Electric Vehicles: Is Range Anxiety finally a thing of the past?

electric cars is range anxiety a thing of the past

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Range anxiety, or the fear that an electric vehicle won’t reach it’s destination has long been a significant roadblock for potential EV buyers. But thanks to rapid advancements in technology, infrastructure, and public perception, range anxiety is rapidly becoming obsolete.

 

The cornerstone of any electric vehicle is its battery, and this is where we’ve seen the most staggering improvements. A decade ago, a full charge would get you a meagre 100 miles. Today, leading models boast ranges upwards of 300 miles on a single charge, while Mercedes EQS has a ridiculous range of 452 miles on a single charge, followed closely by the Fisker Ocean and Polestar 2 at 440 and 406 miles respectively. Sorry Tesla, looks like you are slipping behind!

Muchhhh less queueing (about time)

Another benefit afforded to the EV community is the increasing availability and accessibility of charging stations which have grown exponentially in recent years. A decade ago, EV drivers had to meticulously plan their trips around scarce charging points. Today, comprehensive charging networks have made such detailed planning unnecessary, with apps and in-car navigation systems providing real-time information on the nearest charging stations.

Speedy charging ⚡

If the early EVs took several hours for a full charge, today’s fast-charging technology can provide an 80% charge in as little as 20 minutes. Tesla’s Superchargers and Electrify America’s DC fast chargers are prime examples. These leaps in charging speed mean you can cover long distances with short breaks for fast-charging.

Improved Energy Density and Efficiency

The energy density of batteries is another area where advancements are making a tangible impact. Newer batteries can store more energy without significantly increasing in size or weight, thus enhancing vehicle efficiency. On top of that, regenerative braking systems convert the car’s kinetic energy back into stored energy in the battery, extending the driving range.

 

In summary, while range anxiety was a legitimate concern in the infancy of electric vehicles, it could be considered a concern of the past. Thanks to efforts from manufacturers to make cars lighter, and engines stronger. Government’s have also recognised previous fears, investing heavily into chargers and education into vehicle charging.

Despite these advances, there are fears that not enough is being done. As more and more EV’s are purchased, the strain on charging stations becomes even greater. Less available chargers, more queues, less trust in EV’s, and just like that, we are back to the start.

Speed vs sustainability. Can Formula E have both?

future of formula E

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The future of Formula E. Not as clear as it looks?

Launched in 2014, Formula E rapidly become a key player in the motorsports arena. Conceived as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional racing circuits, Formula E has succeeded in matching the thrill of speed with a commitment to sustainability. Especially with the die-hard F1 fans who can’t get enough of 1 weekends worth of action.

While it’s true that Formula E cars can’t yet match the top speeds of their Formula 1 counterparts, they’re far from slow. Current Formula E vehicles can reach speeds of up to 174 mph, offering plenty of excitement for fans, granted without the beautiful sound of peak F1 engine,

 

Sustainability First

Formula E’s commitment to sustainability is far-reaching. From using electric cars to incorporating energy-saving technologies like regenerative braking, every facet of the sport aims to minimize its environmental impact. Even the Gen2 car batteries are designed to last an entire race, eliminating the need for pit stops to swap batteries, thereby reducing waste.

Additionally, Formula E races usually occur in city centres. Demonstrating the effectiveness of EV’s in urban environments, inspiring external sustainability through a new generation considering EVs for their personal use.

 

The Ripple Effect

One of the most exciting aspects of Formula E is its role as a testing ground for cutting-edge sustainable technologies. Advancements made on the track often find their way into commercial electric vehicles. For instance, developments in battery efficiency, aerodynamics, and energy recovery systems have been incorporated into mainstream EVs, enhancing their performance and range.

As Formula E continues to evolve, the gap between speed and sustainability is closing. Each new season brings technological innovations that make the cars faster while minimizing their environmental impact. While every new season brings a unique set of potential corporate sponsors, pledging their commitment to sustainability (or at least just saying they will).

Formula E not only demonstrates that speed and sustainability can go hand in hand but also sets a precedent for how other industries might balance performance with environmental responsibility. So to Formula E is a massive yes from us!!!

How corporations could (and should) spearhead the EV Charge

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Electric trucks and commercial vehicles, how corporations can (and should) spearhead the EV revolution

With transportation accounting for nearly a quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions, the corporate world finds itself at a crossroads, one where those corporations can play a pivotal role in the transition into a greener future.

The environmental implications of large corporations transitioning to electric vehicles are profound. Given their massive scale and reach, these entities can significantly influence carbon reduction efforts and shape a more sustainable future for the transportation sector.

Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Transportation is one of the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming and climate change. Large corporations often manage extensive vehicle fleets for logistics, deliveries, and employee transportation. By replacing traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles with electric ones, they can substantially reduce their carbon footprint.

Setting an Industry Standard

Corporations wield considerable influence in their respective sectors, and their choices often serve as benchmarks for industry standards. As early adopters of electric vehicles, they can influence not only their competitors but also their partners and suppliers to adopt sustainable practices. This ripple effect can contribute to a more significant, industry-wide reduction in emissions. Just look at 2 of the UK’s leading courier companies; DPD & Royal Mail. When Royal Mail began converting their trucks and vans to EV, DPD promptly followed suit.

Not following the industry standards can have detrimental effects on a business, especially amongst environmentally conscious customers who would now rather use Royal Mail over DPD.

Encouragement of R&D

The more companies invest in electric vehicles, the more incentives there will be for ongoing research and development in green technology. This can lead to breakthroughs in battery efficiencies, faster-charging solutions, and even more sustainable methods for producing electric vehicles, all of which contribute to environmental conservation. The more EV’s purchased by Royal Mail, the more that those EV manufacturers will work to keep demand high…

All corporations should look at incorporating electric vehicles into their businesses, whether directly through their fleet, or indirectly by choosing solutions that favour electric vehicles.

Turning Landfill Waste Into Sustainable Fuel. A golden opportunity

turning landfill waste into sustainable fuel

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Landfills not only occupy valuable space but also release harmful gases that spearhead climate change. But what if we could turn this dire situation into a win-win for both waste management and energy production?

Historically, one of the most significant barriers to waste-to-energy technologies was the cost. However, as demand for sustainable energy options grows and technology evolves, these processes are becoming increasingly economical. Governments and corporations are beginning to see the value of investing in waste-to-energy solutions, recognizing not just the environmental benefits but also the long-term cost savings. By transforming waste into a resource, we can alleviate the financial burdens associated with landfill management and waste disposal.

The environmental advantages of this waste to energy are encouraging. Firstly, by diverting waste from landfills, we reduce the emission of methane, a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. Furthermore, by producing sustainable fuel from waste, we offset the need for fossil fuels, further cutting down on gas emissions. Making it a two-pronged solution for the environmental challenges that face us today.

The concept of turning landfill waste into fuel fits perfectly into the model of a circular economy. A circular economy aims to extract the maximum value from resources while in use and recover and regenerate materials at the end of their life. By converting waste into fuel, we create a loop that ensures efficient resource utilization and minimizes waste, by getting the most out of materials and giving them a complete life cycle.

Innovative solutions like converting landfill waste into sustainable fuel offer a glimmer of hope. This approach is not just a temporary fix but a long-term strategy that begins to fix both waste management and energy production, two of climate change’s largest variables. While technology continues to evolve, and policies slowly catch up, it’s evident that this could be one of the most promising pathways to a sustainable future.

 

Are silicone hoses heat resistant?

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Are Silicone hoses really heat resistant?

Silicone hoses play a pivotal role in a vast array of applications, ranging from automotive to medical, food and beverage, and more. One of the more desired characteristics of silicone hoses is their extreme heat resistance, making them more than desirable for a large number of such industries.

Among the many admirable attributes of silicone hoses, heat resistance is arguably the most critical. Silicone hoses can resist temperatures as high as 200°C (392°F) or even higher for specially formulated variants. This heat resistance is due to the chemical structure of silicone, a combination of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms, a configuration known for its high thermal stability.

When other materials such as natural rubber or PVC break down, harden, or become brittle, silicone hoses maintain their flexibility and structural integrity. They’re well suited to operate in environments with substantial temperature fluctuations, exhibiting a minimal degree of thermal expansion or contraction, which is critical for maintaining a reliable and consistent operation.

The heat resistance of silicone hoses makes them invaluable in a multitude of applications. In the automotive industry, they are often found in cooling and heating systems, turbocharger and intercooler applications, and air induction systems. They endure the high temperatures generated by engines, ensuring efficient operation and minimizing the risk of overheating or mechanical failure.

In the industrial sector for example, silicone hoses serve in heated manufacturing processes, hot gas ducting, and high-temperature fluid handling. They’re used in sectors as diverse as pharmaceutical manufacturing, food and beverage processing, and even the aerospace industry, where components must withstand extreme temperature variations.

Thanks to their exceptional heat resistance, silicone hoses tend to have a longer lifespan compared to their rubber or plastic counterparts, which despite their lower cost will break down quicker requiring costly maintenance and/or replacement, leading to higher long term costs.

MAIN APPLICATIONS OF CARBON FIBRE PIPES

carbon-fibre-pipe-application

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What are the main applications of carbon fibre pipes?

Aluminium pipes have an amazing variety of applications, check them out here and how they can help you and your business!

Carbon fibre has become a go-to choice for many demanding applications. Among its many uses, carbon fibre pipes have garnered particular attention in the following competitive industries:

Sporting Goods

You really wouldn’t believe this especially as it seems like a very unlikely sector, but carbon fibre pipes are used in manufacturing various sporting goods. Carbon Fibre Pipes provide the right blend of lightness and strength that high-performance sports demand. In Hockey for example, the lightness of these pipes can provide the player with increased flexibility to hit even the most awkward of shots, while their light material ensures they can easily be carried for long periods of play.

Automotive Industry

The automotive industry has a long-standing history of pushing the boundaries of materials used in vehicle design and manufacturing. Carbon fibre pipes are extensively used in high-performance vehicles and motorsports, such as Formula 1, for exhaust systems and air intake. These pipes not only withstand high temperatures and pressures but their lightweight nature also contributes to fuel efficiency and overall vehicle performance. Generally speaking if anyone is looking for additional performance in automotives, carbon fibre pipes are a go-to choice.

Industrial Processes

From chemical industries to power plants, carbon fibre pipes are preferred for their resilience under high-pressure operations and resistance to corrosive chemicals. They’re often used in high-temperature environments where they deliver consistent performance without expansion or contraction, maintaining the efficiency and safety of the process.

Another process in water treatment facilities sees carbon fibre pipes that are exposed to various chemicals and pressures. Their corrosion resistance and durability create long-term reliability and lower maintenance costs, which more than offsets the additional cost associated with the quality of carbon fibre pipes.

Construction and Infrastructure

Carbon fibre pipes are increasingly being used in construction and infrastructure, including bridges, tunnels, and buildings. Their lightweight nature reduces transport and installation costs, keeping costs down for the manufacturer, helping the offset the initial cost. While their strength ensures the structures’ integrity and longevity, arguably the most important factor in construction and infrastructure.

Are aluminium tubes temperature resistant?

aluminium tubes heat resistant

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Are aluminium tubes really heat-resistant?

Aluminium is a remarkable material known for its lightweight, strength, and corrosion resistance. It’s a material that conducts heat exceptionally well and is resistant to low and mid-range temperatures. It’s these properties that have made aluminium a popular choice in many industries, from automotive to construction, and from aerospace to consumer goods.

One of the primary attributes of aluminium is its excellent thermal conductivity, meaning it can absorb and release heat quickly. This characteristic is particularly useful in applications where rapid heat dispersion is necessary, such as in heat exchangers in vehicles or HVAC systems.

In terms of resistance to temperature changes, aluminium performs well under a wide range of temperatures, maintaining its physical properties up to around 400 degrees Celsius (752 degrees Fahrenheit). Beyond this point, aluminium can start to lose its mechanical strength, becoming more susceptible to deformation.

While aluminium tubes may not have the high-temperature resilience of some other materials, like stainless steel or certain alloys, they still find extensive use in moderate-temperature applications. For instance, in the automotive industry, aluminium tubes are often used in radiator systems, where their excellent thermal conductivity aids in dissipating heat quickly. Their price range also makes them one of the most valuable materials in the market.

Aluminium’s temperature resistance, combined with its lightweight nature, strength, corrosion resistance, and cost-effectiveness, make aluminium tubes an attractive choice for many applications. In temperature dependant markets such as heating systems, vehicle components or aerospace components, aluminium tubes provide a robust and versatile option to consider.

Red silicone hoses now half price! 👏

Red silicone hoses are now half price! Get the quality you expect, at half the usual price! What’s to complain?

Did you know that all of our RED SILICONE HOSES are now half price! That’s right, get your ever-dependable silicone hoses for half of the usual price. Once they gone they’re gone!

Renowned for their excellent heat resistance, flexibility, and durability, our red silicone hoses are the ultimate solution for a wide array of applications. Be it for your automotive needs, industrial processes, or even home use, these hoses deliver exceptional performance while adding a striking visual touch. Now, with this extraordinary offer, these high-quality hoses are more accessible than ever before.

This deal on our red silicone hoses isn’t just about saving a bit of money, but it’s an opportunity to equip yourself with a product that stands up to high temperatures, and offers a high degree of flexibility, allowing for easy installation in tight corners and challenging configurations. Not to mention, the vibrant red colour adds a touch of aesthetics, making your setup stand out.

Don’t miss out your only opportunity to get the quality you need at a fraction of the usual price!

Check out our full range of silicone hoses below, just find the product you want, select the colour red and the discount will be automatically applied!

Do you offer bespoke tubing?

Bespoke Tubing & hoses

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Viper Performance: Bespoke Silicone Hose and Aluminium Tube experts

When it comes silicone hoses & aluminium tubes, one size doesn’t always fit all. Every business has unique requirements, and these often demand tailored solutions. This is where Viper Performance steps in. Whether you need silicone hoses or aluminium tubes, we’re is your go-to choice for customised, high-quality solutions.

 

What Does Viper Performance. Offer?

With years of experience in bespoke tubing, we’re an industry leader and have catered to both small one-offs and larger multi-national projects. Our expertise ranges from the automotive sector, where bespoke tubing is vital for optimised performance, to the aerospace industry, where custom specifications are the norm.

 

Whether you need a heat-resistant silicone hose for a high-performance car engine, a lightweight yet robust carbon fibre pipe for sports equipment, or a corrosion-resistant aluminium tube for applications, Viper Performance. has got you covered.

 

The Benefits of choosing Bespoke Tubing

  1. Standard off-the-shelf products may not meet the specific requirements of your application, and you may find yourself placing multiple orders in different sizes if you get the size wrong or take a gamble on another size. Bespoke tubing allows for customisation of dimensions, material properties, and design to match your exact needs creating a unique level of performance.

 

  1. By tailoring the tubing to your specific application, you can optimise its performance. For instance, a custom-made heat-resistant silicone hose can improve the efficiency of a vehicle’s cooling system, while a bespoke lightweight carbon fibre pipe can reduce transport costs for construction projects, reducing waste and keeping prices down. While base models will provide a high level of performance, you are able to tailor the performance to your individual requirements, after all not every job is the same.

 

  1. Bespoke tubing reduces waste, as you only order what you need. This results in more efficient use of materials and less environmental impact, and while the initial investment in bespoke tubing might be higher than standard products, it often results in cost savings in the long run. The reduced maintenance, fewer replacements, and increased operational efficiency can also help reduce long term savings.

 

AI & Electric Cars. The start of something amazing?

ai and electric cars

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As AI grows and becomes increasingly powerful, the possibilities for collaboration with the electric vehicle market becomes ever-greater. So is this really the start of something exciting, or will AI do more harm than good in the electric vehicle market?

The development of autonomous or self-driving vehicles is at the forefront of AI’s influence on EVs. AI, with its vast amounts of data, enable vehicles to navigate traffic, recognize pedestrians, and respond to real-world scenarios without human intervention. AI can enable one of the most exciting features of electric vehicles, making driving safer for both drivers & pedestrians.

AI’s role in EVs also extends to predictive maintenance. By continuously monitoring vehicle components, AI systems can predict potential failures before they lead to major issues. For example, machine learning algorithms can analyse the data from an electric car’s battery to predict its life cycle and performance. Such features can reduce the cost to the driver (less need for big expensive repairs) and also help to prevent breakdowns & accidents.

AI is also central to managing energy consumption in EVs more efficiently. AI can learn a driver’s patterns and preferences, optimizing energy usage based on these insights. For instance, the AI system could reduce energy consumption by controlling the car’s heating and cooling systems based on the outside temperature, predicted route, and the driver’s usual comfort settings. AI can therefore mitigate one of the largest concerns with EV prospects of vehicles running out of fuel mid-journey, which has been enhanced with a large increase in EV’s without any major development to the charger network.

Beyond autonomous driving, AI systems also help in enhancing safety in EVs by providing & developing driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and blind-spot detection, all of which will contribute to vehicle safety, while increasing trust in EVs in general.

Despite all of the excitement behind AI & electric vehicles, it’s very easy to get caught up in the positives and not the risk that such automation will bring. As AI become more integrated to the design of electric cars, there is a worry that designers will become complacent, and creativity will slowly be eroded. The future of cars could be bleak, boring and expected. What’s more boring than a world of carbon copies, where all cars were designed by the same person (or robot)?