A new report by management consulting firm Frost & Sullivan says that lightweight materials will play a key role in the future development of electric vehicles.

The automotive industry is currently concentrating its efforts to make alternative powertrain technologies economical and key to this process is the practice of lightweighting. This is based on the theory that for every part or component that goes into a vehicle, there is a prospect to reduce weight by replacing traditionally used materials with new lightweight alternatives.

This research service titled “Material Technologies Shaping the Future of Electric Vehicles,” discusses the current state of electric vehicle (EV) adoption by giving a snapshot of the global and regional penetration in 2017. A three-dimensional view is outlined to identify the factors that will influence the future growth in adoption of electric vehicles. In specific, the technology influencers are divided into two namely lightweight design and battery performance.

From a material science perspective, key areas where materials can contribute to uptake of EVs are identified as materials for direct lightweighting and materials for re-defining battery performance contributing to indirect lightweighting.

A list of key innovators and inventions that could transform the EV landscape is provided in the report along with patent filing trends to give a perspective of solutions and opportunities that are evolving in the automotive industry.

Some of the innovative materials discussed are:
- Rare-earth-free Mg-Alloys
- More use of aluminium and advanced high-strength steel
- Lithium-air battery technology
- Solid-state polymer electrolytes
- Great recyclability for battery components