The principal motor engineer at Tesla describes why modeling and optimization is so vital to its design process. Creating a start-of-the-art electric vehicle requires a deep understanding of all the components. More importantly, it requires a continual process of analysis and optimization of the components to push the limits of driving range, efficiency, performance and… Read more »
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Zero Motorcycles was forced to abandon DC fast charging option in 2013, Interoperability testing is needed
Editor’s note: After this article appeared in print, we received some feedback suggesting that the thesis is not clear enough. So, we’d like to point out a few things at the beginning. Today’s DC Fast Charging installations are very reliable. If you buy a production EV, such as a Nissan LEAF or BMW i3, it is unlikely that you will… 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 »
Silicon Valley’s Motiv helps electrify heavy-duty trucks, shuttles and buses
Sometimes kids can’t wait to be grown-ups, but growth takes time. An acorn doesn’t become an oak tree overnight. Electric vehicles are a growth industry, and many people in that industry would like to see explosive expansion, rather than the slow and steady gains that have characterized the market for years. Yet even slow progress… Read more »
2016 Chevy Volt: GM’s top electrification engineers on designing the all-new EREV
When the Chevrolet Volt was launched at the end of 2010, I must confess that I gave it little chance of success. It seemed like an awkward compromise – buyers who wanted to go electric would surely prefer a pure EV, and buyers who weren’t ready to take that plunge had every reason to stick… Read more »
A closer look at torque ripple – minimizing its effects on electric machines
The Switched Reluctance Motor, or SRM, is often discussed as a prime choice for the next-generation EV traction motor. It is simple, robust, and arguably the least expensive of all motor types to manufacture. However, SRMs are notoriously difficult to control, and prone to emitting significant amounts of vibration and acoustic noise. The good news… Read more »
Siemens introduces VersiCharge SG, a WiFi-enabled, cloud-based charging station
There’s a new macro trend occurring with electricity rate structures. In an effort by utilities to match their real-time costs with pricing models, new variable rates are being tested and implemented. The problem is that the cost to generate and distribute power is extremely variable, and has a lot to do with what’s happening on… Read more »
Thin film heater for EVs saves energy and range
Unlike an ICE vehicle, which produces more than enough engine heat to warm the interior, an EV requires an additional electric heater, which gobbles power and limits range. In a worst-case scenario on a cold winter day, the car’s effective range could be cut in half. Several groups around the world are looking for a… Read more »
2016 LEAF offers 107 miles of range
Responding to the consistent consumer clamor for more range, Nissan has equipped the 2016 LEAF with an optional 30 kWh battery pack that provides an EPA-estimated range of 107 miles – a 27% increase over the current 24 kWh pack. The LEAF comes in three trim levels, and the new battery is standard on the… Read more »
ELIX Wireless introduces 10 kW wireless charging system
As battery capacities grow larger, there’s likely to be a demand for ever-higher charging power levels. With this in mind, ELIX Wireless has developed a wireless charging solution that delivers 10 kW of power transfer, and can operate under extreme environmental conditions. The E10K Wireless Charging System is based on the company’s Magneto-Dynamic Coupling (MDC)… Read more »