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Electric vehicles: Mercedes-Benz starts construction of battery factory

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Mercedes-Benz Cars has held a groundbreaking ceremony, marking the start of the construction of a new battery factory. The factory will be built near the vehicle production site in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA, providing batteries for future electric SUV under the product and technology brand EQ.

Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain, attended the ceremony: “We aim to play a pioneering role in the development of e-mobility and are well prepared to accomplish this mission.

“One year ago, we announced $1 billion investment in Tuscaloosa mostly for the production of electric SUVs and a battery plant. We are bringing electric mobility for Mercedes-Benz to the United States. Around the globe, we are preparing six sites for production of EQ models and our battery network will consist of eight factories.”

[Read more…] about Electric vehicles: Mercedes-Benz starts construction of battery factory

Aisin and Denso agree joint venture on electrification driving modules

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Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd and Denso Corporation today announced that they have reached a basic agreement to establish a new joint venture company to develop and sell electrification driving modules. The company will be capitalised with the participation ratio of Aisin 50% and Denso 50%.

The automotive industry is in an era of profound transformation, particularly in technologies for electrification, automated driving and connected driving. Electrification is one of the key disrupters impacting the automotive industry.

Details are still being discussed and the plan is for the new company to launch in March 2019.

[Read more…] about Aisin and Denso agree joint venture on electrification driving modules

UPS to test new electric vehicle

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UPS is collaborating with Thor Trucks, Inc. to develop and test a fully-electric class 6 delivery truck in Los Angeles, Calif. The truck is expected to be ready for deployment later this year.

UPS continues to work with a range of companies to test and deploy promising alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

The Thor electric delivery truck will have a driving range of approximately 100 miles powered by a Thor-designed and built battery that will be lightweight, durable and allow long-range driving distances.

[Read more…] about UPS to test new electric vehicle

Dongfeng Nissan begins production of Sylphy Zero Emission electric car

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The Nissan Sylphy Zero Emission, the first Nissan electric car made for China, has begun rolling off the production line.

As Nissan’s first all-electric vehicle built in China specifically for Chinese consumers, the Nissan Sylphy Zero Emission promises to usher in a new era of electrification in the world’s largest automotive market.

The model was developed based on the platform of the world’s best-selling electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, and the best-selling Nissan sedan in China, the Sylphy. It’s being built at Dongfeng Nissan’s Huadu plant.

[Read more…] about Dongfeng Nissan begins production of Sylphy Zero Emission electric car

Growth in electric vehicle sales will not strain the power grid, says McKinsey

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The growing popularity and sales of electric vehicle will not strain the power grid, according to an analysis by McKinsey, one of the world’s leading management consultancies. 

McKinsey says its analysis suggests “the projected growth in e-mobility will not drive substantial increases in total electrical-grid power demand in the near- to mid-term, limiting the need for new electricity-generation capacity during that period”.

The authors of the report used Germany as an example and found that electric vehicle sales may grow to the extent that five extra gigawatts of power will be required, but that is only 1 percent of total supply.  [Read more…] about Growth in electric vehicle sales will not strain the power grid, says McKinsey

ABB launches first 350 kW high power car charger

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ABB has launched its newest electric vehicle (EV) charging solution, the Terra HP, the first 350 kW product on the market. Charging time for a range of 200 km is just eight minutes, claims the company.

Ideally suited for use at motorway service and petrol stations, Terra HP’s ultra-high current has the capacity to charge both 400 V and 800 V cars at full power.

The addition of Dynamic DC power sharing technology, allows a two-power cabinet charging system to charge a couple of EVs simultaneously, with up to 350 kW, while dynamically optimizing the available grid connection and the power delivery to the two vehicles.

[Read more…] about ABB launches first 350 kW high power car charger

General Motors produces new fleet of self-driving Chevrolet Bolt EV test vehicles

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Company claims to be the first company to use mass-production methods for autonomous and electric vehicles

General Motors says it has completed production of 130 Chevrolet Bolt EV test vehicles equipped with its next generation of self-driving technology at its Orion Assembly Plant located in Orion Township, Michigan.

The vehicles will join the more than 50 current-generation self-driving Bolt EVs already deployed in testing fleets in San Francisco; Scottsdale, Arizona; and metro Detroit.

GM CEO Mary Barra says: “This production milestone brings us one step closer to making our vision of personal mobility a reality.

“Expansion of our real-world test fleet will help ensure that our self-driving vehicles meet the same strict standards for safety and quality that we build into all of our vehicles.”  [Read more…] about General Motors produces new fleet of self-driving Chevrolet Bolt EV test vehicles

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