CES 2024 offers look into the potential future of the EV industry

In the wake of a groundbreaking year for electric vehicles (EVs), with over 13.5 million units sold globally, the industry is now contemplating its trajectory for the future. The recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, billed as the most powerful tech event in the world, provided a glimpse into the potential innovations that could shape the EV landscape.

Honda unveiled a pair of concept vehicles designed to be thinner, lighter, and equipped with smaller yet more powerful solid-state batteries.

The development of these batteries, boasting higher energy density than traditional EV power sources, is a key focus for Honda. The compact design aims to create lighter-weight EVs, offering benefits to both drivers and the environment.

“Although EVs already exist in the market, they are not yet fully popularized at this moment due to issues including limited range and high prices,” Honda said in a statement. “To resolve such issues, battery performance must be significantly advanced. As an automaker, we are developing all-solid-state battery technology with an eye toward mass-production, which will enable us to install them to our vehicles and offer high-performance EVs to our customers at affordable prices.”

Traditional bulky batteries contribute to the weight of EVs, with examples like the Ford F-150 Lightning weighing 1,500 pounds more than their gasoline counterparts.

Making EVs lighter not only reduces pollution but also enhances range, lowers production costs, and minimizes potential safety risks on the road.

Meanwhile, Hyundai presented a “crab-walking” capable EV. With all four wheels controlled individually, this vehicle can pull off maneuvers such as diagonal driving, sideways motion and stationary pivot turns. It also features lights projected on the ground to inform those around the car with arrows what type of movement is about to be performed.

“This car has a totally flexible four wheel steering wheel, so the car has the technology that makes it move very differently,” said Lee Seung-hwan, vice president and head of Advanced Engineering at Hyundai Mobis. “For example, you can imagine that the car can drive like a crab, horizontally, or the car can turn around in one space.”

Vietnamese automaker VinFast also made waves with its introduction of an affordable electric SUV, that could come with a price tag of below $20,000. The car boasts a 125-mile range on its battery and is expected to hit U.S. dealerships within the next few months.

“From the very beginning, we say that our mission is to make EVs accessible to everyone,” “said Le Thi Thu Thuy, chairwoman of the VinFast board of directors. “You see all the models that we have in our lineup of vehicles, anything from the affordable EVs under $20,000 to a very luxurious VF9 that can fit the whole family.”

Beyond consumer-focused innovations, CES 2024 highlighted commercial applications for electrified transportation. Kia introduced its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV), electric vans with swappable body modules, allowing quick conversions to pickup trucks, taxis, and other potential uses.

“Kia PBVs will initiate a new era of seamless everyday business and lifestyle solutions. We hope to make our customers’ lives easier and better, whether they’re stationary or on the move, offering exceptional flexibility and customization through radical modularization,” said Karim Habib, executive vice president and head of global design at Kia.

The South Korean automaker also announced a collaboration with Uber to develop purpose-built EVs for the ride-sharing app, including plans for jointly supplying charging infrastructure.

“PBVs will play a key role in the customization of mobility, and by partnering with Uber, Kia aims to deliver industry-leading technology with advanced software and services to enhance the ride-hailing experience,” said Yoon Seung-kyu, CEO of Kia America.

However, the event was not limited to advancements in EVs alone, as CES 2024 additionally featured developments in alternative fuel vehicles. Hyundai outlined its plans for utilizing hydrogen energy in its cars, while Bosch Mobility announced the upcoming launch of its first hydrogen combustion engine this year. Burning hydrogen does not produce carbon dioxide and therefore does not contribute to climate change, according to scientists at MIT.

“We are looking beyond traditional energy sources for more sustainable alternatives. We are focusing in particular on hydrogen,” said Tanja Ruckert, a member of the Bosch board of management. “We believe it will be central to meeting our future climate-neutral energy needs.”