The legacy automakers are like a hopelessly lost driver, stuck at a fork in the road with no clue which direction to take. Two days after Trump’s election in 2016, they sent him a letter asking for previously-agreed fuel economy standards to be watered down. The new administration enthusiastically agreed, and began dismantling these and… Read more »
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Continental showcases full hybrid with 48-volt drive system
Continental has introduced a 30 kW, 48-volt high-power drive system for full hybrid vehicles, which it says is cheaper than the high-voltage systems used up to now. Until now, manufacturers have typically used 48-volt systems in “mild hybrid” vehicles, in which the electric motor doesn’t drive the vehicle directly, but only assists the ICE. Full… Read more »
Tesla (finally) releases CHAdeMO adapter for Model 3
Tesla owners are fortunate to have their own network of DC fast chargers – the Superchargers – which are sufficient for many drivers’ long-distance travel needs. However, more charging choices are always better, so several years ago, Tesla introduced an adapter to allow Model S and X drivers to use CHAdeMO fast charging stations. Apparently,… Read more »
Wildcat Discovery Technologies receives second patent for silicon anode electrolytes
Wildcat Discovery Technologies, a company that uses high-throughput methods to develop next-generation battery materials, has received a second patent on its development of electrolytes for silicon anode batteries. Wildcat’s first patent for this work was awarded in late 2018 and covered the use of sulfolane-based electrolytes. This new patent covers acrylate-based additives which can be… Read more »
Proterra CEO: Electric buses are close to inevitable
The economic case for electric transit buses has become a no-brainer, Proterra CEO Ryan Popple told Bloomberg in a recent interview. The energy cost of a typical e-bus is about 20 cents per mile, compared to about 75 cents per mile for diesel. The up-front costs for e-buses are substantially higher, but Proterra recently introduced… Read more »
Jaguar and BMW collaborate on next-gen electrification tech
Jaguar Land Rover and BMW will partner to develop next generation electric motors. The partnership will include joint investment in R&D, engineering, and procurement. Engineers from both companies will work to develop the fifth generation of BMW’s eDrive technology, which contains the electric motor, transmission, and power electronics in a single housing, and does not… Read more »
The auto industry is finally advertising its EVs
Over the past few years, we in the EV media have been highly critical of automakers for failing to advertise their EVs (and then claiming that there’s no consumer demand for them). So it’s only fair that we praise them now that they’re starting to release some pro-EV ad spots. Several TV campaigns have referred… Read more »
Battery testing start-up Novonix has spun off PUREgraphite to manufacture anode material in the US
Batteries are ubiquitous in our modern lives. Take a look around you and count how many items need be plugged in and recharged. If you’re at your desk, the answer might be four or five. If you’re out for a run, perhaps two or three. If you’re in a garage, there may only be one,… Read more »
SiC vs GaN semiconductors for EV power converters: Tech Opinion
Just as engineers are starting to get used to the advantages (and quirks) of silicon carbide (SiC ) devices, another semiconductor material joins the fray: gallium nitride, or GaN. Though there are some superficial similarities between these two materials, and even some overlap in their areas of best use, it is my opinion that only… Read more »
The Wallbox Copper proves EV chargers can be beautiful too
The Spanish charging station company Wallbox is growing quickly and winning awards. The Red Dot Product Design award is given every year to consumer products with exceptional design, from luxury watches to elegant furniture to stunning sports cars. You might not expect an EV charger to share that stage, but among the 2019 Red Dot… Read more »