Newswire

China cuts EV subsidies—Tesla Model 3 exceeds price limit

China has announced a cut to its subsidies on new energy vehicles (NEVs), effective immediately. It’s been something of a rollercoaster ride for the subsidies of late. In 2015, the government announced plans to end the subsidies this year. In January, it said there would be “no significant cuts” this year. In March it confirmed… Read more »

Researchers make Ceramic-based flexible electrolyte sheets for lithium metal batteries

Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a new method to make ceramic-based flexible electrolyte sheets for lithium metal batteries. They combined a garnet-type ceramic, a polymer binder, and an ionic liquid, producing a quasi-solid-state sheet electrolyte. The synthesis is carried out at room temperature, requiring significantly less energy than existing high-temperature (>1,000° C) processes…. Read more »

DAF’s CF Electric refuse truck begins field tests in the Netherlands

As part of a field test of four comparable vehicles, the first DAF CF Electric 6×2 refuse collection truck has begun operations with Dutch public waste disposal firm ROVA. The vehicle will serve the Dutch city of Zwolle. Since the end of 2018, DAF CF Electric 4×2 tractors have been in operation for inner-city distribution… Read more »

Toshiba’s SCiB battery system meets ClassNK guidelines for ships

Toshiba Corporation‘s SCiB lithium-ion battery modules have received approval for use in marine vessels from international ship classification society Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK). Ships with the battery system can use renewable energy sources to charge the SCiB while at sea, allowing the system to power on-board equipment while the ship is at anchor and to… Read more »

Renault to sell only electric cars in China

Renault has announced that in the future, it will concentrate on electric vehicles and light commercial vehicles in the Chinese market. The French automaker has withdrawn from its joint venture with Dongfeng, under which it had built ICE vehicles, including the Captur, Kadjar and Koleos SUVs, in Wuhan. The Renault Group set up joint ventures… Read more »

Loop Energy to provide fuel cell range extenders for transit buses in Nanjing, China

Loop Energy, a provider of hydrogen fuel cell solutions for the medium-to-heavy-duty vehicle market, has received an order from a bus manufacturer in China for multiple range extenders. Loop says the order represents the start of a long-term commercial agreement with a total estimated value of $15 million over a three-year period. Loop works with… Read more »

SparkCharge raises $3.3 million to scale production of its portable, modular charger

SparkCharge, which was profiled in the July/August 2019 issue of Charged, has developed a portable, modular charger that’s designed to provide anytime/anyplace charging on demand. Now the company has announced the closing of $3.3 million in seed round financing led by Point Judith Capital (PJC) with participation from Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund,… Read more »

Ilika receives £15 million in equity funding to expand EV battery production

With a £5-million grant from the UK Government’s Faraday Battery Challenge Fund, Ilika  Technologies has extended its product roadmap to develop large-format Goliath pouch cells. Another 15 big ones in equity funding was provided by a combination of existing and new UK-based institutional shareholders. Ilika currently produces its Stereax batteries on a pilot line in… Read more »

Comau unveils laser laboratories to make EV batteries and motors

Comau has introduced new laser laboratories to support companies as they develop, implement and optimize the laser processes involved in constructing and assembling e-motors and batteries. With two labs in Grugliasco (Turin)—one specialized in batteries and the other dedicated to e-motors—plus additional labs in Shanghai and Detroit, Comau now offers a range of laser processes… Read more »