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NREL develops novel method to produce renewable acrylonitrile; carbon fibers from renewable biomass

Green Car Congress

Today, acrylonitrile is used in the production of acrylic fibers for carpets, clothes, and fabrics, and in plastics such as food containers, and packaging materials. The high acrylonitrile yield allows us to propose a potential industrial process for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to renewable acrylonitrile and carbon fibers.

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SGL Carbon produces prototypes of fully integrated composite battery enclosures for NIO; battery swapping

Green Car Congress

In collaboration with SGL Carbon, Chinese automotive manufacturer NIO has developed prototypes for battery enclosures made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) for its NIO high performance electric vehicles. In comparison, the CFRP battery enclosure is around 40 percent lighter.

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Stanley Engineered Fastening bringing next-gen self-pierce rivets to NA market; lightweight materials assembly

Green Car Congress

Stanley Engineered Fastening (SEF), which offers a broad portfolio of fastening solutions, such as stud-welding systems (SWS) and plastic fasteners, is bringing its next-generation self-pierce rivets (SPRs) to the North American market for the first time. In addition, the joint has higher dynamic strength in comparison to a spot welded joint.

Market 150
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XL1 dive and drive: Volkswagen aggressively optimizes for efficiency in its sleek diesel plug-in hybrid

Green Car Congress

The XL1 is aggressively optimized for efficiency in all areas of its design and technology—from materials (carbon fiber reinforced polymer monocoque); to powertrain (0.8L Comparison of electric drive fuel consumption (kWh/100 miles). By comparison, a Volkswagen Polo is slightly longer (156.3 Click to enlarge.

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Audi provides overview of its 4 distinct EV platforms

Green Car Congress

By comparison, an asynchronous motor’s rotor rotates slower than a synchronous speed. The body and roof of the e-tron GT are made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), and the car uses the same multi-material construction philosophy as other Audi vehicles like the A8.

Audi 300
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Toyota introduces second-generation Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle as design and technology flagship

Green Car Congress

In comparison, the first-gen Mirai was FWD, and the larger stack was placed under a raised section of the passenger compartment floor. The new strategy will make the Mirai accessible to a wider market. The new, smaller stack allowed the switch to rear-wheel drive. Cooling air for the battery is silently pulled in from the cabin.

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Shanghai General Motors introduces Sail SPRINGO EV at Auto Guangzhou 2012; green technology strategy to 2020

Green Car Congress

As a comparison, the new Chevrolet Spark EV uses a 100 kW motor with 542 N·m of torque. The Sail SPRINGO EV consumes less than 15 kWh for every 100 km—less than most electric vehicles currently on the market. Earlier post.). The Sail SPRINGO EV costs RMB 4.6 (US$0.74) and 6:00 a.m.).