11/29/2018

Electric cars are in high demand. The planned and implemented regulations mean they will soon be seen on every road. Automakers are changing their strategies – and they can rely fully on Sika for support with the new vehicle technologies.

Combustion engines are coming under pressure. In an effort to combat high urban air pollution and meet CO2 targets, numerous countries are tightening their emission regulations. The ambitious CO2 targets are giving electro mobility a boost and electric cars will play an important part in the future. The auto industry is investing huge sums in sustainable mobility and it is estimated that according to forecasts by 2023, electric cars should cost as much as conventional diesel or gasoline vehicles thanks to cheaper batteries and lower maintenance costs.

Sika Reinforcer
Image: SikaReinforcer® increases the car body stiffness and crash performance.

The Challenges of Design and Soundproofing

As the auto industry undergoes deep changes, it faces major challenges. The lightweight construction, the multi-material design — based on new as well as very different materials and composites — and the static changes necessary to accommodate the battery cell for new car body solutions. At the same time, interior soundproofing poses a greater challenge than before. Heat management, insulation, and fire protection are becoming even more crucial  as the number of electronic components gets bigger and increasingly powerful batteries are used.

Sika is Ready

Sika is equipped for the future. “We have the technologies to support car manufacturers on the road to electro mobility,” says Dave Jones, Head of Global Automotive. Sika’s structural adhesives and structural strengthening components stiffen the newly designed car bodies and optimize crash performance. Sika's comprehensive acoustic systems noticeably reduce the significantly more audible tire and wind noise in the vehicle interior. Numerous other Sika solutions are used to assemble, seal, protect, and thermally manage batteries as well as provide sufficient insulation and encapsulation  of electric components. In addition to reducing the vehicle’s weight, Sika products also increase its safety and comfort. The new demands spell enormous potential: Sika aims to reach on average 20% more sales per electric car than for combustion engine vehicles.

Detroit laboratory
Image: In Madison Heights, Michigan, USA, Sika has extensive facilities for testing the body stiffness and acoustic behavior of vehicle-specific products.