The concept of intelligent electric vehicles (IEVs) is relatively new, and it has largely been driven by Tesla’s contributions to the auto industry. As the industry shifts towards Tesla’s example of electric vehicles that can be updated with a simple software update, one expert notes how far the IEV supply chain has come in its short history.
In a recent article for Forbes, CEO of the intelligent robotics company PerceptIn Dr. Shaoshan Liu wrote about how the model for IEV supply chains has evolved over the past decade. Dr. Liu broadly describes IEVs as car platforms with added smart capabilities compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. These capabilities can include many concepts introduced by Tesla, such as a centralized electrical/electronic architecture (E/E architecture), an easily updatable platform, an emphasis on vehicle data, and enough computing power to enable semi-automated driving.
Dr. Liu points out that in the early days of the industry, IEV original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) had to do almost everything in-house. Tesla had to invest billions of dollars into battery systems, E/E architectures, autonomous driving capabilities and intelligent cockpits. However, Tesla’s move to own its whole supply chain has opened up opportunities for other OEMs to follow suit, with one example being BYD’s recent investments into Indonesia for essential EV minerals.
Dr. Liu estimates that five years ago, it cost over a billion dollars in the U.S. to develop a new IEV. Following Tesla’s efforts, the supply chain has grown significantly and now offers more efficient and cost-effective options for developing an IEV. Dr. Liu estimates the current cost of developing an IEV to be as low as $200 million.
Overall, Tesla’s contributions to the auto industry have enabled the development of IEVs and have revolutionized the IEV supply chain. This has opened up opportunities for other OEMs to follow suit and has made it more cost-effective to develop an IEV. As Dr. Liu states, “We are still at the dawn of the IEV era.”
FAQ
Q1: Are electric car batteries recyclable?
A1: Yes, electric car batteries are recyclable.
Q2: Are electric car chargers free?
A2: It depends on the charger and the location. Some electric car chargers are free, while others may require a fee.
Q3: Can electric car batteries be rebuilt?
A3: Yes, electric car batteries can be rebuilt with the right tools and knowledge.
