FASTENINGS & ADHESIVES FEATURE
It is predicted that by 2050, 25 million electric cars will be on the roads. Behind the scenes, however, there is a whole sub-sector of manufacturers, distributors and suppliers building the infrastructure of the ‘electric highway’
through the creation of batteries, motors and charging units. Jeremy Scholefield, director of strategic business at TR Fastenings, comments
FASTENING SOLUTIONS: an important role in the EV story
W
hile hybrid vehicles have been around for more than a decade,
they were arguably seen by many initially as the choice of the eco-warrior. Now, with global governments setting carbon emission reduction targets and public engagement in the electric sector increasing, there has been a shift in gear in the automotive industry in response. However, it’s not just the car-makers and their suppliers who are getting ready for the electric revolution. There is a whole sub-sector of manufacturers, distributors and suppliers who are building the infrastructure of the ‘electric highway’ through the creation of batteries, motors and charging units specifically designed for Electric Vehicle (EV) use.
CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE According to insights provided by data company Emu Analytics, it is estimated that there will be over one million EVs on the UK’s roads within the next two years. This has sparked much debate about the need to build the necessary framework to support the 25 million electric cars predicted to be on the roads by 2050. This means that over the next two years there will need to be six times the amount of EV charging points than are currently in use, plus an increased supply of batteries and motors for the vehicle stock. Charging infrastructure
will spread to more commonly frequented areas such as hotels, workplaces and supermarkets. Currently, only 3% of UK supermarkets have developed EV charging points. So, spending on their growth is expected to rise exponentially to keep up with the UK’s need to build
that, in the not-too-distant future, EVs will be playing a much larger role in the automotive landscape. Designing effective and high quality EV solutions – the vehicles as well as efficient, charging technology – will be crucial for the future growth and development of the electric highway and the vehicles which inhabit it.
83,500 new EV charging points by 2020. Britain’s infrastructural development
bodies have been quick to move on the issue, with the National Grid announcing plans to install over 50 ‘super-charging’ points for EVs across the nation’s motorway network. The tactically placed top- of-the-line 350kW EV charging points will allow most electric vehicles to be fully charged in under eight minutes, completely revolutionising long-distance travel using EVs. In March this year, French
“Sheet
metal fasteners, thread-forming screws for plastics and metals,
plastic hardware, enclosure hardware, security fasteners and standard fastenings are the ideal components for EV charging units”
designer Philippe Starcke collaborated with Bentley to create a ‘smart power dock’ for the new Bentayga Hybrid model. Although more of a publicity exercise than a prototype for mass production, this nevertheless indicates the level of interest
in EVs from the higher end of the automotive OEM market. There is no escaping the fact
THE ROLE OF FASTENERS TR Fastenings sheet metal fasteners, thread-forming screws for plastics and metals, plastic hardware, enclosure hardware, security fasteners and standard fastenings, are the ideal components for EV charging units. The company has worked closely with companies in this sector – as well as advising them on the parts and processes they require, it can highlight any challenges they may come across in the manufacturing process. Design for Manufacture (DfM) is increasingly vital throughout the development of any product, but in this sector particularly,
working together early to establish sustainable
design solutions will be extremely valuable.
Discussing cost-efficiency, sourcing and product lifecycle issues
at the design table means that potential difficulties can be identified and addressed early, avoiding later delays. Batteries and charging in particular will be an issue of significant focus for design engineers. The EV charging unit and battery market
Over the next two years there will need to be six times the amount of EV charging points than are currently in use, plus an increased supply of batteries and motors for the vehicle stock
will be an exciting sector to watch as it evolves and gathers pace. The priority now is to seize on the opportunity provided by growing consumer interest in this field and ensure the infrastructure and design solutions are well developed in order to support this trend.
TR Fastenings
www.trfastenings.com
DESIGN SOLUTIONS | JULY/AUGUST 2018 15
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