A camouflaged Hyundai Ioniq 5 in South Korea is hiding some rugged upgrades consistent with Hyundai’s well-loved XRT trim. Read more…
Eatron and University of Warwick develop new EV battery health algorithms
Eatron, a software company in Warwick, and Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) of University of Warwick have developed a new approach to evaluate an EV battery’s remaining useful life, improving performance, range and safety. VIPER–Validated & Integrated Platform for battery Remaining Useful Life, funded by the Faraday Institution, uses WMG’s advanced electrochemical models and Eatron’s cloud… Read more…
Video: Unico introduces new EV cell formation and test channels
EV test solutions provider Unico unveiled its new BAT300 Series, designed for use in cell formation and testing, at the International Battery Seminar this week. The BAT300 Series, based on the Unico IDAC power platform, is a compact, all-in-one solution (480 VAC to DC) designed to minimize energy consumption while maximizing testing efficiency. Unico’s Don… Read more…
Tesla starts offering LFP battery retrofits for earlier Model 3 under warranty
Tesla is starting to offer LFP battery pack retrofits for earlier Model 3 vehicles as it starts running out of the old battery pack. Read more…
Zoox expands routes, operational hours, and top speed of its bespoke driverless robotaxis
Autonomous technology developer Zoox shared its latest milestone in a blog post today, expanding its unique driverless robotaxi operations in California and Nevada. The growth includes a broader net of available autonomous routes, longer hours in different weather conditions, and higher top speeds… all without pedals. Read more…
Volkswagen announces production start date for its most affordable $20K ID.1 EV
For the first time, Volkswagen announced it aims to start producing its most affordable ID.1 electric car, starting at 20,000 euros ($21,700), in 2027. The $20K Volkswagen ID.1 will offer “affordable electric mobility for everyone,” VW brand leader Thomas Shafer said Thursday.. Read more…
Save $440 on Lectric’s new ONE e-bike in today’s best deals, ALLPOWERS spring sale, more
Headlining today’s green deals is a pre-order discount on the new Lectric ONE e-bike for $1,999, which also comes with $220 in free gear as well. It is joined by ALLPOWERS’ spring sale that is taking up to 45% off a large selection of power stations, bundles, and accessories, as well as the one-day sale on the WORX 20V 5-inch Cordless Pruning Saw at a new $100 low. Plus, all of the other best new Green Deals landing this week. Read more…
Volkswagen Is Expanding Its EV Lineup, But Not The EV Price War
The VW Group’s North American CEO weighs in on the ID. Buzz, the ID.7, and why fire-sale price cuts aren’t in the cards. Read more…
Tesla Paid Executives More Than it Paid Taxes for Years: Report
Plus, General Motors’ latest VP departure, and more on Volkswagen’s effort for an entry-level EV by 2027. Read more…
Volkswagen unveils its most powerful wagon yet – the ID.7 GTX Tourer
Volkswagen’s ID.7 Tourer is not even being delivered yet, and it already got an exciting update. The Volkswagen ID.7 GTX Tourer is a beastly electric wagon coming to replace the legendary Golf R wagon as the most potent long-roof model in the German manufacturer’s lineup. The ID.7 GTX Tourer features dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup pumping out an impressive 335 combined horsepower.… Read more…
Potting & encapsulation
Peter Donaldson examines the finer points of potting and encapsulation
Many electrical and electronic components last longer, perform better and stand up to the stresses and strains of hard use with fewer complaints if they are potted or encapsulated in a polymer. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, they don’t quite mean the same thing.
Potting is a process by which a form or ‘pot’ containing the parts to be protected is filled with a polymer resin and becomes part of the finished component. Read more…
Bipolar batteries
When Toyota unveiled plans for its next generation of EV technology in June 2023, the company made it clear that bipolar batteries would play a central role. The company is already using bipolar architecture in the nickel-metal hydride batteries in its Crown and Aqua hybrids, and it is extending the technology to BEVs with lithium-ion batteries. Its product plans include ‘popular’ and ‘performance’ versions of liquid-electrolyte bipolar batteries, writes Peter Donaldson. Read more…
Mack’s mobile off-grid charging system helps customers evaluate EVs
Mack Trucks, part of the Volvo Group, has built a mobile off-grid charging system that’s integrated into the body of a Mack MD Electric truck. The system’s raison d’être is to help Mack customers test Class 6-8 electric vehicles, and evaluate their feasibility for their fleets. The mobile Mack MD Electric charging unit can be… Read more…
BMW is building EVs and legacy gas-burners on the same production lines—and it seems to be working
Legacy automakers, keen to make an “orderly transition” to EVs, have embraced all kinds of half-measures, from PHEVs to awkward ICE-to-EV conversions to pick-your-powertrain production lines. Conventional wisdom among EV advocates is that this is a mistake—industry leader Tesla and other startups have generally taken a clean-sheet approach to designing both their cars and the… Read more…
Nio & CATL to develop longer-lasting batteries for swapping systems
Nio has signed a new cooperation agreement with its battery supplier CATL to develop longer-lasting electric car batteries for Nio’s battery replacement requirements. The aim is for the battery to retain 85 per cent of its capacity after 15 years. Read more…
Nissan and Honda consider joint EV alliance
According to Japanese media, Nissan and Honda are considering cooperation on electric cars. It would be about jointly procuring parts and sharing essential components for their respective EVs to reduce costs. Read more…
BMW aggregates more EV chargers, adding Shell ahead of Tesla
BMW is relying on Shell Recharge Solutions to offer customers streamlined access to EV charging stations across multiple networks. The automaker on Wednesday announced an agreement with Shell Recharge Solutions that it claims will provide access to more than 100,000 public chargers through the My BMW app. These chargers are not only part of… Read more…
The Rivian R2 Will Come With A Heat Pump And Optional Tow Hitch
R1 vehicles don’t have a heat pump, so adding one to the R2 is a step in the right direction. Read more…
Polymer considerations for EV
Lightweight with higher temperature resistance, thermoplastics are ideal for e-mobility powertrains, Nick Flaherty reports
The push to make e-mobility designs lighter to boost range is driving significant innovation in materials. Thermoplastics are being redesigned to provide various combinations of temperature and flowability for manufacturing and plating capabilities. Read more…
Power semiconductors
Nick Flaherty discovers how the world of power semiconductor devices is shifting away from silicon
Power semiconductors are used across many areas of e-mobility, with different technologies suitable for each part of a vehicle, depending on the voltage and current requirements, while emerging tech is allowing smaller systems to be implemented. Read more…
