The spectacular evolution of the electric car over time
The evolution of the electric car over time has been marked by significant advances in terms ofrange. The range of an electric vehicle is one of the most important criteria for drivers. Automakers have made some tempting promises in this area.
Electric cars: when did they start?
A quick point of history: contrary to popular belief, the first electric cars date back to the late 19ᵉ century. By this time, several engineers had already imagined electricity as a reliable solution for powering a vehicle. In 1870, Robert Anderson, a Scottish scientist, developed a vehicle powered by a non-rechargeable battery. They were a great success, especially in big cities, and their silence and absence of polluting emissions contributed to their popularity. In 1899, an electric an electric car called "La Jamais Contente" even exceeded 100 km/honce again demonstrating the incredible performance of electric cars at the time.
However, they had their limits, their autonomy range was around 50 km, making them less practical than an equivalent combustion-powered car. This was because the batteries used at the time were essentially lead-acid, heavy and inefficient. In addition, recharging time was long, and there was no network of charging stations as there are today. Finally, despite strong enthusiasm for electric cars at the time, technological and economic challenges put a stop to their development. It wasn't until the end of the 20ᵉ century that engineers took the project in hand again, no doubt thanks to growing environmental concerns and better knowledge on the subject.
The 2010s: an era of upheaval for electric cars
The 2010s marked a major advance in the development of electric cars and their batteries. battery. With the advent of lithium-ion technologies, range has improved significantly. It's no longer unusual to see vehicles that can travel between 150 and 300 km on a single charge, like the Nissan Leaf. Over the years, average range has improved:
|
2015 |
211 km |
|
2016 |
233 km |
|
2017 |
267 km |
|
2018 |
304 km |
|
2019 |
336 km |
|
2020 |
338 km |
Source : International Energy Agency
Despite a higher purchase price than a combustion-powered car, thanks to lower battery production costs, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly affordable. What's more, government incentives such as the ecological bonus and the conversion bonusmaking electric cars even more attractive and affordable.
To take the example of Nissanits launch price in Europe was around €30,000 in 2010, €26,000 in 2015 and €24,000 in 2020. This represents a reduction of over €5,000, while offering even greater autonomy and improved performance and technical features.
What's more, the recharging infrastructure has developed, making electric cars more practical for everyday use. Recharging speeds have also improved, enabling some models to be fully recharged in less than an hour. The network of recharging stations Tesla Supercharger network of recharging stations set up in 2012 can even recharge in just 15 minutes.
Number of recharging points open to the public in France between 2014 and 2022
Source : Statista
Electric cars in 2010: great ambitions, little choice
Finally, the 2010s also saw a greater diversity of electric cars available on the French, European and global markets. Whereas in 2010, only Nissan, Tesla and Mitsubishi were marketing these models, by 2020, most of the major manufacturers, such as Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes are offering all-electric vehicles to the general public. An embarrassment of choice for drivers, which explains the growing enthusiasm for this market.
What's more, different vehicle ranges are emerging. While the first electric models were mostly electric city cars designed for urban use, other vehicle categories are now emerging, such as the :
- Electric SUVs Their imposing size and long range mean that they can sometimes be driven for days without recharging,
- electric sedans electric sedans: they generally offer greater range, and their elegant silhouette combines comfort, space and performance,
- electric compacts Halfway between a city car and a sedan, it is designed to offer the ideal compromise between interior space and maneuverability,
- electric vans These are designed for a more professional clientele, and are ideal for transporting goods or equipment.
Drivers on a budget are also well catered for. Year after year, more and more manufacturers are marketing very high-end luxury vehicles easily exceeding €100,000.
More robust models are sold exclusively in certain regions. This is particularly true of pick-ups sold exclusively in the USA. The electric car market has thus adapted very well to the demands of road users, and today everyone can find the electric car that suits their needs and budget.
Mercedes EQS SUV 450 4MATIC
Purchase price €149,900
(list price excluding bonus)
- Range (WLTP): 595 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 6 sec.
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 32 min.
Porsche Taycan Taycan
Purchase price €96,080
(list price excluding bonus)
- Range (WLTP): 371 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 5.4 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 17 min.
Tesla Model S Dual Motor
Purchase price €94,990
(list price excluding bonus)
Low-cost leasing for professionals from €1,582 / month
- Range (WLTP): 634 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 3.2 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 30 min.
Discover the electric cars available from Beev
Green mobility: what's the current panorama?
As the transition to green mobility gathers pace, it's essential to understand where we stand in the electric car landscape. Technological innovation and growing driver demand are shaking up this constantly evolving market.
Electric batteries: an overview of existing technologies
Today, most electric cars use lithium-ion technology. These batteries offer greater energy density, which translates into longer range. They have become the standard in the electric car sector, but although they are less widespread, some electric cars are made from other core components such as lead or nickel.
| Benefits | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
|
Lithium-ion battery |
Its long autonomy allows it to optimize its energy when not in use.
|
Very expensive to produce, it is sensitive to temperature variations. |
|
Lithium iron prosphate battery |
As well as overheating less, it lasts longer than other batteries. |
Costly to produce, its energy density is lower than that of lithium batteries. |
|
Solid electrolyte battery |
Low risk of leaks and overheating, high energy density. |
This technology is still relatively underdeveloped. |
|
Nickel-metal hydride battery |
Cheaper than all other batteries, its technology is well known and has long been in use. |
Its energy density is lower than that of lithium batteries, which shortens its lifespan. |
Also read → How long does an electric car battery last?
Electric battery autonomy: how far can we really go today?
The development of electric car sales has seen the emergence of a number of flagship models that have made their mark on the market through their performance, design and, above all, range. Here are some examples of the electric vehicles that now offer remarkable range.
BMW I4
The BMW i4 uses a rear-mounted electric motor with 340 hp, and its generous, large 84 kWh battery enables it to travel a distance of 590 km on a single charge!
Volkswagen ID.3
This electric family sedan stands out for its attractive pricing, high level of comfort and convincing range in real-life conditions. In particular, the "Pure" variant of the ID.3 offers an impressive range of 350 km thanks to a 77 kWh battery.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
L'Hyundai Ioniq I6 offers excellent range on a single charge. It stands out for its low energy consumption, similar to models such as the Mercedes EQS or EQE. Equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery and rear-wheel drive, this electric car boasts a superb range of 610 km.
Carmakers are well aware that range is now a key criterion in a buyer's purchasing decision. So it's hardly surprising that future technologies will evolve rapidly, and that electric cars will boast ever-greater range.
The future of battery autonomy
Specialists are constantly exploring new ways to develop much stronger batteries that promise even greater autonomy and longer life.
The new platform made in Stellantis
Stellantis has unveiled new flexible platforms for electric vehicles. They feature a long range (up to 700 km!) combined with a flexibility that will enable the automaker to produce a wide variety of vehicles.
From 2023, 14 brands (including Citroën, Opel, Fiat or Jeep) will market electric cars equipped with these chassis. It's a real revolution, when you consider that most of today's clean cars are built on the same platform as their internal combustion counterparts.
The Stellantis brands plan to produce up to 2 million vehicles a year on these based on these platforms, with a variety of body styles, such as passenger cars, crossovers and SUVs.
The designers therefore came up with four platforms dedicated to this specific motorization:
- Small: reserved for small city cars like the Peugeot e-208 or the Fiat 500eand promises a range of at least 500 km.
- Medium: dedicated to electric sedans, it will extend their range to 800 km.
- Large: this platform will be dedicated to electric SUVs, with a claimed range of 500 km.
- Frame: the fourth platform will be entirely reserved for electric commercial vehicles.
Electric batteries: what innovations are on the horizon?
Research is underway into the development of solid-state batteries. In addition, advances in supercapacitors (ultra-rapid batteries that store and release energy very quickly) could revolutionize the way we recharge our vehicles, making the process much faster.
The future of electric car range looks bright. Several innovations are under development to further improve battery capacity. These include :
- Solid-state batteries: unlike current lithium-ion batteries, which use a liquid electrolyte, solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte. This could offer higher energy density, faster charging and longer life.
- Lithium-air technology: this could offer up to ten times the capacity of current lithium-ion batteries. However, challenges such as durability and stability have yet to be overcome.
- Improved supercapacitors: they can be charged and discharged very quickly, but traditionally have a lower capacity than batteries. Research is underway to increase their capacity while maintaining their charging speed.
Conclusion
The autonomy of electric cars has come a long way since its inception. With technological advances and falling costs, it's clear that the future of the automobile is electric. For those considering investing in an electric vehicle, the time has never been better. Ready to take the plunge? Contact our Beev experts if you have any questions. We'll get back to you within the hour.
