In this blog post, we’ll explore why electric vehicles are set to become central to the future from environmental, technological, and policy perspectives.
Comparison of Gasoline/Diesel Cars and Electric Vehicles
Recently, an extraordinary event occurred in the U.S. when the stock price of a certain automaker surged by over 1,000%. The company in question is “Tesla,” an electric vehicle manufacturer founded by Elon Musk—famous as the co-founder of PayPal—along with four fellow engineers. Musk is leading a new trend in the automotive market by bringing to life the battery-powered car that was once only a figment of the imagination. Not only is global concern about environmental pollution growing, but from the consumer’s perspective, the maintenance costs of electric vehicles are very low, leading to a surge in demand for them. As evidence of this, there are projections that electric vehicles will account for approximately 20% of the total automotive market by 2025. Given this situation, it is no exaggeration to say that electric vehicles have become an essential choice for automakers.
In fact, the need for electric vehicles has been recognized for a long time. As environmental issues caused by global warming and vehicle emissions became more prominent, the need for electric vehicles emerged as a solution; however, commercialization was difficult due to issues with battery power and charging times. Recently, however, advancements in electronic device technology—including smartphones—have improved battery efficiency, making the mass production of electric vehicle models feasible. In this article, we will examine the principles of electric vehicles in comparison to conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles, and also discuss the future direction of battery technology.
How Gasoline and Diesel Vehicles Work
Most rear-wheel-drive vehicles follow the basic structure established by the French engineer “Panhard-Levassor” in 1891. A car consists of approximately 30,000 parts and is broadly divided into the body and the chassis. The chassis is the component that generates the power necessary for the vehicle’s propulsion and is further divided into the engine, the powertrain, and the wheels. In gasoline-powered cars, high-pressure, high-temperature gas produced by the combustion of fuel and oxygen inside the cylinders expands, driving the pistons. This process consists of a four-stroke cycle—intake, compression, power, and exhaust—and the exhaust gases released into the atmosphere during the exhaust stroke are a major cause of environmental pollution.
Diesel vehicles operate in a manner similar to gasoline vehicles, but the method of fuel ignition differs. Diesel engines offer higher fuel efficiency and greater torque than gasoline engines, but they face challenges related to emissions regulations and noise. Diesel engines boast higher thermal efficiency by combusting fuel under high pressure, but technical improvements are needed to address exhaust gas issues, including fine dust and nitrogen oxides.
How Electric Vehicles Work
In contrast, electric vehicles are powered by electricity, which drives an electric motor. Unlike gasoline and diesel vehicles, they do not require a piston engine, making their structure simpler and resulting in virtually no engine noise. Electric vehicles are categorized into several types based on their power source. The first is the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV). This vehicle uses hydrogen as fuel to generate electricity in a fuel cell. Hydrogen and oxygen undergo a chemical reaction in the fuel cell to produce electricity, and since the only byproduct is water, it is highly eco-friendly. However, as the infrastructure, such as hydrogen refueling stations, is still underdeveloped, it is expected to take time for these vehicles to become widely available.
The second type is the battery electric vehicle (BEV). These vehicles charge electricity into a built-in battery and use that electricity to power the motor. Since they run solely on electricity, they are also called “pure electric vehicles.” The models primarily produced by Tesla fall into this category. However, battery electric vehicles take a long time to charge and have limitations in battery performance. Concerns have also been raised regarding the use of fossil fuels in the battery manufacturing process, which challenges their reputation as a green technology.
The third type is the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), which uses a small internal combustion engine to compensate for the limited storage capacity of the battery. Since it can drive while charging the battery with the internal combustion engine, it is regarded as a transitional technology between battery electric vehicles and conventional gasoline vehicles.
Advances in Battery Technology and the Future
One of the most critical factors for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles is battery technology. Currently, most electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries, which are relatively efficient but have low energy density, resulting in a shorter driving range per charge compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. To address this issue, next-generation battery technologies, such as solid-state batteries, are being researched worldwide. Solid-state batteries are gaining attention as a technology that uses a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one, thereby enhancing safety and energy density while reducing charging times. If this technology is commercialized, it is expected to significantly resolve the issue of driving range for electric vehicles.
Additionally, battery recycling technology is emerging as a critical issue. Technologies must be developed to effectively recycle lithium-ion batteries once their lifespan has ended. If battery recycling technology is successfully implemented, the environmental benefits of electric vehicles will be further expanded.
Challenges for the Commercialization of Electric Vehicles
The challenges for the commercialization of electric vehicles require a comprehensive approach involving not only technological advancements but also infrastructure expansion and policy support. Recently, various regulations and support measures have been announced in countries around the world to promote the commercialization of electric vehicles.
In the United States, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was passed in 2022, providing benefits to manufacturers involved in electric vehicles, and new policies related to stricter CO₂ emission standards are also being implemented. The European Union (EU) also announced the EU Battery Regulation in 2023, strengthening legal regulations to promote sustainable battery management and recycling. These regulations aim to minimize the environmental impact throughout the entire battery lifecycle and encourage a circular economy.
The biggest obstacles to the commercialization of electric vehicles are charging infrastructure and battery performance. Countries are investing massive funds to expand charging infrastructure, and from 2022 to 2023, Europe and the United States have been implementing policies focused on installing charging infrastructure. Consequently, battery technology is also advancing rapidly. Demand for lithium-ion batteries continues to rise, and in 2023, battery performance and productivity improved significantly.
Furthermore, new battery technologies such as solid-state batteries and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are reducing battery costs, extending battery life, and enhancing the competitiveness of electric vehicles. In particular, these batteries are expected to play a crucial role in a sustainable future for the electric vehicle industry by reducing the use of rare metals.
Therefore, while challenges such as expanding charging infrastructure, improving battery performance, and strengthening battery recycling technology remain for the commercialization of electric vehicles, policy support and technological innovation from countries around the world are rapidly resolving these issues.
