Electric Vehicle News

Green Deals: Greenworks 20-inch 40V Electric Hedge Trimmer $131, more

Amazon offers the Greenworks 20-inch 40V Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer for $131.60. Free shipping is available for all. As a comparison, it originally sold for $219 but trends around $200 regularly. Today’s deal is right at our previous mention. If you’re looking to trim the hedges or trees this fall, going with an option like this from Greenworks is a great idea. You’ll receive the 20-inch cordless pole saw, plus a 2Ah battery, and wall charger with purchase. Rated 4.5/5 stars.

Head below for more deals on smart strips, lights, and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best Tesla accessories.

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Source: Charge Forward

Compact EV-specific transmission supports niche OEMs as they shift to electric

Following the recent release of its HPD E crate motors and associated kit to electrify the classic Mini, Swindon Powertrain is now extending its electrification range with a new standalone E-Transmission for EVs. Swindon says the single-speed gearbox is an affordable plug-and-play solution to purchasing a transmission to work with existing electric motors.

With two ratio options and multiple mounting points for ease of installation, the E-Transmission is designed for a range of vehicles, from kit and classic cars to light commercial vehicles. As a derivative of its HPD crate motor, Swindon offers retail pricing of £2,500. Trade customers seeking volume quantities can contact Swindon for pricing.

Designers specified a flanged e-motor adaptor plate design, facilitating the mounting to a wide range of electric motors, not just Swindon’s. Standard automotive driveshaft joint flanges facilitate external drive integration. Swindon says the OE-specification helical gears offer low levels of noise, vibration and harshness. A passive lubrication system minimizes complexity, cost and power losses and will perform without needing an oil pump. The E-Transmission weighs 17.9 kg and measures 250 x 384 x 228 mm.

“Since launching the HPD E Powertrain products, we have been inundated with customer inquiries from around the globe, and with each inquiry, we gain further insight into the needs and requirements of the end consumer,” said Swindon Director Gérry Hughes. “Adding the E-Transmission to our expanding range of electrification products provides our customers with the ultimate flexibility when it comes to converting or building their EVs. They can buy an entire system or select just the parts they need.”

Specifications:

  • Maximum input torque (Nm): 204
  • Maximum motor speed (rpm): 10,500
  • Differential type: standard/open
  • Oil capacity (l): 0.75
  • Installation angle (degs): 15.0 Max
  • Transmission ratio options: 11.508 or 6.332
  • Maximum nominal output torque (Nm): 2348 or 1292
  • Maximum nominal output speed (rpm): 912 or 1658
  • Transmission assembly dimensions (mm): 250 x 384 x 228
  • Transmission assembly mass (kg): 17.9

Bogotá orders 596 new electric buses—fleet of 1,485 e-buses will be the largest outside China

Bogota public transit agency Transmilenio has ordered 596 new BYD electric buses, bringing the city’s electric bus fleet to a total of 1,485 units. The new e-buses are expected to be in operation by 2022, and will operate in the Fontibón, Usme and Perdomo areas.

María Fernanda Ortiz, the General Manager of Transmilenio, proudly claimed bragging rights: “Having one of the two largest electric fleets in Latin America is a point of pride, and shows that we are on the right path in terms of fleet renewal and technological progress.”  The Colombian capital now appears to have the largest electric bus fleet outside China, and has taken the South American title from Santiago de Chile, which has 776 e-buses. The Colombian cities of Medellin and Cali have 65 and 35 electric buses respectively. (Europe’s largest fleet is in Moscow, which operates 450 electric buses, and plans to have 2,600 by 2024.)

The city expects to invest $1.82 billion to purchase the buses, and $1.41 billion to operate them for the 15-year duration of the concession contracts.

The procurement process included incentives to favor Colombian industry. The Chinese firm BYD will assemble the new buses at the Cerritos plant near Pereira. Commercial Manager Alejandro Robledo said, “This positions Bogotá as a leader in the region. For us it is a pride to…manufacture these units in Colombian territory. Construction of the first fleet will begin in July, to be delivered in September, and the next in December to be put into circulation in 2022.”

Juan Luis Mesa, Country Manager for BYD Colombia, told Portal Movilidad: “With this milestone BYD confirms its leadership in Latin America and Colombia on buses of 9 and 12 meters. This will surely open the door for other cities to [undertake] similar initiatives for the health of their inhabitants.”

GM’s Everybody In campaign evokes an inclusive, electric future

General Motors has introduced a new marketing campaign designed to assert its new commitment to e-mobility. The Everybody In campaign is “a call to action meant to reflect a movement that’s inclusive and accessible.” The automaker’s vision is that electric, autonomous vehicles can enable a world with “zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.”

GM’s electric efforts are more than just talk—the company plans to invest $27 billion in electrification and autonomy, and to launch 30 new EVs (not all of them for China) by the end of 2025. On the other hand, talk is important too, especially in the fashion-driven auto industry. Many believe that one of the greatest barriers to faster EV adoption has been automakers’ lack of interest in marketing their EVs, so news of a new EV-focused marketing campaign is encouraging.

GM’s campaign will employ pop culture “influencers,” including author Malcolm Gladwell, surfer Bethany Hamilton, fitness instructor Cody Rigsby and gamer Erin A. Simon.

An unmistakable sign GM isn’t just fooling around here: the company has introduced a redesigned, more up-to-the-minute logo, featuring a color gradient, today’s more casual lower-case letters, and even an M that makes “a nod to the shape of an electrical plug.”

“There are moments in history when everything changes. Inflection points. We believe such a point is upon us for the mass adoption of electric vehicles,” said Global Chief Marketing Officer Deborah Wahl. “Unlike ever before, we have the solutions, capability, technology and scale to put everyone in an EV. Our new brand identity and campaign are designed to reflect this.”

“GM has the talent, technology and ambition to advance a safer world for all, help reduce emissions and accelerate toward our all-electric future,” said Wahl. “‘Everybody In’ demonstrates our intent to lead, while inviting others—policymakers, partners, individuals—to play an active role in moving society forward, whether that’s helping to expand infrastructure, advocating for progress in their communities, or simply taking an EV for a test drive to learn about the benefits of EV ownership.”