GM is one of several automakers that had ambitious EV plans in the pipeline before the global health crisis hit. Now lockdowns are being lifted, but the outlook for the auto industry is bleak. Will GM’s EV programs fall victim to cost-cutting, as a planned Lincoln/Rivian collaboration already has? Ken Morris, a 31-year GM veteran… Read more »
Martensitic steels—materials that are both corrosion-resistant and hardenable via heat treating to a wide range of hardness and strength levels—lend themselves to applications in the aerospace, automotive and defense industries, in which high-strength, lightweight parts need to be manufactured inexpensively. Researchers from Texas A&M University, in collaboration with scientists at the Air Force Research Laboratory,… Read more »
Protecting automotive electronics from high temperatures and electromagnetic interference to improve the performance of xEVs and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) Powered by advancements in technology, the implementation of ADAS and electrified vehicles is rapidly accelerating. The complex systems that power these new vehicles rely on electronics—making reliable operation of these systems critical for safe vehicle… Read more »
Governments around the world are pursuing policies to speed up EV adoption, but most are piecemeal—a purchase incentive here, an investment in EVSE there. California and the UK are among the few entities that are developing comprehensive plans to electrify all forms of transport. The Centennial State is moving closer to that ideal, and is… Read more »
Munro & Associates analyzed and compared 10 leading EV motors to develop a comprehensive side-by-side comparison in its latest report. Designed to help automakers and suppliers to effectively expand and compete in new EV markets, the 437-page report features detailed analyses and comparisons of the motors used in the Tesla Model 3, BMW i3, Chevrolet… Read more »
The plight of urban dwellers who have no assigned parking spaces is emerging as the next big roadblock to faster EV adoption. In London, an estimated 78% of households have no private parking spaces, and Mayor Sadiq Khan has set a target of deploying 50,000 charging points in the city by 2025. With encouragement from… Read more »
Amphenol Advanced Sensors now offers its Coolant Leak Detection Sensor to detect the presence of water and coolant in an EV battery pack enclosure, enabling the Battery Management System (BMS) to take proper countermeasures to reduce the risk of pack failure and electrocution. While substantial design measures are taken to prevent water intrusion into battery… Read more »
Tesla is constantly working to simplify the manufacturing process for its vehicles. Last year the company applied for a patent on a new casting machine that would be used to build Model Y. “When we get the big casting machine, it’ll go from 70 parts to 1 with a significant reduction in capital expenditure on… Read more »
The transition to EVs frequently raises questions about the sustainability of batteries, from mining impacts to vehicle carbon emissions. To address these questions, the Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE) and the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) are conducting a research initiative focused on identifying strategies to improve sustainability and governance across the… Read more »
Scientists at the Toyohashi University of Technology have made an active sulfur material and carbon nanofiber (CNF) composite using a low-cost liquid phase process. Their paper, published in the American Chemical Society’s ACS Applied Energy Materials, claims that all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries using a sulfur-CNF composite material show higher discharge capacity and better cycle stability than… Read more »
