Tesla Will Obtain Battery Cells From LG Chem For Chinese Model 3 Production

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Published on August 23rd, 2019 |

by Steve Hanley

Tesla Will Obtain Battery Cells From LG Chem For Chinese Model 3 Production

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August 23rd, 2019 by Steve Hanley

Tesla has said all along it will work with multiple battery suppliers for the electric cars it manufactures in China, beginning with the Model 3 later this year and including the Model Y later. Both cars will use advanced 2170 cells like the ones manufactured for Tesla by Panasonic at Gigafactory 1 in Nevada.

According to Bloomberg, Tesla has agreed to source at least some of those battery cells from LG Chem. The Korean company will manufacture the cells at its production facility in Nanjing, about 200 miles west of Shanghai where Tesla’s new Gigafactory 3 is under construction. Although work on the new factory was not begun until January 3, Tesla expects Model 3 production to begin there before the end of this year.

Bloomberg adds that Tesla is still in talks with CATL. Anonymous sources say the two companies are discussing technical specifications and that LG Chem was more flexible in meeting Tesla’s technology requirements. There are also rumors that Panasonic may be in the mix somewhere down the road. Representatives for Tesla, LG Chem, and CATL all declined to speak on the record with Bloomberg. LG Chem is now the world’s second largest manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries and intent on further increasing its market share.

Politics & Production
Tesla is wise not to put all its battery eggs in one basket in China, where politics have an outsized impact on commerce. Two years ago, China refused to allow Hyundai and Kia to import any cars with batteries made by LG Chem in South Korea, according to Business Korea. It was only after the companies agreed to power their electric cars with battery cells manufactured by CATL that the ban was lifted, according to the report.

Because of the need to switch suppliers, the Hyundai Kona Electric is only now becoming available in China. And the move by Chinese authorities was no doubt instrumental in LG Chem’s decision to build a battery factory in China.

Why would authorities slap Hyundai and Kia around while smiling benevolently on Tesla? President Xi Jinping does not return our phone calls, so we can’t be sure, but clearly Tesla enjoys some special status with the Chinese government. For whatever reasons, no other foreign manufacturer seems to enjoy such a close relationship.

The Trouble With Tariffs
As Donald Trump and Xi Jinping play “mine’s bigger than yours” in their ongoing tariff fight, China announced today it will reimpose a 25% tariff on cars imported from the US on December 15. According to CNBC, the new tariffs will impact Mercedes and BMW the most. Both German companies export US-made cars to China. Ford will also suffer, as will Tesla with regard to its Model S and Model X vehicles, which are manufactured exclusively at the factory in Fremont, California.

In response, the unstable lunatic in Washington, DC, sent the stock market into a selling panic by tweeting an “order” for all US companies to cease doing business in China forthwith. The Dow shed 600 points as soon as the tweet appeared.

The question now for Tesla is how will the new tariffs affect the cars built in the Chinese factory in Shanghai beginning later this year? According to CNET Road Show, the first cars will be knockdown kits made in Fremont and shipped to Shanghai for final assembly. Tesla does something similar with its factory in Tilburg in the Netherlands.

No one knows the answer to that question at the moment. Is a knockdown kit assembled in Shanghai subject to the new tariff? It’s simply too early to answer that question authoritatively. Given Tesla’s special relationship with the Chinese government, we can only hope the cars exiting Gigafactory 3 will be exempt from the new tariff. It is to be hoped the business community will give the puling potentate of Pennsylvania Avenue the fickle finger of fate and ignore his insane order completely.

What Do We Know?
We know that Model 3 cars will begin rolling out the door at Gigafactory 3 before the end of this year, God willing and the creek don’t rise, and that those cars will have battery cells manufactured in Nanjing by LG Chem. We know that battery cells from CATL or Panasonic might be used in locally produced Model 3s and upcoming Model Ys at some point in the future. And we know that the tariff situation is a muddled mess at the moment. When we know more, you’ll know more.

About the Author

Steve Hanley Steve writes about the interface between technology and sustainability from his home in Rhode Island and anywhere else the Singularity may lead him. His motto is, “Life is not measured by how many breaths we take but by the number of moments that take our breath away!” You can follow him on Google + and on Twitter.

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The Mercedes among small vans

23.

August 2019

Stuttgart

Stuttgart. Mercedes-Benz will continue its engagement in the small van segment persistently and has decided on the successor of its small van Citan as part of the Mercedes-Benz Vans product portfolio – including an electric version. The vehicle will again be established in cooperation with Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi.
“The new Citan will undergo a comprehensive new development and clearly be recognisable as a Mercedes-Benz at first glance. We will provide for a distinctive brand-adequate identity in the successor of our small van”, explains Marcus Breitschwerdt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans.
Mercedes-Benz Vans has been offering the Citan since 2012. The small van with compact dimensions and a large load compartment is ideal for the wide range of challenges encountered in the city. Especially in the growing on-demand transit business the small van will be an even more interesting option for commercial customers. The main foundations for its success were laid by the combination of high functionality, versatility and economy, its comprehensive safety systems and high ride comfort.
With the Citan successor, Daimler AG and Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi will continue their strategic cooperation which started nine years ago.

Press Contact

Silke Walters

Spokesperson International Business Communications Vans

silke.walters@daimler.com

Tel: +49 (0)711 17-56118

Fax: +49 (0)711 17-52030

Ingeborg Gärtner

Spokesperson Product Communications Vans

ingeborg.gaertner@daimler.com

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Mercedes introduces longer-range EQV electric van

Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce the second in its new EQ line of electric vehicles, the EQV van, at next month's Frankfurt auto show.

The company says that a 100-kwh battery pack under the floor will deliver 250 miles of range on the European driving cycle. Mercedes has not confirmed whether the EQV will be sold in the U.S., and has not released any range estimates for the U.S.

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQV

A CCS charge port can bring the battery back to 80 percent in about 45 minutes, through a charge port on the left side of the front bumper.

Unlike earlier electric vans from Mercedes-Benz—the eSprinter and eVito (based on the van that had been called the Metris in the U.S.)—the EQV is front-wheel-drive.

It is powered by a 204-horsepower electric motor that delivers 267 pound-feet of torque, with top speed limited to 99 mph.

The EQV can be configured as a 6-, 7-, or 8-passenger van and also will be available as a panel van for contractors who will be able to outfit it with Mercedes' full range of rack systems in the rear.

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQV

The navigation system will incorporate charging stations and try to route drivers on the most efficient route to maximize range when the battery charge is low.

The production EQV could be the second production vehicle in Mercedes's new lineup of EQ electric cars, after the EQC small SUV, which is on sale now in Europe and expected in the U.S. next year. It will soon be followed by an electric luxury sedan parallel to the Mercedes S-Class, the EQS, and a smaller electric SUV potentially called the EQB.

Mercedes has committed to building 10 different electric cars by 2022, and to making half the company's models plug in—as either plug-in hybrids or pure electric cars—by 2030.

Parent company Daimler is also accelerating its plans to build electric heavy-duty trucks.

Program highlights at the me Convention in Frankfurt, September 11-13 2019

22.

August 2019

Stuttgart/Frankfurt

Stuttgart/Frankfurt – In just three weeks, from September 11 to 13, the me Convention will be welcoming thousands of visitors to Frankfurt. This year's confirmed speakers include Laura Dekker, the youngest person to sail around the globe alone, and surfer Léa Brassy. In their talk they will share their personal experiences of pushing boundaries. In another duo talk, international filmmakers Martha Fiennes and Gulrukh Khan will offer insight into the possibilities that artificial intelligence (AI) opens up for the future of film. And for those who want to know more about one of the world’s most successful television series, director Jeanie Finlay and special effects expert Delroy Reid will reveal behind-the-scenes secrets. The documentary “Game of Thrones – The Last Watch” about the making of this epic show was recently nominated for an Emmy.
Talk: Thursday, September 12, 2019, 10:00 – 10:45 am
In 2010, the world watched with anticipation when Laura Dekker, at the age of 14, began her attempt to circumnavigate the globe. Two years later, she successfully completed her mission, becoming the youngest person ever to sail around the world alone. She’ll speak with French surfer Léa Brassy about how they manage to constantly push themselves to the limits, overcome extreme situations and pursue their visions without external support.
Talk: Thursday, September 12, 2019, 12:45 – 1:30 pm
New technological developments and contemporary art are important influences for the multifaceted work of award-winning filmmaker Martha Fiennes. Her earlier films gained international recognition, and in recent years, Martha has been working with artificial intelligence to create large-format moving-image works of art. Her latest AI film, “Yugen,” starring actress Salma Hayek Pinault, premiered in 2018 at the Venice Film Festival. During the me Convention, Martha Fiennes will share her thoughts with award-winning filmmaker Gulrukh Khan as they explore “Infinity in Art through AI.”
Talk: Thursday, September 12, 2019, 2:00 – 2:45 pm
In their talk Jeanie Finlay and Delroy Reid will offer exciting insights into the creation of one of the most successful television shows ever: “Game of Thrones.” In her two-hour documentary “Game of Thrones: The Last Watch,” which was recently nominated for an Emmy for outstanding music composition, she shines a light on the work of the people behind the scenes, including designers, craftsmen, extras and cinematographers.
One of the heroes in the background is special effects expert Delroy Reid. As the show’s “Head of Snow,” he was responsible for creating an enormous amount of artificial snow during the complete series production. His winter-weather expertise has also been featured in many other Hollywood productions, such as “The Day After Tomorrow” and “Captain America: The First Avenger.”
me Convention schedule
The final details and the confirmed talk slots will soon be available in the me Convention schedule that is being updated on a regular basis. The additional information about these and other international speakers as well as the different session formats can be found on the official me Convention website: me-convention.com.
A me Convention ticket gives participants full access to the entire three-day (and evening) event program, including talks, interactive and mentor sessions, DJ sets and parties. Tickets are currently available for €350 (incl. VAT).
Press accreditation for the me Convention Frankfurt 2019
Interested journalists are welcome to apply for press accreditation online. Following accreditation, press attendees are free to attend all activities related the me Convention. In addition, the PR team can offer assistance scheduling interviews with me Conventions speakers. Register for press accreditation at: https://www.me-convention.com/pressaccreditation.
About the me Convention
The me Convention is a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and SXSW. This annual gathering explores major issues and promising ideas for society, business, science and our planet. Under the motto “create the new”, the third edition of the me Convention will bring together 3,000 curious, critical and engaged minds from across the globe. This event offers an environment that welcomes multiple perspectives, stimulates critical thinking and encourages experimentation to find concrete ways to bring our desired future closer to reality.
About SXSW
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, TX, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film and music industries. The event, an essential destination for global professionals, features conference programming, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together.
About Mercedes-Benz
Resources for the press regarding the me Convention is available at: https://media.mercedes-benz.com/meconvention2019

Press Contact

Ariane Fiedler

Manager MBC Brand, smart & Lab 1886 Communications

ariane.fiedler@daimler.com

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Via Selected to Power New York City’s School Bus System

Published August 21, 2019 6:03 pm, Via NYC
Via Selected to Power New York City’s School Bus System
The groundbreaking technology will enable smart routing and tracking for the city’s nearly 10,000 school buses and provide parents and students a new level of transparency and security

August 21, 2019 (New York, NY) — Via, the leading provider and developer of on-demand public mobility, was selected by the New York City Department of Education to provide a revolutionary school bus management system for the nation’s largest school district. “Via for Schools” will be the first integrated, automated school bus routing, tracking, and communication platform in the world. Parents and students will have the ability to track, in real-time, their bus’ whereabouts and receive frequent and reliable communications in the event of service changes, improving safety and bringing important peace of mind to all users of the system. By utilizing Via’s best-in-class algorithms to optimize school bus routing, the Department of Education will be able to achieve operational efficiencies and reduce transportation costs.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the New York City Department of Education to set a new standard of excellence in school transportation,” said Daniel Ramot, co-founder and CEO of Via. “Via was founded in New York, where we are proud to operate the city’s most efficient on-demand shared ride service. We’re thrilled to have an opportunity to further serve the New York community by applying our technology to operate a world-class school bus system.”

“Through our partnership with Via, we’ll soon have a state-of-the-art app for families to track buses and get real-time automatic updates,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “We are grateful for the City Council’s advocacy, leadership and partnership. Safe and reliable transportation is critical for all families, and we’re committed to getting it right this year.”

As the largest school district in the nation, the NYC Department of Education (DOE) transports approximately 150,000 students on 9,000 bus routes each and every day to get students safely to and from school across the City. Via for Schools is purpose built to serve the city’s diverse student populations, including General Education, Special Education, Students in Temporary Housing, and others through one integrated school transportation system. The system will utilize a flexible algorithm, which allows for both stop-to-school and home-to-school pickups, accommodating students regardless of their learning style, mobility constraints, or place(s) of residence.

Via’s technology is already in use in more than 50 markets across the globe, by such leading public sector transportation providers as Los Angeles Metro, Transport for London, and Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG). For Via for Schools, the company’s intelligent routing system will optimize school buses’ daily, fixed routes to be as efficient as possible, while also providing the flexibility to respond dynamically to realities on the ground such as street closures and traffic. The system is expected to significantly improve operational efficiency and aims to ultimately reduce transportation costs for the NYC DOE. Parents and students will benefit from improved visibility and communications regarding system status and unexpected changes, including real-time bus locations, student boardings and alightings, route changes, and vehicle delays.

About Via

Via is re-engineering public transit, from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic and highly efficient on-demand network. Via’s technology is deployed in more than 20 countries worldwide through dozens of partner projects with public transportation agencies, private transit operators, taxi fleets, private companies, universities, and school systems, seamlessly integrating with public transit infrastructure to power cutting-edge on-demand public mobility. First launched in New York City, the Via platform operates in the United States and in Europe through its joint venture with Mercedes-Benz Vans, ViaVan. For more information, visit ridewithvia.com.

“Via for School” Mobile Application

“Via for School” Mobile Application / QR Code

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