Some call lithium “white gold,” but in fact, lately the light metal has been beating gold in appreciation, becoming the hottest metal of 2016 for commodities traders. Although lithium’s price rise has slowed in recent months, the fundamentals suggest strong potential for long-term growth, according to James Stafford of Oilprice.com. “There is no doubt as… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "battery plant"
BYD sells 16 electric buses in France, expands manufacturing capacity in China
China-based bus manufacturer BYD announced several nuggets of good news at the recent Transports Publics event in Paris. The company has received orders for 16 battery-electric buses from French operators, and will begin a six-month e-bus trial in Paris. BYD also unveiled a new 12-meter e-bus optimized for the European market. B.E. Green of Yvelines,… Read more »
More motor options: TM4 launches new powertrain products with increased torque and speed ranges
TM4 designs electric powertrains for the most demanding vehicle platforms and duty cycles on the road. Formed as a subsidiary of the public utility Hydro-Québec, the company sells its motor and control products to manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks and buses around the world. In June, TM4 will release an update to its SUMO product line… Read more »
Tesla’s Gigafactory features renewable energy, recycling, robots…and horses
As Tesla develops the mass-market Model 3, it is simultaneously working on the Nevada Gigafactory that will produce the boatloads of batteries required. When the futuristic factory is finished in 2020, it is expected to produce more lithium-ion batteries than all the world’s other battery factories combined. When completed the 13-million-square-foot facility will have the… Read more »
2016 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron delivers performance and practicality
The selection of plug-in vehicles available to US buyers continues to grow steadily – it now stands at 27 models, with several more expected this year. The latest entrant to the market is the 2016 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, the German luxury brand’s first plug-in model available in the US. Every time a new plug-in… Read more »
Bee pollen forms carbon microstructures for Li-ion anodes
Much research in the battery world focuses on finding a replacement for graphite as an anode material. One candidate is hard carbon, which can be formed in various morphologies to deliver the desired properties. But in fact, there are already millions of tiny factories around the world, cranking out as many carbon particles as could… Read more »
Faraday Future’s Variable Platform Architecture – a modular skateboard to build an EV on
EV startup Faraday Future’s carmaking prowess has yet to be tested, but it has already revealed some impressive marketing talent. After milking several months of mystery, the company unveiled its FFZERO1 supercar concept at the recent CES in Las Vegas. The event was one of the hottest tickets at a show that has reinvented itself… Read more »
Paraclete Energy says its low-cost silicon nanoparticles can at least double your current anode capacity
Silicon has a theoretical charge capacity ten times higher than typical graphite. That is why a mind-blowing number of researchers are working towards replacing more and more of the graphite used in today’s lithium-ion battery anodes with silicon. In the last issue of Charged, we discussed Tesla’s announcement that it had begun to use small… Read more »
Porsche going ahead with Mission E EV
Is that an electrically powered Porsche approaching in the distance? The German sports car maker has given the green light for a project called Mission E, with the aim of launching a new EV by the end of the decade. Porsche also announced a major program of expansion and upgrades at its Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen plant, which… Read more »
Navigant Research crowns LG Chem as the Li-ion leader
A recent Leaderboard Report from Navigant Research examines the strategy and execution of eight leading EV battery manufacturers. Navigant puts LG Chem in first place, followed closely by Panasonic and Samsung SDI. A rung below these “Leaders” are what Navigant calls “Contenders,” including AESC, BYD, Johnson Controls and A123. Navigant projects the global market for… Read more »