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BMW bids to shape the future of battery cell technology

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The BMW Group is building on its leading position in the world of electric mobility and has pooled its many years of experience with battery cells and extensive knowledge in the field in a new Competence Centre.

The purpose of the facility in Munich is to advance battery cell technology and carefully dissect the production processes.

Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW, says: “The new Battery Cell Competence Centre puts us in an enviable position. [Read more…] about BMW bids to shape the future of battery cell technology

BA Systemes unveils new ‘compact and robust’ AGV

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Logistics technology company BA Systemes has unveiled what it describes as a “compact and robust” automated guided vehicle for warehouse operation, mainly to handle pallets. (See video below.)

The company says its GF 10.1 AGV has been designed to be “modular and easily adaptable” to the various specificities of its customers.

BA Systemes says the new AGV can handle all types of pallets, from traditional Euro pallets to GMA pallets with perimeter base. [Read more…] about BA Systemes unveils new ‘compact and robust’ AGV

Dow showcasing new materials aimed at automotive sector at Battery Show

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Dow Performance Silicones is showcasing new materials aimed at the automotive sector at the ongoing Battery Show North America.

The silicon-based technology and innovations include new materials and capabilities for electric vehicle and battery packs.

The company says the technologies are intended to help designers and engineers to manage thermal, adhesion, sealing and throughput challenges. [Read more…] about Dow showcasing new materials aimed at automotive sector at Battery Show

Kuka receives large order from Donghee for robotic welding systems

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Industrial robot manufacturer Kuka says it has received an order in the “single-digit million euro range” from the Korean automotive supplier Donghee Industrial.

The order was booked in the second quarter of 2019.

Donghee relies on robot-based friction stir welding from Kuka in the area of electric mobility. [Read more…] about Kuka receives large order from Donghee for robotic welding systems

BMW’s Spartanburg plant doubles battery production capacity

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BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the US state of South Carolina has doubled its capacity for production of high-voltage batteries.

The plant’s own battery facility now produces the new fourth-generation batteries.

These are intended for the plug-in hybrid models of the new BMW X5 and the future BMW X3, also produced in Spartanburg. [Read more…] about BMW’s Spartanburg plant doubles battery production capacity

Vattenfall and Echandia Marine develop electric ferry with ‘superfast charging’

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Energy supplier Vattenfall and engineering company Echandia Marine claim they have developed a new solution for electric ferries that can “minimise emissions and noise and at the same time lower operational and maintenance costs and provide superfast charging”.

The systems are installed on E/S Movitz that operates in central Stockholm and can be fully charged within 10 minutes with up to 500 kW charging power.

Vattenfall and Echandia Marine have together developed a new concept that can contribute to a more sustainable transport solution for different types of boats and ferries. [Read more…] about Vattenfall and Echandia Marine develop electric ferry with ‘superfast charging’

StoreDot and BP fully charge an electric vehicle in five minutes

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StoreDot and BP have demonstrated a live, full-charge of a two-wheel electric vehicle (EV) in just five minutes.

An electric scooter equipped with StoreDot’s charging battery demonstrated that this technology can charge an electric vehicle in only five minutes.

This proof-of-concept is a major milestone for ultra-fast charging battery technology and its game-changing potential to accelerate the adoption of EVs.

[Read more…] about StoreDot and BP fully charge an electric vehicle in five minutes

NEDO, Sharp, and Toyota to begin public road trials of electrified vehicles equipped with high-efficiency solar batteries

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NEDO, Sharp Corporation, and Toyota Motor plan to commence public road trials of electrified vehicles equipped with high-efficiency solar batteries later this month.

The trials aim to assess the effectiveness of improvements in cruising range and fuel efficiency of electrified vehicles equipped with high-efficiency solar batteries.

To facilitate the execution of this trial, Sharp modularized its world-class, high-efficiency solar battery cells (conversion efficiency of 34 percent+), previously developed for a NEDO-led project, to create an onboard solar battery panel. [Read more…] about NEDO, Sharp, and Toyota to begin public road trials of electrified vehicles equipped with high-efficiency solar batteries

How do DC/DC converters work in hybrid and electric cars?

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Within every electric vehicle is a battery that outputs a certain voltage.

Given that this voltage might not be appropriate for the various devices being driven, we need to install another device along the signal path.

This device is known as a DC/DC converter, and without it, the modern electric car wouldn’t be possible. [Read more…] about How do DC/DC converters work in hybrid and electric cars?

Toyota and Subaru to jointly develop battery electric vehicles

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Toyota Motor Corporation and Subaru Corporation are to jointly develop a platform dedicated to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for midsize and large passenger vehicles and to jointly develop a C-segment-class BEV SUV model for sale under each company’s own brand.

The two companies will combine their respective strengths, such as Subaru all-wheel-drive technologies and Toyota vehicle electrification technologies,  to create attractive BEVs.

Ever since concluding an agreement on business collaboration in 2005, Toyota and Subaru have been deepening their cooperation in various fields, including development, production, and sales.

[Read more…] about Toyota and Subaru to jointly develop battery electric vehicles