China’s CATL unveils cell-to-pack battery platform

FUZHOU, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) — Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL), China's largest automotive lithium-ion battery maker, unveiled its focus on the development of cell-to-pack (CTP) batteries to improve efficiency and lower costs.
To safely and efficiently manage the battery cells mounted in an electric vehicle (EV), battery cells are installed in modules and packs. Generally, a cluster of cells make up a module and a cluster of modules make up a pack. Ultimately, each electric vehicle is installed with one pack.
CTP, the company's latest product platform, skips the process of battery modules and allows cells to be directly integrated into packs.
Using the CTP technology, which includes more than 70 core patents, CATL can increase mass-energy density by 10 to 15 percent, improve volume utilization efficiency by 15 to 20 percent and reduce the amount of parts for battery packs by 40 percent.
A CTP battery can increase the system energy density from 180 Wh/kg to more..

Applied Intuition raises $40 million for autonomous vehicle simulation tools – VentureBeat

Simulators are invaluable assets for companies developing autonomous vehicles (AVs). These tools are used by Waymo, GM’s Cruise, Zoox, and countless others to validate systems’ scalability and safety, not to mention training the machine learning algorithms underlying car makers’ real-world vehicles. But not every company has the resources to build their own software simulator from… Continue reading Applied Intuition raises $40 million for autonomous vehicle simulation tools – VentureBeat

Volvo Trucks’ New River Valley plant 3D prints over 500 tools and fixtures

The North American branch of car manufacturer Volvo Trucks has 3D printed 500 manufacturing tools and fixtures, including a one-piece diffuser used in the paint atomizer cleaning process. Incorporating Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology, Volvo’s New River Valley (NRV) plant in Virginia, where all trucks for the North American market are produced, has enabled quicker production… Continue reading Volvo Trucks’ New River Valley plant 3D prints over 500 tools and fixtures

LEVC’s new light van makes European debut in Frankfurt

11th September 2019, Frankfurt The new LCV light commercial vehicle from leading green mobility solutions producer, London EV Company (LEVC), has made its European debut at an exclusive preview event in Frankfurt, Germany. Designed to meet rapidly increasing European demand for green, electrified commercial transport, the zero-emission capable LCV van draws on more than 70… Continue reading LEVC’s new light van makes European debut in Frankfurt

Volvo admits ‘Tesla is far ahead of everyone else on energy efficiency’

An executive for Volvo’s Polestar candidly admitted that “Tesla is far ahead of everyone else on energy efficiency” and they are going to have to catch up or find other ways to compete. When Volvo rebranded Polestar two years ago, it was off to a somewhat weird but interesting start as it unveiled its first… Continue reading Volvo admits ‘Tesla is far ahead of everyone else on energy efficiency’

Great Wall may consider building cars in Europe once sales hit 50,000 a year: chairman

FRANKFURT/BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Great Wall Motor (601633.SS)(2333.HK) may consider building car manufacturing facilities in the European Union once its sales there hit 50,000 units a year, its chairman said, as part of a push to seek growth in overseas markets. FILE PHOTO: A woman talks on her phone as she walks past a sign… Continue reading Great Wall may consider building cars in Europe once sales hit 50,000 a year: chairman

Interview: Alain Visser, Chief Executive, Lynk & Co International – Automotive World

The design of an office is usually a good indicator of how a company likes to operate. Many traditional corporate offices resemble the waiting area of a dental practice—clean, traditional and often due a revamp. Despite its business in manufacturing vehicles, Geely subsidiary Lynk & Co is adamant that it is not like the other… Continue reading Interview: Alain Visser, Chief Executive, Lynk & Co International – Automotive World

Shaping the future of mobility, one child at a time: our investment in Zūm

Roughly half a million school buses transport more than 25 million students to and from school each day in the US, where the majority of buses are still state-owned and operated. The cost of transportation has increased rapidly over years, and this results in a public expense of close to $25 billion per year. As… Continue reading Shaping the future of mobility, one child at a time: our investment in Zūm

Flying taxi startup Volocopter raises $55 million in round led by Volvo parent Geely

German air taxi startup Volocopter raised €50 million ($55.3 million) in a funding round led by Geely, the Chinese parent company of Volvo Cars, the company announced. The new funds will be put toward achieving Volocopter’s goal of launching a commercial air taxi service powered by its 18-rotor electric aircraft “within the next three years.”… Continue reading Flying taxi startup Volocopter raises $55 million in round led by Volvo parent Geely

Volocopter raises $55M led by Volvo owner Geely, sets 3-year timeline for its flying taxi service

The promise of flying cars has become an idea more synonymous with the tech world’s shortcomings than its exciting potential, but today one of the startups that has been focused on actually trying to make small, airborne vehicles a reality is announcing a fundraise and says it’s on track for a commercial launch in two to… Continue reading Volocopter raises $55M led by Volvo owner Geely, sets 3-year timeline for its flying taxi service