Toys 4 Boys Mini E-Classic, Dynamic Inductive Recharging, RoboRide Robotaxi — EV News Today
The MINI E-CLASSIC shows us how the past can be green, exciting news for dynamic inductive recharging technology teases us about the future, as does the autonomous car-hailing RoboRide service in Seoul. That and much more EV news is available down below.
Electric Cars
Toys 4 Boys — Restomods & EV Upgrades
“Toys 4 Boys makes its debut today at Top Marques (Monaco, June 9-12) showcasing the preview of a model that will be rolled out of the factory in the summer and start full production in September. Aznom Automotive’s newly created ‘Toys 4 Boys’ brand wants to bring to market small automobile series, unique in their design philosophy, technical solutions, refinement, and style. Toys 4 Boys will thus focus on ‘restomod’ and special upgrades to existing vehicles.
“Toys 4 Boys makes its debut with a ‘jewel’ called Mini E-Classic, a model that takes the Italian elite manufacturer into the all-electric vehicle market. This model represents the bridge between the iconic past of the Mini Cooper and the ‘green’ of contemporary electric cars thanks to the donor Mini Mk5, fully converted to electric vehicle thanks to the Retrofit 45 KW system and the ILifePo 14 kWh – DM219 batteries. With this setup, the Toys 4 Boys electric Mini cars are capable of a 140 km range, more than enough for urban drives and short trips.”
“The E-Classic configuration, inspired by the historic rally car of the 1960s, features Alcantara leather and 3 different driving setups ‘eco-normal-sport’. A second version bearing the name Cote d’Azur’ will be unveiled in the future. Based on a ‘british open’ with fully opening roof, it offers a more fashionable aesthetic, clearly inspired by the French Riviera.
“On the outside it will boast the ‘Tiffany’ Turquoise color, while the inside features both leather and fabric interiors. In the ‘Cotè D’azur’ the available modes are ‘eco – normal’.
“Both models will mount LED lights and digital instrumentation.”
“The electrification kit is compatible with all Mini cars manufactured from 1982 onwards … but bear in mind that the Aznom’s system is not only suitable for Mini cars, but will be developed for installation on many other vintage and classic cars.”
“Thanks to a second electric motor on the front axle, the new more powerful variant of the Pro models transfers its power to the road by means of an all-wheel drive system. ‘With the ID.4 Pro 4MOTION, we are meeting customer wishes and the demand for an additional model with all-wheel drive system. It is positioned exactly between the efficient and comfortable ID.4 models with rear-wheel drive and the sporty ID.4 GTX 4MOTION flagship model,’ explains Silke Bagschik, Head of Sales and Marketing for the ID. family.”
“The all-wheel drive technology in the ID.4 Pro 4MOTION improves traction and therefore makes it possible to achieve even better driving dynamics. The new model with dual-motor all-wheel drive system is also a powerful towing vehicle and is thus a reliable partner for towing smaller transport or boat trailers. Thanks to the all-wheel drive system, the maximum trailer weight of the ID.4 Pro 4MOTION is increased by 200 kilograms to 1,400 kilograms for an 8% gradient (braked) compared with the classic Pro Performance version.”
Electric performance: ŠKODA tops the trophy haul in the 2022 EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards
“ŠKODA’s electric iV range has recorded a remarkable sweep of titles at the annual EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards. The brand was named best in class in no fewer than six categories. Three models appeared in the overall top 10 list of the best new cars on sale today and the brand’s flagship electric car, the ENYAQ iV, was named Car of the Year 2022.”
“In addition to taking the top title, the ENYAQ iV was also named Best Electric Car 2022 and Best Electric Medium SUV — further proving its broad appeal among EV buyers. Commenting on the ENYAQ iV’s clean sweep of awards, Ian Robertson, Editor and Publisher of Diesel&EcoCar Magazine said: ‘ŠKODA has again managed to employ its design and engineering genius to create a model that’s greater than the sum of its parts. If you want to make the switch to pure electric, there’s no better or more sensible way than this year’s Electrified Car of the Year 2022.'”
Polestar begins delivering on 65,000 electric vehicle partnership with Hertz
” Gothenburg, Sweden — Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car manufacturer, has begun delivering new Polestar 2 electric cars to Hertz as part of the agreement announced in April 2022, under which Polestar will supply the global car rental giant with 65,000 cars over the next five years.
“The partnership between Polestar and Hertz is one of the largest single orders for electric cars ever made. The start of deliveries signifies Polestar’s operational capability as a relatively mature brand in a space heavily populated by early-stage start-ups.”
NEW AUTO goes TikTok: Volkswagen Group debuts on video platform for digital natives
“Starting now, Volkswagen’s transformation into a tech company will be accompanied by a TikTok channel called ‘newauto’ — the name of the Group’s strategy. This is the Volkswagen Group’s first appearance on the trendy video platform. Creative and entertaining videos on the channel explain the historic transformation towards the mobility world of the future, which Volkswagen pushes forward with its NEW AUTO strategy.
“Infotainment on topics such as decarbonization, circular economy, battery & charging, car software or autonomous driving show the young target group Volkswagen’s path to the future — towards a mobility that will be emission-free, autonomous and more individual than ever.”
EV Charging
“Amsterdam — After months of testing at the ‘Arena del Futuro’ circuit, Stellantis, together with its project partners, today demonstrated in Chiari, Italy, the capability of Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) technology to wirelessly recharge electric vehicles (EVs) as they travel over specially equipped, dedicated road lanes.
“DWPT is a system of coils positioned under the asphalt that transfers energy directly to cars, trucks and buses without the need to stop at charging stations to refill the battery. The technology can be adapted for all vehicles equipped with a special ‘receiver’ that transfers the energy incoming from the road infrastructure directly to the electric motor, extending the range, while conserving the vehicle battery charge.”
“The pilot project of Stellantis and all partners involved is coordinated by A35 Brebemi, a company owned by the global transportation infrastructure operator Aleatica that focuses on sustainable and innovative mobility solutions.”
Electric Buses
“Paris (France) / Koningshooikt (Belgium) – Van Hool, the Belgian manufacturer of buses, coaches and industrial vehicles, presented its first edition of a completely new range of 100% zero emission buses on the first day of Euro Mobility Expo 2022, an international trade show for public transport. The Van Hool A12 Battery Electric is the first vehicle in a completely new range of buses in four different lengths (12m, 13m, 18m and 24m) equipped with exclusively zero emission powertrains: battery-electric, fuel cell (hydrogen) and trolley. With this new A range, the company is building on the knowledge and experience it has gained in the area of eco-friendly buses for public urban and regional transport. Van Hool is ready to provide a response to the ever-growing demand from public transport companies that are focusing on ‘greening’ their fleets. Even before the official announcement of the new A range Van Hool had 13 orders on its books, for a total of 162 buses.”
Batteries
Nano One and Rio Tinto announce strategic partnership and US$10 million investment
“Nano One® Materials Corp. (‘Nano One‘ or the ‘Company’), a clean technology innovator in battery materials, and Rio Tinto, a leading global mining and metals group, have agreed to enter into a strategic partnership providing iron and lithium products, collaboration and a US$10M investment into Nano One. This partnership and funding will accelerate Nano One’s multi-cathode (multi-CAM) commercialization strategy and support cathode active materials (CAM) manufacturing in Canada for a cleaner and more efficient battery supply chain for North American and overseas markets.”
Volkswagen-led research team to recycle batteries multiple times for the first time
“Michael Kellner, Parliamentary State Secretary: ‘European battery production can only be successful if it focuses on sustainability in as many areas as possible. Sustainable batteries are crucial for an energy and transport transition that is guided by high environmental and social standards.’
Sebastian Wolf, Chief Operating Officer Battery Cell at Volkswagen AG, explained: ‘The recycling of batteries and production rejects makes a decisive contribution to securing the supply of raw materials for our planned factories. Through the HVBatCycle project, a holistic view of the recycling processes and thereby the implementation of the closed loop of battery materials is being prepared.'”
Autonomous Vehicles
“Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) announced today it will pilot a RoboRide car-hailing service in Gangnam in Seoul, South Korea, utilizing IONIQ 5 battery electric vehicles (BEV) with in-house developed level 4 autonomous driving technology. The pilot RoboRide will be the first car-hailing service with autonomous driving vehicles to operate in Gangnam, one of the most congested areas in metropolitan Seoul.”
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