Fujitsu has launched the FTR-E3 series, a 150-A power relay that offers a minimum mechanical life of 300,000 operations and minimum electric life of 30,000 operations. The new automotive-grade relay is intended for use in EV battery-junction boxes, fast chargers, solar and industrial inverters, and the DC line of energy storage systems. Measuring 45 mm… Read more »
XALT Energy has launched the XPAND Low Profile (XLP) Pack, a high-energy-density battery pack for commercial EVs. The XLP Pack measures 185 mm high, 612 mm wide, and between 360 and 1,080 mm long, depending on energy capacity. Designed to fit within the frame rails of trucks and buses, the pack can be mounted horizontally… Read more »
Rivian has been generating a lot of headlines since the November 2018 reveal of its prototype pickup and SUV. The company has scored substantial investments, including $700 million from a group of investors led by Amazon and another $500 million from Ford. That cash was accompanied by a history-making order of 100,000 electric delivery vans… Read more »
Northvolt and Swedish power provider Mälarenergi are partnering to construct an energy storage system at an EV charging station in Västerås, Sweden. The companies are designing the battery system to provide more than an 80% reduction in electricity peak demand directly at the charging station, thereby lessening the impact of EV charging on the local… Read more »
Pierburg, a subsidiary of German parts maker Rheinmetall Automotive, has developed an AC compressor for EVs that integrates the compressor, electric motor and power electronics into one modular, compact unit. In ICE vehicles, the AC compressor is typically driven by a pulley and V-belt. EVs lack this mechanism, so the AC compressor is driven by… Read more »
The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Germany has announced several measures to further electrify transport around the city. In spring 2020, Volkswagen will bring over 1,000 EVs to Hamburg through its ride-sharing service, WeShare. The rollout will include the e-Golf and e-up! models – the new ID.3 will be added in the future. MOIA,… Read more »
According to a recent article in Business Korea, SK Innovation – a subsidiary of Korea’s giant SK conglomerate – is planning to invest $1.05 billion USD to build an EV battery manufacturing plant in Yancheng, China. The new plant will join the company’s pre-existing battery plant in Changzhou. SK Innovation’s plans for the new plant… Read more »
Even experienced auto writers approach driving high-performance cars with caution. If you mostly test mass-market cars, as I do, trepidation may creep in: Will I be able to do this car justice? Will it be manageable on the road? Are there special steps I should take to avoid damaging a car that costs six figures?… Read more »
After positive feedback at London’s 2019 Freight of the City Expo, Tevva Motors has confirmed that in addition to its six-month rental scheme, it will now support vehicle leases and direct purchases of its e-truck. Series production is set to begin in 2020. Through its Electrify initiative, Tevva offers urban distribution companies a six-month rental… Read more »
Volkswagen will begin manufacturing a server developed by parts supplier Continental for its upcoming ID family of EVs. VW will use the technology as an in-car application server that will allow wireless updates in the future. The new server forms just one part of the more comprehensive ICAS1 processor, one of three central processors that… Read more »
