In April 2019, 6.7 GWh of battery capacity was deployed globally in newly-sold passenger BEVs, PHEVs and hybrids – an increase of 69% year-over-year, according to Adamas Intelligence’s EV Battery Capacity and Battery Metals Tracker. Among the NCM cathode family, NCM 622 saw a surge in deployment (in GWh) year-over-year, up 247% in April 2019… Read more »
Continental has introduced a 30 kW, 48-volt high-power drive system for full hybrid vehicles, which it says is cheaper than the high-voltage systems used up to now. Until now, manufacturers have typically used 48-volt systems in “mild hybrid” vehicles, in which the electric motor doesn’t drive the vehicle directly, but only assists the ICE. Full… Read more »
IONITY, a joint venture between Daimler, Ford, BMW and VW to create a fast charging network throughout Europe, has partnered with Extra, a UK service station operator, to install fast charging stations at eight Extra locations. Each charging station will initially include up to six 350 kW chargers. The first of the charging stations is… Read more »
Volvo Penta showcased an electric terminal tractor at a recent port and terminal technology trade show in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The tractor was retrofitted with a Volvo Penta electric driveline, borrowing technologies from Volvo’s electric buses and trucks. Volvo Penta has been active in establishing its presence in the EV industry, aiming to offer electrified… Read more »
When you think of roadblocks to EV adoption, vision-challenged automakers, uneducated dealerships and SUV-loving consumers make for convenient culprits. However, in many parts of the world, arcane technical and political issues also present major challenges. In the UK, a technical issue having to do with the electrical grid is emerging as a limitation on home… Read more »
Power Integrations, a manufacturer of gate-driver technology for medium- and high-voltage inverter applications, has introduced the SCALE-iFlex gate-driver system for IGBT, hybrid, and silicon-carbide (SiC) MOSFET power modules with blocking voltages from 1.7 to 4.5 kV. The system consists of a central Isolated Master Control (IMC) and one to four Module-Adapted Gate Drivers (MAGs). The… Read more »
Tesla owners are fortunate to have their own network of DC fast chargers – the Superchargers – which are sufficient for many drivers’ long-distance travel needs. However, more charging choices are always better, so several years ago, Tesla introduced an adapter to allow Model S and X drivers to use CHAdeMO fast charging stations. Apparently,… Read more »
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has pledged more than $12 million towards the deployment of electric buses in Alexandria, Blacksburg, and Hampton Roads. The funding will cover a total of 17 electric buses and charging stations, eliminating the need for an estimated two million gallons of diesel fuel and offsetting 612,000 tons of carbon emissions and… Read more »
Tourists love Europe for its endless variety: just cross a border and you’ll encounter a different language, different architecture, different food – and a different mix of electric vehicles. On this summer’s trip, I visited Amsterdam, which has a huge variety of electrified transportation options; Switzerland, a car-loving country where Teslas are slowly but surely… Read more »
Sponsored by Dymax The current movement toward vehicle electrification and the desire to put self-driving cars on the road is fueling an automotive revolution. Manufacturers are searching for assembly solutions that increase productivity and throughput, decrease rework and costs, and boost the bottom line. Concurrently, design engineers are striving to create better performing, more reliable… Read more »
