NASA holds a slew of patents on EV-related technology, including battery management systems, ultracapacitors, modular robotic vehicles, composite materials and more. Examples include: Solid-State Ultracapacitor for Improved Energy Storage Battery Charge Equalizer System Battery Management System Modular Robotic Vehicle (MRV) Internal Short Circuit Testing Device to Improve Battery Designs Li-ion Cell Calorimeter Model-Based Prognostics for… Read more »
The scale of things in China tends to blow Western minds. Swiss electronics giant ABB recently supplied 1,600 AC charging stations to a single housing development near Qingdao, in Shandong province. ABB says this is its largest AC charger order to date. ABB’s EVinn AC charger includes capabilities such as digital billing, remote monitoring and… Read more »
If a malfunction occurs in an EV battery, rapid venting is required in order to reduce the pressure in the affected battery segment. KACO Sealing Systems has developed a quick deflation solution for EV battery modules, centered around a piston that tightly seals the exhaust port after venting. KACO’s Quick Deflation is designed so that… Read more »
Karma Automotive has been introducing a series of E-Flex Platforms, which can be configured up to 22 different ways, and can support both EVs and PHEVs. The company recently debuted its first product in the series, an extended-range EV based on its 2020 Revero GT. Additional demonstration platforms in the pipeline for the coming months… Read more »
One of the reasons for Tesla’s huge head start over other EV-makers is its comprehensive, convenient (and, for early buyers, free) Supercharger network. Now a member of the Mach-E Club has uncovered a hint that Ford plans to build its own DC fast charging network. A trademark filing at the US Patent and Trademark Office… Read more »
The dSPACE DS5366 Smart Charging Solution offers auto manufacturers and providers of charging stations a complete solution for developing and testing technologies for smart charging. The solution adheres to international standards, guarantees interoperability, and supports developers of on-board chargers, charging columns, and, in the future, inductive charging systems, by offering a range of test options… Read more »
Electrify America and Kia Motors America have teamed up to offer a new charging program with special pricing for drivers of the Kia Niro EV. The Kia Select program offers a flat rate of 35 cents per minute of charging, with no session or subscription fees. To participate, drivers can simply download the Electrify America… Read more »
BMW recently revealed the 2021 330e plug-in hybrid, along with an all-wheel-drive variant, the 330e xDrive. The new sedan sports a 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo engine with 181 hp and 258 lb-ft (350 N·m) of torque, paired with an electric motor cranking out 107 hp and 77 lb-ft (104 N·m) of torque. A 12 kWh… Read more »
6K has formally entered the energy storage market with a new division called 6K ENERGY. The move follows three years of development supported by commercial customers and the US DOE. The company’s UniMelt plasma system produces NMC cathode materials in a volume process. “We have built an extremely talented team of energy material experts that… Read more »
Tesla’s plan for a network of self-driving taxis (then called The Tesla Network) was first mentioned in July 2016, as part of the company’s Master Plan, Part Deux: When true self-driving is approved by regulators, it will mean that you will be able to summon your Tesla from pretty much anywhere. Once it picks you… Read more »
