Sep. 09, 2019
Toyota Mobility Foundation and Japan Automobile Dealers Association launch grant program to support automobile dealers' community service activities in Japan
Nothing here but dreams
Sep. 09, 2019
Toyota Mobility Foundation and Japan Automobile Dealers Association launch grant program to support automobile dealers' community service activities in Japan
TCS in strategic deal for GM Technical Centre India assets and staff
FILE PHOTO: Ford logo is pictured at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany September 10, 2019. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Ford could build more than one model of electric car based on Volkswagen’s (VOWG_p.DE) electric vehicle platform, Ford’s Europe Chief Stuart Rowley told German daily Handelsblatt. To make only one model… Continue reading VW, Ford in talks to develop second electric car in Europe – Handelsblatt
Last week, in coordination with the Frankfurt auto show, Delphi Technologies announced it will be the first major supplier for the auto industry to produce an 800-volt inverter—a component that Delphi underscores is one of the enablers to allow 800-volt charging and effectively halve charging times compared to today’s 400-volt systems.
As Delphi outlines, with 800V systems, automakers have greater freedom, to either opt for smaller, lighter cables and connectors, harvest more power via regenerative braking, or go for ultra-fast charging.
And at least one more automaker is sold on it. Delphi says that it secured a $2.7 billion deal for volume production of the 800-volt inverter over 8 years with “a premier global OEM,” on the product launch of “a high-performance vehicle” in 2022.
Cadillac electric crossover SUV based on GM BEV3 modular platform
That brings up a long list of potential products. Some or all of the upcoming Porsche and Audi vehicles built around the Volkswagen Group’s premium electric (PPE) platform are expected to be 800-volt, and Hyundai’s Genesis electric luxury cars are expected to be built around an 800-volt architecture. GM’s BEV3 platform is expected to launch in a Cadillac, with premium EVs from Mercedes-Benz expected as well.
In electric cars, the inverter is the component that changes the direct current (DC) from the battery to alternating current (AC) to be used by the motor system. Although the battery pack is by far the most expensive component in electric cars, the inverter is one of the runners-up.
Delphi Technologies 800V inverter
Delphi’s component employs silicon carbide MOSFET semiconductors from the specialist company Cree. Delphi says its Viper power switch together with that helped create a product that is 40 percent lighter and 30 percent more compact than comparable inverters.
Porsche led one of the turning points toward 800V technology. It opted, in 2015, to undertake the development of an inverter, power systems, wiring harnesses, and various accessories all in-house because they didn’t exist then from so-called Tier 1 suppliers.
Outside of the very limited Aston Martin Rapide E and fully electric racing—in Formula E, most notably—800V tech has seen little implementation so far.
That’s clearly now due to change. Even electric-truck hopeful Rivian told Green Car Reports last year that it has conceived its 400V platform for a future 800V upgrade, likely around 2022.
Based on announcements such as this from Delphi, it’s safe to say that the change to 800V is happening—from the top of the market down, because it’s more expensive—and possibly a lot faster than previously anticipated.
China’s Contemporary Amerex Technology Co., better known as CATL, has in the past several years become a global battery giant.
Last week one of its senior executives revealed to Reuters that the company is considering a manufacturing expansion into North America, even though the market for EVs will lag that of China and Europe.
The company is already planning a battery “gigafactory” of its own in Erfurt, Germany—a facility that will start production in 2021 and be one of the largest battery plants in Europe.
The plant will make cells and modules, which is part of CATL’s plan to mastermind the whole pack and save size and weight. Through its cell-to-pack technology, it says it can increase mass energy density by 10-15 percent and increase volume utilization efficiency by 15-20 percent.
CATL products – 2019
CATL announced firm numbers for the improvements. It can now accomplish more than 200 watt-hours per kilogram with its automotive lithium-ion batteries for EVS (up from 180 wh/kg).
Energy density with its current chemistries has reached 240 watt-hours per kilogram, and it’s targeting 350 wh/kg—a 45 percent improvement—by 2024.
The battery company also announced that it’s working to improve its total battery life to 373,000 miles (600,000 km), with other improvements including uniform self-heating technology built into the battery for better cold-weather performance plus a “turbo charging solution” for larger (C/D-class) vehicles that would allow 0-80 percent charging in just 9 minutes.
2020 Mini Cooper SE Hardtop
CATL recently announced a collaboration with Bosch, in which the battery supplier will supply cells for Bosch’s 48-volt systems globally. It’s already forged supply partnerships with Volkswagen, Daimler, Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo, Honda, and Toyota, and it will be making cells for upcoming BMW and VW models, as well as the 2020 Mini Cooper SE, at the plant in Germany.
Earlier this summer it was reported that LG Chem was considering a second U.S. manufacturing plant to supply Volvo, among other potential customers. And earlier this year South Korean rival SK Innovation broke ground on a $1.7 billion battery plant in Georgia, expected to supply Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, among others.
On the occasion of the annual commitment by SEAT to biodiversity preservation, company employees planted 414 trees and set up nest boxes for the protection of birds in the Llobregat Delta. The initiative is framed within the biodiversity preservation project in the Llobregat Delta Natural Park, a location which is close to two of SEAT’s… Continue reading SEAT employees plant 414 trees in the Llobregat Delta
Published September 16, 2019 9:00 am, Via NYC
ViaVan Launches Its First On-Demand Mobility Service in Finland with HSL
IdeaLab winner ViaVan powers an innovative public transit solution
16 September 2019 (HELSINKI)– ViaVan, Europe’s leading provider of on-demand public mobility, today announced it will power a dynamically routed first-and-last mile transit solution, in partnership with the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL). The service will allow residents of the Helsinki suburb of Espoo to book an on-demand ride and connect to Metro and train stations in the operating zone.
“ViaVan is redefining mobility across Europe, and we’re delighted to have been selected by HSL, an innovator in Europe’s transportation sector, to launch this ground-breaking service,” said Chris Snyder, CEO of ViaVan. “We believe that the easier it is to take public transport, the more people will reliably choose it over their private vehicle, and we’re excited to provide Espoo residents with this affordable, convenient, and eco-friendly transportation alternative.”
“The purpose of the experiment is to get an idea of how customers view the service and whether a similar service could sometimes serve as a complement to traditional public transport. All measures to increase the popularity of public transport and other wise modes of transportation are welcome,” says Tero Anttila, Head of HSL’s Public Transport Department.
ViaVan was selected as a winner of HSL’s IdeaLab competition, aimed at finding new and innovative mobility solutions for the Helsinki region. As a result, ViaVan received half a million euros for the service program, which leverages its technology and expertise to drive ridership to public transit and reduce the need for private vehicles to commute into the city from the suburban region of Espoo.
Passengers can book a ride through the ViaVan app to-or-from a Metro or train station in the service area. Once a ride is booked, Via’s advanced technology matches multiple passengers headed in the same direction into one of eight high-capacity vehicles and dynamically routes these vehicles in real-time, minimizing detours through the use of “virtual bus stops” to reduce congestion and emissions, while providing a highly-efficient rider experience.
The six-month service operates in eastern Espoo on weekdays from 7am to 9pm, and includes wheelchair-accessible vehicles. To celebrate the launch, trips begin at €2 per ride until 15 October 2019, with fixed and affordable pricing thereafter.
ViaVan recently launched its first on-demand public transit service in the Nordic region in partnership with Konsentra in Oslo, Norway this August. In addition, ViaVan has has already launched similar services in cooperation with leading public transport authorities across Europe, including Transport for London (TfL) in the Borough of Sutton in London and Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) in Berlin. ViaVan also operates direct to consumer services in London, Amsterdam and Milton Keynes. Globally, ViaVan and parent company Via have been tapped by cities and transportation players to help re-engineer public transit from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic, on-demand network. With more than 80 launched and pending deployments in 20 countries, Via and ViaVan have provided more than 65 million rides to date.
Download the ViaVan app: iPhone or Android
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Map of the service area
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HOUSTON, Sept. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today that many of its carrier customers now have complimentary access to a selection of key tools found in its industry-leading Visibility platform. This new version of the Visibility solution utilizes data pulled in from Trimble’s Transportation Management System (TMS) and Mobility solutions to give… Continue reading Trimble Offers Complimentary Version of Visibility Platform to its Existing Transportation Customers
As part of the agreement, more than 1,300 employees of GMTC-I will transfer to TCS, including teams focused on propulsion systems, vehicle engineering, controls development, testing, creative design and special projects. New Delhi: General Motors and Tata Consultancy Services have joined hands for global vehicle engineering in future. According to a release, under this partnership,… Continue reading General Motors partners with Tata Consultancy Services for global vehicle engineering
Boulogne Billancourt, September 13, 2019 – Following its reveal to the public in June 2019, the New Renault ZOE is taking to European roads with an offer of 100% electric driving pleasure and a new dimension thanks to a range of up to 395 km WLTP*, a more efficient 100 kW engine, its loading versatility and… Continue reading NEW RENAULT ZOE: THE PLEASURE OF DRIVING 100% ELECTRIC TAKES ON A NEW DIMENSION