Software Motor Company (SMC) and Ansys are collaborating to accelerate the development of ultra-efficient switched reluctance motors (SRMs) that solve critical noise vibration and harshness (NVH) issues. Traditional AC induction motors drive most of today’s power-hungry machines, including EVs. SRMs are more efficient, reliable, and durable, but to drive industry adoption, they must overcome NVH… Read more »
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Chicago to require EVSE-ready parking spaces
The Chicago City Council has approved an ordinance requiring new construction of larger residential and commercial buildings to make at least 20% of parking spaces ready for the installation of EV charging stations. The new rules apply to residential buildings with 5 or more units, and commercial buildings with 30 or more parking spaces. As… Read more »
Tesla sues county over lockdown, Elon Musk threatens to move HQ
Tesla has been champing at the bit to restart production at its Fremont factory. Now the state of California is lifting the lockdown, but Alameda County’s shelter-in-place order is scheduled to remain in place until the end of May, and county officials say Tesla cannot resume vehicle production yet. In response, Tesla has filed a… Read more »
New buses deployed in the EU are still 85% diesel
Last year, 85% of all new medium- and heavy-duty buses (over 3.5 tons) registered in the European Union were fueled by diesel, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, a trade group that represents 16 major European car, truck and bus makers. “Alternatively-powered vehicles” (including natural gas, hybrid and electric) combined accounted for 15% of… Read more »
SK Innovation increases investment in US EV battery business to $2.5 billion
SK Innovation has announced additional investment in its US battery business to fund the construction of a second EV battery plant in Georgia. The company plans to invest a total of $2.5 billion to build two plants at its site in Commerce, Georgia, with a combined annual capacity of 21.5 GWh. SK broke ground on… Read more »
New Lightning Mobile charger provides roadside DC fast charging for fleet vehicles
Colorado-based Lightning Systems, a manufacturer of zero-emission drivetrains for commercial fleets, has introduced Lightning Mobile, a mobile DC fast charger. Equipped with 192 kWh of high-energy-density, liquid-cooled battery storage in a package that can be installed in a vehicle or trailer for mobile deployment, Lightning Mobile is designed to provide on-demand roadside charging. Lightning Systems… Read more »
California proposes to enact zero-emission mandate for commercial vehicles
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released the final draft of the Advanced Clean Trucks standard. The latest proposal, which is stronger than previous drafts, is the first in the nation that would create a zero-emission mandate for trucks. The proposed rule would require automakers to sell a certain percentage of zero-emission trucks each… Read more »
S-in motion provides smart steel solutions for EVs
Ten years after ArcelorMittal introduced its first S-in motion study for ICE vehicles, the company has released a new set of S-in motion solutions for EVs. The S-in motion online car configurator shows how advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) and smart solutions can be deployed to meet the weight, safety, cost and sustainability performance targets of… Read more »
ORNL demonstrates bi-directional wireless charging on UPS delivery van
Researchers at the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) recently demonstrated a 20-kilowatt bi-directional wireless charging system installed on a UPS medium-duty, plug-in hybrid electric delivery truck. In the demo, the system transferred power at more than 92% efficiency between the truck and a charging pad across an 11-inch air gap, using two electromagnetic coupling… Read more »
LG Chem increases carbon nanotube capacity by 1,200 tons
LG Chem recently announced that it will invest 65 billion South Korean won ($54 million) by Q1 of next year to add 1,200 tons of carbon nanotube (CNT) production capacity to its Yeosu, South Korea plant. Once the expansion is made, the company will have a total production capacity of 1,700 tons. LG Chem says… Read more »