LAS VEGAS – While electrical automobiles are gaining the lion’s proportion of the consideration for carbon-neutral era at CES 2024, hydrogen energy has snuck its approach back into the conversation thank you to 2 car giants.
Hyundai spotlighted its plans for using hydrogen energy at the sprawling tech and system display in Las Vegas. Beyond making automobiles powered by means of hydrogen-powered gasoline cells, the South Korean automaker signaled that it might paintings towards assisting a “hydrogen society” by means of increasing into energy manufacturing, garage and transportation.
It’s already technologically possible, and it’s going to sooner or later make sense economically, too, José Muñoz, president and world leader working officer of Hyundai Motor Co., predicted Monday.
Meanwhile, car provider Bosch Mobility plans to release its first hydrogen combustion engine this 12 months — some other key step towards lowering world man-made carbon emissions, the corporate mentioned all over its CES 2024 match.
Both Bosch and Hyundai say they have got been inspired to transport ahead with their respective projects as a result of investments akin to the $7 billion that the U.S. government is pouring into the construction of hydrogen infrastructure.
‘THIN, LIGHT AND WISE’ EVs
Honda on Tuesday unveiled two idea automobiles, dubbed the “Saloon” and “Space-Hub.” The Japanese automaker says the Zero Series approach for EV development focuses on models that are “thin, light and wise,” with specific goals to minimize battery size and weight.
Kia, meanwhile, introduced a trio of electric vans that can quickly swap body modules from cargo haulers to taxis and other purposes. Production of the vans will begin in 2025 in South Korea.
And Vietnam-based electric upstart VinFast unveiled an electric truck concept. The mid-size truck is dubbed the VF Wild.
IN-CAR TECH ECOSYSTEMS IMPROVE
Mercedes-Benz showed off updates to its infotainment systems, including a new AI-powered virtual assistant that strives to personalize interactions between drivers and their cars. The update will connect the AI with functions for automated driving, seating comfort, data displays and charging.
But while automakers like Mercedes are focusing on improving their proprietary in-car ecosystems, others are striking more partnerships with Google to pre-install apps such as Google Maps and Assistant in their vehicles, the tech giant revealed at CES 2024.
The Google built-in will come to select models from Nissan, Ford Motor’s luxury brand Lincoln, and others this year, with Porsche following suit in 2025. And even Mercedes-Benz is layering Google apps into its own technology.
WHAT’S THE LATEST ON SOLID-STATE BATTERIES?
Honda also touched on plans for its Zero Series and wider EV advances down the road — notably, the company’s independent development of solid-state batteries. In a Tuesday news conference, Executive Vice President Shinji Aoyama said Honda aims to apply solid-state batteries to the Zero Series by the late 2020s.
Solid-state batteries are widely believed to be essential for mass commercialization of battery-powered EVs. Today, lithium-ion batteries are more commonly used in EVs, but are prone to fires. Solid-state batteries are more stable and potentially more powerful.
Honda Motor’s Mitsuru Kariya, who leads the research and development group behind the EV tech announced Tuesday, explained that solid-state batteries have higher energy density, which means they can be smaller while maintaining a good range with stronger outputs. This could also contribute to making EVs lighter, he said, potentially improving fuel economy.
Honda isn’t the most effective automaker with eyes on a solid-state battery long term. Toyota, for instance, recently agreed to work with Japanese oil corporate Idemitsu on era solid-state battery manufacturing.
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