LAS VEGAS (AP) While electric vehicles are gaining the lions share of the attention for carbon-neutral technology at CES 2024 , hydrogen energy has snuck its way back into the conversation thanks to two automotive giants.
Hyundai spotlighted its plans for utilizing hydrogen energy at the sprawling tech and gadget show in Las Vegas. Beyond making vehicles powered by hydrogen-powered fuel cells, the South Korean automaker signaled that it could work toward aiding a hydrogen society by expanding into energy production, storage and transportation.
Its already technologically feasible, and it will eventually make sense economically, too, Jos Mu09oz, president and global chief operating officer of Hyundai Motor Co., predicted Monday.
Meanwhile, automotive supplier Bosch Mobility plans to launch its first hydrogen combustion engine this year another key step toward reducing global man-made carbon emissions , the company said during its CES 2024 event.
Both Bosch and Hyundai say theyve been encouraged to move forward with their respective initiatives because of investments such as the $7 billion that the U.S. government is pouring into the development of hydrogen infrastructure.
THIN, LIGHT AND WISE EVs
Honda on Tuesday unveiled two concept vehicles, dubbed the Saloon and Space-Hub. The Japanese automaker says the Zero Series approach for EV development focuses on models that are thin, light and wise, with specific goals to minimize battery size and weight.
Kia, meanwhile, introduced a trio of electric vans that can quickly swap body modules from cargo haulers to taxis and other purposes. Production of the vans will begin in 2025 in South Korea.
And Vietnam-based electric upstart VinFast unveiled an electric truck concept. The mid-size truck is dubbed the VF Wild.
IN-CAR TECH ECOSYSTEMS IMPROVE
Mercedes-Benz showed off updates to its infotainment systems, including a new AI-powered virtual assistant that strives to personalize interactions between drivers and their cars. The update will connect the AI with functions for automated driving, seating comfort, data displays and charging.
But while automakers like Mercedes are focusing on improving their proprietary in-car ecosystems, others are striking more partnerships with Google to pre-install apps such as Google Maps and Assistant in their vehicles, the tech giant revealed at CES 2024.
The Google built-in will come to select models from Nissan, Ford Motors luxury brand Lincoln, and others this year, with Porsche following suit in 2025. And even Mercedes-Benz is layering Google apps into its own technology.
WHATS THE LATEST ON SOLID-STATE BATTERIES?
Honda also touched on plans for its Zero Series and wider EV advances down the road notably, the companys independent development of solid-state batteries. In a Tuesday news conference, Executive Vice President Shinji Aoyama said Honda aims to apply solid-state batteries to the Zero Series by the late 2020s.
Solid-state batteries are widely believed to be essential for mass commercialization of battery-powered EVs. Today, lithium-ion batteries are more commonly used in EVs, but are prone to fires. Solid-state batteries are more stable and potentially more powerful.
Honda Motors Mitsuru Kariya, who leads the research and development group behind the EV tech announced Tuesday, explained that solid-state batteries have higher energy density, which means they can be smaller while maintaining a good range with stronger outputs. This could also contribute to making EVs lighter, he said, potentially improving fuel economy.
Honda isnt the only automaker with eyes on a solid-state battery future. Toyota, for example, recently agreed to work with Japanese oil company Idemitsu on technology solid-state battery production.
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Associated Press reporter McKinnon de Kuyper contributed to this report.
拉斯维加斯（美联社）——在2024年国际消费电子展（CES）上，虽然电动汽车占据了碳中和技术话题的绝对焦点，但得益于两家汽车巨头的推动，氢能源技术已悄然重回讨论视野。
现代汽车在拉斯维加斯规模盛大的科技与电子产品展会上重点展示了其氢能应用计划。这家韩国汽车制造商不仅致力于生产氢燃料电池驱动的车辆，还表示将通过拓展能源生产、储存及运输领域，助力构建“氢能社会”。
现代汽车公司总裁兼全球首席运营官何塞·穆尼奥斯（José Muñoz）周一预测，该技术已在技术上可行，最终也将在经济上具有意义。
汽车供应商博世移动出行（Bosch Mobility）在2024年国际消费电子展上宣布，计划于今年推出首款氢内燃机，这将是减少全球人为碳排放的又一关键举措。
博世和现代汽车均表示，由于美国政府斥资70亿美元发展氢能基础设施等投资举措，他们备受鼓舞，将继续推进各自的氢能项目。
纤薄、轻巧且智能的电动汽车
本田汽车于周二发布了两款概念车，分别命名为“Saloon”和“Space-Hub”。这家日本汽车制造商表示，其电动车开发的“零系列”理念专注于打造“纤薄、轻巧且智能”的车型，并设定了减小电池体积与重量的具体目标。
与此同时，起亚推出了三款电动厢式车，这些车型可通过快速更换车身模块实现从货运车到出租车等多种用途的转换。该系列车型将于2025年在韩国投入生产。
越南新兴电动汽车制造商VinFast发布了一款电动卡车概念车。这款中型卡车被命名为VF Wild。
车载技术生态系统持续升级
梅赛德斯-奔驰展示了其信息娱乐系统的更新，其中包括一款新型人工智能虚拟助手，旨在实现驾驶员与车辆之间的个性化互动。此次更新将把人工智能与自动驾驶、座椅舒适度调节、数据展示及充电等功能相连接。
这家科技巨头在2024年国际消费电子展（CES）上透露，尽管梅赛德斯等汽车制造商正致力于改进其专有的车载生态系统，但其他厂商正与谷歌达成更多合作，以在车辆中预装谷歌地图和助手等应用。
谷歌内置服务将于今年登陆日产、福特汽车旗下豪华品牌林肯等厂商的部分车型，保时捷将于2025年跟进。就连梅赛德斯-奔驰也在将谷歌应用整合至自家技术体系中。
固态电池的最新进展如何？
本田汽车还透露了其Zero系列及未来更广泛的电动汽车发展计划，特别是公司在固态电池领域的自主研发成果。在周二的新闻发布会上，执行副总裁青山真治表示，本田计划在2020年代末将固态电池应用于Zero系列车型。
业界普遍认为，固态电池对实现纯电动汽车的大规模商业化至关重要。目前电动汽车多采用锂离子电池，但存在易燃风险。相比之下，固态电池稳定性更高，且具备更强的性能潜力。
本田汽车负责此次发布的电动汽车技术研发团队的领导刈谷满（Mitsuru Kariya）周二解释道，固态电池具有更高的能量密度，这意味着它们在保持良好续航和更强输出的同时可以做得更小。他表示，这还有助于减轻电动汽车的重量，从而可能提高燃油经济性。
本田并非唯一一家着眼于固态电池未来的汽车制造商。例如，丰田近期已与日本石油公司出光兴产达成合作，共同推进固态电池生产技术的研发。
美联社记者麦金农·德凯珀对本文亦有贡献。
