Electric utilities have always been pretty keen on EVs, for obvious reasons. However, now that the possibilities of V2G technology are coming into focus, some utilities are becoming fervent EVangelists. Aggregating large numbers of EVs into giant “virtual batteries,” which is already taking place in pilots around the world, facilitates the integration of renewable energy… Read more »
Electric buses and trucks are coming. In June, the California Air Resources Board instituted a zero-emission mandate for truck sales—manufacturers must make zero-emission trucks at least 30% of sales by 2030. Following that announcement, 15 states plus DC have said they want all new trucks to be electric by 2050. Granted, such measures are best… Read more »
BorgWarner has announced that it is building an Integrated Drive Module (iDM) for Ford’s new all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV. The iDM comes complete with a BorgWarner thermal-management system and a gearbox integrated with a motor and power electronics from other suppliers. “Our knowledge of system integration, paired with our gearing proficiency, allows us to design… Read more »
Octillion Power Systems, a Tier 1 supplier of energy storage systems for electric cars, trucks, and buses, has operations in the US, India and China. In India, the company has shipped more than 600 buses worth of batteries. In the US, Octillion supplies batteries to commercial fleet powertrain manufacturer Lightning Systems and other commercial OEMs…. Read more »
EVSE manufacturer ClipperCreek has added a new 40-amp Level 2 dual charging station to its extensive line of charging equipment. The HCS-D50 provides 9.6 kW of power. It’s designed to be installed on a single dedicated 50-amp circuit, and can charge two vehicles simultaneously. The HCS-D50 automatically splits power between two vehicles, offering up to… Read more »
Blackstone Resources has been investing in patented 3D-printing techniques and research into the mass production of solid-state batteries that offer greater energy density and a higher number of charging cycles than current cell designs. The company says its 3D-printing battery production technology is more flexible and cost-effective than traditional methods. It covers a wide range… Read more »
Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) and Trailer Dynamics have signed a battery supply agreement for a new way to electrify long-haul trucks. CATL will develop, manufacture and supply batteries for the Newton eTrailer, which will launch in 2023. The Newton eTrailer, Trailer Dynamics’s first electric semi-trailer, is designed to respond to the driving behavior of its… Read more »
Utility holding company Xcel Energy, which serves customers in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, the Dakotas, Texas and Wisconsin, is hoping to have 1.5 million EVs in its service areas by 2030. This would represent 20% of all vehicles on the road, or about 30 times the number today. Xcel estimates that deploying 1.5 million… Read more »
Bentley Motors has concluded a three-year research study intended to transform EV powertrains, using a fully integrated e-axle that doesn’t use rare earth magnets. Bentley’s OCTOPUS (Optimised Components, Test and simulatiOn, toolkits for Powertrains which integrate Ultra high-speed motor Solutions) study led to an electric drive system that eliminates the need for both rare earth… Read more »
UK charging network operator Drive Energi has sparked a deal with Greene King, a chain of 2,700 pubs, restaurants and hotels across the UK, to roll out DC rapid chargers. The first locations are to go live in the North West region before the end of 2020. A wider roll-out will take place in phases… Read more »