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electric

Growing power: A quick look at the market for electric cars

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Will electric cars become more common than petrol cars? New developments suggest that they just might.

There are 1 billion cars in the world today. And only 1 million of them are fully electric vehicles.

But electric cars are growing in number, as auto giants take more interest. As Pamela Fletcher of GM says: “The electric drive is the ultimate luxury attribute – the absolute smoothness of the driving experience, the quietness… the acceleration.”  [Read more…] about Growing power: A quick look at the market for electric cars

Electric cars: Germany to ban petrol engines from 2030

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Some say the traditional petrol-driven internal combustion engine is on the way out. 

It would seem inevitable, given that the alternative – the electric engine – is less harmful to the environment at the point of use.

The implications of the rise of the electric engine for the global oil business is beyond the scope of this article, but oil will probably continue to be important going forward because of its role in powering so many other sectors of industry.

But as far as the demands on the oil industry that road-going vehicles will make, it seems there is a definite downward trend emerging.

Perhaps the most significant recent development is the German government’s decision to ban the combustion engine effective 2030.  [Read more…] about Electric cars: Germany to ban petrol engines from 2030

ABB and Microsoft launch next-generation electric vehicle charging services

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The cloud based e-mobility charging platform will combine ABB’s vehicle-charging technologies with Microsoft’s cloud services

ABB and Microsoft have launched a new electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging services platform which they say is available worldwide.

The companies say the systems combines ABB’s EV charging stations with Microsoft’s Azure cloud-based services and will ensure stability, global scalability and advanced management features for ABB customers.

The collaboration will also take advantage of machine learning and predictive analytic capabilities to drive future innovations.  [Read more…] about ABB and Microsoft launch next-generation electric vehicle charging services

BMW reveals new autonomous Mini concept

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BMW has unveiled a new concept for its Mini model as part of its “Vision Next 100” project to steer the company into the future. 

The new Mini Cooperizer is designed as a computerized, electric, connected, and autonomous car, which is meant as part of the company’s own ride-sharing scheme.

BMW plans to locate Minis all over a town for people to hire as and when they want through its app.  [Read more…] about BMW reveals new autonomous Mini concept

Autonomous Tractor boss says new technology can help farmers halve their costs

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The Autonomous Tractor Corporation is close to launching a range of new technologies which it says will help farmers halve their equipment costs. 

In exclusive comments to Robotics and Automation News, Kraig Schulz, CEO of ATC, says the company’s latest eDrive system would cost between $250 and $500 per horsepower.

This is approximately half the cost of a new tractor, which costs anywhere between around $750 and $1,000 per hp.

Schulz says: “The system costs will obviously depend on configuration, horsepower, and so on, but we can have a retrofit eDrive system for a 325 hp sprayer done, installed, ready to go for about $75,000 which is a little less than having the whole thing rebuilt with hydrostatic drives – about $80,000. [Read more…] about Autonomous Tractor boss says new technology can help farmers halve their costs