How Sustainability is Expected to Change Automotive Careers in the Future
The motor industry is changing. The era of loud, fuel-guzzling vehicles is almost behind us, and automakers are becoming increasingly focused on sustainability. Historically, car buyers were concerned about three major factors: power, speed, and looks. Today, however, there’s a new priority on the list: sustainability.
The motor industry is responsible for almost a quarter (24%) of CO2 emissions around the world, and governments globally are introducing new legislation to reduce the automotive sector’s impact on the planet.
In response to this, automakers are investing in new green technologies like electric vehicles, clean diesel, and using waste and recycled materials to build car parts.
Read on to discover how this is set to impact the industry over the next ten years.
Mechanic Training Will Include Electric Motors
As the automotive industry becomes more concerned with sustainability, electric cars are set to become increasingly common on roads. By 2050, it’s expected that all cars on the automarket will be electric.
Automakers, including Toyota and Porsche, have already pledged to go 100% electric or hybrid by 2025. Electric cars will also become more affordable and accessible to the everyday environmentally-conscious customer. This will have a major impact on automotive careers as mechanics will be expected to have a deep understanding of electric engines.
In 2018 just 2.2% of car sales globally were electric,so there is still some way to go. One of the main drawbacks of electric cars is their mileage. The average electric vehicle can only travel between 60 – 160 kilometres on a single charge, and charging can be time-consuming. Many drivers are also concerned that there is a lack of charging points around the country.
One solution is the hybrid electric vehicle. With both an electric motor and a typical petroleum engine, drivers can reduce their CO2 emissions without worrying about being stuck without charge. Hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius, for example, generate 66% less CO2 than a gas-powered car.
Cars Will Be Made From Recycled Materials
Auto manufacturers have been experimenting with new, sustainable materials to make car production more eco-friendly. Ford, for example, uses waste products like rice, oat hulls, and plastic bottles to build its cars. A single car uses around 250 plastic bottles, and each year Ford uses 1.2billion recycled materials.Similarly, Honda uses recycled and natural materials like sugar cane in its interiors.
Tires made from moss, anyone? It might sound crazy, but it’s only a few years from reality. Manufacturers have been experimenting with making tires from living moss surrounded by rubber. The moss absorbs water from the road, reduces a car’s CO2 emissions, and helps keep tires inflated. Students in mechanic training will need to be aware of new, green innovations that are expected to shake up the auto industry.
Vehicles Will Become More Lightweight to Consume Less Fuel
Traditionally, heavier, bulkier cars have been perceived as safer as they have a larger, stronger crumple zone to protect the driver and passengers. However, lighter vehicles are more eco-friendly as they require less fuel to travel and generate fewer emissions.
Over the next few years, cars are expected to weigh less and less. Manufacturers are developing new materials like high-performance polymers, which are lightweight and strong. These vehicles will be more fuel-efficient, too.
In the future, automakers will also focus on making cars safer with new technology like blind-spot monitors and automatic braking, which will reduce the likelihood of collision. This means that drivers won’t need to compromise on fuel-efficiency to drive safely.
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