21 Electric and Hybrid Vehicles 1.9 ELECTRIC VEHICLE MARKET The electric powertrain found its commercial value in HEVs towards the end of the last century and has been maintaining its presence with modest growth over the last two decades. The growth momentum shifted towards EVs with both traditional and new generation manufacturers making a push for commercializing BEVs. Motivated by the growing concern about global pollution and the success of electric motor-driven transportation in various sectors, the interest is ever increasing for sedan and light-duty truck EVs that can deliver the range and performance of its ICEV counterparts.
In the last few years, the global EV sales growth has been around 60% with the total sales exceed- ing 2 million units globally from 2018 [14]. The leader in EV sales is China where government subsidy, regulatory pressure and micro-EVs helped develop a healthy market. The adoption of EVs and HEVs is affected by technology, regulations, incentives and regional needs. While technology itself drives a niche market, regulation and incentives are big drivers for market entry of new tech- nology. In the United States, the regulatory requirements have been the primary motivator, while in China the major increase in BEV growth has been due to the incentives.
In Europe, the strict CO 2 emission restrictions have prompted the auto manufacturers to focus on PHEVs, particularly on the 48 V micro-HEVs. We typically discuss about EVs for passenger and public transportation but tend to forget about their use as off-road vehicles in specialty applications where the range is not an issue. The EVs have penetrated the off-road vehicles market successfully over the years for cleaner technology as well as for cost advantages.
The examples of such applications are airport vehicles for passenger and ground support; recreational vehicles as in golf carts and theme parks, plant operation vehicles like fork lifts, loader trucks; vehicles for disabled persons; utility vehicles for ground transportation in closed but large compounds; etc. There are also EVs that run on tracks for material haulage in mines. EVs have also been introduced for construction vehicles and other off-road vehicles. The locomotives that run on tracks with electricity supplied from transmission lines are no different from other EVs, the major difference being in the way energy is supplied for the propulsion motors.
The impediments for the mass acceptance of EVs by the general public have been the limited EV range and the lack of EV infrastructure. The solution of the range problem is evolving from exten- sive research and development in batteries and installation of fast charger units. Many customers are also aware that they typically drive less than 50 miles a day for which a lower range EV is readily available. The issues related to infrastructure are as follows: • Battery charging facilities. Residential and public charging facilities/stations. • Standardization of EV plugs, cords, outlets and safety issues. • Sales and distribution. • Service and technical support. • Parts supply.
The current initial cost of an EV is also a big disadvantage for the EV market. The replacement of the batteries even for EVs is quite expensive added to which is the limited life issue of these batteries. The increasing use and sales of EVs and for transportation electrification in general have created extensive job opportunities for electrical, mechanical and chemical engineers on the technical side. The job opportunities related to EV are emerging in the following areas: • Power electronics and motor drives: Design and development of the electrical systems of an EV. • Power generation: Additional resources required for increased utility demand due to EV usage.