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Xiaomi Shifts Focus from Apple to Tesla in the EV Market

Xiaomi Shifts Focus from Apple to Tesla in the EV Market with 120,000 Orders in 36 Hours

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Xiaomi, which is well-known for its intense rivalry with Apple in the smartphone space, is making a foray into the electric vehicle (EV) industry with the SU7 sedan. Within 36 hours of its introduction, Xiaomi got an astounding 120,000 orders, putting it in a position to threaten Tesla’s hegemony in the electric vehicle market.

Joining the EV Arena

Under the leadership of billionaire founder and chief executive officer Lei Jun, Xiaomi is making a big move with its entry into the EV market. With the introduction of the SU7 sedan, Xiaomi is aiming to upend the car business, replicating its achievements in the smartphone sector a decade prior.

Challenging Tesla's Hegemony

Xiaomi Shifts Focus from Apple to Tesla in the EV Market

Image Source: news.yahoo.com

Lei Jun’s audacious claim during the Beijing presentation that it’s time for owners of the Tesla Model 3 to switch to the Xiaomi SU7 highlights the company’s faith in its new product. Xiaomi hopes to challenge Tesla’s market dominance in China with low prices starting around $30,000 and remarkable specs that in some cases exceed those of the Model 3.

Outstanding Pre-Order Totals

In only a few minutes after the SU7 sedan went on sale, Xiaomi got over 50,000 orders, indicating a high level of interest in their electric car. The business revealed that during the first day, about 90,000 pre-orders were placed, demonstrating how excited customers were about Xiaomi’s debut in the field of electric vehicles.

Cutting-Edge Features and Technology

Impressive specs are offered by the SU7 sedan, which includes a 73.6 kWh battery with a 700 km range for the base model and a 94.3 kWh battery with an 830 km range for the Pro variant. Pilot Pro ADAS and a Dolby Atmos sound system are examples of cutting-edge technical features that further improve driving and establish the SU7 as a serious rival to Tesla’s products.

Global Aspirations

Lei Jun has set high standards for Xiaomi’s electric vehicle business, hoping to dominate the global car industry in the coming 15 to 20 years. Xiaomi is dedicated to upending the industry and making a name for itself in the EV market, and it has ambitions to invest a total of ten billion dollars in the electric vehicle field.

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Barriers to Come

Xiaomi has a tough time competing in a market full of major companies’ EV vehicles, even with such a strong start. Xiaomi’s plans to expand internationally are seriously hampered by regulatory barriers and market saturation, particularly in countries like the US.

In summary, with the SU7 sedan, Xiaomi has entered the electric vehicle market, which is a big step forward for both the business and the auto sector overall. With remarkable pre-order numbers and big ambitions for the future, Xiaomi is ready to upset Tesla’s hegemony and change the electric vehicle market. A new age of electric vehicles may be ushered in by Xiaomi’s creative strategy and competitive offers as the EV market keeps growing.

Europe

Is Europe in Danger of Losing EV Battery Race?

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According to a report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA), Europe is at risk of losing the global battery race due to various challenges.

These include limited access to raw materials, increasing costs, and tough competition. The report highlighted that the European Union’s efforts to achieve its climate goals, which heavily rely on the adoption of electric vehicles powered by batteries containing metals like cobalt, nickel, and lithium, may be hindered.

Europe
Image Source: finance.yahoo.com

The ECA, an independent external auditor of the EU, stated that nearly 20% of new cars registered in the EU in 2021 were electric.

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With an estimated 30 million zero-emission vehicles expected on European roads by 2030 and a ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, the demand for batteries will soar. However, the EU’s strategy has not adequately addressed its ability to meet this growing battery demand.

Annemie Turtelboom, who led the ECA audit, expressed concerns about the EU’s ambition to become a global battery powerhouse, emphasizing that the odds of success are not favorable.

Turtelboom warned that if the EU fails to produce enough batteries domestically, it may either miss its emissions goals for 2035 or rely heavily on imported batteries, which could harm European industry and come at high costs from other countries.

The EU’s reliance on a few countries for raw materials poses a significant risk. The ECA highlighted that, on average, the EU imports 78% of five key materials. This concentration of supply brings geopolitical risks and potential shortages.

Turtelboom emphasized that the EU should avoid becoming as dependent on batteries as it is on natural gas from Russia.

The report revealed that a significant portion of the world’s cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, while China dominates global battery production capacity and supplies 40% of natural graphite.

The EU relies entirely on imports of refined lithium. Although extraction in Europe is possible, it will take considerable time, with Portugal, holding the bloc’s largest lithium reserves, not expecting production to begin until 2026.

Furthermore, the ECA identified that the EU lags behind in terms of cost competitiveness, partly due to high energy prices. The EU Commission’s data was found to be outdated and incomplete, and public funding for battery projects remains uncoordinated, leading to overlaps and inefficiencies.

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In summary, the report from the European Court of Auditors raises concerns about Europe ability to become a global battery powerhouse. Limited access to raw materials, rising costs, intense competition, and an inadequate strategy pose challenges to the EU’s ambitions.

The report warns that failure to address these issues could result in missed climate goals or heavy reliance on imported batteries, which would harm European industry and come at a high price.

solid-state batteries

How could solid-state batteries improve next-gen EVs?

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Small electrical gadgets like pacemakers and smartwatches have utilized solid-state batteries. The development of EV battery mass production has been slower than expected.

Toyota claimed to have solved a solid-state battery durability problem, clearing the door for manufacturing, which it anticipates will start in 2027–2028.

solid-state batteries
Image Source: timeslive.co.za

·Solid-state batteries offer higher energy density compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. This means they can store more energy per unit volume or weight, enabling EVs to have longer driving ranges on a single charge.

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This improved energy density is particularly advantageous for electric vehicles where maximizing range is a critical factor. Solid-state batteries are considered safer than conventional lithium-ion batteries.

The absence of liquid electrolytes eliminates the risk of leakage, thermal runaway, and fire hazards associated with traditional battery chemistries. This makes solid-state batteries more stable and less prone to accidents, increasing the overall safety of EVs.

These batteries have the potential to support significantly faster charging speeds. Their unique structure and advanced materials allow for improved ion conductivity, reducing charging times compared to lithium-ion batteries. Rapid charging capabilities are crucial for the widespread adoption of EVs by addressing one of the primary concerns of consumers—long charging times.

They exhibit improved cycle life, meaning they can withstand a greater number of charge and discharge cycles before experiencing degradation. This extended lifespan translates into longer-lasting EV batteries that require less frequent replacement, reducing costs and environmental impact.

Solid-state batteries perform better across a wide range of temperatures, including extremely cold or hot conditions. They are less affected by temperature fluctuations, allowing EVs equipped with solid-state batteries to maintain their performance and range in challenging weather conditions.

They offer greater design flexibility due to their solid and flexible nature. They can be made thinner, lighter, and molded into various shapes, allowing for more creative integration into different vehicle designs.

This flexibility could lead to improved space utilization, increased cargo capacity, or even the integration of batteries into structural components, optimizing the overall vehicle design.

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Solid-state battery cells for EVs have been manufactured in prototype form by automakers and technology companies, but mass production has not yet been scaled up. It is challenging to create a solid electrolyte that is chemically inert, stable, and nevertheless an effective ion conductor between the electrodes.

In addition, they are hard to make and expensive to crack. As a result, liquid lithium-ion batteries are much less expensive than solid-state batteries.

Toyota withheld projected expenses for its new solid-state battery electric vehicle (EV) or the additional investment required to increase manufacturing.

Afeela

CES 2023: Sony and Honda reveal Afeela, their joint EV brand

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According to Sony Honda Mobility Inc., its electric vehicle will debut under the brand Afeela. This marks the newest entry in a market already packed with established players like Tesla Inc.

Afeela
Image Source: techcrunch.com

Yasuhide Mizuno, chief executive officer of Sony Honda Mobility, revealed the first prototype of the project during Sony’s CES press conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday. The Afeela prototype was unveiled by Sony and Honda over a year after the two companies announced their intentions to jointly produce and market electric automobiles.

The four-door sedan was demonstrated on stage as Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida discussed the company’s mobility strategy, which places an emphasis on creating automobiles with autonomous features and the ability to turn into “moving entertainment spaces.”

According to the CEO of Sony, the Afeelas’ first preorders will take place during the initial half of 2025, and sales will start the following year. Buyers in North America will receive the first shipments in the spring of 2026.

The new EV will initially be produced at Honda’s North American factory and will have Level 3 automated driving features under certain restrictions, according to prior statements from Sony and Honda. In a vehicle with level 3 autonomy, the driver can still operate the vehicle in congested areas, but only when the system explicitly requests it.

The incorporation of external media on the front of the car, which enables it to communicate with other drivers and transmit critical information, was one of the new design aspects that Sony presented at the event.

The prototype is also outfitted with 45 cameras and sensors both inside and outside the car to assure security. To avoid accidents, the in-cabin sensors will keep track of the driver’s condition.

As per Yoshida, CEO of Sony, Afeela will also offer top-notch entertainment to its patrons. The Sony-Honda JV will use the 3D computer graphics game engine Unreal Engine from Epic Games in its automobiles to help envision not only entertainment in cars but also connectivity and safety.

CEO Yoshida noted, “In addition to movies, games, and music, we envision a new in-cabin experience using our expertise in UX and UI technologies.”

The Snapdragon digital chassis from Qualcomm, along with its system-on-a-chip technology, will be the foundation for Afeela cars. Through the continual inclusion of games and other improvements over the period of owning one of its vehicles, Tesla Inc. has established the benchmark for connected vehicle experiences.

Together with electronics companies’ expertise in entertainment, networking, and sensors, Sony, Honda, and numerous European manufacturers, including Volkswagen AG, are now striving to accelerate the development of intelligent electric vehicles.

According to Epic Games Chief Technology Officer Kim Libreri, the company would collaborate with Sony Honda to “deliver connected automotive experiences that lead the way not only in visual communication and safety but also entertainment.”