{"id":119926,"date":"2026-03-11T14:48:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:48:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotive.einnews.com\/article\/898764520"},"modified":"2026-03-11T14:48:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:48:10","slug":"how-under-pressure-automotive-developers-are-adapting-for-evs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/03\/11\/how-under-pressure-automotive-developers-are-adapting-for-evs\/","title":{"rendered":"How under-pressure automotive developers are adapting for EVs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Stock image (Credit: Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Electrification and autonomy are reshaping how vehicles are conceived and built. For many organisations, this shift is a catalyst for modernising development workflows and embracing advanced design tools. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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These changes are happening as the automotive industry faces increasing pressure on multiple fronts. Manufacturers are navigating rising costs, tightening regulations, geopolitical volatility and intensifying global competition. This tension is reflected in Autodesk\u2019s State of Design & Make<\/em> report<\/a>, which found nearly two-thirds (61%) of automotive companies feel more uncertain today than they did three years ago, with cost control, technological advancement \u2013 including AI \u2013 and environmental sustainability now topping the list of industry challenges.<\/p>\n

Uncertainty has not slowed ambition, however, and the industry is persevering and redefining itself to meet consumer demand and regulatory changes, and to build a more sustainable future for mobility. 61% of leaders are planning to increase future investment, and 75% believe sustainability initiatives can generate more than 5% of annual revenue.<\/p>\n

The need for smarter development<\/h2>\n

Electric vehicles (EVs) are projected to make up half of vehicle production by 2030<\/a>, catalysing the new approaches to design and development. The pace and nature of this transition varies, however. Emerging markets have the advantage of building EV-ready systems from the ground up, enabling swift adoption. More mature markets face slower and more complex retrofitting, which is often costlier and more technically demanding.<\/p>\n

EVs are enabling new vehicle design possibilities, while also increasing the need for aerodynamic and efficiency-focused collaboration across design and engineering teams.<\/p>\n

Fundamental design principles are also being reconsidered for autonomous vehicles. Manufacturers are forced to shift design considerations from driver-focused layouts to passenger experience and shared mobility concepts, prompting new thinking in form and function.<\/p>\n

Regulatory pressures \u2013 including stringent carbon dioxide limits for fleets and fluctuating incentives \u2013 are further pushing manufacturers to rethink powertrain strategies and product portfolios. Advances in AI, data and software-driven vehicle development are driving efficiency and supporting a broader industry transformation.<\/p>\n

From design to delivery<\/h2>\n

With so much transformation happening, speed to market is crucial. To stay competitive against new entrants, OEMs must accelerate the journey from initial sketch to production. With new brands and models attracting consumers with advanced technology and competitive pricing, OEMs must expedite time-to-market to retain customer loyalty.<\/p>\n

As material and labour inflation continue to squeeze margins and erode profitability, cost reduction is a top priority. While EV transitions reduce internal combustion components, savings are often offset by the higher cost of electrical components and systems, including battery technology.<\/p>\n

At Autodesk, we are seeing manufacturers already moving on major cost-reduction initiatives that span the entire product lifecycle \u2013 from initial concept development to supply chain optimisation and factory floor process improvements.<\/p>\n

EV manufacturer Rivian, for example, faced the challenge of reducing cost and resource intensity during early vehicle development. By adopting digital prototyping, it has been able to test and refine concepts virtually<\/a>. This made the digitalised design process more efficient and cost-effective, and reduced the environmental footprint associated with building physical prototypes. The company eliminated more than 32 tonnes of clay waste and achieved savings of over $1m across the project.<\/p>\n

On the manufacturing side, companies such as Porsche face complexity coordinating multiple disciplines during factory projects. The manufacturer built a new factory for its fully electric Taycan<\/a>, using advanced digital planning to maximise efficiency and flexibility with driverless transport systems and flexible production lines. The high-tech factory uses renewable energy, biogas-powered heat and power plants, and is integrated with Autodesk solutions for planning and collision checking.<\/p>\n

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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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