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Opinion: Radical rethink of automotive R&D investment required in 2020

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Continued disruption, restructuring and re-shaping of the automotive industry will be required to make increasing levels of R&D affordable whilst simultaneously representing a major growth opportunity in the year ahead, according to engineering consultancy Horiba Mira.

The proliferation of electrification and connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technologies will continue to be amongst the top automotive trends in 2020 which will continue to push up the already soaring costs of research and development.

Indeed, latest figures show European auto manufacturers spent a record £33.3 billion on R&D – 35 per cent more than the £24.6 billion spent in 2014/15. [Read more…] about Opinion: Radical rethink of automotive R&D investment required in 2020

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

ABB to supply high power charging for new era of e-mobility in Scandinavia

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ABB is to equip new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Denmark, Norway and Swede, starting with a first station now open in Fredericia, Denmark.

The station, a joint venture with E.ON Drive & Clever, and is part of ABB’s plan to roll out 48 high-power charging stations across the motorways of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The pilot station, which will be one of eight stations to launch in Denmark by the end of 2020, features ABB Ability-enabled high-power chargers, which are capable of adding up to 200 km of range in just eight minutes.

[Read more…] about ABB to supply high power charging for new era of e-mobility in Scandinavia

Panasonic launches electric vehicle charging service in India

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Panasonic has announced the launch of a smart EV charging service in India.

The futuristic charging service combines physical components such as charging stations, swap stations, on board charges, telematics systems and virtual components such as cloud service, analytics, intuitive dashboard, and artificial intelligence to deliver a one stop solution.

Nymbus is a technology platform designed and developed to cater to the growing mobility market in India.

[Read more…] about Panasonic launches electric vehicle charging service in India

Hitachi electric vehicle inverter adopted for the Audi e-tron

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Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.’s electric vehicle (EV) inverter has been adopted by Audi for its first mass production EV, the e-tron, which went on sale in Europe in March this year.

With tightened environmental regulations around the world, many countries are driving for greater adoption of electric vehicles.

This has led to the demand for more efficient and higher-output electric motors, inverters, and other electric powertrain systems that will contribute to high performance EVs.

[Read more…] about Hitachi electric vehicle inverter adopted for the Audi e-tron

Rigterink Logistikgruppe tests the all-electric eActros truck

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Mercedes-Benz Trucks has sent another fully-electric eActros onto the streets: the heavy-duty truck will now be put through its paces by Rigterink Logistikgruppe in regular operations transporting foodstuffs around Frankfurt am Main and other towns in the Rhine-Main area of Germany.

The daily distance from the Rigterink logistics premises in Flörsheim am Main to supermarket branches and various central logistics centres of supermarket chains is around 200 km.

The route will be driven once a day by the 25-tonne truck, making full use of its range of around 200 km with a single charge. The batteries will be charged overnight.

[Read more…] about Rigterink Logistikgruppe tests the all-electric eActros truck

ABB and Porsche to jointly develop electric vehicle chargers

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ABB has teamed up with Porsche to develop a dedicated high-power charger for Porsche’s electric vehicles in Japan.

ABB has entered into an agreement to deliver its market-leading electric vehicle infrastructure for Porsche Japan’s EVs, including Taycan, the automaker’s first fully electric car, set to enter the Japanese market in 2020.

Under the terms, Porsche Japan will install ABB’s high-power chargers at Porsche Centers and public facilities across the country, creating a network of fast chargers for its electric vehicles. The first installation is set to go live in mid-2020.

[Read more…] about ABB and Porsche to jointly develop electric vehicle chargers

Phihong launches new electric vehicle charger

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Phihong has launched a new electric vehicle charger.

Following successful deliveries of EV changer products in Asia and Europe, Phihong, a supplier of power solutions, announces the availability of the AC32A 7.7kW Electric Vehicle Charger with UL certification for the North American market.

The AC32 7.7kW AC charger is compact, reliable, lightweight, and vibration resistant. With a sleek, ergonomic and customizable design, the AC32 chargers require a single-phase 220Vac to 240Vac input and have options to be wall-mounted or free standing. [Read more…] about Phihong launches new electric vehicle charger

Daimler and NewMotion team up on electric vehicle charging solutions for fleet customers

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Daimler AG is cooperating with NewMotion B.V., one of Europe’s leading providers of charging solutions, enabling Mercedes-Benz in Germany and Athlon to offer an all-in solution from a single source to fleet customers.

This comprehensive, modular package offers tailor-made solutions for all charging requirements and range of services relating to vehicle charging, from advice and installation to operation of the charging points.

These include charging stations at business locations, home charging stations for employees and access to public charging points.

[Read more…] about Daimler and NewMotion team up on electric vehicle charging solutions for fleet customers

Renault pilots large-scale vehicle-to-grid charging from electric vehicles

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Groupe 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