Electric Vehicles
Electric Vehicles (EV)
What are EVs?
Electric vehicles, such as an electric car, uses one or more electric motors powered by a battery pack to accelerate and drive. Depending on the type of EV, the electric motor(s) either assist a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) or power the car completely. There are typically 3 types of EVs :
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) combines a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electric motor and battery pack to reduce fuel consumption. HEVs achieve this by using an electric motor to drive the car during conditions when an ICE is especially inefficient, like when accelerating from a stop.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) combines an ICE with an electric motor and battery pack similarly to a hybrid, however comes with distinct differences. PHEVs generally have larger battery packs and more powerful electric motors than hybrids, as the electric system does a lot of the heavy lifting while driving.
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
A battery electric vehicle (BEV) is considered to be an ‘all-electric’ or ‘full-electric’ car. BEVs are powered exclusively by electricity, with their electric motors drawing current from onboard battery packs. BEVs do not have any form of ICE. BEVs need charge to be driven. This can be done through either a home charger or fast charging station, or energy recouped by regenerative braking.
Role of Composites
Composite materials have contributed for more than 50 years to vehicle development, enhancing design, durability, performance and light-weighting. To support the fast-evolving mobility, composites provide the automotive industry with new benefits and applications.
Light-weighting
Lower weight can reduce the carbon emissions per kilometre of conventionally powered vehicles as well as extending the driving range of EVs.
Longer Lifespan
Steel bus frames have a 12-year life-span and experience corrosion over time. A composite bus body is corrosion- and impact-resistant, prolonging its lifespan significantly.
Battery Housing
Low ambient temperatures will affect driving range. Therefore, composites can provide heat, electricity and corrosion resistance to extend driving range.
Green Solution
Besides the benefits in performance, the transition to composite EVs will have a significant economic and environmental impact. By utilizing composite EV technology, we can drive down costs and replace fossil fuel transit vehicles with fully electric ones.
Check out our work
EV Racecar Bodyshell
Bodyshell made from Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) using Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) for a electric racecar.
Engine Cover for EV Bus
Engine cover made from Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) manufactured for SKSBus.
Think we can work together?
Are you interested in collaborating with us to make this dream a reality? Together we can ensure a greener and sustainable form of manufacturing. Get in touch with us now!