Green Car Congress

AUGUST 27, 2023

Researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of Connecticut have demonstrated high-performance metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFC) with an integrated high entropy alloy (HEA) internal reforming catalyst (IRC) for transportation applications using ethanol and methanol as fuels. A paper on their work is published in the Journal of Power Sources.

International 150

International Fuel Transportation Water 150

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 6, 2022

Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., a Panasonic Group company, began construction on a new lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility in De Soto, KS, following the approval by Panasonic Holdings Corporation Board of Directors. The Kansas gigafactory will be the company’s second EV battery facility in the US, following the Panasonic Energy of North America (PENA) facility in Sparks, Nevada.

Kansas 231

Kansas Lithium Ion Li-ion Kansas City 231

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 6, 2022

Canoo has announced a battery module manufacturing facility at MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor, OK. The new facility will expand Canoo’s manufacturing and employment footprint in the region. Once ramped, the facility will be capable of approximately 3.2 GWh of battery module manufacturing capacity. Canoo previously announced Panasonic as its battery cell provider.

Oklahoma 218

Oklahoma Manufacturer Batteries Battery 218

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 6, 2022

The Government of Canada has ordered three Chinese companies to divest from three Canadian critical mineral companies: Power Metals, Lithium Chile, and Ultra Lithium. ( Earlier post.) Ultra Lithium has now issued a statement noting that the company has been advised that Zangge Mining Investment (Chengdu) Co. Ltd. (Zangge) received the order from Government of Canada to divest.

Chinese 321

Chinese Power Powered Chile 321

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 6, 2022

Solid-state sodium-ion battery company LiNa Energy has closed out a £3-million (US$3.4-million) late seed funding round, primarily from existing investors. ( Earlier post.) This funding will accelerate the path to commercialization through developing a next-generation electrolyte, automating manual processes to assemble more cells, and perform pre-FEED studies ahead of investing in the next scale of manufacturing facilities.

Sodium 300

Sodium Companies Energy Batteries 300

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 6, 2022

At an E-Mobility Conference organized by the VDE, the German Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies, the Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall recently presented a novel solution concept for charging electric vehicles: curbstone chargers. Rheinmetall curbstone chargers blend into the cityscape almost invisibly, offering a solution to the challenges posed by existing charging systems, such as large space requirements, low point density, aesthetic downsides, and

Maintenance 418

Maintenance Charging Conversion Electric Vehicles 418

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 8, 2021

Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has appointed Sumitomo, Chiyoda, Toyota Motor, Japan Research Institute and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking to conduct a feasibility study on the receiving and distribution business of hydrogen in Chubu Region. NEDO selected these joint contractors in the public offeriing for “Development of Technologies for Realizing a Hydrogen Society/Regional Hydrogen Utilization Technology Development/Hydrogen Production and Utilization Pot

Hydrogen 448

Hydrogen Supplies Toyota Japan 448

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 8, 2021

Researchers at Chang’an University in China investigated the effect of blends of Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) diesel fuel from indirect coal-to-liquid (CTL) and petroleum diesel fuel on combustion and emission characteristics under various injection timing (IT) and engine loads. A report on their work is published in the journal Fuel. The common-rail diesel engine was fueled with pure petrochemical diesel (D100), F-T diesel blended in petrochemical diesel by volume of 30% (D70F30) and 60% (D40F60).

Diesel 186

Diesel Emissions Coal Fuel 186

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 8, 2021

BorgWarner will supply dual inverters for two premier Chinese OEMs. The dual inverters will be featured on both hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) versions of the Great Wall Motor (GWM) LEMON platform, and the other major Chinese OEM will utilize the technology on its own HEV and PHEV passenger car models. Production for the GWM dual inverter is currently underway, with and without a DC/DC converter option, which was launched on several 2021 GWM models.

Chinese 418

Chinese Supplies PHEV DC 418

Green Car Congress

MARCH 28, 2021

The Swappable Battery Consortium for Electric Motorcycles has reached an agreement to standardize swappable batteries and replacement systems, allowing battery sharing and paving the way for increased adoption of electric motorcycles in Japan. The consortium was established by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Suzuki Motor Corporation and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. in April 2019, aimed at increasing the adoption of electric motorcycles in Japan.

Electric Motorcycles 199

Electric Motorcycles Motorcycles Standards Batteries 199

Green Car Congress

MARCH 28, 2021

For batteries to fit into narrow and crooked spaces and to store more energy for e.g. electric mobility, flexibly adaptable cells are required. So far, however, lithium-ion battery cells have been produced in standardized formats and rigid systems. Under the AgiloBat project ( earlier post ) researchers in Germany have developing an agile production system for flexible battery cell production in terms of format, material, and quantity.

Production 259

Production Batteries Battery Kits 259

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 5, 2021

Since 2011, significant improvements in battery technologies and overall EV efficiency have led to an expanding number of EV models and increased driving ranges. The median EPA estimated range for all EV models offered in the 2020 model year exceeded 250 miles, according to figures from the US Department of Energy (DOE). The 2020 model year also marked the first year that an EV achieved an EPA-estimated maximum range of more than 400 miles.

Miles 459

Miles Range Fuel Economy EPA 459

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 5, 2021

Magna is collaborating with Fisker to develop an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)—FI-Pilot—which will be applied to the Fisker Ocean SUV that is expected to launch in late 2022. This new business win demonstrates Magna’s ability to bring scale and efficiency to the mobility landscape and represents an important expansion of the EV platform sharing, vehicle engineering and manufacturing cooperation the two companies announced last October. ( Earlier post.).

Fisker 317

Fisker Austin SUV Texas 317

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 5, 2021

AUDI AG is the first automobile maker to be awarded the Chain of Custody certificate of the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI). This certifies that Audi can comply with the materials flow chain for sustainably produced aluminum in accordance with the ASI standard and can also input correspondingly certified material to the Aluminum Closed Loop with its suppliers.

Audi 243

Audi Manufacturer Automobile Cars 243

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 5, 2021

In a New Year’s message, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung outlined the company’s strategic direction and commitments for the year 2021 and beyond. Chung presented a vision for transforming the Group to a new growth engine by expanding market share in the eco-friendly market, securing future technology capabilities and strengthening business competitiveness in collaboration with all the members of the Group.

Hyundai 334

Hyundai Motor Motors Motoring 334

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 5, 2021

BNSF Railway Company and Wabtec began testing battery-electric locomotive technology in revenue service between Barstow and Stockton, California. As BNSF seeks ways to further reduce its environmental impact, the advancement of battery technology offers some possible solutions. The battery-powered locomotive ( FLXdrive ) will be situated in a consist between two Tier 4 locomotives, creating a battery-electric hybrid consist.

California 459

California Batteries Battery Electric 459

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 5, 2021

Heritage Environmental Services, a provider of environmental and recycling services, and battery-maker Romeo Power launched a program to select fleet electrification partners to execute on HES’ fleet electrification strategy. HES and Romeo Power intend to select commercial Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) value chain participants such as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), integrators and ePowertrain providers, to participate in the program.

Fleet 372

Fleet Los Angeles Power Powered 372

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) signed a trading agreement with Trafigura Pte Ltd. The trading agreement includes the provision of finance by Trafigura to fund the creation of strictly controlled artisanal mining zones, the installation of ore purchasing stations and costs related to the transparent and traceable delivery of cobalt hydroxide to Trafigura on an export cleared basis.

Congo 221

Congo Supplies Financing 2018 221

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

Ebusco, supplier of electric buses & chargers and Rocsys, supplier of EV charging automation, will provide a fully automated charging solution at bus depots. The innovative Rocsys robotics solution ensures that the CCS plug of the depot charger is plugged into the bus automatically and 100% correctly. As a part of the cooperation one of the first serial produced robots will be installed as a demo set-up at the Ebusco office in Deurne early 2021.

Charging 259

Charging Plug-in Plug Installation 259

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

Solaris has delivered an electric Urbino 12 school bus to the commune of Gr?boszów in Poland. The purchase of the eco-friendly vehicle was subsidized by the NFO?iGW (the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management) as part of the “Kangaroo: A Safe and Environmentally Friendly Way to School” program. The “Kangaroo” program is a fund established under the aegis of the Green Investment Scheme, which provides numerous Polish cities and towns with funding to purchase electric scho

Poland 374

Poland Electric Electrical Purchase 374

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

MAHLE has commissioned a test bench for electric drives in Stuttgart/Germany. This equipment will be used to develop and test e-axles and e-drive units for a wide range of electric and hybrid vehicles. The first test on a unit was successfully performed on behalf of a customer just a few days ago. MAHLE has invested around €3 million in the new facility.

Germany 273

Germany Electric Electrical Range 273

Green Car Congress

MAY 4, 2020

In a letter to the Secretary General of the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP), the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA), requested a 2?year delay for the introduction of the 2022 protocols due to the projected lengthy time that will be needed to recover from the effects of COVID-19. As new vehicles will be launched later than planned, we would expect that existing models will remain on sale longer and therefore we would also need to seek a solution for the Euro N

Automobile Manufacturer 186

Automobile Manufacturer Automobile Supplies Sale 186

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 15, 2019

Hyundai Mobis has developed a new rear-autonomous emergency braking (R-AEB) technology that uses ultra short-range radar (USRR) for the first time. The new technology is expected to contribute greatly to prevent unexpected backover crashes since it responds faster and has a wider detection range than conventional ultrasound sensors used in such systems.

Hyundai 284

Hyundai Range Wind Motorcycles 284

Green Car Congress

JUNE 22, 2019

Airbus, Groupe ADP and the RATP Group, along with the Paris Ile-de-France region and the French civil aviation authority (DGAC), have launched a feasibility study to demonstrate an urban system of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicles for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. This collaboration, encompassing all components of land and air mobility, marks the creation of a team of recognized experts to develop not only French technology, but also a model for urban mobility, associated services

Transportation 220

Transportation France Vehicles Maintenance 220

Green Car Congress

MAY 17, 2019

Six new start-ups have been decided on for the founders program in the Future Mobility Incubator at the Gläserne Manufaktur in Dresden. The winners of the final pitch were: AVILOO from Vienna; Kopernikus from Berlin; NAVENTIK from Chemnitz; Visualix from Berlin; home-IX UG from Stuttgart; and LiGenium from Chemnitz. They will start work in the Gläserne Manufaktur in mid-May 2019, where they will be able to develop their ideas for market readiness with the support of Volkswagen and the business d

IDEA 207

IDEA Kits 2017 Manufacturer 207

Green Car Congress

MAY 17, 2019

In a study on the effect of exhaust particles from aircraft turbine engines on human lung cells, Swiss researchers have found that cells reacted most strongly to particles emitted during ground idling. The study also showed that the cytotoxic effect is only to some extent comparable to that of particles from gasoline and diesel engines. For around 20 years, studies have shown that airborne particulate matter negatively affects human health.

Engine 321

Engine Emissions Switzerland Gasoline 321

Green Car Congress

MAY 17, 2019

The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report on the fatal March 2019 crash of a Tesla Model 3 with a semi-trailer in Delray Beach, Fla., stating that the Autopilot driver-assist system was active at the time of the crash. The 2018 Tesla Model 3 EV was southbound in the right through lane of the 14000 block of State Highway 441 (US 441) in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, when it struck an eastbound 2019 International truck-tractor in combination with a semitrai

Guinea 236

Guinea Florida Tesla 2016 236

Green Car Congress

MAY 17, 2019

BorgWarner introduced its Onboard Battery Charger (OBC), adding to the company’s impressive portfolio of technologies for plug-in hybrid and pure-electric vehicles. This technology uses silicon carbide technology and is best-in-class for power density, power conversion efficiency and safety compliance, the company says. The OBC is installed in hybrid or electric vehicles to convert alternating current (AC) from the power grid to direct current (DC) for charging batteries.

Batteries 223

Batteries Battery Power Grid Volt 223

Green Car Congress

MAY 17, 2019

Proterra launched Proterra Energy fleet solutions , a full suite of options that enable turnkey delivery of a complete energy ecosystem for heavy-duty electric fleets, including design, build, financing, operations, maintenance and energy optimization. With this comprehensive solution, operators of medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fleets such as transit bus, school bus, truck and others can lower upfront cost, reduce risk, and simplify the transition to electric vehicles.

Fleet 207

Fleet Energy Financing Maintenance 207

Green Car Congress

MAY 17, 2019

More than 11.2 million light vehicles equipped with some form of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) system will be produced globally in 2024, representing 12% of the light vehicle fleet, based on new research and forecasts from business information provider IHS Markit). IHS Markit expects that production of light vehicles equipped with V2X systems will be just under 15,000 units in 2019 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 277.5 percent in 2024.

Vehicles 301

Vehicles Light South America 2020 301

Green Car Congress

MAY 17, 2019

DHL Express and intelligent autonomous aerial vehicle company EHang entered into a strategic partnership to launch a fully automated and intelligent smart drone delivery solution to tackle the last-mile delivery challenges in the urban areas of China. The new customized route, which has been exclusively created for a DHL customer, covers a distance of approximately eight kilometers between the customer premises and the DHL service center in Liaobu, Dongguan, Guangdong Province.

Connect 332

Connect Connected China Miles 332

Green Car Congress

APRIL 12, 2019

Brightmark Energy , a San Francisco-based waste and energy development company, closed a $260-million financing package for the construction of the US’ first commercial-scale plastics-to-fuel plant, which will be located in Ashley, Indiana. The financing for “Brightmark Energy Ashley Indiana” includes $185 million in Indiana green bonds, which were underwritten by Goldman Sachs & Co.

Financing 268

Financing Waste Commercial Indiana 268

Green Car Congress

APRIL 12, 2019

Ford has revealed the new Transit Smart Energy Concept—a one-of-a-kind 10-seater minibus that is helping the company explore solutions for maximizing the energy efficiency and driving range of electrified vehicles. While one survey showed that 40% of Europeans say the next vehicle they buy will likely be electric, the distance that drivers can travel on a single charge of a battery-electric vehicle continues to be greatly impacted by the use of cabin heating features.

Concept 223

Concept Ford Range Energy 223

Green Car Congress

APRIL 12, 2019

Air pollution from diesel engines may worsen allergy-induced lung impairment more when tiny particles are filtered from the exhaust than when they are not, according to new research published online in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. This counter-intuitive result may be due to the fact that some particle-depletion technologies, including the one used by the researchers, increase the amount of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) in the exhaust.

Exhaust 191

Exhaust Diesel Pollution Canada 191

Green Car Congress

APRIL 12, 2019

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced that the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, has achieved sales of 200,000 units worldwide since its launch in 2013. Since making its debut in Japan, the Outlander PHEV has been rolled out to more than 50 countries across the world. It has become the world best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle as at the end of December 2018.

PHEV 304

PHEV Mitsubishi Sale Global 304

Green Car Congress

APRIL 12, 2019

BMW Group Production is focusing increasingly on easy-to-use and effective virtual (VR) and augmented (AR) reality applications. VR images, or artificially created images, are ever more realistic and hard to distinguish from real pictures. In AR applications, illustrations complement real images. AR and VR images can be viewed in special headsets or on normal tablet computers.

BMW 344

BMW Production Engine Parts 344

Green Car Congress

APRIL 12, 2019

The ongoing development of Volkswagen’s ID. R electric racer ( earlier post ) is in full swing. The latest version of the prototype, powered by two electric motors with a 500 kW (680 PS) system performance, will this summer chase the lap record for electric vehicles on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife with Romain Dumas at the wheel. As well as extensive test drives and the work in the wind tunnel, Volkswagen Motorsport is also strongly relying on computer simulations for driving dynamics, energy man

Electric 191

Electric Electrical Wind Motor 191