ANSYS’s new release enables engineers to blend system simulation with a computational fluid dynamics approach.
Fleets and Infrastructure Features
Accelerating battery development, part 2: Wildcat Discovery Technologies
Wildcat Discovery Technologies is a venture-backed start-up residing in sunny San Diego. Launched in late 2006, it makes efficient use of just 32 employees. The company has developed proprietary methods for rapidly synthesizing energy-storage materials. Serial entrepreneurs Prof. Peter Schultz and Robert Downs have worked together for a number of years at the Genomics Novartis… Read more »
Three of a kind: PolyPlus reaches for 1,500 Wh/kg
After decades of patent-protected breakthroughs, PolyPlus stands poised to make its first commercial move from its trio of power-dense battery technologies: lithium-sulfur, lithium-water, and lithium-air. It’s a balmy, 95-degree August day in the nation’s capital, but Steven J. Visco, PhD, the CEO, CTO, and co-founder of PolyPlus, sits in the climate-controlled comfort of the White House… Read more »
A closer look at regenerative braking
Regenerative braking (usually called regen for short) is simply the act of turning a motor into a generator, so that it slows down the load it was previously driving. Instead of converting momentum into heat with friction brakes, regen puts some of that energy back into the traction pack, not only saving wear on the… Read more »
Proceed with caution: charging for EV charging
ChargePoint President and CEO Pat Romano on the danger that high fees for public charging could pose to the industry. ChargePoint (formally known as Coulomb Technologies) does not install, own, or set rates for EV charging stations – although it often gets confused with companies that do. ChargePoint provides a broad-based, open network for EV… Read more »
Microvast designs batteries, builds buses, and partners with utilities
Microvast is the largest battery company you’ve probably never heard of. That’s because they are their own best customer. Instead of pitching their proprietary lithium–titanate technology to vehicle builders, the company identified a well-suited niche for their batteries and set out to demonstrate a sustainable model. Primarily a research and development focused chemical company, Microvast… Read more »
Strength in numbers: CalCharge battery consortium
A new public-private consortium, seeks to leverage the academic foundation and fertile entrepreneurial ground of the Bay Area to streamline new battery technology development.
Advancing Inverters
Topping the list of EV inhibitors are cost and consumer perception of long-term reliability of the vehicle. After batteries, power electronics contribute the greatest cost to EVs, when compared to a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. Additionally, inverters and converters are among the most stressed powertrain components. Increasing inverter performance, reliability, and lifetime –… Read more »
A case for 25 kW DC Quick Chargers
Industry Opinion: Larry Butkovich is the General Manager of EV Systems at Fuji Electric Corp. of America – a manufacturer of 25 kW DC Quick Chargers. Retail store owners, fleet managers, and government officials are currently faced with the dilemma of selecting charging stations for their sites, and are often overwhelmed by all of the… Read more »
Where speed hardly matters: Level 1 EV charging opportunities
Industry Opinion: Robert Bruninga is a Professional Engineer in the Aerospace Department of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Bob is a member of the IEEE National Committee on Transportation and Aerospace Policy and a 30-year EV owner, since the original CitiCar. Why are we ignoring Level 1 charging opportunities? Nothing in this discussion is… Read more »