found for this dilemma. If not, a warehouse somewhere in the world will be tasked to hold these used-up batteries safely until some type of solution can be found.
Solid-State Batteries: Cost-Effectiveness And Viability For The Long Haul
JLStock | Shutterstock
For a full ICE to BEV transition to take place as fast as possible, something that interests society as a whole, particularly due to environmental and health concerns, EVs need to be affordable, and that’s why batteries are so important. They’re expensive, and making them cheaper, either by scaling production, or finding ways to make them more energy dense, enabling the use of smaller battery packs without compromising range, or even by transitioning to a whole new technology such as solid-state batteries, is critical for a sustainable future.
Considering the advancements that have been shown so far, along with the expectations and plans of companies and research institutions for the near future, solid-state batteries should indeed become viable in the next couple of years. What remains to be seen is how feasible they will be compared to already existing batteries, which will also improve over time. The technology will be there, but which one will win the mainstream is still anybody’s guess.
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
