Newswire

VW to build EV assembly plant in Tennessee

VW has been talking big lately about producing EVs in volume, but now we’re beginning to see some real action. The German giant has announced plans to add a second assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee to build EVs for VW, and possibly other Volkswagen Group brands. The company plans to invest $800 million and create… Read more »

ARDA Power’s EV Charging DC Microgrid includes gas power, solar, battery storage and DC fast charging

Toronto-based ARDA Power plans to construct an EV Charging DC Microgrid at an Etratech manufacturing facility in Burlington, Ontario. The grid-connected microgrid will DC-couple 50 kW of solar generation, 10 kW of natural gas generation, 100 kWh of battery storage, LED lights and a 50 kW DC fast charging station that will use DC power… Read more »

Johnson Controls and Toshiba partner to pair Li-ion and lead-acid in dual-battery systems

Johnson Controls and Toshiba have partnered to develop low-voltage lithium-ion batteries, which they’ll pair with existing lead-acid batteries for dual-battery systems. Paired systems require fewer powertrain alterations than other electrified powertrains, and achieve up to eight percent better fuel efficiency than conventional systems, according to Johnson Controls. Global information provider IHS Markit forecasts that dual-battery… Read more »

University of Illinois puts hybrid aircraft to the test in simulation

Automobiles are trending towards electric power – but what about their counterparts in the sky? Jet fuel and aviation gasoline are very energy-inefficient, but they have one big advantage: they’re lightweight. Every gram matters in the aerospace industry. That’s why electrifying an aircraft is so difficult: although batteries would be much more efficient than jet… Read more »

A charging spot for disabled EV drivers

In some parts of the world, green EV charging parking spots are becoming almost as familiar as the blue ones for disabled drivers (although ICE drivers tend not to show the same respect for the green as they do for the blue). But what about disabled EV drivers? A new car park in the Manchester… Read more »

Amada Miyachi Europe provides welding equipment for new LIGHT Battery

Manufacturing batteries for EVs requires specialized equipment, and battery makers require different systems depending on battery type, tab material and thickness, and production volume. Amada Miyachi Europe is a company that provides a range of resistance and laser welding equipment for just this purpose. Most recently, the company provided resistance welding equipment to German battery… Read more »

Musk goes to China – new Tesla Gigafactory is groundbreaking in more ways than one

Tesla’s construction of its next Gigafactory in China will be a historic event for several reasons. The facility will be of critical importance for the company, allowing it to deliver cars at competitive prices to the world’s largest auto market. Its accelerated development timeline – Tesla expects Gigafactory 3 to begin production this year –… Read more »

BMZ orders $1 billion worth of Samsung Li-ion cells for European EVs

Battery system manufacturer BMZ is launching a long-term cooperation with Samsung SDI, and plans to order just under $1 billion worth of Li-ion cells over the next five years. BMZ says its European automotive customers will double their EV production volumes in the coming year, and is responding by expanding manufacturing capacity of its Li-ion… Read more »

Volvo’s Polestar teases all-electric sedan, calls it a competitor for Tesla Model 3

Yeah, yeah – the media describes every new vehicle with an electric motor as a Tesla competitor, even if it’s a scooter or a bulldozer. However, not every automaker dares to call out Tesla by name, so let’s give Polestar points for audacity. Polestar, Volvo’s performance-cum-electric brand, has released an image of its upcoming all-electric… Read more »