Current Direct, a new €12-million research and innovation project funded by the European Commission, aims to develop a new type of lithium-ion cell, as well as a swappable containerized energy storage system, both optimized for waterborne transportation. The project’s aim is to develop and demonstrate an interchangeable battery system and Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) platform in an… Read more »
American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) and Suzhou Inovance Automotive have announced a technology development agreement that will accelerate the development and delivery of scalable, next-generation 3-in-1 electric drive systems, which integrate an inverter, electric motor and gearbox. The companies will focus on enhancing the power density, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of integrated EV drivetrains. AAM and… Read more »
A team led by Professor Zhao Tianshou of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has proposed a novel cathode design concept for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Li-S batteries are regarded as attractive alternatives to Li-ion batteries. They are known for their high energy density, while their major component, sulfur, is abundant, light, cheap and… Read more »
EV sales soared in Europe in 2020, and at least two legacy automakers, Daimler and Volkswagen, appear on track to meet the EU’s stringent emissions targets for the year. For the Volkswagen brand (part of the larger Volkswagen Group, which also includes Audi and Porsche), 2020 was “a turning point [and] a breakthrough in electric… Read more »
BNSF Railway and Wabtec, a provider of equipment, systems and services for freight and transit rail, have collaborated to develop a battery-electric locomotive. Now they have begun testing the technology in revenue service between Barstow and Stockton, California. The battery-powered locomotive will be situated in a consist [a sequence of locomotives and/or cars] between two… Read more »
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) researchers have developed a new family of cathodes with the potential to replace the costly cobalt-based cathodes typically found in today’s lithium-ion batteries. The new class, called NFA (nickel, iron, aluminum), is a derivative of lithium nickelate that’s used as a cathode material. These novel cathodes are designed to be… Read more »
Bus manufacturer New Flyer has won a contract for 12 Xcelsior CHARGE battery-electric transit buses from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), with options to purchase up to 63 more over five years. The purchase was supported by Federal Transit Administration funds. CTDOT, which owns and operates nearly all public transportation services in Connecticut, representing… Read more »
Fast charging network operator Electrify America has announced a collaboration with EVNoire Mobility Intelligence Consulting Group in a campaign to increase awareness of EVs in African-American communities throughout California. EVNoire’s market research shows many African-American communities in California and nationally have a growing interest in adopting electric vehicles. EA’s investment will support EVNoire’s development of… Read more »
The DOE has released the Energy Storage Grand Challenge Roadmap, the agency’s first comprehensive energy storage strategy. Announced in January 2020, the Energy Storage Grand Challenge (ESGC) seeks to establish American leadership in energy storage. In addition to concerted research efforts, the Roadmap’s approach includes accelerating the transition of technologies from the lab to the… Read more »
Sponsored by Sunstone Engineering Sunstone’s new Omega PA250i battery welding system can do what other welders struggle to accomplish: Attach copper to steel or aluminum. By using a pure copper tab to connect one power cell to another, EV manufacturers will realize a significant boost in power cell efficiency. So why do most EV manufacturers… Read more »
