Korean energy company SK Innovation will invest nearly $376 million to build a Li-ion battery separator (LiBS) plant in Województwo Śląskie, Poland. The plant will contain four LiBS units and three ceramic coated separator (CCS) units. The plant will break ground in the third quarter of this year and is scheduled to begin mass production in the third quarter of 2021…. Read more »
AxleTech is exhibiting a new line of electric powertrain systems for off-highway applications at the Bauma construction machinery trade show in Munich. AxleTech’s new AFE Series eAxle integrates interchangeable water-glycol cooled motors and a single-, 2-, or 4-speed gearbox. The eAxle also includes the company’s new modular eCarrier system. The AFE Series eAxle is compatible… Read more »
UpScale, an EU project aimed at using AI for more efficient EV production, has received a €4 million ($4.5 million) grant from the European Commission to develop computer simulations to aid in the development of EVs. UpScale (Upscaling Product development Simulation Capabilities exploiting Artificial intelligence for Electrified vehicles) consists of 11 companies and European entities… Read more »
Battery company Zenlabs Energy has received a $4.8-million contract from the US Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) to develop low-cost, fast-charging batteries. The goal of the contract is to develop optimized cell designs and a scalable pre-Li method for high-capacity silicon oxide anodes. The 50 percent share contract funds a 30-month project. USABC is a subsidiary… Read more »
YASA, a UK manufacturer of axial-flux electric motors, has announced availability of the first in a new series of motor controllers for EVs and PHEVs. The Si400 controller delivers 200 kVA from a 5-liter package. The 12.8 lb controller features thermal management, including dielectric oil cooling, and is compatible with induction, permanent magnet and axial-flux… Read more »
Bel Power Solutions, a manufacturer of power management devices, is now manufacturing a 25 kW on-board battery charger for industrial, construction, and mining applications. The charger, known as the BCN25-700-8, converts 3-phase AC voltage to DC voltage. It measures 20.63” x 13.39” x 3.31” and weighs 42.77 pounds. The enclosure is made of aluminum alloy… Read more »
Since 2016, German parts maker ZF has supplied technology for French EV maker Venturi’s team in the FIA Formula E racing series. ZF has developed an electric drive for the team, which includes a 250 kW electric motor with a specially designed transmission ratio and power electronics. ZF says this drive enjoys much higher energy… Read more »
A new solution from Fortum, a Finnish clean-energy company, increases the amount of material in Li-ion batteries that can be recycled to more than 80%, according to the company. The current EU-mandated recycling rate is only 50% of the total weight of the battery. First the company makes the used batteries safe for mechanical treatment,… Read more »
Toyota will grant royalty-free licenses on 23,740 patents it holds for hybrid technologies. For a fee, the company will also provide technical support to manufacturers that use Toyota’s tech, including motors, batteries, power control units and system controls. Since 2015, Toyota has offered 5,680 patents related its fuel cell EVs. The new batch of patents… Read more »
Researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and Okayama University have demonstrated a way to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries by coating the LiCoO2 cathode in BaTiO3 nanodots. The research could lead to EV batteries that charge quicker and last longer. The researchers fabricated three LiCoO2 cathodes: one bare, one coated with a planar… Read more »