Aston Martin unveiled a prototype of a Rapide converted with an all-electric drivetrain, the ‘Rapide E’, back in 2015. Now, the British automaker is releasing more details about its first electric vehicle ahead of the start of production next year and they released a teaser image. (above) more…
Source: Charge Forward
With every legacy carmaker out there either scrambling to produce a viable electric vehicle model, current infrastructure will definitely need an overhaul.
For Volkswagen, a company heavily impacted by the dieselgate fiasco, producing eco-friendly EVs is definitely a way to go in order to clear up its reputation. Hence, the German carmaker plans to produce 100,000 at its first production facility to go electric: the Zwickau plant.
There, the first of several models from VW’s I.D. electric vehicle range are slated to be produced. Ultimately, the company aims to gear up to 100,000 electric vehicles by 2020, giving this production plant a daunting task of satisfying the ever-growing needs of the EV car world.
This information was revealed by Volkswagen E-mobility board member Thomas Ulbrich while doing an interview with Handelsblatt earlier last week. While confirming the plant’s location, Ulbrich also emphasized how the Zwickau plant was only the beginning of VW’s electric vehicle onslaught coming in the next few years.
“By mid-2020s, we will be converting the entire current plant in Zwickau, from 100 percent [gas] today to 100 percent electric cars. Zwickau is, if you like, only the tip of the iceberg. Our mission is nothing less than the transformation of the Group-wide production network towards e-mobility. We speak about 16 locations worldwide – and that’s within just three years, “
Every one of those locations is set to produce a number of electric vehicles based on VW’s I.D. concepts revealed in the last several years. All of these are based on the company’s new MEB platform for electric vehicles and include models ranging from small hatchbacks to large crossover and even tiny vans.
Source: Electrek
Source: Electric Vehicle News
Ternergy Corporation (98% positive feedback from 133,000) via Amazon offers an eight-pack of its BR30 LED Flood Lights for $21.73 Prime shipped. Regularly over $30, today’s deal is a new all-time low by $2 and the best available. You can expect to pay around $35 for similar offerings on Amazon. LED light bulbs offer a number of benefits, including longer lifespans and lower energy use in comparison to traditional alternatives. Rated 4.3/5 stars.
Source: Charge Forward
While the Trump Administration has decided to forego the Paris Climate Accord, many other countries are still on board. With that comes a new study commissioned by the Dutch Environment Ministry and prepared by TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research). According to the research and data collection, one out of every three trucks manufactured will have to be zero-emission by 2030 in order to comply with commitments made in the Paris Agreement.
Not surprisingly, the new study revealed that in order to meet the “intermediate CO2 reduction target for the EU road freight sector for 2030 consistent with the 1.5 ̊C goal” provided within the agreement, several factors will be necessary. Green Car Reports shared those factors:
In addition, the study discovered that with reference to specific vehicles and parameters, CO2 emissions can be lessened by five percent by 2030 without increasing costs to “society and end-user.” Rather, it actually shows that costs could be reduced.
Moreover, the study asserts that battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles have the potential to be “technically” and “economically” viable by 2025 in some markets and economically competitive for multiple uses by 2030.
Source: Green Car Congress
Source: Electric Vehicle News
So much uncertainty in the future of OEMs’ electrification plans is forever present. Thus, Autoline’s John McElroy interviews General Motors’ top dog for global transmission electrification, to get a better idea of what’s in store.
Executive Director of Global Transmission Electrification at GM, Mike Anderson titled his recent share “Navigating the Uncertainty.” While this may come across as pro- or anti-electric vehicles, one can certainly understand the dilemma. As electrification slowly unfolds and eventually becomes the norm, how can OEMs bank on the tried-and-true practices, all while preparing for the imminent future? From an EV aficionado perspective, legacy automakers aren’t doing enough. But in reality, people like Anderson seem to be aware of and on top of it.
Anderson realizes that flexibility is paramount and having the team ready is key. Now, it’s all a matter of the “if” and “when.” While we’d love to say that legacy automakers aren’t planning or doing enough, it all comes with the territory.
He reveals that even with an ICE or hybrid car today, electrified transmissions are already key. When it comes to transmissions for electric cars, next-gen transmission development is already on par and ready to go. Anderson admits that GM is already in “Lane 2” in terms of the development of this tech. He assures that for some EVs that are performance capable, a two-speed transmission makes sense.
GM is taking notes and has been for years in regards to its Chevrolet Volt and Bolt EV. Anderson admits that while some of the data was expected, the automaker has learned quite a bit along the way. Check out the video above for more information.
Video Description via Autoline Network on YouTube:
GM: Navigating the Uncertainty – CAR MBS 2018
Automakers have been adding more and more gears to transmissions over the years. But that trend won’t last, according to Mike Anderson, the Executive Director of Global Transmission Electrification at GM. With the move to EVs, he says were about to see more electrified transmissions in our vehicles.
Source: Electric Vehicle News
NIO, one of the biggest electric vehicle startups, officially entered the US stock market with a $1 billion IPO to ramp production of its electric vehicles.
It becomes the first Chinese-backed electric vehicle startup to go public in the US. more…
Source: Charge Forward
Aston Martin reveals detailed specifications on its first electric car, the Rapide E. Los Angeles sets targets for electric cars as it prepares to host the 2028 Olympic games. Tesla drops two paint colors for the Model 3 and raises prices for the dual motor all-wheel-drive option. And Chevrolet recalls Volt and Bolt EV models over brake parts. All…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews
Swiss electronics giant ABB will launch what it claims is the world’s fastest EV charger at the upcoming Cenex Low Carbon Vehicle Event at Millbrook, Bedfordshire, UK.
The Terra HPC (High Power Charger) can add 124 miles to a vehicle’s range in only 8 minutes. The company initially developed it for Electrify America, which is building a network of 2,800 fast chargers across the US. EA is now deploying the Terra HPC at hundreds of charging stations in metro areas and along highways.
Also at the LCV show, ABB will exhibit its new EVLunic AC wallbox portfolio, which is comprised of 52 different types of chargers for private and business use. The compact wallbox (50 by 25 cm) is designed to be installed at homes or offices.
ABB has installed around 8,000 connected DC fast charging stations in 68 countries, including 1,000 DC Terra HPCs.
“ABB believes that charging is the new refueling with the world’s fastest charger, the Terra HPC,” said ABB Product Marketing Director David Lowen. “In our mission to power the e-mobility revolution, we have developed a wide range of charging solutions to suit all types of drivers and fleets.”
Source: ABB
Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine
According to the latest reports, NIO‘s IPO ended at the bottom of the target price range per share ($6.25 to $8.25) as the company sold some $1 billion worth of shares at $6.26.
The market valuation stands now at $6.41 billion, which is far less than hoped for months ago (up to $20 billion).
Part of the reason for the more difficult capital raise is apparently Tesla – confusion around taking the company private, production ramp-up and profitability. NIO was sometimes considered as a candidate for a so-called Chinese Tesla, so it could be dragged down a little bit by Tesla’ recent successes.
On the other hand, in the first half of 2018, NIO noted revenue of just $6.95 million, at net losses of $502.6 million. By the end of August, the company delivered some 1,600 ES8 electric SUVs (with 15,778 ordered/reserved). The second volume model, the smaller ES6, is to be introduced by the end of this year.
“NIO priced its shares at $6.26, just above the low end of its $6.25 to $8.25 target price range, according to four sources familiar with the process. The deal will value the firm at $6.41 billion. It is due to begin trading on Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NIO”.”
“At the start of the IPO process, NIO had hoped for a valuation of as much as $20 billion, according to one person familiar with the company’s plans.”
Source: Reuters
Source: Electric Vehicle News
Despite Tesla being overly busy with the Model 3 ramp-up, which certainly impacts the production volume of the Model S and Model X at times, but regardless the Model S remains the best-selling car in its class in Europe.
According to research by AID analyst Matthias Schmidt (SchmidtMatthias.de), during the first half of the year, Tesla sold nearly 8,000 Model S in Western Europe (which account for almost all of the Model S sold in all of Europe).
Tesla Model S sales results exceed other premium/luxury models like the Mercedes S-Class, Porsche Panamera, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8.
The second half of the year is expected to be similar, which should be kind of astonishing to have a full-year beat of the German manufacturers on home soil in Europe just some six years after the introduction of the Model S in 2012.
Just imagine the further potential when the Model S gets an upgrade at some point in the future and who knows what’ll happen when the Model 3 lands on the other side of the Atlantic.
#Tesla‘s Model S remained W-Europe’s top selling luxury model according to @AIDNewsletter data
It remained ahead of S-Class/7-Series/A8 in their own backyard during H1.
Model S sales expected to rise in H2 thanks to tax change in The Netherlands then slow next year pic.twitter.com/ELVaNWUHR7
— Matthias Schmidt (@auto_schmidt) September 12, 2018
