Electric vehicles

EV adoption is taking off, but regulation remains the driving factor behind the shift from traditional ICE vehicles in many cases. However, governments and OEMs are adjusting their EV targets amid a challenging market situation. How will these changes affect the growth of EV sectors and markets?

How electric 2-wheelers (E2Ws) are used and how their batteries are designed is very different from the car market. IDTechEx's report, "Fire Protection Materials for EV Batteries 2025-2035: Markets, Trends, and Forecasts", finds that the market for fire protection materials in E2Ws will grow by 12 times compared to its 2024 size.

As regulatory frameworks such as the EU's Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) near enforcement, automotive OEMs increasingly integrate in-cabin sensing technologies with software-defined vehicle architectures. This shift, evident at CES 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the automotive industry as OEMs leverage existing hardware—such as infrared and RGB cameras—to develop new revenue streams and enhance user experiences.

Key trends are emerging that suggest where the second-life battery market will develop and what applications these technologies will be used for. As written in their recently updated market report, "Second-life Electric Vehicle Batteries 2025-2035: Markets, Forecasts, Players, and Technologies", IDTechEx predicts that by 2035, the global second-life EV battery market will be valued at US$4.2 billion.

Demand for micro EVs will grow substantially, with the market set to reach US$90 billion by 2045. This article highlights the role of micro EVs in the evolution of the mobility industry and discusses the technical and market factors that will drive their growth over the next 20 years.

By 2035, the EU plans to impose a ban on all cars and vans that produce emissions, with the UK potentially bringing this date forward to 2030. There are nearly 30 low or emission-free zones across 18 European countries, meaning there is lots of incentive for electrification. In some cities, such as London, there is a charge for driving through emission-free zones, meaning eLCVs may become increasingly necessary.

Thursday 27 March 2025 - Meeting Emerging EV Thermal Runaway Regulations Through Material Choices; An overview of the thermal runaway regulations; Options and examples for fire protection materials in EV batteries; Fire protection material benchmarking; How material choice can aid battery designers; Market share predictions

Thermal filler materials make up a large portion of the formulation for thermal interface materials, and each has its own benefits and disadvantages, including conductivity, cost, and mechanical properties.

Public awareness of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is hitting a new high as headlines concerning "forever chemicals" continue to appear in prominent news outlets. Whether it be news about PFAS bans in different industries, lawsuits against PFAS manufacturers and users, detection of PFAS in various locations and products, and treatment of PFAS in drinking water, there is no doubt that for many, PFAS is one of the foremost health issues of the 2020s.

Newly established radar startups worldwide have raised nearly US$1.2 billion over the past 12 years; approximately US$980 million of which is predominantly directed toward the automotive sector. Through more than 40 funding rounds, these companies have driven the implementation and advancement of radar technologies in key areas such as autonomous driving and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).