Feature | Electric Avenue
What’s in store for EVs in 2025 New developments this year are likely to affect adoption rates, charging, and battery recycling By Maura Keller, EA Contributing Writer 2035. It’s been a date that has been bandied about by automotive manufacturers as the time frame to end production of internal-combustion vehicles and turn their manufacturing attention to full production of electric vehicles. As this date looms in the minds of industry players and consumers alike, many are looking at the immediate future of 2025 and the challenges that the EV industry faces – including EV battery charging, limited rare earth materials needed for EV batteries, and the concerns of cash-strapped consumers.
start of the manufacturing process in the EV pipeline. Klausmeier points out that the adoption of EVs in the U.S. and globally is on the rise, with several key factors driving this trend. Despite some perceptions of slower progress, EV adoption rates have shown consistent growth over time. So, what is fueling this momentum? According to Klausmeier: > Environmental concerns. As awareness of climate change grows, more consumers are considering EVs as a way to reduce gas emissions and improve air quality. > Technological advancements. Improvements in battery technology have led to lower costs, reduced charging times, and increased energy density. > Charging infrastructure. The availability of charging options, especially fast chargers, makes EVs more Adoption rate outlook convenient for consumers. One of the biggest questions facing > State mandates. Some U.S. states are passing laws those who are monitoring the posaying that all new vehicles sold in the future must tential EV market activity in 2025 be electric. is: Will adoption rates of EVs go > Consumer awareness. People are more likely to up? consider EVs if they see friends, neighbors, or celebKate Whitefoot, associate pro- Kate Whitefoot, associate professor rities driving them. of engineering and public policy at fessor of Engineering & Public PolCarnegie Mellon University > Affordability. Some automakers are offering more icy at Carnegie Mellon University, affordable EVs, which may disrupt the market. who also works closely with EVs, expects that the “This trend represents a market gradually evolving to meet consumimprovement in electric vehicle technology, particer needs, that can be expedited by incentives,” Klausmeier says. ularly extending the range of fully electric vehicles Shawn McLaughlin, founder and CEO of Emporia Energy, adds that upwards of 300 miles or more, has been driving the cost of purchasing a new EV, and the relatively low number of modincreases in consumers’ likelihood of purchasing els to choose from compared to traditional gasoline cars, are the biggest these vehicles. challenges facing the EV market today. In 2025 and 2026, there will be “We conducted a study that showed that about more than 20 new models entering the market, and 50% of new car and SUV buyers several of these will be low-cost options. in the U.S. would purchase a fully In addition, many EV models have already reached electric vehicle by 2030 if they had price parity with their gasoline counterparts when a 300-mile range, were as widely considering the lifetime cost of ownership. available as conventional gasoline “With the push by automakers to deliver more afvehicles, and prices fall as expectfordable EV models, we could begin to see price pared by 2030,” Whitefoot says. ity occur at the point of sale,” McLaughlin says. Virginia Klausmeier is the Range anxiety is another concern for new or pofounder and CEO of Sylvatex, a tential EV owners. This is becoming less prevalent materials processing company thanks to charging becoming more readily available, that is involved in the lithium-ion both on the road and at home, McLaughlin adds. battery manufacturing process, It’s important to note that 80% of EV charging hapspecifically that of the energy- and pens at home. Smart home energy management syscost-intensive cathode, with a fotems and smart EV charging will continue to drive cus on sustainability and domestic down the overall cost of charging an EV. production. Sylvatex is at the very Virginia Klausmeier, founder and CEO of Sylvatex
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10 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | JANUARY 2025
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