The Indian Automobile industry has seen huge developments from its first middle-class family car to the variety of luxury cars that run on our roads today. It seems like yesterday that Tata Nano was launched in the Indian market, and it became one of the highest-selling designs for middle-class families. Since then, our markets have seen various luxury and premium designs capturing the consumer’s attention. Over the last few years, brands like Mercedes, Audi, and Volvo have left an unprecedented mark on our minds.
Stepping into a new digital era as 2021 comes to an end, the trends in the automobile industry are now looking forward to cars that run on electricity. This marks the beginning of a decade where Indian markets are ready to accept electric vehicles as a part of their normal cars. The making of electric cars has been in the process for quite some time now. Some of the well-known electric cars running in India include BMW iX, Audi e-Tron, Porsche Taycon, Hyundai Kona Electric, etc. By 2030, India is expected to reach the highest levels of e-mobility.
Electric car designs are expected to reduce huge maintenance and operational costs to the automobile industry. India is expected to save 1 gigaton of emissions by 230 if it succeeds to achieve the e-mobility target. Two major challenges faced by Indian markets to launch electric cars were the price and charging time. To speed up the process, the Government of India has announced various subsidies and tax exemptions as well as relaxations for battery charging stations. Combining the battery range and decreased prices can lead to a commercial tipping point soon.
Electric cars are a new revolution in the Indian markets and hence it is important that the EV designs build a way for a profitable EV market. A strong electric car design requires intensive research and development in architecture, technology, high-level designing, and integration. Let us take a look at the latest EV design trends in India!
Designing a native electric vehicle
It is no secret that native electric car designs have always provided greater advantages as compared to non-native designs.
- The upcoming electric vehicle trends highlight the manufacturing of native EV designs. Native electric car designs have a strong battery-package optimization. It gives the car a range of 300-400 km on one charge.
- This electric vehicle design requires high investments in the latest tools and engineer hours up-front. The flexibility of the car can fit a 25% larger battery package volume.
- This new design also results in a higher range and faster charging, all leading to EVs creating a bright future in the Indian market.
Extending the power integration
Power integration in EVs has the highest scope of improvement in the entire electric vehicle design.
- New design trends highlight that the upcoming electric vehicle models will come with a higher power integration. The proof is seen in the electric cables connecting the powertrain modules of an EV. The reduction in the cable weight and several parts of the powertrain shows higher power integration in the electric car design.
- Another addition to improving the powertrain system of EV is by applying thermal management solutions across the powertrain components.
- The new EV designs are also coming with more flexibility and space in the powertrain with smaller components.
If the manufacturers achieve this high integration level, they will be benefited drastically in terms of material costs and energy efficiency.
Keep up with the technology
A consumer investing in an electric vehicle is always on top of his technology game. The upcoming electric cars need to keep up with the latest technological trends to make a mark.
- Trending EV designs are showcasing new features such as advanced driver assistance systems to enhance the driver’s experience.
- Another feature added to the model is the integration of internal functions into a touch-screen system. Manufacturers are now trying to reduce the button control systems and bring the functionalities to a single touch, much like our smartphones.
- Further on, the centralized computing power of the latest electric car designs is enhancing the customer’s experience of this car. Centralized computing will also bring down the costs as it requires simpler protocols and fewer wiring connections.
- Fewer wiring connections will improve the reliability of the EV models with lesser chances of wrong operations.
Application of Design-to-Cost lever
Despite the numerous advancements in electric vehicle design, achieving profitability looks blurry as the powertrain integration is expensive.
- To reach an attractive price point, a design-to-cost lever is a new characteristic in the latest EV trends. Native EVs are moving towards cost efficiency with their advanced battery package and high powertrain integration.
- New electric car designs are switching to lightweight materials and centralized solutions. This will considerably reduce costs and in turn, increase the profit margins.
- Another step taken by OEMs to reduce their cost is by sourcing industry-standard parts. Such small steps can lead to greater profitability in the mass production of electric vehicles.
In conclusion, the latest trends in electric vehicle designs show a huge reduction in manufacturing costs. Besides cost reduction, it is also focusing on creating a revolutionary experience for the consumers in the future. The flexibility of the new EV models is one of the major features which will create a benchmark in the Indian automobile industry. Electric vehicles are standing strong on the pillars of flexibility, simplification, and cost friendliness to enter the mass market in 2022.
References
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/electric-vehicle-design-native-non-native-oems-maruthi-yaramati
Electric Vehicles: Is India Ready for Next Big Revolution in the Automobile Industry?
