Volkswagen has refuted a recent anti-EV hit piece with a new study that confirms what many earlier studies have found: EVs have smaller life-cycle carbon footprints than comparable ICE vehicles, even if they are charged by dirty fossil-derived energy. “For the same vehicle models with different powertrains, the carbon footprint of the battery-powered E variants… Read more »
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Here we go again: German research institute claims diesels are cleaner than EVs
Anti-EV hit pieces clog the blogosphere like pickup trucks on a Texas highway, but this one sounded much more serious than the usual anonymous speculation. A respected German research institute released a study claiming EVs are dirtier than diesel – music to the ears of many in the German auto industry. “Considering Germany’s current energy… Read more »
Volkswagen Group Components to produce fast charging station with storage
In 2020, Volkswagen Group Components, an independent business unit of Volkswagen AG, will start production of a fast charging station capable of charging four vehicles simultaneously and providing energy storage when not in use. The charging stations will be manufactured at a components plant in Hanover, replacing the plant’s current heat exchanger production area. The… Read more »
Critical Materials Institute to address lithium and cobalt demand
As the market for plug-in vehicles grows, so does the demand for the materials associated with production, particularly lithium and cobalt, which are used in Li-on batteries. The DOE’s Critical Materials Institute (CMI) is focused on recycling and reducing the demand for rare metals that may experience shortages in the future. The agency is also… Read more »
Scania and Northvolt partner to develop batteries for heavy vehicles
Scania, a member of the Volkswagen Group, and Northvolt, a 2016 startup that is building what it calls a European gigafactory for Li-ion batteries (with a planned 32 GWh annual capacity), have agreed to work together to develop and commercialize battery cell technology for heavy commercial vehicles. Scania will invest €10 million ($12.5 million) in… Read more »
New report analyzes global market for recycled lithium and cobalt
In a new analysis of the global end-of-life value chain for lithium-ion batteries, consultancy Creation Inn predicts that the total amount of recycled lithium could reach 5,800 tons (30,000 tons lithium carbonate equivalent) in 2025, 9 percent of the total lithium battery supply, while the amount of cobalt from recycled batteries is expected to reach… Read more »
Tesla founders Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning talk EVs
Here’s a treat for any EV fan: a long and meaty talk with Tesla founders Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, delivered at Stanford last October. While there are several substantial talks with Tarpenning available on YouTube (he also graciously granted me a lengthy interview for my book about Tesla), Martin Eberhard has seldom sat down… Read more »
ECO COMBAT project aims to develop better and more sustainable batteries
Ten European industry and research organizations are partnering in the EU-funded project ECO COMBAT (Ecological Composites for High-Efficient Li-Ion Batteries), which aims to develop next-generation Li-ion batteries. Better performance is not the only goal for the new battery. The project also aims to develop a battery that’s more sustainable, by reducing the need for expensive… Read more »
POSCO begins lithium production in Korea
Korea-based steel-maker POSCO has begun commercial production of lithium in South Korea for the first time. In February, POSCO completed a lithium extraction plant with an annual capacity of 2,500 tons. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Jong-joo Kim, the Director of the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, noted that Korea, a major battery… Read more »
3M sells NMC cathode patents to Umicore, will focus on Si anodes
3M has agreed to transfer all of its intellectual property related to Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) cathodes, including global patents and license agreements, to technology and recycling firm Umicore. The divestment will allow 3M to increase its focus on next-generation silicon anode materials, electrolyte additives and advanced thermal management solutions for EVs. “The agreement enables 3M to… Read more »