rint of even an electric vehicle remains completely unsatisfactory. From an ecological perspective, the success of electromobility depends on a smooth energy transition. We must not forget the impact of the materials being used; compared to aluminium or carbon, steel is particularly advantageous in this respect, requiring less energy to produce and subsequently process, and able to be eventually recycled with no loss of quality.
Electromobility is a rapidly growing market
In the EU electromobility is being promoted directly through purchasing incentives for electric vehicles, and indirectly through more stringent emissions requirements for vehicles with conventional drives, the study explains. To date the low vehicle range and comparatively high purchasing costs have deterred consumers from purchasing an electric vehicle.
“These negative factors are lessening because developments in battery technology will eliminate the range disadvantages by 2025 and allow battery costs to fall to a third of their current level,” says Kleibrink. In the current year electric vehicles could at least partly reduce their price disadvantage compared to vehicles with combustion engines. By 2025 it is estimated that over 14 million electric vehicles may well have been sold in the EU. According to the study, this is a trend in which steel as a material will play an important role: steel will dominate in an intelligent future materials mix which is designed to maximise cost efficiency, sustainability, and safety.
voestalpine in pole position for the future
voestalpine entered Formula E as a sponsor this season in order to develop electromobility further, as well as to actively encourage technology transfer between automotive suppliers, manufacturers, and customers. The fully electric race series, run in cities around the world, is the high speed development laboratory and testing ground for tomorrow’s production vehicles, making it the perfect partner to voestalpine and enabling the Group to further extend its leading position in this rapidly growing market.
The study into the role of steel in electromobility
The study into the role of steel in electromobility was undertaken by the Handelsblatt Research Institute on behalf of voestalpine. It is based on secondary analysis of 80 sources, as well as interviews with six experts. The study outlines the development of mobility from the combustion engine through to electromobility, including current backgrounds and market data.
voestalpine and Formula E
The Austrian technology group voestalpine will be a partner to the ABB FIA Formula E Championship for an initial period of two years starting from the 2018/2019 season. The company is lending its name to all the races run in Europe and presents the “voestalpine European Races”.
Having joined the magazine in 2012, Claire developed her knowledge of the industry through the numerous company visits, exhibitions and conferences she attended both in the UK and abroad.
Claire prides herself on keeping readers well informed and up to date with the latest industry news.