German automotive company ZF has built 1,000 CeTrax lite electric drives for light commercial vehicles since it started volume production in April 2023. CeTrax lite is an all-electric drive with a peak output of 150 kW that sits centrally in the vehicle frame—replacing the transmission in combustion vehicles. It is an all-electric central drive, which… Read more…

E-Cells Lab, a research center for electrochemistry within the University of Bologna, has been opened in collaboration with Ferrari and semiconductor firm NXP to advance knowledge of the materials and chemical and physical properties of lithium-ion battery cells. The University of Bologna is providing a dedicated space with equipment to conduct advanced analyses. Ferrari is… Read more…

Australian battery manufacturer Gelion has fabricated a 395 Wh/kg lithium-sulfur 9.5 Ah pouch cell. Gelion had previously produced 1.0 Ah cells using the OXIS Gen2 cell technology it acquired from Johnson Matthey, providing specific energy of 245 Wh/kg. Reaching 395 Wh/kg aligns with independent modelling projections for the energy density of a larger cell format,… Read more…

Join this webinar at the June Virtual Conference on EV Infrastructure, presented by XENDEE, to learn more about: Reserve your spot—it’s free! See the full session list for the June Virtual Conference here. Broadcast live on June 10-12, 2024. This virtual event will span all things EV charging in two main tracks: The free-to-attend conference will… Read more…

Daimler Buses has partnered with lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery manufacturer BMZ Poland for the development and supply of next-generation NMC4 batteries specifically for e-buses. The collaboration combines Daimler’s expertise in bus development and manufacturing and BMZ’s know-how in heavy-duty lithium-ion battery solutions. The aim is to develop batteries with higher energy density for longer range… Read more…

Mercedes-Benz USA is introducing options for its 2025 eSprinter van that include an 81 kWh usable capacity battery, a standard roof height, and a 144-inch wheelbase. All eSprinter variants allow for a permissible gross vehicle weight of up to 9,370 lbs. The eSprinter is equipped with a motor delivering a torque of up to 295… Read more…

US automakers just can’t seem to make up their minds about EVs. Last fall, GM and Ford gave the anti-EV crowd (which includes many of their dealerships) an early Christmas present, announcing that they would push back EV production plans in response to slower sales (actually a slower rate of increase in sales). In fact,… Read more…

California-headquartered lithium-ion battery manufacturer Amprius has signed purchase orders for its SiMaxx cells from Airbus subsidiary AALTO, a Finland-headquartered producer of fixed-wing, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS). Amprius says its 450 Wh/kg SiMaxx cells are designed to operate in extreme flight conditions while maximizing flight range and payload capacity. The batteries are capable of supplying enough… Read more…

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is a hot topic, and I ask about it in every interview I conduct these days. Some industry players talk about it in glowing, almost messianic terms, but others see it as more of a niche technology. One of the few companies that has deployed V2G tech in an actual commercial (i.e…. Read more…

Siemens subsidiary Heliox has launched a new 60 kW EV charger. The compact Heliox 60 charger is made specifically for the North American market, and is UL, CSA and Energy Star certified, and Buy America-compliant. The Heliox 60 delivers an output of 150 A, and can provide 60 kW of power for both 400-volt and… Read more…

Join this webinar at the June Virtual Conference on EV Infrastructure to learn more about EV home-charging reimbursement solutions, policies, potential pitfalls, tax and legal implications, and the essentials for successfully implementing a compliant home-charging reimbursement program. David Lewis, founder of MoveEV, will guide you through: Reserve your spot—it’s free! See the full session list… Read more…

US chemical manufacturer Huntsman has developed a series of new lightweight, durable polyurethane foam technologies for the potting and fixation of EV battery cells. The new SHOKLESS foam systems can help to protect the structural integrity of EV batteries at a cell, module, or pack level from impact or a thermal event. The product portfolio… Read more…

Distributed Energy Resource Management provider EnergyHub works with some 60 utilities in North America to manage distributed energy resources. Customers of utilities that partner with EnergyHub can take advantage of several types of programs for EV drivers, including managed charging and EV-specific time-of-use rates. EnergyHub’s system works with numerous charging providers and “all leading EV… Read more…

ABB E-mobility makes a wide range of EV charging stations and related products. With the announcement of its new A400 All-in-One charger, the company acknowledges the industry’s stubborn reliability problems, and introduces some features designed to deliver a more user-friendly charging experience. “The A400 has been developed with a consumer-centric design approach focused on achieving… Read more…

New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has introduced 60 new electric buses that will operate in routes in Queens, Staten Island and Brooklyn. The MTA currently operates 15 electric buses on routes in Manhattan. It expects to start receiving its next order of 205 electric buses in late 2025, and is also negotiating an… Read more…

Clean transportation nonprofit consortium CALSTART has opened PowerForward, California’s grant program for EV battery manufacturing infrastructure. The program is funded by the California Energy Commission, which will provide up to $35 million in grants. It is implemented by CALSTART in partnership with New Energy Nexus, Lawrence Berkeley Lab and Yunev. PowerForward focuses on environmental impact,… Read more…

Sponsored by Avery Dennison Performance Tapes. The EV battery industry is evolving rapidly, pushing the need for advanced materials that are thinner, lighter and safer. Engineers are increasingly turning to mica as a material solution that helps improve vehicle reliability and safety by containing thermal runaway. Pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tapes, meanwhile, have emerged as a… Read more…

EV charging cable manufacturer Philatron Wire and Cable has installed a giant planetary cabling assembly line designed for the production of mega-size EV charging cables. The new line accommodates seven 50-inch (1,270 mm) diameter reels, each capable of holding and dispensing individual conductor and tubing footage of up to 5,000 pounds. The giant planetary advanced… Read more…

To successfully electrify fleets, it’s crucial to implement adaptable electrical infrastructure that addresses current and future needs. Selecting and integrating the appropriate EV charging infrastructure today is vital to avoid the expensive renovations of tomorrow. Join this webinar at the next Virtual Conference on EV Infrastructure, presented by Eaton, to learn more about: The goal… Read more…

Singaporean lithium-ion battery manufacturer Durapower has launched its digital battery management system, DP Pulse. The DP Pulse ecosystem comprises four parts: a battery monitoring and management system; a charging management system; an energy monitoring system and a battery passport that contains information about its production, testing and recycling. DP Pulse will be integrated with all… Read more…