EV fast chargers bypass the vehicle’s on-board chargers (OBCs) for rapid direct battery charging. This allows batteries to be charged in just 30 minutes versus 4+ hours from OBCs. But the demands of these systems are significant. Design goals for fast chargers call for highly efficient power electronics and very high power density that’s possible… Read more »
The DOE is soliciting proposals from the national laboratories and industry partners to pursue radical innovations for American battery manufacturing leadership. The agency will directly fund the national labs to establish public-private partnerships that solve engineering challenges for advanced battery materials and devices, with a focus on de-risking, scaling and accelerating the adoption of new… Read more »
Peugeot’s new e-Expert is an electric version of the popular fossil-fueled Peugeot Expert commercial van. It will offer two different range options and three body lengths. The new van will be available with a battery capacity of 50 kWh of 75 kWh, depending on the body size. The Compact and Standard variants come with a… Read more »
Swiss electric utilities Primeo Energie and Alpiq E-Mobility have opened a pair of highway charging stations in Switzerland that feature battery energy storage and an energy management solution from ABB. Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office hopes to install chargers at approximately 100 motorway rest areas over the next few years. Many of these locations have little… Read more »
Transdev Canada, a private operator of school buses, has ordered 27 new electric school buses from Québec firm Lion Electric, an investment of just under $4.5 million (Canadian). The company’s fleet of 31 e-buses will be gradually introduced on school transport networks in the Estrie and Montérégie regions of Québec, beginning with the start of… Read more »
The second of Ricardo Software’s quarterly product releases for 2020 adds new capabilities in the area of EV powertrains. Both the Ricardo VECTIS CFD package and IGNITE complex systems modeling product now provide solutions for optimizing battery systems. These include modeling of the detailed heat exchange and cell degradation that occurs through use and storage. … Read more »
Norwegian ferry operator Boreal Sjö has ordered two custom-designed battery-electric ferries from technology group Wärtsilä. One is a 30-meter vessel capable of carrying 10 cars and approximately 100 passengers, while the other is a 50-meter vessel for 35 cars and 149 passengers and crew. The two double-ended shuttle ferries are to be built at Holland… Read more »
Electrify America has completed its first coast-to-coast route, from Los Angeles to Washington DC. The electrified highway spans 11 states and over 2,700 miles, running along Interstates 15 and 70. Electrify America charging stations, which feature DC fast chargers with speeds up to 350 kW, are on average about 70 miles apart, in metro areas… Read more »
The city of Fort Worth and electric motor company Linear Labs have signed a $68.9-million economic incentive package. Linear Labs plans to secure a 500,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to support thousands of new, skilled jobs over the next 10 years. The research and production center will create electric motors for EVs, robotics, HVAC and last-mile micromobility,… Read more »
Scottish start-up Trojan Energy has secured a £4.1 million round of seed funding to support the roll-out of its on-street flat and flush EV charging points. Equity Gap led a £1 million funding round; other investors include SIS Ventures, Alba Equity and the Scottish Investment Bank. The equity funding unlocked an additional £3.1 million from… Read more »
