An automotive expert believes that while effective measures have been taken for launching electric vehicle production, key infrastructure, such as EV charging stations, should be developed.
Salman Ebrahimi-Nejad Rafsanjani, who is also a faculty member of the Iran University of Science and Technology, explained the latest state of electric vehicle production in Iran and the infrastructure needed to supply EVs to the domestic market, Khabar Khodro reported.
"Fortunately, effective measures have been taken in the field of EV production. Some are currently in the research and development stage, while a large number of these cars have been prototyped and are undergoing trials,” he said.
Ebrahimi-Nejad noted that in addition to a network of EV chargers, plug-in cars should be enabled to use home electricity, because it may not be possible for a large number of EVs to easily access charging stations.
He added that in some countries, lithium batteries help EVs during peak consumption hours, hence research should be conducted on this system in Iran.
The automotive expert said the supply of lithium batteries required for EVs is limited in the world and currently only China and a few other countries are the main suppliers of lithium.
“In our country, IUST has started research in this field by forming a lithium battery pole,” he said.
Asked about the viability of EV production in Iran, he said, “The body mold of EVs is not as expensive as normal cars, and even if their production is not economical, it cannot be declared uneconomical either. The cost of lithium batteries, which is one of the most important parts of electric vehicles, has declined in the last 10 years.”
He pointed out that it is possible to start production lines of EVs with a low turnover, or the electrification of available cars with minor changes in Iran.
Ebrahimi-Nejad said the policy on diversifying the energy portfolio of cars should determine the number of gas, hybrid and electric cars that need to be produced, but unfortunately this has been halfhearted.
Saina Electric Vehicle Unveiled
SAIPA unveiled its electric vehicle in the Automobile Industry Transformation Exhibition.
The exhibition, held at Tehran’s International Fairground on Aug. 25-28, was an opportunity for domestic automakers to introduce their capabilities and achievements to industrialists and customers, and prepare the ground for cooperation with other automakers.
SAIPA Group displayed the full range of its products, including Saina S hatchback electric vehicle, at this expo, Khabar Khodro reported.
The car concept was unveiled in the fiscal 2018-19, which is the result of cooperation between Khajeh Nasir al-Din Toosi University of Technology’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, SAIPA Research Center and Belgium’s Punch Powertrain Company.
Saina S electric car is one of the next generations of the X200 project. The car uses an electric engine equal to 70 kW or 94 horsepower, can go from zero to a hundred in 12 seconds and has a maximum speed of 130 km/h.
Its lithium-ion battery can be charged in four hours and travel a distance of 200 km.
Other details have not been made public about this domestic EV and those who are interested in this vehicle will have to wait for SAIPA's next announcement.
What encouraged most global car manufacturers to produce electric cars is the fact that clean and environmentally friendly vehicles are imperative to stave off serious threats facing the earth caused by climate change.
The high emissions of gasoline and diesel cars, the low cost of charging electric vehicles which is said to be a third of the cost of refueling gasoline and diesel cars, lowering greenhouse emissions and reducing lung and respiratory diseases are among the benefits of promoting EVs.
The unveiling of electric Saina shows Iranian automobile manufacturers are moving in this direction, but the bright prospects of EVs in the domestic automobile industry will depend on high investments and determination.
