Charging Ahead: Unveiling the Latest in Electric Vehicles from the London EV Show 2023
Rhianna Rahim
& Eva Leung
& Eva Leung
9 MINS READ
In November, we attended the London EV show to stay abreast of the latest technology and developments in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Over the course of three days, we immersed ourselves in the event, attending talks and exploring various stalls. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to interact with a diverse range of key players in the EV sector, including Charge Point Operators, Manufacturers, Energy Services, Payment Innovators, and several exciting new startups. The subsequent section outlines, from our perspective, the highlights of the show. Enjoy!
Self-driving future has begun
Navigating the future with self-driving buses
It was recently revealed during a recent panel discussion that a self-driving bus route was operational in Oslo, Norway. As part of an ongoing 2-year pilot program, a team has been evaluating its capabilities as a bus service for 50 passengers with the main objective of establishing an efficient and environmentally friendly urban transportation solution.
Image from Forbes
The initiative aims to address challenges rising from a shortage of bus drivers and to further develop new bus routes with shorter spans that extend to more remote areas - ultimately enhancing urban mobility on a broader scale.
Waymo’s autonomous taxi service in Phoenix
During a recent visit to San Francisco, we spotted Waymo's autonomous cars. Attempting to use the service, we found it was limited to just the Phoenix area, but discovered they are piloting it as an autonomous taxi service, leveraging cutting-edge technology to offer a fleet of self-driving taxis.
Image from Autocar
Fast forward to the London EV show, and we learned more about their initiatives. The service aims to enhance efficiency, reduce traffic congestion, and align with the city's commitment to sustainable mobility. Advanced AI systems navigate the streets seamlessly, providing a glimpse into the future of urban transportation. Public awareness campaigns and transparent communication about its safety measures are essential if companies like these are to build trust in this transformative technology.
Charging ideas and innovations
Bidirectional charging takes centre stage
Bidirectional charging was a major focus at the London EV Show and is considered the future of EVs. This technology allows them to not only draw energy from the grid but also contribute energy back, which improves grid stability, facilitates energy storage, and provides emergency power.
Image from electrichybridtechnology.com
Including Vehicle to Grid (V2G), Vehicle to Home (V2H), Vehicle to Load (V2L), and Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V), experts predict that bidirectional charging will become the standard within 10 years - even though bidirectional chargers are currently more expensive than their smart charging counterparts. Innovate UK conducted research and development projects to pilot this technology with real users, and over 80% of participants in the program expressed interest in engaging with vehicle-to-grid bidirectional charging.
Tual's ingenious power solutions
At the show, many innovative products were showcased, but Tual stood out due to its strategic approach in addressing grid and vehicle limitations through high-performance power banks. Their modular solutions look to provide scalable alternatives that could effectively reshape vehicle suitability, enhance driver satisfaction, and boost fleet profitability.
Image from Tual
They recognised the significant challenges faced by van drivers – especially the aversion to unnecessary downtime for charging. That's why their portable battery stands out as a game-changer. It ensures drivers have access to energy precisely when and where they need it – critical for those residing in areas without convenient home charging options. By eliminating barriers like this, they are removing the issues that may exclude van owners from taking the EV route.
Off-grid charging redefined
Further exploration of the show brought us to another remarkable innovation. A company at the forefront of electric mobility, L-Charge introduced us to a specialized van charger that stands out as a great off-grid modular solution - a functioning autonomous mini-power plant!
However, what sets this charger apart is its departure from traditional on-street charging methods.
L-Charge's fixed chargers operate independently, eliminating the need for grid connection. Instead, they generate electricity through an onboard generator fueled by LNG, Hydrogen, or a combination of both.
Ranging from 300kW to 2000kW, these chargers not only reduce charging time significantly, but also meet the demand for fast, high-powered charging, fostering the widespread adoption of e-mobility. During our time at the show, we witnessed a model capable of charging multiple vehicles, depending on their battery size, showcasing the versatility and efficiency of L-Charge's groundbreaking approach.
Lotus’ charging robot is great in all weathers!
Say goodbye to plugging in, in the rain as Lotus has seamlessly integrated automation into the electric vehicle charging experience, handling everything from plug extraction to charging and plug return. They’ve also developed a new liquid-cooled Lotus DC charger that can supply 450kW of charging power, adding around 90 miles of range in just five minutes.
Image from Autocar
But that's not all, in addition to these impressive charging advancements, Lotus has also thrown in some high-tech features for self-driving and parking. This visionary innovation paints a future where electric vehicle usage is not only efficient but also a hassle-free experience.
Security concerns and new regulations on public charging
EV infrastructure: Navigating the cybersecurity challenge
In a recent discussion on secure connectivity, a significant concern emerged – tackling cybersecurity issues at public charging stations - a critical facet of the electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure landscape.
Image from Panda Security
The current duration to identify and respond to cybersecurity incidents averages 7 months or 200 days - signifying an urgent need for accelerated detection and mitigation measures.
On a positive note, 95% of issues occurring at charging points are efficiently resolved remotely, highlighting the potential for streamlined and effective cybersecurity management in the ever-evolving realm of electric vehicle charging.
Payments and new regulations
The Public Charge Point Regulations, effective from November 24, 2023, were a major topic of discussion at the conference, marking a significant shift in consumer expectations for public charging stations. Designed to make things better for EV owners including easier charging, simpler payments, reliable chargers, and, most importantly, clear prices you can compare, Charge Point Operators (CPOs) have about a year to implement the changes.
Image from Gridserve
One great addition to come from the new rules is that customers will now know exactly how much they're paying for charging – something that’s been a bit vague from all suppliers so far.
Battery recycling, E-Racing and pizza moving together to a more sustainable future
Unlocking the potential of your old EV batteries
A popular topic of discussion in the world of electric vehicles is what happens to batteries after they are no longer used in cars. While exploring the various stalls at the London EV show, we came across the AKTrion Group, who are experts in the field of EV battery recycling and repair.
They told us about the process of repairing individual battery cells, which was something we had never heard of before. Their demonstration of using magnets to extract specific materials during the recycling process was fascinating. We also learned that retired EV batteries can be repurposed for stationary storage, such as for solar energy or wind turbines.
E-Racing gets a faster and more sustainable
Premium tire manufacturer Hankook showcased its new range of tyres specifically for electric vehicles at the London EV Show, along with the Gen3 Formula E racing car — the fastest electric race car with a top speed over 322 kph / 200 mph powered by a highly efficient 95% electric motor and charging at an impressive 600kW rate.
Image from FIA Formula E
But what truly intrigued were the eco-friendly tyres composed of 28% sustainable materials. Designed to handle various weather conditions, these tyres could then be recycled after every race. Batteries could also be recycled and reused when no longer needed, while linen and recycled carbon fibre made up much of the bodywork to reduce the car's carbon footprint by more than 10%. With all these improvements, Formula E is really leading the pack when it comes to sustainable and eco-friendly racing!
E-Pizza bikes jazzing up the urban delivery
Highlighting its potential to reduce traffic and improve rider safety, City Scoot showcased their E-pizza bike at the London EV Show. When we checked out their stall, it felt like we had stumbled upon something pretty cool for city deliveries.
Imagine a slim, electric bike with batteries you can swap between zooming through busy streets — it's like The Flash for city traffic. Plus, incredibly, it does a whopping 260 miles on a 1.2-minute charge! And, these carbon batteries last 15 years and won't catch fire, making them reliable and safe.
Now, imagine it’s not just pizza being delivered but handling parcels too. With enough space for a number of packages and a comfy ride, complete with AC and heating, the E-Pizza Bike is a green, quick, and cozy delivery dream come true - a hot slice of innovation!
Now, imagine it’s not just pizza being delivered but handling parcels too. With enough space for a number of packages and a comfy ride, complete with AC and heating, the E-Pizza Bike is a green, quick, and cozy delivery dream come true - a hot slice of innovation!
The London EV Show provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of the electric vehicle industry. From charging infrastructure improvements to innovations in business-focused solutions and advancements in autonomous transportation, the future of electric mobility looks promising. The industry's commitment to sustainability and efficiency, coupled with collaborative efforts, will be instrumental in shaping a greener and more exciting future for electric vehicles.
Co-written by
Rhianna Rahim
UX Lead
Specialising in UX design, research, and service design, Rhianna adeptly transforms complex challenges through design thinking, making technology intuitive. Her work spans web, mobile apps, and hardware solutions such as point-of-sale systems. Rhianna's profound understanding of user needs, gained through thorough research, enables her to create cohesive user journeys with a unique blend of creativity and analytical prowess.
Eva Leung
Senior UX Designer
Eva is dedicated to helping organisations create user-centred designs that balance both users and business needs. With a passion for using design as a gateway to translate complex problems into engaging, human-centred experiences, she specialises in app, web, and tablet design. Eva has experience in the travel and marketplace tech sectors, with a recent focus on electric vehicles. Before entering the Digital Product Design industry, she also contributed her expertise to various digital and advertising agencies. She has collaborated with clients and brands across Europe, APAC, North America, and other global markets over the years.
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