Firm Steps and Decisive Actions Toward e-Mobility

Public health and environmental care are two issues that have drawn most of the public’s attention in recent years. Therefore, furthering electromobility is a global goal that countries strive for. We are advancing at different rates but with the clear focus of reaching this goal as soon as possible.

Air pollutants such as ozone and its precursors, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, as well as fine particles (PM2.5) and respirable particles (PM10), are emitted in significant quantities from internal combustion vehicles.

The main objective of e-mobility is to facilitate the transportation of people while saving time as well as environmental and economic costs. It is not only focused on electric mobility; it also includes transfers on foot, bicycle, scooter and by public or private transportation.

E-mobility and electromobility are terms connected to a group of components found in hybrid and electric vehicles. An electric car is propelled with the force produced by a motor powered by electricity. An electric motor is responsible for transforming electrical energy into mechanical energy through electromagnetic interactions. The conductive element inside the motor moves when it enters a magnetic field and receives an electric current.

Electric motors offer numerous advantages over combustion motors, among which the following stand out:

● Absence of gas emissions into the atmosphere

● Improve air quality in the areas where they circulate

● Less noise pollution, thanks to its quieter operation

● Promotes the health of the population by reducing air pollution

● Smaller size and weight of vehicles

● Ease of handling

● Possibility of charging at various electric vehicle charging stations, known as electro liners

As a matter of fact, most of the components of electric and hybrid vehicles are made of aluminum, which it stands out for being a material that is  light (three times lighter than iron), durable (almost as much as steel), ductile (easy to process) and resistant to corrosion; all qualities that make aluminum one of the key engineering materials of our time.

In Mexico, progress is increasing with very significant achievements. As previously mentioned, electromobility is not only possible through cars but also through other transportation systems, such as scooters, and when it comes to public transportation, there are various options, such as trolleybus, cable bus and metro.

The mindset of a large part of the world's population is changing; more and more people want to contribute to caring for our health and the future of the environment. According to the latest EY Mobility Lens Consumer Index, more than 40 percent of people planning to buy a new car are thinking about choosing an electric one.

In addition, according to the same source, the general levels of concern have increased, with 78 percent of potential buyers of cars outside the internal combustion range stating that COVID-19 has increased their level of environmental awareness and, more importantly, their concerns are reflected in their intention to buy more sustainable vehicles.

According to McKinsey & Company, electrification will play a significant role in transforming the mobility industry and presents great opportunities across all vehicle segments, although the pace and scope of change will differ.

E-Mobility means that a motor driven by an electric, hybrid or hydrogen cell, results in various propulsion possibilities, allowing vehicles to be segmented into three groups: hybrids, which combine a combustion system with the electric one, plug-in, and those that use hydrogen cells.

To ensure rapid and widespread adoption of electric mobility, launching new electric vehicles on the market is an important first step. In Mexico, there are approximately 1,500 charging stations, of which around 70 percent are public and 30 percent private. These stations are mainly located in Mexico City, Nuevo Leon and Aguascalientes, which account for 50 percent of the overall total. Most of these stations are free and located in commercial places but the private ones do not charge more than 80 pesos for a full charge.

Aluminum is among the materials that work very well for the manufacturing of electric cars since it is three times lighter than steel, ductile at the time of machining and with properties, from a metallurgical point of view, that offer a competitive advantage over other materials.

To achieve the goal of furthering electromobility, it is essential that the entire mobility ecosystem work together.