Sponsored by Intertek While the energy density of lithium-ion batteries offers a distinct advantage, it also presents safety concerns related to overheating and fire. Manufacturers need to mitigate these risks, not only throughout use but also during transport. Because lithium batteries may present a hazard during transportation, they are considered dangerous goods. In order to… Read more »
Phihong, an OEM electronics manufacturer, has introduced a 7.7 kW charger for the North American market. The AC32 7.7 kW AC charger weighs less than 7 kg (15 lbs) and requires a single-phase 220 to 240 Vac input. It can be wall-mounted or free standing. The chargers are outdoor-rated and can withstand operating temperatures between… Read more »
Are the authorities “piling on” the Volkswagen Group? In 2017, the poor little automaker pleaded guilty to fraud and obstruction of justice in the dirty diesel debacle, and has already agreed to shell out some $30 billion in atonement. Now the mean old US Securities and Exchange Commission has sued the company and ex-CEO Martin… Read more »
Researchers at Freudenberg are developing a plastic housing material for EV electronics as an alternative to heavier and more costly aluminum. To protect against electromagnetic waves that can disrupt signal flow in microprocessors and transmitter-receiver systems, EV makers typically encase electrical components in conductive metal housings, usually aluminum. Freudenberg says the additional weight of the… Read more »
Chemical company Henkel has identified several major challenges faced by battery manufacturers, including: cost efficiency and high-speed cell assembly; reliable thermal management for safety and UL94 flammability standards; and serviceability of battery packs. Henkel’s battery assembly adhesives and thermal interface materials (thermal adhesives and thermal gap fillers) are designed to address these challenges. Henkel produces… Read more »
Sponsored by Keysight Automotive radar sensing technology is now rapidly evolving towards high-frequency and wide bandwidth. With higher resolution and range, automotive radar leads to safer driving in any conditions. High-frequency wideband radar is the best option for Autonomous Driving and road safety, today and tomorrow. Learn about the improvements delivered by the higher frequency, wider… Read more »
Automotive supplier MAHLE is installing its chargeBIG charging system, and 110 charging points, at the Stuttgart Airport. chargeBIG is a centralized, scalable charging infrastructure for short-term parking lots and fleet operators. The system is designed to decrease bottlenecks in the power supply by dynamically managing the electric load. The chargeBIG chargers allow for single-phase AC… Read more »
Volvo, which previously announced plans to offer electric powertrains across its entire model range, now says it will add PHEV variants of the XC60 SUV and new V60 wagon to its 2020 line-up. Both vehicles will be available in summer 2019 and will feature Volvo’s sporty Polestar Engineered trim. The vehicles’ powertrain software has been… Read more »
In California, a controversial plan to require credit card readers on all public charging stations has generated a lot of pushback from the industry. Charging network operators, hardware manufacturers and other stakeholders say that installing and maintaining the readers would impose excessive costs on what is already a very low-margin business, and point out that,… Read more »
The Fraunhofer Institute and Hitachi Metals say they’ve produced an on-board charger (OBC) prototype that delivers both high power output and compactness by using soft magnetic materials developed by Hitachi. Hitachi says the technology enables the OBC prototype to generate a power density of 3.8 kW/l. Hitachi explains that there is typically a trade-off between… Read more »