The revolution of the global mobility industry is in full swing, and electric vehicles are more beautiful, efficient and have higher performance than ever before. With the support of government policies to promote green transportation, the number of electric vehicles will increase significantly in the next five years. In Europe, the number of electric vehicles soared to more than 1 million in 2018, and the Chinese auto market continues to lead.
In recent years, compared with aluminum, steel has become the preferred material for electric vehicle manufacturers due to its lower cost, higher strength, and many other advantages such as reducing vehicle weight while ensuring vehicle safety. For example, advanced high-strength steel greatly reduces the weight of the vehicle while improving passenger safety.
The revolution of the global mobility industry is in full swing, and electric vehicles are more beautiful, efficient and have higher performance than ever before. With the support of government policies to promote green transportation, the number of electric vehicles will increase significantly in the next five years. In Europe, the number of electric vehicles soared to more than 1 million in 2018, and the Chinese auto market continues to lead.
In recent years, compared with aluminum, steel has become the preferred material for electric vehicle manufacturers due to its lower cost, higher strength, and many other advantages such as reducing vehicle weight while ensuring vehicle safety. For example, advanced high-strength steel greatly reduces the weight of the vehicle while improving passenger safety.
Electric car maker Tesla switched from an all-aluminum body to a steel-aluminum body for its first mass-market car, the Model 3. Other automakers that have opted to use steel include Nissan Motor with its Leaf, the world’s best-selling all-electric car, and Volkswagen with its e-Golf.
Electric cars also rely on steel for their electric motors. Electrical steel has unique magnetic properties and is a key material for transformers and generators. Electrical steel is also a core material for electric car motors. Electrical steel performance directly affects the efficiency of the motor, which in turn affects the range of electric vehicles.
Electric motors used in industrial machinery typically run at speeds between 5,000 and 8,000 rpm, but electric vehicles can reach four times that speed. The resulting huge heat can increase iron losses (losses in the motor itself), which can affect vehicle performance. At high speeds, motor components are subjected to extreme mechanical stress, and electrical steel has become the manufacturer’s choice due to its high durability.
In 2015, steelmaker ThyssenKrupp developed a new type of electrical steel that raised the performance bar for electric vehicles. Compared with motors made from conventional steel, its iron losses are reduced by nearly 30%. It also exhibits extremely high strength, which helps to create more compact high-speed motors, reducing weight and taking up less space.
However, as electric vehicles become more efficient, popular, and affordable, building a comprehensive charging network has become a barrier to the growth of electric vehicles. As it stands, the charging infrastructure is not meeting the demand. In fact, according to a recent study released by EmuAnalytics, a London-based scientific software company, it is expected that by 2020, there will be an 83% shortfall in the number of charging points needed for electric vehicles. This could lead to severe congestion at charging stations.
Electric vehicles use electrical steel for their electric motors, primarily due to its unique magnetic properties
To address this obstacle, a variety of EV charging options are being explored, with steel often being a key component. Charging systems such as CHAdeMO are leading the way, with many manufacturers – including Nissan, Mitsubishi and Tesla – investing in this charging model.
Manufacturers of CHAdeMO charging stations use steel for the charger housing because of its strength and durability in all weather conditions, even in saline climates such as coastal cities. As the number of charging stations expands around the world, including to rural and remote areas, a sturdy steel housing with low or no maintenance will play a vital role in the reliability of electric vehicles.
Although electric vehicles can make the future more environmentally friendly, if the deployment of charging piles fails, this may have an impact on the ownership rate of electric vehicles. Richard Vilton, CEO of EmuAnalytics, believes that the key to solving this problem is to invest in expanding the charging network as early as possible. “Companies that choose to do so may not only become the future global leaders of the electric vehicle industry, but also play a driving role in future sustainable development,” he concluded.
Whether it is improving efficiency, reducing loads while ensuring safety, or enabling critical charging infrastructure, steel will play an important role in realizing the electric vehicle revolution.