Volvo Energy has acquired a 10% stake in UK-based second-life battery energy storage specialist Connected Energy for 50 million Swedish kroner ($4.93 million). Volvo Energy is one of five new investors in the company. Volvo Energy, a business area within the Volvo Group, is “dedicated to providing essential support and infrastructure during the first-life, i.e…. Read more »
Chinese battery supplier CATL has announced that it will provide lithium iron phosphate batteries for Solaris Bus & Coach electric buses produced for the European market. CATL says the batteries have “exceptionally long battery life and high thermal stability.” The batteries have Cell to Pack (CTP) technology. “By removing the conventional module parts, the innovative… Read more »
Spanish plastics firm AIMPLAS is working on structural battery casings for a battery swap system intended for lightweight EVs. The casings are made of recyclable, long-fiber thermoplastic composites that are flame-retardant and designed to protect the battery from electromagnetic interference (EMI). “Thermoplastic matrix composites could play a key role in industry in the 21st century… Read more »
Electric drivetrain manufacturer Schaeffler has introduced a new 4-in-1 e-axle. “Such highly integrated complete systems are attractive for both established automobile manufacturers and new players,” says the head of Schaeffler’s E-Mobility business division, Dr. Jochen Schröder. The e-axle’s 4-in-1 layout combines the electric motor, power electronics, transmission and thermal management system into one unit. “This… Read more »
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a streamlined approach to testing new battery designs which they say could cut the time for both simulation and physical testing by as much as 75%. The new study, “A generic battery cycling optimization framework with learned sampling and early stopping strategies,” was published in Patterns-Cell Press…. Read more »
Vehicle-to-grid specialist Nuvve has partnered with Switch, a London-based provider of charging management software, to integrate Nuvve’s GIVe V2G platform with Switch’s charging management platform for operations and maintenance (O&M). Switch’s cloud platform, built on an OCPP 2.0.1 and ISO 15118-enabled operating system, is “fully native to future-proof capabilities like Plug & Charge, V1G and… Read more »
Sponsored by Nordson Sealant Equipment The current supply chain situation of semiconductors and also many other, much simpler components shows how important the local production actually is. Not only car manufacturers but also suppliers, which after relocating production sites abroad or even continental relocation, are now experiencing delivery difficulties, some of them considerable. Companies like… Read more »
Chinese equipment manufacturer LEAD has contracted with the Volkswagen Group to deliver lithium-ion battery manufacturing equipment for a 20 GWh factory in Salzgitter, Germany. Volkswagen recently announced a plan to invest €30 billion to build 6 battery factories in Europe. For the Salzgitter plant, LEAD will provide Volkswagen with manufacturing equipment including calendering, roll baking,… Read more »
Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will use Sila’s silicon anode chemistry in EV batteries that will be optional in its upcoming electric G-Class SUV. The company says the batteries will be produced with 100% renewable energy and will be available at mid-decade. Mercedes-Benz says, “Compared to today’s commercially available cells with a comparable format, Sila’s… Read more »
InoBat Auto has reached what it calls “a key milestone in the development of its design capabilities,” proving that recovered materials from used batteries can be re-used in the production of new batteries. Together with its recycling partners, InoBat has confirmed, using its cell optimization and design mechanisms, that recovered active cathode material from end-of-life… Read more »