An Electric Vehicle, EV, is defined as a vehicle that operates on one or multiple electric motors rather than an internal combustion engine. According to Sustainable Development Scenario, SDS, 13% of the global car fleet will be electric by the end of 2030. It will involve an annual average growth rate of 36% from 2019 to 2030. Approximately 25% of the two-wheelers on the road are now electric with a majority of these in China, India, and other South-East Asian countries. There were around 513,000 electric buses in the world in 2019 increasing at the rate of 17% from 2018.
Global warming, rapid depletion of natural resources, and globally rising carbon footprint are the primary reasons behind the increasing popularity of electric vehicles. EVs produce zero direct emissions that can have marked improvements in air quality. However, there are specific challenges associated with EVs. One of these is the remote monitoring of the vehicles for effective functioning.
The Role of the Government in Supporting the EV Trend
The Indian Government has a major role in paving the path for EVs. FAME India is one such step of the central government towards encouraging EVs by providing subsidies. FAME 1 ended on 31st March 2019 and FAME II will end on 31st March 2022. The upfront incentives are offered on the purchase of EVs to address the issues around fuel security and environmental pollution. The government will extend financial support of INR 8,730 Cr to the EV industries under FAME II.
Apart from the central government policy, the state governments have also come up with measures to support the EV trend.
- Andhra Pradesh government plans to invest INR 30K Cr in the electric automobile industry in the next five years.
- Maharashtra aims to enhance the EV registered vehicles in the state to 5 Lakh in three years.
- EV policy of Delhi-NCR aims to push rapid adoption of battery electric vehicles with the addition of 50% e-buses by 2023.
The GST rate on Electric Vehicles is reduced from 12% to 5% which is far less than 28% on conventional vehicles. The government has also exempted the battery electric vehicles from the requirement of the permit.
All such initiatives are being taken to increase the adoption of EVs and reduce pollution. It is, therefore, essential for EV manufacturers to include IoT-enabled tracking in their vehicles. It will enable them to furnish to the government the required pollution-related information in terms of carbon emission vis-a-vis the run of the vehicle.
The Critical Role of Telematics in Large-Scale Adoption of Electric Vehicles
There are several challenges associated with the large-scale adoption of electric vehicles. EV battery manufacturers face numerous technical and cost issues. The lithium-ion battery in EV vehicles is reaching its limit and the manufacturers are researching the development of improved battery technologies. The lack of charging infrastructure for EVs is another major challenge.
Telematics can provide resolution to these challenges by easily capturing, sharing, and storing the vehicular telemetry data. The integration of EV batteries with telematics systems will enable the manufacturers to monitor the battery performance and identify the factors causing adverse impacts on battery life and performance. The clear identification of charging and discharging characteristics of the EV batteries will enable proper streamlining of the operations and battery design with improved range and battery life. The Government of India is also keen on the massive adoption of telematics solutions and has offered many subsidies for its use.
EV Monitoring – What it Entails?
An EV is composed of three sub-systems viz. the vehicle, battery-pack, and the ECU. The information from each of these sub-systems is required to carry out remote monitoring of the vehicle. There are certain parameters monitored for the specific sub-systems. For example, live location, the due date of service, route map, geofence, etc. are the parameters associated with the vehicle. Similarly, charging cycles, alerts, state of charge, and discharge current must be tracked for the battery. ECU requires monitoring of the speed, motor RPM, alerts, and odometer.
Introducing Tor – A Leading EV Monitoring System
Tor remote monitoring platform, a telematics-based solution, is an effective remote monitoring solution. The solution comes with configurable features to monitor the performance of electric vehicles and provide real-time insights. The adaptable web administration and the easy-to-use front-end make Tor solution a preferred choice for tracking the performance and functioning of EVs. The software provides real-time insights and analysis on fuel consumption, speed, alerts, run hours, and similar critical parameters of EVs.
Range anxiety is one of the major concerns for drivers operating EVs. Real-time information on the range is enabled with Tor telematics solution. Accurate GPS tracking considers the route length and the proximity of the chargers in the route for effective trip optimization. The Tor solution records the details of the vehicle performance in the past on the same route and based on that, provides relevant suggestions.
EV Remote Monitoring – The Real Benefits
The utilization of the Tor Electronic Vehicle Monitoring solution can offer several benefits, such as
- In-depth monitoring and real-time alerts ensure the breakdowns of the EVs are prevented. The data logs remain available to conduct the root cause analysis of the issue to avoid similar occurrences in the future
- Pro-active service alerts, such as odometer alerts, provide an easier mechanism to carry out preventive maintenance and save additional costs
- Fleet management options, such as route tracking and optimization, fleet productivity, and others provide the opportunity to gain enhanced customer experience levels
- The software can be integrated with the charging stations to present the nearest station as per the location of the vehicle. It can be of effective assistance for the EV users
- Advanced battery health monitoring optimizes the charging cycles
The Road Ahead
Electric Vehicles are the future of the automobile industry. Zero-direct emissions and the ability to reduce adverse impacts on the environment are the factors contributing to the increase in the demand of EVs in the market. Monitoring and maintenance are two critical aspects of electric vehicles that are also major roadblocks for desired performance of EVs.
Tor remote monitoring software is an integrated solution that enables real-time monitoring to continually enhance the performance of the EV. Connect with us to know more.
