Digging deep Rory Jackson provides an in-depth report on how these heavy-duty excavators were converted to electric operation The construction industry is a major focus for many parties intent on fighting pollution and climate change, and with good reason: studies over the past few years estimate that construction contributes just shy of 40% of the […] More…

Toyota has won a £11.3 million grant to produce a hydrogen version of its Hilux pick-up truck in the UK (writes Nick Flaherty). Toyota Motors UK (TMUK) is working with Ricardo, ETL, D2H and Thatcham Research on the project, which will use of the 650 V second-generation fuel cell developed for Toyota’s Mirai, launched in […] More…

ABT e-Line has converted two series-produced e-transporters to fuel cell power as demonstrator vehicles, which it unveiled at the IAA Transportation trade fair in Hanover at the end of September. As part of setting up the demonstrators, the company integrated the fuel cell system, the complete manufacturing process and the road approval. It also integrated […] More…

Everrati has announced that its electric GT40 and Land Rover Series have passed EV safety testing for their electric powertrains. The test standard, UNECE R100.01, is to ensure EV powertrains are safe for use. It involves assessing the electrical safety of the HV components in a vehicle, and includes protection against electric shock, protection against […] More…

Liqui Moly has developed a brake fluid formulated for the unique requirements of EVs (writes Rory Jackson). While it might be assumed that the brake system at the wheels is one component that remains the same between EVs and IC engine-powered vehicles, the only significant similarity is that the brake fluid needs to be changed […] More…

NVH products supplier Vibracoustic has unveiled a modular thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) bushing and a polymer beam mount for electric motors in battery EVs. The company says they reduce weight and simplify assembly while also meeting OEM requirements for stiffness and isolation performance. Their integration ranges from bushings to a more sophisticated beam mount. The motor […] More…

Munro Vehicles, a manufacturer of all-electric 4x4s, has released further details of the technical specification of its Munro Mk 1, which will be unveiled on 5 December. Its powertrain features a single, centrally mounted axial flux electric motor that delivers 700 Nm of torque. It also has a 480 mm ground clearance and 800 mm […] More…

A machine learning algorithm could help reduce charging times and prolong battery life in EVs by predicting how different driving patterns affect battery performance (writes Nick Flaherty). Researchers from the University of Cambridge in the UK developed a non-invasive impedance-based approach to get accurate data on the state of health (SOH) of a battery. The […] More…

Luxury sportscar marque Wiesmann has revealed further details of its all-electric convertible roadster, codenamed Project Thunderball.   The two-seat, rear-wheel-drive EV has twin electric rear mid-mounted motors delivering up to 500 kW (680 bhp) and 1100 Nm of torque, for a targeted 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) and an acceleration time of 2.9 seconds.   The […] More…

Ampaire’s Eco Caravan, a nine-seat regional aircraft, has made its first flight on an integrated hybrid-electric propulsion system. Ampaire expects it to be the first electrified regional aircraft to enter commercial service and the first in a series of larger Ampaire hybrid-electric aircraft. Fully electric aircraft are range-limited because of the weight and energy capacity […] More…

While many shipowners are considering battery power for propulsion, what is holding them back is the availability of shore-side power, the slow speed of charging and the capacity for it. The Sea Li-ion project has therefore been set up to address the knowledge gaps in battery use for ship propulsion. The EU-funded project has now […] More…

Twists in the tale Ryan Maughan explains the pros and cons of the various ways to measure motor torque As the market for electrified vehicle powertrains develops, so the quest to deliver improved efficiency and performance in electric drive systems continues. Maximising vehicle range for a given battery capacity is a key target of every […] More…

British EV technology company Electrogenic has revealed details of its newly expanded range of ‘drop-in’ EV conversion kits for some of the world’s automotive icons.  The kits, for the Land Rover Defender, Jaguar E-Type and Porsche 911, will be offered by UK-based Electrogenic’s ‘Powered by Electrogenic’ arm. They will be offered globally through an international […] More…

Hydrogen-powered commercial vehicle manufacturer Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) has announced a hydrogen-electric commercial vehicle that has been produced from a clean-sheet design.  The Scottish company is showcasing its hydrogen powertrain in the form of a 5.5 t technology demonstrator, intended as a nod to its planned 40 t zero-emissions HGV (heavy goods vehicle) and with […] More…

Display on demand Peter Donaldson explains the essential characteristics for an EV’s user interface to be accessible, effective and intuitive. While governments’ plans to phase out IC-engined vehicles on short timelines is pushing individuals and companies towards EVs, they remain a small proportion of vehicles on the road globally. Most drivers will be new to […] More…

Although global demand for new EVs is strong, the whole industry is still being disrupted by factors including the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on supply chains, sanctions in response to the war in Ukraine, and inflation (writes Peter Donaldson). At September’s Battery Show in Novi, Michigan, LMC Automotive’s senior manager, powertrain forecasting, Kevin Riddell, […] More…

Hyundai Motor Company says its Ioniq 6 EV has a drag coefficient of 0.21 and an all-electric range of 614 km (WLTP-rated) on a single charge, thanks to lessons learned from some of the most streamlined shapes in automotive and aircraft history, as well as in nature. From the automotive realm, it cites the 1947 […] More…

VivoPower International has announced that it and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tembo e-LV, have entered into a definitive agreement with Energy Trading Company Mauritius (ETC Mauritius) to sell, distribute and market Tembo electrification conversion kits for Toyota 4×4 second-hand vehicles in the Republic of Kenya. Under the deal, ETC Mauritius has committed to sell a minimum […] More…

Researchers in South Korea have developed a new method of modifying conventional anodes to improve the cycling performance of a battery cell (writes Nick Flaherty). The team, at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, used a layer of graphene oxide – a single atomic layer of carbon – on a silicon anode to prevent […] More…

Just push the button Cutting-edge research and prototype factories are helping to advance the automation of EV component manufacturing, writes Nick Flaherty Some car makers have had fully automated assembly of vehicles for many years, and EV makers are looking to achieve this ‘lights out’ approach, but with added issues for the assembly of lithium-ion […] More…