Technology in cars is advancing at huge speed, particularly when it comes to electricification. But in order to be able to make the most of new innovations in this area we also need to recognise the importance of a good supporting infrastructure. Which is where our 2020 Tech Innovation Award winner comes to the fore.
BP Chargemaster wins this award for its efforts to make electric car charging easier and more convenient. With 400 ultra-fast 150kW chargers set to be installed by 2021, it’s aiming to bring charging times down to 10-12 minutes – not much longer than the average petrol station fill-up. Furthermore, since it was acquired by BP in 2018, Chargemaster’s Polar network has grown to over 7,000 public charge points, including 100 50kW fast charging units, and seen its subscriber base increase by 44%. This is not only good news for regular customers, but the introduction of contactless payment functionality over the next 12 months will bring ease of use for irregular ones, too.
Runners up
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Audi Virtual Mirrors technology
AUDI VIRTUAL MIRRORS
When it comes to eking out the most mileage from a full charge on electrc cars, every little change helps. Found on the Launch Edition of the Audi E-Tron, these compact cameras sit in place of the traditional, chunky door mirror casings and reduce turbulence enough to lower the SUVs drag co-efficient. This means you can gain up to an extra four miles on a fully charged battery. The camera lens is heated to prevent misting-up and adjusts to ambient light conditions to ensure the image produced remains as clear as possible. The projected images, which display on screens on the door panels, also flash when a vehicle approaches your blindspot.
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Mazda SkyActiv-X technology
MAZDA SKYACTIV-X SYSTEM
Who says the Internal Combustion Engine is dead? Not Mazda. The Skyactiv-equipped models go a long way towards delivering greater efficiency with lightness to boost handling agility. Mazda says its latest iteration, Skyactiv-X, is its most economical petrol engine yet. Its application of compression ignition (like a diesel engine), is very efficient and delivers 20% better fuel consumption compared with similarly-sized rivals. We know this Japanese carmaker is resisting the downsizing of its engines, which sees it bucking an industry-wide trend, and we’ll see this system rolled-out further over the coming years.
