What is the TEC?
The TEC is an entity focused on this large global industry, bringing together the underlying technologies as applied to transportation. For illustration, the following is a snapshot of progress in this area:- Automotive: Battery-electric vehicle sales increased 40% in the US in 2020. Battery- and plug-in-electric vehicle sales are at 85% of all annual sales in Norway, 12% in China, etc. This dynamic has spurred the creation and growth of numerous start-ups. A tipping point has been reached, and there is a broad consensus that within the next couple of decades, nearly all automotive sales will be zero emission vehicles.
- Fleets: Fleets are leading the electrification of road transportation, because of the lower total cost of ownership. Amazon has ordered 100,000 electric delivery vans. Hertz is going electric. Autonomous delivery is coming.
- Aircraft: Dozens of new startup companies are joining established companies and developing electrically powered aircraft, many with hydrogen fuel.
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) are electric, and growing in popularity and size.
- Rail electrification is expanding, with battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell trains introduced on diesel lines in Germany, for instance.
- Ships and ports: There are transformative changes in such applications as ferries, tug boats and also for smaller, pleasure crafts for instance. At ports, electric trucks and equipment are beginning to replace diesel trucks and other fueled equipment for container movement.
- Off-road: Many vehicles from earth moving to farming are becoming electrified and autonomous.
- Transportation models: With autonomous vehicles, many contemplate a shift from individual vehicle ownership to mobility as a service. This paradigm shift presents many technical challenges for which IEEE needs a home.