DAVID BROWNE , CEO OF SMART UK

“ Our weight is similar to certain ICE SUVs of the same size . We have to work hard on aerodynamics , but our designers managed to achieve a drag coefficient of 0.29 .”

Reiterating Browne ’ s point , to enable better efficiency , there ’ s less emphasis on the size of the vehicle , but more on the aerodynamic result , which is measured as the drag coefficient ( CD ). The ideal figure sits somewhere between 0.25 and 0.3 and is usually measured via rigorous testing and automotive , aerodynamic wizardry from the field ’ s technicians .

As a rule , the best vehicle shape for the lowest possible drag-coefficient is the teardrop , which can be seen in use on the Apterra Gamma . Nevertheless , Smart has managed to minimise the amount of drag experienced in the # 1 and , as Browne highlights , 0.29 is “ good for a car , but great for an SUV ”.

SUVs are more for efficient than they seem Looking from the outside in , it may seem contradictory to buy an SUV , but manufacturers are thinking long and hard about how to make even the largest of vehicles move more efficiently and more comfortably .

“ We are witnessing a shift towards smaller SUVs like crossovers — a smaller , lighter version that ’ s more fuel efficient than traditional SUVs — and this has driven most of the growth in overall SUV sales ,” says Miller .

“ However , it ’ s still difficult for mid-size or large SUVs to be as fuel efficient as a sedan or hatchback by simple design improvements . This has pushed automotive OEMs to electrify SUVs to meet both consumer demand and stringent emissions standards .”

Electrification is about more than just cars . Climate change is at a stage that requires radical action to remove emissions from the atmosphere and mitigate the production of more .

EY recognises e-mobility ’ s long-term benefits , but there ’ s still much to be achieved when it comes to infrastructure and allowing cars to roam freely in a sustainable way . EY ’ s Mobility division provides critical analysis and talking points that help companies react to the shift in this sector , affecting the majority of businesses , from retail and commercial environments to the vehicle manufacturers themselves .

30 [ Feb 2023 ] EVMAGAZINE . COM