Australia grants $15 million for first phase of highway EV charging network

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has granted $15 million to Evie Networks to develop the largest ultra-fast EV charging network on Australian highways, helping to support the first phase of a planned $50.2-million intercity highway charging network.

Forty-two charging sites powered by renewable energy will be installed at service centers connecting Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane. Destination charging sites will also be installed in Far North Queensland, Tasmania and Perth. Each site will have the capacity to charge two cars concurrently. Construction recently began on the first site, and Evie Networks aims to have 23 sites operational within the first year.

ARENA committed $6 million to Chargefox’s
ultra-fast charging network last year. The network will include 21 charging
sites from Adelaide to Brisbane, as well as around Perth and in Tasmania.

Evie Networks CEO Chris Mills said, “We have estimated that Australia needs around 350 sites to cover all the highways that make up Australia’s National Land Transportation Network. While many consumers will charge at home, they will also need plenty of fast chargers in towns, suburbs and cities. There are currently around 6,500 petrol stations. This is just the beginning of the infrastructure build-out.”

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said, “Evie’s fast
charging stations across the country will help to increase the supply and
adoption of EVs by building the charging infrastructure in key areas along
major roads.”

CNH Industrial invests $250 million in fuel cell truck maker Nikola, plans to enter European market

Dutch commercial vehicle maker CNH Industrial plans to form an exclusive partnership with Nikola, an Arizona manufacturer of Class 8 heavy-duty trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cell and battery technology.

CNH Industrial will take a $250-million strategic stake in Nikola as the lead Series D investor. CNH will provide $100 million cash and $150 million in services, such as product development, manufacturing, engineering, and other technical assistance, as well as components to accelerate the production timeline of the Nikola TWO and Nikola TRE.

IVECO and FPT Industrial, the commercial vehicle and powertrain brands of CNH Industrial respectively, will provide engineering and manufacturing assistance to industrialize Nikola’s fuel cell and electric trucks. The partners will commercialize the Nikola TWO fuel cell-powered Class 8 truck for the North American market and integrate IVECO’s S-Way truck technology into the battery-electric Nikola TRE cab-over model for both the North American and European markets.

The partners plan to launch a European joint venture by Q4 2022, which will cover both battery and fuel cell electric vehicles. Nikola will contribute technologies including e-axles, inverters and on-board hydrogen fuel storage, as well as access to a hydrogen fueling network. It plans to leverage IVECO’s European sales, service and warranty channels to accelerate access to the European market.

“While other OEMs believe zero-emission solutions cannot happen in the timeframe regulators have mandated, Nikola, FPT Industrial and IVECO are proving that these timelines are not unreasonable,” said Nikola CEO Trevor Milton. “Nikola has the technology but needs a partner with a European network to achieve it in a timely manner. With CNH Industrial’s investment and partnership, we can now bring zero-emission trucks to Europe. By bringing CNH Industrial on board, we now have access to manufacturing know-how, purchasing power, validated truck parts, plant engineering and much more.”

MAHLE launches new modular hybrid drive

Automotive parts manufacturer MAHLE has launched the Modular Hybrid Powertrain (MMHP), a fully integrated plug-in hybrid drive that incorporates a 2- or 3-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine. The MMHP is designed for hybrid applications in vehicles from B-segment to J-segment SUVs.

The MMHP’s dual-mode hybrid arrangement allows for flexible vehicle operation and NVH behavior, according to MAHLE. The gearbox allows for customizable transmission ratios and has options for 1-, 2-, and 4-speed transmissions. The engine has achieved fuel consumption figures of 207 grams per kW in early testing, according to the company.

Martin Berger, Director at MAHLE Powertrain, said, “In order to avoid penalties, vehicle manufacturers must comply with the EU’s legislative target of fleet average CO2 emissions of 59.4 g/km by 2030. As a result of the focus on reduced emissions and strict schedules, new vehicle and technology development must occur within a much tighter timeframe. The MMHP offers vehicle manufacturers a low-cost and quick, off-the-shelf solution.”

He added, “The modular hybrid powertrain from
MAHLE features the perfect combination of efficiency, performance, and range
without jeopardizing driving pleasure. The powertrain’s compact size can also
help comply with design-related packaging constraints, while the relatively low
weight enhances efficiency and performance.”

Renault K-ZE electric crossover launches in China for just ~$9,000

Renault has unveiled the production version of its new K-ZE electric crossover, and in China, it starts at just ~$9,000. more…

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Source: Charge Forward