Market trends and business perspectives
Electric cars are here to stay, with most major manufacturers releasing new makes and models within the next five years.
And, there’s no question as to why. Electric vehicles come with a long list of benefits, including reducing pollution, limiting our dependence on oil, and even providing more customization thanks to technologically-advanced software. [Read more…] about 6 Things to Think About Before Buying an Electric Vehicle
The global market for electric vehicles made significant progress during the last 10 years. According to recent figures, the quantity of light electric vehicles (or EVs as most people call it) reached over 2.2 million units in 2019-2020, which is 9 percent higher than in 2018.
However, sales still declined in the United States and China, two of the largest EV markets worldwide. Even then, the Global EV Outlook, a yearly publication showcasing the latest developments in electric mobility still consider 2019 a banner year for this industry.
As the world recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, industry experts see a brighter future in the years to come. [Read more…] about Electric vehicles and their impact on the environment
Volkswagen has provided a glimpse into a future in which the search for charging stations for electric cars comes to an end. (See video below.)
Volkswagen Group Components’ mobile charging robot takes over this task – and drives to the electric car completely autonomously.
After it is started via app or vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) communication, the mobile robot drives itself to the vehicle that needs charging and communicates with it. [Read more…] about Volkswagen unveils concept robot for electric vehicle charging
The fully-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros will now take to the roads for the food logistics specialist Nagel-Group in Hamburg.
The vehicle will round off the Mercedes-Benz Trucks eActros “Innovation Fleet” for testing the heavy-duty electric truck.
The first eActros has been taking part in customer testing since September 2018 and the eActros in use by Nagel-Group is the tenth vehicle in the fleet.
[Read more…] about Nagel tests Mercedes-Benz eActros electric truck in Hamburg
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?
ZF has developed an electric light commercial vehicle specifically for the Japanese market.
The company has been electrifying a wide range of systems not only for passenger cars and commercial vehicles but also for industrial machines.
This prototype vehicle has been developed by ZF Japan’s engineering team at their Tech Centre in Yokohama, collaborating with a team in ZF HQ in Germany in order to satisfy Japan’s unique requirements.
[Read more…] about ZF unveils electric truck prototype for JapanGroupe Renault is beginning the first large-scale pilot schemes in vehicle-to-grid charging, also called reversible electric charging.
A fleet of fifteen Zoe vehicles with vehicle-to-grid charging will be introduced in Europe over the course of 2019 to develop the company’s future portfolio in reversible charging and lay the groundwork for future standards.
These pilot schemes began in Utrecht (the Netherlands) in an ecosystem developed by We Drive Solar and on Porto Santo Island, in Madeira, Portugal, with Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira. More pilot schemes will be introduced in France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark.
[Read more…] about Renault pilots large-scale vehicle-to-grid charging from electric vehicles
Faraday Future is partnering with a computer games company called The9 to produce electric cars for the Chinese market.
The California-based Faraday Future says it has signed a joint venture agreement with The9 to form a joint venture to manufacture, market, distribute, and sell “luxury intelligent electric vehicles” in China.
This also marks a key first step for FF to officially launch its dual-home-market and dual-brand strategy in both China and the US. [Read more…] about Faraday Future to manufacture electric cars in partnership with computer games company
Honda has confirmed the global premiere of a prototype version of its new electric vehicle will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019.
Honda’s new electric vehicle is developed with a focus on functionality and purpose and the prototype sketch demonstrates this through its clean, simple and unique design. The image highlights a clear link to Honda’s Urban EV Concept initially shown at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The debut is a further demonstration of Honda’s ‘Electric Vision’, a commitment that two thirds of European sales will feature electrified technology by 2025. A mass production version of the car will be on sale later in the year.
Alstom is sending Aptis on a six-week roadshow in Spain to be tested, together with local transport companies, in Barcelona, Madrid and Vigo.
The first operational test starts in January in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, before going to Madrid on the 4th of February. The roadshow will then continue in Vigo from 14 to 22 February.
The tests conducted in the customer depots as well as under real operating conditions are designed to evaluate the specific characteristics of Aptis in a new urban setting, its charging system, its autonomy, and its insertion performance in traffic, following the first successful tests in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
[Read more…] about Alstom’s electric bus Aptis goes on test in Spain
