Tag: Volvo

Volvo batteries, California superhighways, more efficient motors: Today’s Car News

Teaser for Piech Mark Zero electric sports car concept debuting at 2019 Geneva auto show
Falling reliability costs the Tesla Model 3 its Consumer Reports recommendation. Could high-speed rail be replaced with high-speed highways? Volvo is pulling depleted batteries out of electric buses to use as energy storage for solar in a large apartment complex in Sweden. Argonne National Lab has developed a smaller, lighter, more efficient electric motor. All this and more on Green Car Reports.

In its latest survey, Consumer Reports found that the Tesla Model 3, while very satisfying, isn't very reliable.

As California's high-speed rail project devolves from budget and time-line overruns into political name-calling between Washington and Sacramento, a state senator has introduced a bill to replace the project with autobahn-like high-speed highway lanes through the state's central valley from San Francisco to LA. The lanes would have no speed limits, but they're unlikely to reduce global-warming emissions as the senator suggests.

Volvo is reusing batteries from its electric buses in Sweden to buffer power on a large new apartment complex with solar panels in Gothenberg.

Scientists at Argonne National Labs in Illinois have developed a new type of permanent-magnet electric motor that's lighter, cheaper, and more powerful, proving that it's not just battery technology that's improving for electric cars.

Mercedes-Benz plans a new electric SUV called the EQV to debut at the Geneva auto show next month. It is expected to be a follow-on to the company's EQC, which is scheduled to arrive later this year.

Finally, Anton Piech, the son of the famed Audi engineer and Porsche scion Ferdinand Piech, also plans to launch a new electric sports-car company with a stylish concept at the show.

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Volvo reuses bus batteries for solar storage

Riksbyggen Viva co-op housing complex, Gothenberg Sweden [Credit: Riksbyggen, Creative Commons]
As solar installations ramp up and electric vehicles have been on the market for a few years, automakers are starting to look for ways to get more life out of old electric-car batteries, repurposing them for stationary storage.

And if you're going to use vehicle old batteries for storage, you might as well use big ones.

Volvo, which builds trucks and buses in addition to cars, is experimenting with taking used batteries out of its electric buses and using them to store energy at apartment complexes that have their own solar generation.

DON'T MISS: As used electric-car batteries set to flood market, Automakers ramp up reuse efforts

The effort could provide at least the kernel of a solution for apartment dwellers to be able to charge electric cars at their apartment buildings—if batteries could allow the marginal charging energy to come from solar rather than expensive grid power, or at least bring down the cost of charging.

Volvo electric bus on Gothenburg, Sweden's Route 55 [Credit: Volvo – via YouTube]

In cooperation with Göteborg Energi, Volvo has pulled the batteries out of 14 electric buses from bus route 55 in Gothenberg (Göteborg), Sweden, and installing them at the Riksbyggen Viva housing complex. Together, they deliver 200 kilowatt-hours of storage for the complex's solar panels.

The big battery pack can be used to reduce peak loads by using stored energy to meet demand from residents at times of peak grid demand, they can store excess solar energy generated at times of low demand, and they can store energy produced by the grid during off-peak times at low rates to use later when rates are higher.

CHECK OUT: (Reverse) Engineering Explained: What happens to old electric car batteries?

Viva is a new housing complex dubbed “Positive Footprint Housing,” and is billed as Sweden's most sustainable housing project. Tenants are just beginning to move in.

Johanneberg Science Park will help monitor the system to help the complex maximize energy savings.

READ MORE: Report: Battery production could offset emissions gains from electric cars

“Electric bus batteries have good potential for other applications such as energy storage after the end of their life in public transport,” said Ylva Olofsson, Project Coordinator at Volvo in a statement. “What we are examining here is exactly how good that potential is…At Volvo we are examining various possibilities for the reuse of bus batteries for energy storage, and Viva is one such example,”

Producing batteries for electric vehicles, especially such large batteries for buses, adds a significant environmental cost in producing the vehicles. Finding a useful way to extend the life of those batteries beyond their capability in vehicles, can spread that impact and reduce the need for additional production.

VW, Volvo, Cluno: These are the best car subscriptions for families

Family coach on subscription Young families need vehicles with more space. (Photo: VW) DüsseldorfFor families who only want to change to a larger car for a few years, a car subscription can be an interesting alternative to buying. It is important to consider in the search: Families need space. That’s why we’re looking for a… Continue reading VW, Volvo, Cluno: These are the best car subscriptions for families

The options open to dealers after termination

Losing a franchise is a major blow for any dealer. You will ave likely invested many years, let alone a lot of money, in the brand and suddenly you can’t use it any more. Or can you? First, though, why would you want to? You cannot obtain supplies of new cars from the manufacturer any… Continue reading The options open to dealers after termination

Volvo Cars raises $215 million in bond issue months after failed IPO

FILE PHOTO: A Volvo S60 is displayed during the inauguration of Volvo Cars first U.S. production plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina, U.S., June 20, 2018. REUTERS/Randall Hill/File Photo STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Sweden’s Volvo Cars has raised some 2 billion Swedish crowns ($215 million) in a bond issue just five months after the Chinese-owned carmaker terminated… Continue reading Volvo Cars raises $215 million in bond issue months after failed IPO

Press Releases – European and Chinese auto makers commit to working more closely together

Brussels, 15 February 2019 – The major European and Chinese automobile manufacturers pledged to strengthen their collaboration at a summit held in Brussels today, where their associations – the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and the Chinese Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) – signed a cooperation agreement. Together, China and the EU – the world’s… Continue reading Press Releases – European and Chinese auto makers commit to working more closely together

Press Releases – Stable EU auto market in view for 2019, with CO2 and trade challenges ahead

Paris, 13 February 2019 – In 2019, EU car sales will stagnate at 2018 levels in terms of units sold, staying close to the 15 million new registrations mark recorded last year, according to new forecasts by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). Although 2018 was the fifth consecutive year of growth, the pace of… Continue reading Press Releases – Stable EU auto market in view for 2019, with CO2 and trade challenges ahead

Japanese self-drive cars map developer to acquire US rival Ushr

February 13, 2019 Japanese map platform developer Dynamic Map Platform plans to acquire Detroit-based Ushr for nearly 20 billion yen ($181.1 million) in a bid to cement a stronger position in the burgeoning self driving cars market, the Nikkei newspaper said. Dynamic Map Platform would acquire U.S. map startup Ushr as it seeks a stronger… Continue reading Japanese self-drive cars map developer to acquire US rival Ushr

#1 Safest, Quickest, Techiest, Sexiest, Best Car for €50,000 to €60,000 — #Tesla Model 3 Now Invading Europe

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Cars Published on February 8th, 2019 | by Zachary Shahan
#1 Safest, Quickest, Techiest, Sexiest, Best Car for €50,000 to €60,000 — #Tesla Model 3 Now Invading EuropeTwitterLinkedInFacebookFebruary 8th, 2019 by Zachary Shahan

Safest: The Tesla Model 3 received the best safety score ever from the US NHTSA.
Why buy a Volvo when you can get a Model 3? …

Quickest: Tesla performance is unmatched in mass-market vehicles. The Tesla Model 3 Performance can go from 0–60 mph (0–100 km/h) in 3.3 seconds. The Model 3 Long Range does that in 4.5 seconds. The Model 3 Mid Range accelerates to that speed in 5.6 seconds. No matter which Model 3 trim you pick, it’s the quickest car for the price, and it’s genuinely quicker than anything you really need (though, the acceleration can be useful in many situations — like merging into traffic, passing big trucks, etc.).
Why buy a BMW when you can get a Model 3? …

Techiest: There is absolutely nothing like the tech in a Tesla. It seems all other automobiles are a decade or two behind. I feel like I’m in another era when using the old-school knobs, switches, and Mario Bros navigation screens of non-Tesla vehicles. Going backward from a smartphone seems illogical. Going backward from the touchscreen and advanced software of a Tesla seems equally illogical.
Why buy an Audi when you can get a Model 3? …

Sexiest: Okay, this is purely a matter of taste. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But seriously — jaws dropped and mouths watered when the Tesla Model 3 was first shown. The lady in front of me in line at 6:30 am on March 31, 2016, to make a reservation was in line simply because the Model S was so beautiful, but too expensive. The Model 3 looks like the more attractive offspring of an Aston Martin, a Porsche, and a Model S, imho. This is the car. It is like a 21st century Model T — with attitude.
Why buy a Mercedes when you can buy a Model 3? …

Best: Add all of that up, throw in some wicked total cost of ownership numbers, count the benefits of the zero emissions, remind yourself of the convenience of home charging and destination charging, consider the Full Self Driving potential if you didn’t do so in the “Techiest” section, make some space in the frunk for a puppy once in a while, and tell yourself the Model 3 isn’t now the best car for the price on the market. I personally don’t think it’s possible to objectively consider another €50,000–60,000 car the best value choice. And I imagine hundreds of thousands of European buyers agree with me.
Why buy a Lexus when you can buy a Model 3? …

As you may have noticed, the Tesla Model 3 arrived in Europe yesterday. The invasion begins. …
Note: If you ordered a Model 3, Model S, or Model X before February 2 but didn’t use a referral code in order to get 6–9 months of free Supercharging, you can still use my referral code — http://ts.la/tomasz7234 — in order to get that bonus/discount.
Just send an email to buildmy3EMEA@tesla.com with the word “Referral” in the subject line. Put your name, contact information, reservation number (starts with RN), and the referral code you’d like to use in the body of the email (for example, tomasz7234 if you’re using mine).
And enjoy!

Oh, by the way, it’s 4:20 am in Florida. Wake-up time.

About the AuthorZachary Shahan Zach is tryin' to help society help itself (and other species). He spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as its director and chief editor. He's also the president of Important Media and the director/founder of EV Obsession and Solar Love. Zach is recognized globally as an electric vehicle, solar energy, and energy storage expert. He has presented about cleantech at conferences in India, the UAE, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, and Canada. Zach has long-term investments in TSLA, FSLR, SPWR, SEDG, & ABB — after years of covering solar and EVs, he simply has a lot of faith in these particular companies and feels like they are good cleantech companies to invest in. But he offers no professional investment advice and would rather not be responsible for you losing money, so don't jump to conclusions.

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