Rob Telson said before Christmas that Brainchip would be the key enabler of the 1,000 kilometre EV - That might be a stretch.
Did he say the key enable or a key enabler?
There are two main parts to a 1k EV
1/ the size of the battery and its density ie more for less. An EV battery is basically a chemistry set. There a multiple types of batteries with different types of chemistry. The only 2 common minerals used are graphite and lithium. You can have a 1k battery now if you build it big enough but it will be cost prohibitive for the mass market.
2/ Charge on the battery which comes in 3 parts. First is how slippery the car is, 2nd how efficient the electric motor/s are, 3rd the drag on the battery from the electronics inside the car. The more luxurious a model is, the greater the drag on the battery. Akida would have to be used in a lot of applications to have any effect.
If Akida was used in many multiple applications and cut the required chips from today's 3000-4000, it would effect the wiring and the size of the chip housings among other things. They would have to change the current manufacture process on current models which usually isn't cost effective and they hate doing when it is. My best guess is we'll have to wait for new models to be produced before we get any idea if they're being used and to what extent. Mercedes may upgrade Hi Mercedes on current models but that's about it.
Ford are producing the fully electric F150 this spring. The F150 internal combustion engine is the best selling vehicle in the US. They may want to have their use of Akida kept on the down low to spring a surprise for the release. It will be the most keenly watched for the year if not the decade. 10's of millions of ICE owns will be watching to see what's in it for me.
(20min delay)