Feature: Automotive
EVs, aircraft, space vehicles – unearthing the thread that makes them run
By Ben Kitson, Head of Business Development, Precision Micro
reactions to remove metal with pinpoint precision, it creates complex components that traditional methods like stamping or laser cutting can’t match. And as demand for high-complexity components rises, etching is stepping into the spotlight. Tis shiſt is most visible in energy systems across many sectors. For example in autonomous vehicles, etched copper busbars
are being used in the battery packs of autonomous robo-taxis in the US. Tese packs sit under the passenger seat, with rows of AA-sized cells connected by precisely engineered busbars featuring break points that isolate failures and prevent full-pack shutdown. Although a little behind, the UK plans a rollout of self-driving
taxis following the Automated Vehicles Act taking full effect in late 2027. Tis calls for thousands of parts produced in moderate volumes, all within tight turnaround windows and changing specs. Chemical etching shines here, offering speed, precision and flexibility. While these vehicles may move to high-volume stamping processes later, etching helps in the early stages where design isn’t yet locked. And there’s a wider trend to acknowledge, the technology used
in an autonomous vehicle’s battery is structurally similar to that used in satellites. Te context shiſts, but the engineering need remains constant to connect, conduct and control power.
I
n a world demanding cleaner, smarter and more efficient technologies, energy has become the common thread pulling together innovation across multiple industries. Whether on the ground in electric vehicles (EVs), soaring through the skies in next-gen aircraſt, or even orbiting the Earth aboard space missions, energy systems are evolving
and at the heart of many of these lies chemical etching. Chemical etching might not grab headlines, but it’s quietly
powering some of the most advanced technologies around – from satellites to hydrogen fuel systems. By using controlled chemical
26 October 2025
www.electronicsworld.co.uk
Hydrogen and electric Electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel systems are oſten seen as competitors, but the reality is they are complementary. For example, the European International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) highlights that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) could soon outperform EVs in emissions reduction, provided they run on renewable hydrogen. Te study suggests FCEVs could emit 79% fewer emissions than
internal combustion engine vehicles over their lifetime, which is slightly better than battery EVs using renewable electricity. Tis, however, does not mean that hydrogen will entirely replace
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
