The developing VW scandal has highlighted the lengths to which some automakers will go to find an alternative to electrification. Some industry gadflies have speculated that Volkswagen might opt to redeem itself by becoming a (sorely needed) leader in the electromobility field. “With hydrocarbon combustion we’ve hit the limits of physics,” Elon Musk told Auto… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "US Hybrid"
Sevcon’s new GEN5 AC motor controller
Sevcon (Nasdaq: SEV), a manufacturer of controls for EVs and hybrids, has introduced an AC motor controller based on the company’s new GEN5 technology. The GEN5 on-road controller is designed to be easy for OEMs and drivetrain integrators to incorporate in their designs – hardware installation requires only 15 minutes, says Sevcon. Communications protocols can… Read more »
Jaguar Land Rover developing three electrification concepts
As Audi, Porsche and other luxury brands show their concepts for the electric future in Frankfurt, Jaguar Land Rover has released details of three R&D projects that explore three different levels of electrification. The Concept_e MHEV is a mild-hybrid system featuring an electric motor/generator that regenerates braking energy, stores it in a battery and uses… Read more »
New 48 V lithium battery monitoring system from ams is designed to keep things simple
Automakers are starting to produce vehicles with 48-volt power systems, and this technology is expected to catch on rapidly. Austria-based ams, which manufactures a wide range of sensors and analog ICs, has introduced a reference board for a small and simple 48 V battery monitoring system. The new board provides a complete monitoring and safety… 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 »
DOE announces funding opportunity for medium- and heavy-duty electrified powertrains
If you have a plug-in hybrid powertrain for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles that’s ready for commercialization, you may be eligible for a grant from the DOE. The agency has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (DE-FOA-0001349) entitled “Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicle Powertrain Electrification and Dual Fuel Fleet Demonstration.” The objective of the Powertrain Electrification area… Read more »
Freescale introduces new lithium-ion battery cell controller
Lithium-ion chemistries are increasingly replacing lead-acid automotive batteries, especially in start-stop and energy recuperation systems, and they are even making inroads into starter battery applications. Electronics such as Freescale Semiconductor’s battery cell controllers are used to manage risks such as overcharge, overheating and internal short circuits. Now Freescale has introduced the MC33772 3- to 6-cell… Read more »
New study: “Lack of coherent sales concepts” is responsible for weak EV sales
A new market analysis acknowledges that the market share of electric vehicles in the seven leading automotive nations remains stubbornly low, and looks at some of the reasons for the sluggish growth. “The major growth impetus that would anchor e-mobility in the seven leading automotive nations long term is still nowhere to be seen,” the… Read more »
Saft wins $6-million grant for stop-start battery development
Saft America has received a $6.13-million award from the United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC), in collaboration with the DOE, to develop stop-start battery technology. The 30-month contract, which includes a 50% cost-share by Saft, will focus on the development and delivery of lithium-ion 12-volt modules for stop-start battery applications. Saft has previously worked with… Read more »