Tag: Electric vehicles

Lexus developing electric-car platform, considering in-wheel motors

Electric cars are winning over even the most skeptical of automakers.

Last month, Toyota announced it was teaming up with Subaru to develop a dedicated electric platform for a new SUV. Now the company's luxury division has told Digital Trends that it is also developing a new all-electric architecture for a future model.

That's not all, though. Koji Sato, the executive vice president of Lexus International, told Digital Trends that the brand plans to “electrify” its entire model lineup, that it has developed a new design language that can better incorporate electric cars, and that it is working to develop new in-wheel electric motors for its electric cars. Toyota has also said it is working on developing solid-state batteries for electric cars.

2016 Lexus RX 450h F Sport

In Lexus's case, “electrification” could also involve fuel-cell cars, since former Japanese Emperor Akihito incentivized Japanese companies to prioritize development of hydrogen fuel cells over batteries. Lexus's parent company, Toyota, sells the compact Mirai fuel-cell sedan for $58,500 in California.

Of course, Lexus's electrification plans could also include more conventional hybrids, such as the ES 300h or RX 450h, the brand's most successful hybrids to date.

Sato told Digital Trends that the company is making a substantial investment in a new dedicated electric-car platform, though it's not clear whether that will come in addition to the electric-SUV joint-venture between Toyota and Subaru or if it's part of the same program.

One thing that could change as a result is Lexus' design language. The most recent theme is built around huge “spindle” grilles that electric cars might not need, because of generally lower (and different) cooling needs.

Lexus design chief Koichi Suga told Digital Trends that the company has developed a new design language with a front end more appropriate for electric cars, but that it has not yet been approved by Toyota president Akio Toyoda. That new design language is likely to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.

Polestar 2 performance package cues rivalry with Tesla Model 3

Quite a few automakers are gunning for Tesla, especially startup automakers in Silicon Valley and China.

Perhaps the most direct, credible threat, however, comes from Polestar, Volvo division that plans to focus on performance-oriented electric cars.

The Polestar 2, planned to debut late this year, is aimed directly at the Tesla Model 3, with a base price of about $45,000 when it goes on sale next year.

The brand has now confirmed that the Polestar 2 will come with a performance package, similar to the Model 3.

Several details of the performance package have already leaked out, but it wasn't clear whether the high-performance components would be standard, available as individual options, or part of a package.

Autoblog first reported the package last Tuesday. Now Polestar has confirmed to the website that the performance package will include Brembo brakes, Öhlins shock absorbers, 20-inch forged alloy wheels, and unspecified grippier tires. It will also include some eye-catching trim, including body adornments and apparently yellow seat belts.

Polestar 2
Polestar 2
Polestar 2

The launch edition of the Polestar 2 is expected to sell for $63,000, though even that may not have all the elements of the performance package. The Tesla Model 3 Performance starts at $61,100 with delivery. The price of the Polestar 2 Performance Package hasn't been set, but the company is reportedly targeting a price of about $5,000.

Both will include all-wheel drive. The Polestar 2 with its performance package is expected to have 408 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque from two electric motors and reach 60 mph in less than five seconds. It is expected to have a 78-kwh battery and Polestar is targeting a 275-mile EPA range rating.

The Polestar 2 is a fastback design based on parent-company Volvo's XC40 small SUV. The XC40 itself will likely be offered with a fully-electric powertrain beginning later in 2020, for the 2021 model year.

Polestar will launch with a high-performance plug-in hybrid coupe called the Polestar 1 later this year. A “low, aerodynamic,” electric Polestar 3 SUV is expected to follow in 2022 or 2023.

Renault invests $144 million into China’s electric vehicle sector

Loic Venance | AFP | Getty Images Auto maker Renault and the Jiangling Motors Corporation Group (JMCG) have officially set up a joint venture for electric vehicles in China.
In an announcement Wednesday, Renault said that the venture would look to “further promote the development” of China's electric vehicle industry.
Renault will increase its share capital by around 128.5 million euros ($144.1 million) to become a major shareholder of JMEV, a subsidiary of JMCG. Renault's stake in JMEV will increase to 50%.
Francois Provost, senior vice president and chairman of the China region for Groupe Renault, described China as a key market for the firm. “This partnership in electric vehicle business with JMCG will support our growth plan in China and our EV capabilities,” Provost added.
Worldwide electric car sales hit 1.98 million in 2018, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), with global stock reaching 5.12 million.
China's electric car market is the biggest on the planet, the IEA says, with Europe and the U.S. following behind. There were 2.3 million electric cars on China's roads last year, according to the IEA, representing roughly 45% of the world's total.

China now home to 1 million EV charging posts

By the end of June public charging posts in China totaled 412,000, while the number of private charging posts stood at 591,000. New Delhi: The robust electric vehicle industry of China, which dispatched close to 1.2 million units last month, is now a home to over 1 million charging posts, according to latest data of… Continue reading China now home to 1 million EV charging posts

Are The Tesla Pickup & Semi Truck Waiting For Maxwell Batteries?

It makes sense, but we still don’t know precisely what to expect from Maxwell We think so, but it all assumes that the Maxwell battery will actually happen and doesn’t end up like so many battery promises — in the trash can. We are not the only ones that think the Maxwell battery will happen. Electrek… Continue reading Are The Tesla Pickup & Semi Truck Waiting For Maxwell Batteries?

Byar Volta is a shaft-driven e-bike that might never need charging

Think “bicycle” and most people imagine a handlebar, wheels, and pedals attached to a diamond frame. A chain converts the power generated by leg muscles into mechanical energy to drive the contraption forward. That’s been true for nearly 150 years. A new bike I’ve been testing from a small Dutch startup hopes to change your… Continue reading Byar Volta is a shaft-driven e-bike that might never need charging

IONITY to install fast chargers at eight Extra service stations in UK

IONITY, a joint venture between Daimler, Ford, BMW and VW to create a fast charging network throughout Europe, has partnered with Extra, a UK service station operator, to install fast charging stations at eight Extra locations. Each charging station will initially include up to six 350 kW chargers. The first of the charging stations is… Continue reading IONITY to install fast chargers at eight Extra service stations in UK