Why connectors are essential for anyone that wants to beat Tesla to the EV punch

Welcome to the PEI ConnectsPodcast, I’m your host Zafar Jamati and this is your go-to source for everything related to electrical connectors. Whether you're an electrical engineer, a technician or simply someone who wants to learn more about this exciting field, this podcast has something for you. From the basics of connector design to the latest advances in material science and manufacturing, we'll cover it all.In today’s episode we ask the question: what does an affordable EV mean for the connector market?VW recently beat Tesla to the punch by announcing the ID.2all a true EV for the masses, with a starting price of £22,000. While this news might signal a watershed moment in the transition to EVs, it also has implications for manufacturers, as they ramp up component production to meet demand.Looking at the bigger picture, according to MIT Technology Review, “In just the past two years, the number of EVs sold annually in [China] grew from 1.3 million to a whopping 6.8 million, making 2022 the eighth consecutive year in which China was the world’s largest market for EVs. For comparison, the US only sold about 800,000 EVs in 2022.”However, there is an important caveat to make here, which is that although China is the biggest market by volume, the US is actually higher for EVs sold per capita, which means that the US is arguably making more progress in transitioning to EVs. Nonetheless, the challenge of scaling manufacturing and the assembly of connectors is still a major issue on the horizon that will need to be addressed.One of the key components both in the vehicle and in the charging station is the EV connector. I recently visited the European Manufacturing Facility of connector manufacturer PEI-Genesis in Southampton in the UK and spoke to Jonathan Parry, the company’s senior vice president and MD Europe, to find out what an affordable EV might mean for the connector market. With nearly 8 years of service to PEI, Jonathan has established himself as a prominent figure in the electronic manufacturing industry. PEI-Genesis is a global leader in the design and assembly of custom engineered connectors and cable solutions for harsh environments. One of the company’s key differentiators is that it doesn’t only hold stock of finished connectors, it holds most of its inventory as component parts, which are then made to order. Thanks to high levels of automation in its assembly lines, the company is able to offer a minimum order quantity of just 1 product, and lead times of 48 hours on select product lines.I asked Jonathan, what does an affordable EV mean for the connector market. Tune in to the podcast to hear the interview with Jonathan. So, what are the key takeaway’s from today’s episode? Well, the main one for me is that the EV market is more diverse than the headlines might lead us to believe. It’s evident from PEI’s experience that the EV market is made up of more than just cars, and includes a broader group of e-mobility solutions such as e-boats, e-scooters, e-aircraft and more. This is where many of the company’s customers rely on its expertise to help them navigate their connector journey for the years to come – including the development, design, prototyping and mass production stages of their journey.It’s also clear that charging infrastructure and the fragmentation of connector types still poses a challenge. Although the technology is slowly converging towards a single preferred connector type, it will still need to integrate safer connectors that can deliver charging at higher power, and that’s where innovation in connector design will play a key role. That’s it for today’s episode. If you enjoyed listening, then please rate the podcast on your favourite platform and be sure to leave a review. In the next episode, we’ll be delving into the world of connector engineering and what