Society has seen a number of advancements in recent years. Examples include the introduction of 5G wireless Internet, the rise of social media networking and the introduction of the smartphone. However, the notion of e-mobility is just as important (if not pivotal in terms of future travel).
The importance of e-mobility still requires some educational work. This is why it is only logical to address a handful of relevant questions.
What exactly is e-mobility? What types of solutions are currently offered and what are the associated benefits? What might the future of e-mobility have in store? All of these topics deserve a much closer look. Let's therefore begin without further ado.
Electric mobility (often abbreviated as e-mobility) is essentially a method that employs electrical propulsion to power a wide range of vehicles. Examples include cars, buses, and personal devices such as bicycles and scooters. There are even instances when trains and seagoing vessels can use e-mobility to provide viable transportation solutions.
It is crucial to note that electric mobility is much different from traditional methods such as those involving fossil fuels (petrol, diesel and coal are three well-known examples). Not only do these alternatives provide environmentally friendly solutions, but scientists hope that they can become more efficient than previous approaches to propulsion. Of course, there are still many additional variables that need to be taken into account if we hope to understand the "big picture" and these will be discussed in the following sections.
To be clear, any type of mobility transition does not occur overnight. There are normally several stumbling blocks which need to be overcome. In relation to e-mobility, these included (and still include to a certain degree):
Some would argue that this new mobility revolution began as far back as 1890 with the invention of the first electric vehicle. However, the technology was quite expensive and hardly practical at the time. The notion of realistic mobility transition was still far off.
The good news is that many innovative approaches have taken place over the past 130 years. As a result, an impressive number of methods have entered into the mainstream marketplaces. Perhaps the most well-known example of e-mobility at the present involves the introduction and widespread adoption of Tesla vehicles.
Still, what might the future have in store? The best way to tackle this somewhat general question is to quickly examine how electrically operated vehicles are capable of generating power.[1]
E-mobility is associated with the use of power that is derived from renewable sources and has a minimal impact upon the environment. The typical hydrogen fuel cell is perhaps the most relevant example due to the fact that these have become commonplace within many EVs (electric vehicles).
Without becoming overly technical, these fuels cells work by combining hydrogen and oxygen within a cell. A catalyst is then used to break down the protons and electrons found within hydrogen atoms. These are sent to a component known as a cathode before being directed towards an external circuit. The end result is the ability to generate electricity.[2]
Not only has this technology become much more efficient over the past few years, but the primary byproducts of the process are heat and water. This is extremely appealing when we consider the growing impacts of climate change. Furthermore, many governments have already set ambitious goals to reduce their carbon footprints. E-mobility therefore presents an extremely attractive option.
While hydrogen is a very common fuel, other configurations such as a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) have been gaining ground. The main advantage associated with this technology is that methanol is an energy-dense liquid that can be easily transported to various locations; enabling owners to conveniently refill their vehicles when required.[3]
However, this type of e-mobility solution is still being researched. As the cells are limited in regard to the amount of power that they can produce at the moment, they are primarily used to address smaller requirements such as powering forklifts. It is thought that efficiency rates as high as between 80 and 90 percent may be possible overtime, further pushing the usecase for e-mobility.
It is always important to examine the e-mobility industry from an objective standpoint. This will help us to appreciate both sides of the spectrum. Let us begin by highlighting some of the most promising aspects of the e-mobility sector.
Some notable benefits include:
Having said this, some hurdles and possible drawbacks still need to be highlighted such as:
Simply stated, the revolution mobility seems to promise might be farther off than initially thought. So, where is this technology headed?
Even detractors of e-mobility cannot deny the fact that this technology is here to stay. As nations seek to wean themselves off of fossil fuels, the need for viable transportation alternatives has become reality. Let us also remember that universal goals such as globally combating climate change have taken centre stage in recent times.
The other predicted change within the e-mobility sector is set to involve the efficiency of the fuel cells themselves. This mainly involves changing the electrolytic processes that take place when hydrogen is broken down into its core components. Of course, research is still ongoing and the science will continue to evolve.
Obviously, e-mobility will become the next generation of public and private transportation. Nearly every analyst feels that the e-mobility marketplace will perform extremely well. As consumers become more aware of the benefits and assuming that the costs of producing this technology continue to fall, there is no doubt that such methods will become mainstream. This is great news for those who wish to take advantage of the latest innovations and even better potential news for the environment. The e-mobility sector should therefore enjoy a bright future.
Sources
[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-electric-car
[2] https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/fuel-cells
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_methanol_fuel_cell