Welder equipment manufacturer Amada Miyachi has developed a new TIG welding technology designed for safer and easier welding of battery cans and tab materials in a bench-top R&D environment. The system is suitable for R&D on battery pack concepts and assembly, as well as low to medium volume battery pack manufacturing and battery pack repair/rework… Read more »
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2019 Chevy Bolt EV – still charged and ready
We first reviewed the Chevrolet Bolt EV in June 2017, and were impressed. I gave the Bolt two thumbs up in 2017, and I’ll repeat that assessment for the 2019 model. The Bolt has plenty of range for a driver’s daily needs, it handles well, and it has enough power to surprise the hell out… Read more »
BMW’s electric Mini Cooper SE: redeemer or regression?
BMW can’t seem to make up its mind about electrification (the same could be said about most of the legacy automakers). In 2013 it released the i3, which was a giant stride forward at the time. The once-revolutionary city car continues to sell in respectable numbers in some European markets, but BMW never followed up… Read more »
Be careful what you wish for department: Automakers now say Trump rollback of emissions standards goes too far
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 »
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 »