Hyundai spotlighted its plans for utilizing hydrogen energy
at the sprawling tech and gadget show in Las Vegas. Beyond making vehicles
powered by hydrogen-powered fuel cells, the South Korean automaker signaled
that it could work toward aiding a “hydrogen society” by expanding into energy
production, storage and transportation.
It’s already technologically feasible, and it will
eventually make sense economically, too, José Muñoz, president and global chief
operating officer of Hyundai Motor Co., predicted Monday.
Meanwhile, automotive supplier Bosch Mobility plans to
launch its first hydrogen combustion engine this year — another key step toward
reducing global man-made carbon emissions, the company said during its CES 2024
event.
Both Bosch and Hyundai say they’ve been encouraged to move
forward with their respective initiatives because of investments such as the $7
billion that the U.S. government is pouring into the development of hydrogen
infrastructure.
‘THIN, LIGHT AND WISE’ EVs
Honda on Tuesday unveiled two concept vehicles, dubbed the
“Saloon” and “Space-Hub.” The Japanese automaker says the Zero Series approach
for EV development focuses on models that are “thin, light and wise,” with
specific goals to minimize battery size and weight.
Kia, meanwhile, introduced a trio of electric vans that can
quickly swap body modules from cargo haulers to taxis and other purposes.
Production of the vans will begin in 2025 in South Korea.
And Vietnam-based electric upstart VinFast unveiled an
electric truck concept. The mid-size truck is dubbed the VF Wild.
IN-CAR TECH ECOSYSTEMS IMPROVE
Mercedes-Benz showed off updates to its infotainment
systems, including a new AI-powered virtual assistant that strives to
personalize interactions between drivers and their cars. The update will
connect the AI with functions for automated driving, seating comfort, data
displays and charging.
But while automakers like Mercedes are focusing on improving
their proprietary in-car ecosystems, others are striking more partnerships with
Google to pre-install apps such as Google Maps and Assistant in their vehicles,
the tech giant revealed at CES 2024.
The Google built-in will come to select models from Nissan,
Ford Motor’s luxury brand Lincoln, and others this year, with Porsche following
suit in 2025. And even Mercedes-Benz is layering Google apps into its own
technology.
WHAT’S THE LATEST ON SOLID-STATE BATTERIES?
Honda also touched on plans for its Zero Series and wider EV
advances down the road — notably, the company’s independent development of
solid-state batteries. In a Tuesday news conference, Executive Vice President
Shinji Aoyama said Honda aims to apply solid-state batteries to the Zero Series
by the late 2020s.
Solid-state batteries are widely believed to be essential
for mass commercialization of battery-powered EVs. Today, lithium-ion batteries
are more commonly used in EVs, but are prone to fires. Solid-state batteries
are more stable and potentially more powerful.
Honda Motor’s Mitsuru Kariya, who leads the research and
development group behind the EV tech announced Tuesday, explained that
solid-state batteries have higher energy density, which means they can be
smaller while maintaining a good range with stronger outputs. This could also
contribute to making EVs lighter, he said, potentially improving fuel economy.
Honda isn’t the only automaker with eyes on a solid-state battery future. Toyota, for example, recently agreed to work with Japanese oil company Idemitsu on technology solid-state battery production. -AP