The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has released a draft technology assessment finding that battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) are beginning to penetrate the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle markets. The new report notes that electric transit buses, shuttle buses and delivery vehicles are increasingly available from a variety of manufacturers, and some school buses are starting to… Read more »
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Under new Chinese owners, A123 finds promising niche in micro-hybrid market
Most Charged readers will certainly remember A123, the company that was founded in 2001 on the basis of promising battery technology developed at MIT; received a $249-million grant from the DOE and $100 million in tax breaks from the state of Michigan; raised $380 million in a 2009 IPO; made a bad bet on Fisker… Read more »
Toshiba’s new motor control IC
Toshiba has begun mass production of a system regulator IC with monitoring function for motor control systems in electric and hybrid vehicles. The new IC (TB9042FTG) has a strengthened monitoring function to reduce potential system failures. TB9042FTG provides a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) communication function to avoid microcontroller (MCU) failures. The system regulator IC and… Read more »
Solvay’s new thermoplastic offers high voltage resistance and high temp performance
Thermoplastics supplier Solvay Specialty Polymers has expanded its Amodel AE-8900 series of products for automotive electronics applications. The new Amodel polyphthalamide (PPA) materials provide high voltage resistance and retention of dielectric properties at high temperatures. The new Amodel AE-8900 series comes in five versions, offering 30, 35, 40, 50 or 60 percent glass fiber reinforcement…. Read more »
Sendyne’s new current measurement module
Sendyne’s new SFP102MOD is a shunt-based enclosed module capable of current measurements to 375 A, with 45 µA resolution. The company’s patented Continuous Calibration technology enables ±0.25% accuracy for any current magnitude, within the operating temperature range of -40 °C to +125 °C. The new module is designed for situations that require accurate current measurements… Read more »
European researchers: Our new Li-sulfur battery is more energy-dense, cheaper and safer
EU-funded researchers in the LISSEN (Lithium Sulfur Superbattery Exploiting Nanotechnology) project have developed a new lithium-sulfur battery that uses lithiated silicon as the anode and a nanostructured sulfur-carbon composite as the cathode. The team says its battery offers an energy density at least three times higher than that of current lithium battery technology, as well… Read more »
Slow sales for Tesla in Germany. Are more EV incentives on the way? (UPDATED)
Last month’s Frankfurt auto show was positively crackling with EV news, as Audi, BMW and Porsche presented concept EVs, Mitsubishi showed its 2016 Outlander PHEV, and several suppliers touted tech advances. However, the comparatively low-key presence of electric trendsetter Tesla – which was showing red, white and blue Model S but no Model X –… Read more »
BASF expands range of high-voltage plastics for color-coded connectors
BASF is expanding its range of engineering plastics for electric and hybrid vehicles. Tailor-made Ultramid and Ultradur materials are now available for equipping vehicle-interior and -exterior high-voltage plug-in connectors with precisely fitting characteristics. Plastics used for connectors in vehicles must meet stringent requirements regarding flame retardancy, color stability and electrical isolation. High-voltage connectors are typically… Read more »
Tesla tweaks its battery chemistry: a closer look at silicon anode development
In mid-July, Tesla Motors made a trio of Model S update announcements. The new options included a 70 kWh rear-wheel-drive base model, an upgrade for the high-end battery pack from 85 to 90 kWh (providing about a 6% increase in range), and Ludicrous mode, which offers a 10% improvement in the car’s 0 to 60… Read more »
Bosch: Our new EV heat pump system can increase range by up to 25%
Heating and cooling an EV presents a special challenge, as battery power must be used for climate control, which can significantly reduce range. Automakers and researchers around the world are working on a range of alternative solutions. Nissan and Volkswagen both use heat pumps in their EVs. The JOSPEL project, a consortium of organizations from… Read more »
