EV Manufacturers: Electrify Your Path with Expert Insights and Networking

There is an effort in the US Congress to require automakers to maintain AM radio in all vehicles, including new electric vehicles (EVs). However, the nature of EVs and their operating conditions, including acceleration and deceleration, pose a challenge to ensuring electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) with the analog AM band radio. This study, conducted by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), shows that mitigating electromagnetic interference (EMI) in an EV is challenging and could lead to added costs for vehicle manufacturers. The cost of mitigation depends upon the electrical architecture of the vehicle and entails several design and engineering tradeoffs. Automakers may mitigate some EMI through vehicle engineering choices, including shielding, filtering, active noise cancellation, and strategic placement of components. These mitigation techniques can improve analog AM band reception. However, a total vehicle system EMC requirement would need to be included from the beginning of any future EV redesign, if not already considered by the automakers, to eliminate the need for piecemeal late-stage mitigations. These costs can be avoided by deleting analog AM radio from vehicles and providing consumers with alternative products for in-vehicle audio content.

While sustainability in the automotive industry is not new, it is becoming an increasingly vital part of doing business for many. In recent years, the industry has been coping with supply chain disruptions resulting from the pandemic and ongoing parts and semiconductor shortages. However, amid these enduring challenges, sustainability has become top of mind for many automakers and suppliers. Internal and external pressures are propelling the industry toward incorporating more sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.

As a result, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, such as the demand to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, have become increasingly commonplace across all aspects of automotive operations. Agencies such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) seek to further guide industry reduction of CO2 emissions, reaching net-zero emissions globally by 2050. As a result, many vehicle manufacturers have carbon neutrality targets in place, commonly announced through public annual sustainability reports, showcasing their sustainability efforts and goals. Topics included in these reports range from renewable energy to human rights efforts. These announcements are critical

in signaling to investors and stakeholders public-facing organizational sustainability initiatives. Still, some companies are limited in providing actionable and measurable data and often lack consistency in reporting from one manufacturer to the next. Despite the challenges from this significant shift in the automotive industry, there are also opportunities to further align across stakeholders, make additional commitments to broader climate initiatives, and advocate for more comprehensive regulations. A coordinated effort is an important step in achieving sustainability goals now that the industry has recognized accelerated action is required to limit global automotive operations’ environmental and social impact.