Certain technologies have the potential to address some of the major problems that automakers are now experiencing, such as persuading consumers that switching to electric vehicles is a wise decision or minimizing the environmental impact of their combustion-powered vehicles. However, not every new technological advancement offers a fix for an issue. Some, to be exact, are just futuristic versions of existing production technologies.
At the moment, the majority of these emergent technologies—though not all of them—remain in the development stage. Here's a sneak peek at what drivers may have in the future—they will probably remain that way for years to come.

 

 

 

Toyota's Solid State Battery Technology

Although most people agree that electric vehicles are the way of the future for the auto industry, there are still several significant drawbacks with the present battery production that reduce consumer interest in them. Range and charging durations are two of the main problems, but according to Toyota, a breakthrough in the development of solid-state batteries may be able to address both at once. The brand claims that the new technique should drastically cut expenses while reducing battery weight and size by around 50%.
Can the new technology be scaled up to satisfy industry demands? is the key question. Although Toyota appears to be persuaded, there have been previous announcements of supposedly ground-breaking battery technologies that were later determined to be unworkable for mass production. Nevertheless, the firm states that 745-mile ranges and charging durations of less than ten minutes would be achievable if the technology is implemented into production cars. Although a firm date for the introduction of these new batteries into production EVs has not been provided, the Japanese carmaker had previously stated that solid-state batteries might be seen in consumer cars as early as 2025.

 

 

 

 

Nyobolt's Six-Minute EV Charging Times

Another manufacturer making audacious battery-related promises is Nyobolt, a British firm that just introduced a new vehicle that it claims can be charged in six minutes. Nyobolt achieves its superfast charging times by optimizing lithium-ion battery packs, which are already the industry standard, rather than relying on new technology like solid-state batteries. Its vehicle, which is based on the Lotus Elise, has a range of up to 155 miles. But according to the business, heavier cars like SUVs with bigger battery packs and longer ranges could just as easily use its battery technology. Nyobolt says its batteries can withstand more than 2,000 charging cycles without seeing appreciable degradation, and the automobile is scheduled to go into production in 2024. Even if drivers do not always use the entire range of the vehicle—instead of traveling 100 miles between charges—the anticipated lifespan of 200,000 miles is still reached.
It will be difficult for Nyobolt, like any business, to get its early prototype technologies into road cars that are ready for the showroom. Nonetheless, it might have a significant impact on the EV market as a whole if its battery technology is as readily scalable as the company says it is.

 

 

 

 

Llumar's Self-Healing Paint Protection Film

For most automobile owners, dings, scrapes, and paint chips from normal wear and tear are inevitable, but they do not have to be. Innovative paint protection film from Llumar has a special glue that stays liquid even after application, allowing it to self-heal from scratches. After being scratched, the film returns to its original state in a matter of minutes, leaving no evidence of the impact of pebbles, debris, or anything else. It is not unbreakable; if the metal panel beneath is harmed, the protective coating will go, but it is an incredibly powerful fix for common paint damage. It is also already on the market in some areas, but in order to generate the right amount for a particular automobile model, the professional detailers certified to deal with the film will require access to Llumar's database. Since paint chips and scratches have the biggest impact on an expensive luxury or performance car's resale value, owners of these vehicles will find the film especially valuable. But in all honesty, it is a fantastic purchase for any motorist hoping to maintain the showroom quality of their vehicle long after it leaves the dealership.

 

 

 

 

BMW's Color-Changing Body Panels

BMW's new E Ink paper, which was unveiled at CES 2022, allows its automobiles to change color, however at first it could only display grayscale. The brand's primary selling point at the time was heat efficiency: a car's white paint could reflect the most heat on sunny days, saving electricity on air conditioning, while black paint would better absorb heat on chilly days.
Since then, the concept's development team has been working on a wide range of applications. Team lead Stella Clarke told SlashGear that several internal departments were considering the possibility of utilizing the e-paper in different areas of the cabin, particularly for interior controls. In addition to supporting color, the technology will soon be able to be sprayed on cars, eliminating the need for each panel cutting. Although the technology's full potential applications may still be in the works, Clarke and her team are confident that the color-changing e-paper will be seen in production cars far sooner than you may believe.

 

 

 

 

Fisker's Solar Panel Car Roof

The highest-spec Fisker Ocean SUV is expected to have the most efficient solar panels in the automotive industry, if the company's projections are to be trusted. According to Fisker, in sunny climes, they might offer up to 1,500 miles of extra range annually, and as development moves further, that amount might potentially quadruple. The existing Ocean panel would offer slightly more than 10% of the 13,476 miles that the average American drives annually. But if Fisker's vision of improved technology materializes, a far higher proportion of total miles might be recorded without requiring a plug.