EXISTENTIAL CRISES, VW SOFTWARE & LIQUID AIR BATTERIES | FULLY CHARGED FOR CLEAN ENERGY & EVS

EV Channels Review

This episode of Fully Charged delves into the significant challenges facing the automotive industry, particularly Volkswagen's struggles with software development for its ID.3 model. The reviewer posits that software is the key differentiator for EVs, a domain where Tesla currently excels, enabling significant range improvements through software tweaks alone, as seen with the Model S Long Range Plus. Volkswagen's internal issues and reliance on traditional mechanical engineering are highlighted as potential hindrances to competing with Tesla. The program also covers positive developments: the UK's decision to halt fracking, the promising potential of liquid air batteries for grid-scale energy storage, Arrival's British-made electric buses, and NASA's advancements in electric aircraft design, emphasizing efficiency. The overall sentiment is that while established automakers face an 'existential crisis' due to software complexities, innovation in energy storage and electric transport continues to advance.