Ford made a huge announcement Monday, revealing the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center is officially open for business. The new EV center is Ford’s first carbon-neutral plant and will be the home for its next-gen EVs, including the electric Explorer and an upcoming sports crossover EV.
The post Ford’s first carbon-neutral assembly plant to produce electric Explorer, next-gen EVs appeared first on Electrek.
Source: Charge Forward
UK electric drivetrain components manufacturer Equipmake has developed a compact, lightweight, high-power electric drive system for manufacturers of high-performance EVs.
Weighing just under 20 kg, the Ampere-220 e-axle system has a peak power of 220 kW, a maximum motor speed of 30,000 rpm and a power density of 11 kW per kg—more than twice that of a conventional electric motor, according to the company.
The key to its performance is its combination of Equipmake’s spoke rotor design with additive manufacturing, allowing Ampere’s metal structure to be 3D-printed, rather than milled from a solid billet.
Debuted with a twin-motor specification, the Ampere-220 e-axle offers 440 kW peak power per axle with a total unit weight of 85 kg. Equipmake can also develop a single-motor e-axle application with 220 kW of peak power per axle.
“We have created the Ampere-220 e-axle by combining it with our own power electronics, including our silicon carbide inverter and transmission system that directly powers the vehicle’s axle,” said Ian Foley, Equipmake’s CEO. “With such an amount of performance in a compact, light unit, one that is also ISO 26262-compliant and ASIL-D-ready, it provides the total off-the-shelf solution for manufacturers of electric sports cars.”
Source: Equipmake
Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine
Reducing the carbon footprint and optimizing thermal cooling are paramount in modern manufacturing and have become significant criteria for selection and deployment of automated test equipment. In addition, budget constraints could be circumvented by the use of multi-purpose instrumentation. Last but not least, replenishing dissipated power to the grid will save a substantial amount of money annually if set up properly. More than ever, when it comes to selecting power conversion test equipment, design and test engineers need both technical advantages and eco-friendly benefits.
The abovementioned items can all be addressed by replacing traditional power supplies and loads with modern bidirectional and regenerative power conversion test equipment. Instruments designed for high power and renewable applications are currently available in the market from various sources. Parallel connections of multiple instruments in a rack offer Megawatt capabilities, depending upon the vendor specifications.
Today’s power conversion automated equipment (ATE) should be designed to fit your design validation testing (DVT) requirements in the lab and high-speed functional testing in the production line all while reducing wasted energy. From the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) to EV power components to the battery, properly engineered automated test equipment will maximize your time, improve your validation process, increase your throughput, and reduce operational costs.
Bidirectional DC Power Technology
Bidirectional technology has both power (source) and load (sink) characteristics, two quadrant operation, and allows feedback of the power from the DUT. They can be used for testing renewable energy power systems including PV/storage hybrid inverters, power conversion systems (PCS), battery charge/discharge, and as a battery simulator. Bidirectional power supplies are also a fit for testing power components used in electric vehicles.
Chroma 62000D Bidirectional DC Power Supplies, for example, are pre-compliant with LV123 and LV148 standards making it suitable for EV component testing, including bidirectional on-board chargers (BOBC), bidirectional DC converters, DC-AC motor drivers, and power conversion simulation tests in both directions. Its high-speed CV dynamic response slope, with control up to 180V/ms, enables efficient electrical characteristics testing in line with vehicle guidelines.
62000D models offer power ratings of 6kW, 12kW, 18kW, 36kW, and 45kW with parallel and series operation capabilities. Voltage ranges span from 0 to 100V/600V/1200V/1800V. With its four times auto-ranging operation range, the 62000D can cover a wide range of low voltage/high current and high voltage/low current scenarios for devices under test. This consolidation of multiple DC power supplies into a single 62000D unit brings space and cost savings when integrated into standard ATE systems or labs. Additionally, the 62000D boasts a high-speed transient response of less than 1.5ms, enabling seamless and rapid current conversion between the two quadrants.
Most commercially available bidirectional power supplies, including Chroma, can operate with 90% or better efficiency, meaning that only 10% of test power is lost as heat or wasted energy. High efficiency translates into lower operating costs when a bidirectional power supply is used rather than a separate power supply and load at a given power level. Bidirectional power supplies can be programmed for different modes of operation, including constant voltage (CV), constant current (CC), constant power (CP), and constant resistance (CR).
regenerative Grid Simulation
Regenerative Grid Simulators are a full 4 quadrant, fully regenerative AC power source that emulates grid characteristics for testing to standards such as IEEE 1547 / IEC 61000-3-15 / IEC 62116. The grid simulator’s power can both “sink to” and “source from” the UUT seamlessly to test grid-connected devices, including PV inverters, online UPSs, Smart Grid, and EV related test applications, including Vehicle to Grid (V2G) and Energy Storage Systems (ESS).
In addition to supplying clean, precise, and stable AC voltage, Chroma 61800 Regenerative Grid Simulators can simulate various types of distorted voltage waveforms and transient conditions required for product validation testing in the lab. The power generated by the DUT during the test can be fed back to the grid, rather than dissipated as heat, which addresses environment concerns and lowers the cost of operation. With this capability, these instruments can be applied to applications in green energy, such as PV inverters, energy storage systems (ESS), power conditioning systems (PCS), micro-grids, power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL), electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), on-board charger (OBC) and bidirectional on-board chargers (BOBC), etc.
In addition, Chroma 61800 Regenerative Grid Simulators feature a regenerative AC Load Function that allows a single unit to function as either an AC Load or an AC Source. This function is intended but not limited to EVSE charging station, hybrid PV inverter, UPS, and bidirectional on-board charger test applications. The 61800 series has power ranges from 9kVA up to 105kVA, is single-and three-phase selectable, and supports up to 3 units in parallel.
regenerative Battery module and pack cyclers
When it comes to EV battery charge and discharge test systems, the minimal ticket to entry is high power with regenerative capabilities. An advanced system would offer dynamic profile simulation and battery simulation, as well as added safety features. System software should provide flexible test editing functions, independent channel testing capabilities, and assure high safety and stability throughout the testing process.
The Chroma 17040E Regenerative Battery Cycler is a state-of-the-art high-power battery test system currently capable of handling voltages up to 1700V, currents up to 4800A, and power up to 1.2MW. The 17040E is available in four voltage and current ranges with auto ranging, high accuracy current/voltage measurement (±0.05%FS/±0.02%FS), 2ms current slew rate, and 1ms data acquisition.
The dynamic profile simulation function of the Chroma 17040E allows users to load battery waveforms based on specific drive profiles in either current or power mode. This feature ensures compliance with NEDC/FUDS requirements and facilitates accurate testing in line with international test standards, including ISO, IEC, UL, and GB/T.
The battery simulation mode enables testing of battery connected devices. When a connected device is under development, the 17040E can simulate the battery to verify if the device is functioning as designed. In addition, the 17040E can control the SOC status of different batteries. Users can simply upload required battery curves to test the DUT for charge and discharge status.
Safety is a top priority when it comes to battery testing. The 17040E incorporates advanced safety features such as Over Voltage Protection, Over Current Protection, Over Temperature Protection, and external parameter detection. These measures ensure protected charge/discharge testing and prevent any interruption or loss of test data, even in the event of a power failure.
So why adopt this technology?
So why adopt this technology? Bidirectional and Regenerative AC and DC power sources and loads can simulate real-world operating environments more closely. They also reduce the number of instruments needed in your test lab and reduce energy usage over traditional test equipment, which can only discharge power in the form of heat. When used widely in high-power applications such as EVSE testing or battery cycling, this testing technology saves electricity costs and contributes to reducing carbon footprints significantly worldwide.
Thus, when creating a test environment, it is key to recognize the opportunity of addressing both technical advantages and eco-friendly benefits of the test equipment provider. Taking these benefits into consideration at the start of the project will further enhance the ROI payback timeframe.
Silent Resorts – the exclusive partner of solar electric boatbuilder Silent Yachts, is building off the early success of its first fully-sustainable residences and intends to bring a new solar-powered resort to the island nation of Fiji. These exclusive residences are being erected to promote sustainability and exploration while offering some income opportunities for the exclusive members who buy in.
The post Electric boatbuilder Silent Yachts is opening a luxury resort in Fiji powered entirely by solar energy appeared first on Electrek.
Source: Charge Forward
The Association du Transport Urbain du Québec (ATUQ), which represents 10 public transit authorities serving the major urban centers in the province of Québec, has ordered up to 1,229 battery-electric buses using BAE Systems’ Gen3 electric drive system
BAE Systems will provide its electric drive systems to Nova Bus for integration on the buses. There are already some 1,800 buses in the province powered by BAE Systems’ technology.
Gen3, BAE Systems’ latest electric drive system, features an electric motor and integrated power electronics. It uses silicon carbide to improve heat management. According to BAE, the lightweight components, flexible design and reduced number of connections create a compact system and help to maximize vehicle range.
“This order marks the next step toward full fleet electrification—delivering reliable, high-performance systems to help ATUQ’s members reach their environmental goals,” said Bob Lamanna, VP of Power & Propulsion Solutions at BAE Systems.
“This order represents our collective commitment to improving air quality, meeting the provincial government’s ambitious targets and contributing to Canada’s zero-emission future,” said Marc-Andre Varin, General Manager of ATUQ. “BAE Systems has been with us from the beginning of our journey, starting with hybrids and now the switch to all-electric buses.”
Source: BAE Systems
Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine
The US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) has awarded a $550,000 joint grant to battery materials company NanoGraf and South 8 Technologies, developers of a novel liquefied gas electrolyte (LiGas). The companies will pair NanoGraf’s 3.8 Ah 18650 cell with South 8’s electrolyte for cold temperature and safety testing.
The DoD award will fund a six-month project to demonstrate that batteries with NanoGraf and South 8’s technology can reduce or eliminate catastrophic failure when exposed to extreme temperatures or nail penetration. Successful completion of the testing will validate the cell’s existing capacity and cycle life, and its ability to operate in a temperature range of -60° +60° C. NanoGraf’s M38 18650 cell can currently operate down to -30° C.
Soldiers may carry as much as 25 pounds of batteries during missions, and some batteries perform poorly in harsh weather conditions or after being physically damaged.
Poor low temperature capacity and the danger of thermal runaway after physical damage are two major drawbacks of current Li-ion cells, so a successful demonstration of the NanoGraf cell’s temperature and safety performance could add valuable feathers to both companies’ corporate caps.
“This recent grant provides even more performance differentiation for our Department of Defense customer,” said Dr. Francis Wang, CEO of NanoGraf. “Adding the safety and cold temperature test with South 8 further extends NanoGraf’s performance profile from other commercial cells.”
Source: NanoGraf
Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine
ABM is one of the world’s largest providers of facility services, including janitorial, engineering, parking, lighting, HVAC and much more. In recent years the company has added EV charging infrastructure to its offerings, and has installed over 28,000 charging stations to date.
Now ABM has announced the debut of its first branded EVSE products, including both Level 2 and DC fast charging stations, as well as ABM EV OS, a cloud-based operating platform for EV chargers.
ABM’s branded chargers include:
ABM EV OS, which is being launched in partnership with Noodoe, is a cloud-based operating platform that can run a single charging station or a network across multiple locations. It provides intelligent monitoring, remote operation management, comprehensive reporting and automatic infrastructure diagnostics. The customizable software also provides payment processing, and can be integrated with customer loyalty programs, entry badges and parking systems.
“ABM is a market leader in sustainable infrastructure, power, and bundled energy solutions,” said CEO Scott Salmirs. “Our introduction of branded hardware and our investment in software places us at the forefront of the dynamic EV infrastructure industry, by enabling us to offer our clients a single source for rapidly growing needs in this sector.”
“At ABM, we’re uniquely positioned to understand what is needed at all points of the EV ecosystem, from the power grid to the customer experience, which is why we’ve applied that knowledge to creating the best EV software and hardware solutions available,” said Mark Hawkinson, ABM’s President of Technical Solutions.
Source: ABM
Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine
EV maker NIO revealed Monday it’s slashing prices on all of its models by $4,200 (30,000 yuan) in China in addition to ending free battery swapping services, effective immediately.
The post NIO slashes EV prices and removes key free battery swap service appeared first on Electrek.
Source: Charge Forward
Tesla’s NACS connector is gaining support from several other companies, primarily charging station manufacturers and operators.
The post Tesla’s NACS connector gains support from a bunch of other companies appeared first on Electrek.
Source: Charge Forward
The White House is offering subsidies to charging stations that use Tesla connectors, as long as they also include Combined Charging Standard (CCS) connectors, Reuters reported Friday. The report follows an announcement by General Motors this week, and Ford a couple of weeks earlier, that they would adopt the Tesla connector, which Tesla recently…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews
