'Range anxiety' is one of several factors that will make telematics a 'must-have' in electrically-powered vehicles in the future, according to a new report by Frost & Sullivan. The consultancy says telematics will become standard on such vehicles, rather than optional, as it remains on conventionally-powered vehicles.

As will be evident, range anxiety sums up a fear among drivers of electric vehicles that they will run out of charge before getting home or reaching re-charging facilities. Frost & Sullivan sees telematics playing a key role here.

Systems will give drivers constant battery condition alerts, the company says; it will allow remote monitoring; display the nearest charging locations; help with re-routing in the event of difficulty in reaching the intended location; and calculate the most efficient time to re-charge.

Frost points out that many of the resources required for these functions will be built into the cost of the electric vehicle. A driver (or operator) will pay only an incremental amount for the extra services, and the price could be included in the subscription they pay for battery leasing and energy plans.

 

'Neighbourhood electric vehicles and city electric vehicles have a modest driving range of less than 100 miles,' says Praveen Chandrasekar, Frost & Sullivan's global program manager for telematics and infotainment.

'Therefore they require some form of charging environment-related alerts and smart navigation that informs the driver of the charge status, distance covered with charge remaining, and charging stations on the route.'

Focusing particularly on electric cars, the report cites several examples of current developments among vehicle manufacturers, including mobile phone-based systems from GM and BMW.