The automotive durability consulting world is undergoing a revolution as electric vehicles take a measurable percentage of the overall market share. EVs can be significantly different in terms of durability, and most differences are positive for both companies and consumers. However, it's important to understand these differences because they often vary significantly compared to the durability issues of traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines.
Weight and Distribution
Electric vehicles tend to be heavier than ones with ICEs. While the motor for an EV is lighter, the issue is the battery. Modern automotive batteries simply don't achieve the same energy density on a kW/h basis. This means the batteries have to be bigger than traditional gas tanks. Consequently, automotive durability services providers strongly encourage companies to produce cars with stronger suspensions and beefier tires to account for the extra load.
A plus is that batteries allow more even weight distribution. The distribution means that the tires, suspension system, brakes, and axles will wear more evenly. Likewise, the vehicle is generally going to have a low center of gravity, and that reduces how much the whole vehicle bounces whenever it hits the top of a hill at highway speed.
Motor Wear
The absence of the internal combustion engine in an EV means that one of the biggest sources of wear and tear is now gone. No ICE means there's no longer a machine inside the car relentlessly creating small explosions and heat. By extension, EVs don't have problems with spark plugs, timing chains, drive trains, or gaskets. Likewise, they'll never develop a fuel pump issue. The risk that a catastrophic failure will scatter the motor is also radically lower with an EV.
Frame
While the frame does have to be heavier to support the added weight of the battery, the designs are similar to what you'd see in an ICE vehicle. Traditional passenger safety systems in the frame, for example, remain largely unchanged.
Tires
One area where automotive durability can be worse with EVs is the tires. The added load of the battery means the tires have to be tough. Also, most EV manufacturers favor narrower tires to reduce rolling resistance and improve efficiency. On balance, this means the tires must be more robust to achieve the same levels of durability you'll see with ICE vehicles.
Simulation
Most automotive durability consulting involves simulating long-term wear and tear. Fortunately, existing computer models can account for all of the differences between the two types of vehicles. A consultant can input the EV's characteristics and expect to obtain accurate measurements without modifying the simulation software.
Share29 December 2022
When I decided to go back to school after I was finished raising my kids, I knew that I would face a long and arduous road ahead of me. I didn't know what college would bring, but I did know that I would need to embrace technology and learn a few tricks of the trade. After I started school, I was blown away with how much the world had changed. My teachers expected me to do my homework online, which for me at the time was pretty overwhelming. My blog shares my journey of learning about computers and technology from a child's perspective--as an adult.