Most mainstream EVs from major automakers have used some form of permanent magnet traction motor technology, with two high-profile exceptions: Tesla’s Model S and Model X both use induction motor technology. Internet engineering forums are full of compelling arguments for using both technologies in vehicles, as well as loads of speculation on what drove Tesla… Read more »
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EVs finally starting to catch on in Germany, with Tesla in the lead
As Norway and the Netherlands have become EV capitals, Germany has lagged behind – according to conventional wisdom, because of resistance from the all-powerful German auto industry, combined with consumers’ love of high-speed, long-range driving on the autobahn. However, this picture is changing quickly. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, this year German sales could… Read more »
Sion Power to begin production of Licerion batteries with Li-metal anodes
Sion Power plans to begin production of its Licerion lithium metal battery in late 2018 from its Tucson facility. Sion says Licerion technology will offer specific energy of 500 Wh/kg, energy density of 1,000 Wh/L, and a lifetime of 450 cycles. Licerion technology, a product of Sion’s technical collaboration with BASF, covers a wide range… Read more »
Punch Powertrain acquires power electronics specialist Apojee
Belgium-based Punch Powertrain is acquiring France-based power electronics expert Apojee, which supplies inverters for Formula E, as well as components for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in the German and French automotive industries. The Apojee acquisition adds a fourth European development center for Punch Powertrain, in addition to its existing facilities in Belgium, the Netherlands… Read more »
Vehicle-to-grid project reveals challenges of the early days
Los Angeles Air Force Base became the first federal facility to replace its entire general-purpose fleet with plug-in vehicles in a two-year V2G research project Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) is a technical and policy-based effort to optimize the way EVs interact with the electrical grid. V2G developers view EVs as “resources” within an electrical network. In V2G… Read more »
2018 smart fortwo loses its top – and its gas engine
The smart isn’t for everyone, and it has never pretended to be. The media buzz these days centers around the trendy trio – Model 3, the Bolt and the new LEAF, each of which aspires to be “your affordable, every-day, one-and-only car,” as Motor Trend recently put it. The smart does not aspire to any… Read more »
Ionic Materials emerges as a leader in solid-state batteries by focusing on polymer science
Mike Zimmerman, CEO and founder of Ionic Materials, has this to say about his company: “Ionic will play a major role in the solution to the world’s energy problems.” That’s a pretty bold statement. But then again, Mike Zimmerman is a pretty bold man. An experienced polymer scientist, Zimmerman has worked on a number of… Read more »
California car shoppers can now be preapproved for EV rebates
California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) is launching Rebate Now, a preapproved rebate program designed to make it easier and faster for California residents to lease or purchase EVs. The program will debut in San Diego and, if successful, will be applied statewide. Car shoppers can apply online and use Rebate Now at participating dealerships… Read more »
Cummins acquires Johnson Matthey’s automotive battery business
Engine builder Cummins has acquired Johnson Matthey’s UK automotive battery systems business, a subsidiary that specializes in high-voltage battery systems for electric and hybrid vehicles. Cummins and Johnson Matthey also agreed to collaborate on the development of battery materials for commercial heavy-duty applications. Last October, Cummins acquired Brammo, which is known for designing and developing… Read more »
Adding graphene girders to silicon electrodes could double battery life
Graphite has long been the default choice of material for anodes, but researchers dream of replacing graphite with silicon, which has ten times the gravimetric energy density. Unfortunately, silicon has several issues that limit its commercial use – it expands during lithiation, causing particles to agglomerate in ways that impede efficiency, and it is not… Read more »