The debate over hydrogen fuel cells refuses to go away. The founders of Tesla considered hydrogen and other energy storage media before deciding that batteries were the best choice for electric powertrains, and have explained their reasoning in great detail several times since. Toyota, on the other hand, continues to insist that fuel cell vehicles… Read more »
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The battery that breathes—Freudenberg’s pressure compensation system
EV batteries require pressure compensation both under normal operation and during emergency ventilation. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies’ DIAvent component combines these two functions into a single design, which will be used in the ABT e-Caddy and ABT e-Transporter, two Volkswagen vans that are popular in Europe and Mexico. To reduce battery weight and size, ABT uses… Read more »
Ohio introduces bill to reduce EV tax
Ohio is one of several US states that impose taxes on EVs that are far higher than the amount paid in gas taxes by a typical driver of a legacy vehicle. A recently introduced bill aims to change that. Ohio’s current EV tax, which was enacted in 2019, imposes an annual fee of $200 on… Read more »
BMZ Group ramps up production of Li-ion batteries for ventilators and other medical equipment
The BMZ Group, an international company headquartered in Germany, produces Li-ion batteries for everything from power tools to stationary storage to industrial vehicles such as forklifts. Now the company is seeing a surge in demand for its batteries from makers of a wide variety of medical equipment, especially ventilators. In some cases, the volume of… Read more »
Tesla announces shutdown of Fremont factory
Editor’s note: This information is current as of the evening of March 19. Further updates may follow. After several days of contradictory information, and what appears to have been a valiant attempt to keep the vehicle production lines open, Tesla issued the following statement Thursday: Despite taking all known health precautions, continued operations in certain… Read more »
Royal introduces new battery connectors and conductors for EVs
Royal Power Solutions has introduced two new high-current products intended to improve efficiency and facilitate automated manufacturing. “While much of the auto industry is focused on developing EV software, we see unique opportunities to develop intellectual property that results in high-current connections able to withstand high-vibration and high-temperature mechanical stresses while delivering a full system… Read more »
Washington set to become the 12th ZEV state
A bill that would make Washington the 12th state to adopt California’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate has narrowly passed the state Senate. The measure (SB 5811) passed the House in January, and Governor Jay Inslee is expected to sign it. Washington adopted California’s emissions standards in 2005, but did not sign on to the ZEV… Read more »
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E: An electric crossover with “the soul of a Mustang”
It’s almost enough to make you think Ford plans to offer electric cars shoppers may actually want to buy. The extended debut of the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV culminated in its formal unveiling in an aircraft hangar last November, just before the start of media days at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The… Read more »
Trump’s effort to weaken auto emissions standards is foiled on two fronts
One of the Trump administration’s top priorities has been rolling back environmental regulations, and this is one area in which it has been ruthlessly efficient. The New York Times estimates that, to date, this administration has killed or watered down some 100 environmental protections. However, one big prize continues to elude the administration’s wrecking crew:… Read more »
Lordstown electric pickup to use in-wheel motors. A good idea?
Lordstown Motors, the startup headed by Workhorse CEO Steve Burns, is building an electric pickup called the Endurance at a former GM factory in Lordstown, Ohio. The Endurance is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2020 at a base price of $52,500. The new e-pickup will feature in-wheel hub electric motors, according… Read more »