As the new era of transportation and technology dawns upon us, India is ready to embrace it with open arms. The latest obsession in the field is EVs – Electric Vehicles. EVs are the hottest topic of discussion in the field of Transportation Design. Self-driving is another mode of travel that has excited and intrigued the majority of the driving population. While a lot of infrastructural developments remain unfulfilled for EVs and self-driving cars to go fully operational, here are some of the rising trends in the sector that we should look out for.
Top 5 Anticipated Trends in Electric Vehicle (EV)
1. A Warm Embrace
A warm embrace here refers to the general public’s response towards EVs. It is estimated that Electric Vehicles’ sales might face a huge surge due to the rapid global adoption. By 2025, 25% of all global car sales are expected to be EVs. The number is somewhere around 20 million EV units. China and the USA will supposedly be the leaders in this regard.
2. More Efficient Autoparts
The inefficiency of certain autoparts, such as batteries and charging points, was a problem with EVs previously. The recent trend looks promising in both departments – the battery and the charging. The newer solid-state batteries promise a higher energy density, faster charge, and safety improvements. In terms of charging, the new EVs charge in under 20 minutes and use 800V systems. It boasts a 600 km+ range.
3. An Expansion of the Charging Networks
In the more developed countries, such as the US, there are around $5 billion being poured into erecting charging stations and networks. It is being done by the NEVI program and is expected to provide ultra-fast charging. It will also utilize renewable energy, and home chargers will become the norm.
4. Affordable Prices
As EVs start getting mass-produced, more people will start adopting them accordingly. The rise in the production units of EVs will inversely affect their price. Since EVs are looked upon as a mainstay for the future, they need to be affordable to the general public for mass sales. Hence, the affordable price of EVs is a trend that we might look out for.
5. Sustainability
Battery recycling technologies and plant-based alternatives to leather are increasingly gaining traction. In the current Gen-Z-fueled atmosphere, sustainable practices and environmental concerns in automation are of immense importance. One of the main reasons behind popularizing EVs is also to fight Global Warming. Hence, more sustainable practices in EVs will be in place.
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Top 5 Anticipated Trends in Self-driving
1. Robotaxi
California-based company Waymo has completed over 10 million total trips, including 250,000 rides weekly. Tesla has also launched its Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, which will begin in September 2025. Other places around the world are also catching up to the Robotaxi adoption.
2. SAE Level 3
SAE Level 3 refers to the ‘conditional automation,’ a mode in which all aspects of driving are taken care of by the vehicle itself. It also integrates AI into object recognition, sensor fusion, and powertrain systems. In all these circumstances, the driver must still be present at all costs to prevent any mishap.
3. Autonomous Shuttles
Earlier this year, in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, fully autonomous shuttle services became a reality. A company called May Mobility in Ann Arbor, Michigan, rolled out these services in its first public ‘driver-out’ shuttles. More cities around the world are likely to adopt it by next year.
4. Autonomous Features are to Be Universalized
A lot of cars today have the feature of self-driving, but they aren’t included in their operational mode. A company called BYD aims to include its self-driving feature, called ‘God’s Eye,’ into its mainstream operations without any extra cost. This is a huge step in ‘intelligent driving for all’ and democratizing autonomous technology.
5. Developments in Regulation
EU (European Union) regulations on the safety standards and vehicle framework of self-driving cars are now supporting Level 3+ autonomy. The laws are changing, and they are becoming far softer towards self-driving cars. Even Switzerland has approved self-driving vehicles on motorways from March 2025.
With these many trends to look forward to, it is safe to say that EVs and self-driving cars are the future of Transportation Design.
Click here to apply: Bdes in Transportation Design Program in Bangalore
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