Influencers assess 2017 and make predictions for 2018
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 20, 2017
As the year winds down, questions tend to arise about what the big trends of the past year have been and what the year to come may hold.
Sat.Dec 16, 2017 - Fri.Dec 22, 2017
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World Bank will stop funding oil, gas exploration in 2019
Green Car Reports
DECEMBER 19, 2017
It's not just the world automotive industry that's grappling with rapid changes brought about by the need to reduce the effects of climate change. The world's fossil-fuel extraction, refining, and delivery industries are also faced with the reality that two centuries of burning their core products hurts the planet and has already exacerbated.
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The Top 10 KPIs Every Fleet Manager Should Track
Green Fleet Magazine
DECEMBER 20, 2017
ELDs will increase the amount of useful data that fleets can use to improve safety, efficiency and compliance. While KPIs will differ by fleet size and vertical, here are the most common – the ones every fleet should be tracking.
German partners start testing of optimized aviation engine compression system
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 20, 2017
Long-term partners MTU Aero Engines, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and GKN Aerospace Engine Systems have been working together within the European research program Clean Sky 2 to optimize an engine compression system and make it lighter. The resulting new technologies could be incorporated into the next generation of geared turbofans.
How serious is Norway about climate change? So much that its streetlights self-dim
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Aerion and Lockheed Martin partner to develop first supersonic business jet
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 16, 2017
Aerion and Lockheed Martin announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to define a formal and gated process to explore the feasibility of a joint development of the world’s first supersonic business jet, the Aerion AS2. Over the next 12 months, the companies will work together to develop a framework on all phases of the program, including engineering, certification and production.
Tsinghua, MIT, Argonne team discovers lithium titanate hydrates for superfast, stable cycling in Li-ion batteries
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 17, 2017
An international research team from Tsinghua University, MIT and Argonne National Laboratory has discovered a series of novel lithium titanate hydrates that show better electrochemical performances compared to all the Li 2 O–TiO 2 materials reported so far—including those after nanostructuring, doping and/or coating. Reported in an open access paper in the journal Nature Communications , the novel lithium titanate hydrates show a specific capacity of about 130 mA h g −1 at ~35 C (fully cha
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Startup Thor Trucks announces its ET-One electric Class 8 tractor prototype
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 18, 2017
Los Angeles-based startup Thor Trucks announced its electric Class 8 tractor “semi-prototype” ET-One, with 80,000 pound carrying capacity. ET-One is targeted at short-haul markets where daily miles traveled rarely exceed 250. ET-One and company co-founders Dakota Semler and Giordano Sordoni. Thor plans to offer modular battery packs, with up to 1 MWh in battery storage to support ranges of up to 300 miles of range.
German researchers develop technique capable of determining Li metal plating during Li-ion battery charging; benefit for EVs
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 18, 2017
A new technique—operando electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy— developed by researchers at Technische Universität München (TUM), Forschungszentrum Jülich, and RWTH Aachen University provides a unique insight into how the charging rate of lithium-ion batteries can be a factor limiting their lifetime and safety. The study is published in the journal Materials Today.
Scania invests $178M in new foundry; 50% cut in energy consumption through process improvements and heat recovery
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 16, 2017
Scania plans to invest about SEK 1.5 billion (US$178 million) in a new foundry in Södertälje, Sweden, in order to triple production capacity and achieve a 50% reduction in energy consumption compared to the technology and methods used in the current foundry. Through more efficient materials handling and recycling, a sharp reduction will also be achieved in the transport need per manufactured unit.
UPS pre-orders 125 Tesla electric Semis
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 19, 2017
UPS, which operates one of the largest commercial trucking fleets in the world, reserved 125 of Tesla’s new battery-electric Semi tractors. ( Earlier post.) The new tractors will join UPS’ extensive alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle fleet, comprising trucks and tractors propelled by electricity, natural gas, propane and other non-traditional fuels.
Georgia Tech study suggests one in five materials chemistry papers may be wrong; MOFs as example
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 19, 2017
The replicability of results from scientific studies has become a major source of concern in the research community, particularly in the social sciences and biomedical sciences. But many researchers in the fields of engineering and the hard sciences haven’t felt the same level of concern for independent validation of their results. However, a new study by researchers at Georgia Tech that compared the results reported in thousands of papers published about the properties of metal organic framewor
Novel laser welding technique could expand use of advanced high-strength steel alloys
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 19, 2017
A Brazilian researcher has developed an innovative method of laser welding at high temperatures that enhances the properties of advanced high-strength (AHS) steel for applications in the automotive and aerospace industries. The automotive industry’s demand for high-performance AHS alloys has increased in recent years owing to increasingly stringent passenger safety, vehicle performance and fuel economy requirements.
Researchers propose new approach for estimating health of battery pack
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 18, 2017
A team from the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei is proposing a new approach to estimate the state of health of EV battery packs using an artificial intelligence (AI) optimization algorithm. A paper on their work is published in the Journal of Power Sources. Accurately estimating battery pack state of health (SOH) estimation is important for a number of reasons in EV applications, including dynamic response of the pack, safety reliability.
The BMW Group and Solid Power partner to drive solid-state battery adoption in EVs
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 18, 2017
The BMW Group is partnering with Solid Power , a developer of solid-state rechargeable batteries, in a joint effort to develop Solid Power’s solid-state batteries for electric vehicle applications. In this effort, the BMW Group will assist Solid Power to advance its technology in order to achieve performance levels required for high-performance electric vehicles.
Volkswagen appoints Frank Blome to head Battery Cell Center of Excellence
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 18, 2017
Volkswagen has appointed Frank Blome, previously Chairman of the Management Board of Daimler subsidiary Deutsche ACCUmotive GmbH, to head the Battery Cell Center of Excellence of the Volkswagen brand. Blome will assume the newly created function with effect from 1 January 2018. Blome holds a degree in electrical engineering and started his career as a development engineer in 1995.
Electrify America to install 2,800 charging stations at workplaces and multi-unit dwellings across US
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 18, 2017
Electrify America LLC announced it will install more than 2,800 workplace and residential charging stations by June 2019 in 17 of the biggest metropolitan areas in the United States. The initiative is part of Electrify America’s $2-billion investment in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and education in the United States over the next 10 years. Electrify America is the Volkswagen subsidiary established earlier this year to fulfill Volkswagen’s commitments under the Consent Decree resolving it
ADB approves $499M loan to establish facility for improved air quality in greater Beijing area; includes hydrogen transport
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 16, 2017
The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Board of Directors approved a €428-million ($499-million) loan to set up a regional emission-reduction and pollution-control facility as part of a multiyear and multisector support program to improve air quality in the greater Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region, which suffers from heavy air pollution. Cities in the greater BTH region have consistently been reported to have the highest concentration of particulate matter and other air pollutants, following decad
Audi extends trade-in bonus in Germany for Euro 1-4 diesel owners switching to Audi Euro 6 vehicle
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 20, 2017
In Germany, Audi is extending its trade-in bonus for customers who switch from diesel-powered cars that meet the Euro 1 through Euro 4 emissions standards to an Audi that meets the Euro 6 standard. The price advantage is scaled by model—depending on the category of the selected new car, it amounts to between €3,000 and €10,000 ($3,500 to $12,000).
Wärtsilä providing HY hybrid modules for Swedish port tug; first vessel operating with Wärtsilä HY solution
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 20, 2017
The technology group Wärtsilä will supply two Wärtsilä HY 2 hybrid power modules for a new escort tug being built for the Swedish port of Luleå located on the Gulf of Bothnia in the northern end of the Baltic Sea. The vessel is being built at GONDAN Shipbuilders, in Asturias, Spain, and the order with Wärtsilä was booked in December 2017. When launched in early 2019, it will become the first vessel operating with a Wärtsilä HY solution. ( Earlier post.).
Lloyd’s Register and UMAS release Zero Emission Vessels 2030 study
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 20, 2017
Lloyd’s Register and University Maritime Advisory Services (UMAS) released a new study— Zero Emission Vessels 2030 —that aims to demonstrate the viability of zero emission vessels (ZEVs) by identifying what needs to be in place to make them a competitive solution for decarbonization. The first milestone in the IMO greenhouse gas (GHG) Roadmap is rapidly approaching: MEPC (Marine Environment Protection Committee) 72 in April 2018, which will, inter alia , address the reduction of gree
JATO: European car registrations up 5.2% in November; SUVs post record market share
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 20, 2017
New car registrations in Europe climbed 5.2% year-on-year in November 2017 to 1,250,281 units, according to JATO Dynamics. France, Spain and Germany, along with mid-sized markets including the Netherlands and Austria, experienced the biggest increases in volume for the month, off-setting a decline in the UK market where registrations were down 11.2%.
Honda to unveil prototype of Gen 3 Insight hybrid at Detroit show; two-motor hybrid system
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 19, 2017
Honda will unveil the Honda Insight Prototype at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January as the precursor to the new third-generation 2019 Honda Insight—an upscale, stylish five-passenger sedan positioned above the Civic in Honda’s passenger car lineup. The new Insight features the latest generation of Honda’s innovative two-motor hybrid system and will launch next summer as the newest electrified vehicle in the Honda lineup.
EU Council of Ministers adopts position on Renewable Energies Directive; bumps renewables in transport to 14% in 2030
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 19, 2017
The EU Council has adopted its position on a directive promoting the use of renewable energy across the EU. This agreement paves the way for the Council to start negotiations with the European Parliament as soon as it agrees on its negotiating mandate. The EU is committed to reach a target of at least 27% renewable energy of its overall energy consumption by 2030.
Beijing to cut annual new car registration quota by one-third to 100,000; 60% for new energy vehicles
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 19, 2017
Xinhuanet reports that beginning next year, the Beijing municipal government will slash the annual new car registration quota by one-third, from 150,000 license plates to 100,000. Of the 100,000, 60% are reserved for new energy vehicles. Beijing currently has registered a total of 137,800 electric cars. The Chinese capital intends to bring the total number of vehicles to around 6.3 million by the end of 2020.
DOE: median EV range in US grew 56% from 73 miles in MY 2011 to 114 miles in MY 2017
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 19, 2017
From 2011 to 2017, the median of the all-electric vehicle ranges in the US increased by 41 miles, or 56%—from 73 to 114 miles— according to data gathered by the US Department of Energy (DOE). In model year 2011, there were just three different models of AEVs available and their ranges on a full charge (according to the Environmental Protection Agency) spanned from 63 to 94 miles.
Williams Advanced Engineering and Airbus collaborate on materials and battery technologies for Zephyr HAPS program
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 19, 2017
Airbus and Williams Advanced Engineering have signed a memorandum of understanding under which the two companies will focus on the ways in which ultra-lightweight materials, battery technologies and electrical cell chemistries can be integrated on Airbus’ Zephyr High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) program. In 2015, Airbus Defence and Space and Sion Power Corporation signed a three-year Collaborative Agreement under which Sion Power enhanced and supplied proprietary lithium sulfur (Li-S) batter
Tritium Veefil-RT 50 kW fast chargers chosen for EV and V2G research project in Slovakia
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 19, 2017
As part of a research project into e-mobility and Vehicle to Grid (V2G) charging in Slovakia, a Tritium Veefil-RT 50kW DC fast charger has been installed at the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava. ZEROEMISSION, Tritium’s distributor in the region, has joined with Nissan Sales Central & Eastern Europe and the Slovak Academy of Sciences in the project, which is looking at how to implement the most innovative charging solutions across the country.
Germany launches €12.1M Fab4Lib project to develop for large-scale production of Li-ion batteries; 6 GWh gigafactory
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 19, 2017
In January, a consortium of 17 companies and research institutes in Germany will begin researching and developing processes for the large-scale production of lithium-ion battery cells. The Fab4Lib project aims to explore innovative solutions along the value chain of lithium-ion technology and to validate them in demonstrators. The project is managed by TerraE Holding GmbH , which also plans to implement the results obtained successively and promptly in large-scale production in its own factories
Continental successfully conducts Cellular-V2X field trials in China; demo’ing results at CES
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 19, 2017
Continental and Huawei have conducted field trials to test the efficiency of the Cellular Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X) communication standard ( earlier post ) in Shanghai with positive results. C-V2X is emerging as a promising wireless communication technology, demonstrating strong potential for use in automated driving and intelligent mobility. ( Earlier post.
BMW Group hits 100K electrified vehicle mark for this year, lights up Group HQ like a battery
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 18, 2017
The BMW Group has delivered more than 100,000 electrified vehicles to customers worldwide in 2017, as promised at the beginning of the year. In recognition of the miletone, BMW used a light installation to transform its Group headquarters—the world-famous “Four-Cylinder” in the north of Munich—on the evening of 18 December 2017 into a battery.
Toyota aims for sales of more than 5.5M electrified vehicles including 1M ZEVS per year by 2030; no models developed without electrified version
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 18, 2017
Toyota Motor Corporation announced its plans regarding the mass adoption of electrified vehicles for the decade 2020-2030. Toyota’s electrified vehicle strategy centers on a significant acceleration in the development and launch plans of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
NIO launches ES8 battery-electric SUV; battery rental and swapping; NIO Pilot; base price $67.7K
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 18, 2017
NIO officially launched the ES8 7-seat, 3-row (2-3-2) battery-electric SUV at an event in Beijing. The NIO ES8 has a base price of RMB 448,000 (US$67,700) before subsidies, with 10,000 Founder’s Editions available for RMB 548,000 (US$82,800). A battery rental plan is available to NIO users, which provides a RMB 100,000 (US$15,000) discount on the purchase price of the ES8.
Italgas switching 2,500-vehicle company fleet to FCA natural gas vehicles
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 18, 2017
Italgas is renewing its entire company fleet with methane-powered vehicles from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.The first deliveries have begun in Turin, with similar deliveries to be made in Rome and Naples—two of the main cities where the Italgas Group operates—over the next few days. Currently, the Italgas Group’s fleet comprises 2,500 vehicles; over the next 12 months these will be replaced with the latest “natural power” FCA models: Panda, Panda Van, Fiorino, 500L, Doblò, Qubo and Duc
Groupe Renault, Brilliance form JV for LCVs in China in three segments with three brands; accelerating electrified powertrains
Green Car Congress
DECEMBER 17, 2017
Groupe Renault and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Limited have signed a contract for the formation of a joint venture to manufacture and sell light commercial vehicles (LCV) under the Jinbei, Renault and Huasong brands with the goal of achieving 150,000 sales annually by 2022 and an acceleration of electrifying powertrains. The new JV will be known as Renault-Brilliance Jinbei Automotive Co., Ltd. with manufacturing operations in the Dadong District of Shenyang.
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