The 81st Auto showcase in Geneva sells us new EV technologies - Autoclusters

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The 81st Auto showcase in Geneva sells us new EV technologies

Two TU Gabrovo representatives of the project “Autoclusters” visited the 81st Auto showcase in Geneva, Switzerland. The exhibition lasted 10 days from the 3rd to 13^th March of at the Geneva Palexpo.

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What interested us most was the electric vehicles. Our goal was to learn as much as possible about the state of the art of the electric vehicle technologies. Our participation was part of the electric vehicle infrastructure small project activities.
We should mention that AUTOCLUSTERS project is not the only organisation interested in EV and green technologies. Green cars were exposed on center stage, the Green Pavilion was located at one of the busiest entrances of the show complex. Over 20 exhibitors, including major auto-makers, engineering firms and scientific institutes, presented the latest energy efficiency tools over the 3000-square-meters pavilion. More than 40 models using electricity as main driving force were exposed all around the showcase complex, some of them were production cars like Nissan Leaf and other just concepts cars, for example VW Bulli.
Another subject that took our attention was servicing and recharging of the EV. A number of companies introduced charging equipment and proposed new charging techniques and standards. The main point was how to achieve rapid charging and two-way communication between charging station and the car battery.

Most of the charging stations support multiple standards and ability for identification of the user.For example a data channel could be connected together with power line that can work with AC or DC. Green Motion (UK) proposed this channel to be used, not only for identification but for diagnosing and servicing the battery.
CHAdeMO presented its quick charging method for battery electric vehicles delivering up to 62.5 kW of high-voltage direct current via a special electrical connector. For example 5 min stay (the time spend on gas station), could be equal of 30 km extension of the battery distance range.

Polish company RWE presented its rapid charging station, supporting different voltage standards with capacity of up to 22 kW AC and up to 50 kW DC, this charging station is already deployed on more then hundred places in Germany.Each major car manufacture has presented several models of electric vehicles. From Rolls-Royce's full electric Phantom till the Chinese BYD plugin Hybrids. These companies already have long term strategies how integration of EV will go. For example is good idea the taxis and small buses will be most feasible clients of the electric cars.

Almost all EVs have several options for charging. The battery can be charged with thin cable (6A) for 8 hours during night, or by using three phase AC to charge the TESLA for 45 min, to have another 450 kilometers.There are three branches of the development in the EV industry. The first is middles sized cars using plug-in Hybrid technology. For example like Volvo S60 uses electrical engine for the rear wheels and gas engine for the front engine. The battery of the hybrids should cover all short range trips and the fossil fuels will be used for long distance drives.

The next branch is fully electrical small and medium city cars, like Nissan Leaf, Smart and Bolloré Blue Car, Honda EV concepts, Toyota iQ city car and etc.
The last Branch is for luxury electric cars such as Tesla, Rolls Roys, VW Bully.
For the last few decades the external design of the cars changed and optimized its external design, but what we saw during the current exhibition, was that the design is the same, but the change is inside - it is the driving force.To integrate 200 kilograms battery in the same form-factor with the same safety requirements is a huge challenge for the constructors.It's clear that major manufacturing brands are feeling pressure to present consumers with a green product due to climate change. The Geneva Motor Show is considered one of the most important annual motoring events. We gained valuable information as participants of this event.

Photos

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