Battery Metals

Dyson is planning 3 all-electric vehicles, could skip solid-state batteries for first generation, report says

February 18, 2018 By Editor

Last year, British appliance manufacturer Dyson confirmed that it is investing £2 billion ($2.7 billion USD) to bring an electric vehicle with a solid state battery to market in 2020.

A new report now claims that the company is actually working on 3 electric vehicles and that the first generation may not feature Dyson’s solid state battery technology.

Dyson has long been rumored to be working on its own electric vehicle. The rumors intensified when the company acquired Michigan-based solid-state battery startup Sakti3 for $90 million and announced plans to build an important $1 billion battery factory to mass produce the next generation battery technology.

The company later confirmed the plans in an email to employees that they released.

The 2020 timeline would make them the first to commercialize solid state battery technology, but now a new report from Financial Times, which got inside Dyson’s EV program, is casting doubts on that possibility.

They reported:

“Crucially, Dyson is considering using lithium ion batteries rather than solid state in the first car, according to three people. Although the company has not confirmed a decision, a choice not to use solid state would indicate a scaling back in the technical ambitions for its first vehicle.”

Solid-state batteries are thought to be a lot safer than common li-ion cells and could have more potential for higher energy density. However, we have yet to see a company capable of producing it at a large-scale and an attractive price point.

Sakti3 made headlines in 2014 when it announced that it had produced a solid-state battery cell with 400 Wh/kg energy density. In comparison, Tesla’s Panasonic cells are believed to be the industry leader by many, with around 250 Wh/kg.

While Dyson might be slowing down its effort to bring the technology to market, it doesn’t change its electric car ambitions.

The report states that they are planning a range of 3 electric vehicles:

“The company is initially planning a range of three vehicles, according to two people. The first car will be used to establish a route to market, a supply chain and a potential customer base. Because of this, the vehicle will have a relatively low production run — in the single-digit thousands, three people said. The second and third vehicles, released later, will aim to be substantially higher volume.”

Dyson is reportedly considering a few manufacturing locations, primarily in the UK, but also in Singapore, Malaysia and China.

Renault to cut ribbon on first electric vehicle store

February 18, 2018 By Editor

French auto giant will today officially open its first Electric Vehicle Experience Centre in Stockholm, ahead of European roll out plans

Renault will today cut the ribbon on its Electric Vehicle Experience Centre, a new ‘concept store’ in Stockholm designed to showcase its growing range of electric vehicles (EVs).

The new store will be located in Täby Centrum, one of Sweden’s largest shopping centres, on the outskirts of the country’s capital.

“We are delighted to be opening this store which will enable us to engage with people about electric mobility, help them to learn more about the subject and give them a chance to share their ideas,” said Gilles Normand, Groupe Renault senior vice president for electric vehicles. “As Europe’s number one EV brand, we will be able to use this concept store to interact with the public and help people to understand the opportunities and benefits of electric motoring.”

The company said the store would showcase Renault EVs, allow customers to test drive EVs on site, and provide in-depth information on charging infrastructure, subsidies, and EV related services.

The store will also feature a digital EV “configurator” designed to help customers select a model that is suitable for their needs.

Zakaria Zeghari, Europe Renault Dealer Network development director, said the new store was in response to growing customer interest in EVs. “We are responding to emerging customer expectations by opening new urban distribution channels and by harnessing digital tools to deliver a better customer experience,” he said.

The company added that it was looking to open similar stores in other European cities.

The latest dedicated EV showroom is part of a trend which has seen a number of auto firms open new EV-focused stores that are more akin to retail outlets than traditional car showrooms.

Most notably, Tesla has purposely located many of its stores in retail districts, while the UK recently saw the opening of its first Electric Vehicle Experience Centre in Milton Keynes, which showcases a range of EVs from different manufacturers.

IBC Solar and EVBox partner on combining solar with electric vehicle charging

February 16, 2018 By Editor

German PV and storage company IBC Solar has signed off on a partnership agreement with EVBox, a global manufacturer of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and charging management software.

As part of the deal, EVBox will provide its EV charging stations to IBC Solar for private and public use. These stations can also be combined with PV and energy storage systems.

Udo Möhrstedt, founder and CEO of IBC Solar said: “EVs will only produce less emissions if they are being powered by clean energy, such as solar-generated power. When the eMobility market takes off in 2018, photovoltaics, EVs, and charging infrastructure will have to be part of the same discussion.”

Starting at the beginning of February, the new partnership will see both companies attempt to combine their efforts to become strategic partners in Germany and other European countries.

EVBox’s charging stations can be combined with PV systems in a simple way. By using a mobile app, customers are able to configure their charging times to maximize the usage of the solar power available in the grid. At a starting cost of 10 cents per kWh (in Germany), a car powered with solar will only cost around 2 euros for a 100-kilometer drive.

Kristof Vereenooghe, CEO of EVBox, added: “We are very happy to have signed this partnership with IBC SOLAR, one of the most important players in the field of renewable energy. Together, we believe we can advance eMobility in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and help shape the future of transportation. By combining our EVBox charging stations with IBC Solar’s solutions, customers will from now on be able to combine photovoltaics, power storage and electric vehicle charging.”

Rapid electric vehicle charging points coming to Bedworth and Nuneaton

February 16, 2018 By Editor

A company which is on a mission to make the UK an easier place to charge electric vehicles is installing two rapid charging points in Bedworth and Nuneaton .

Charging point operator InstaVolt is working with Cornwall Garage Group as part of a determined drive to roll-out more charging points across the country as the infrastructure to support electric cars grows.

Of the nine they will install across the country, two will be in the borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth.

Electric car sales are on the up and all car makers are now getting in on the act.

Jaguar Land Rover has said it intends to have an electric version of all its models by 2020 and also wants to make Coventry the centre of its electric vehicle production plans.

Electric vehicle uptake has been slow, in part due to the shortcomings of the current infrastructure, meaning owners suffer from a condition dubbed ‘range anxiety’ – a worry about being able to get to one’s destination without running out of power.

Electric vehicles can be charged at home overnight but more high-tech rapid chargers in public places enable cars to be charged far more quickly, in as little as 45 minutes.

InstaVolt electric vehicle rapid chargers

Cornwall Garage Group owns 18 petrol forecourts across England and has announced plans to install rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers at half of those sites.

Forecourts which will be getting the new chargers include Bedworth Services in Heath Road, Bedworth and Glendale Services, in Croft Road, Nuneaton.

David Whistler from Cornwall Garage Group, said: “The automotive landscape is changing and it’s important for us to be ahead of the curve.

“That’s why we’re working with InstaVolt to add to our services and offer provision for drivers of electric cars – as well as motorists using petrol and diesel.”

InstaVolt installs the chargers for free and maintains and updates them at no cost to the forecourt.

The company also pays Cornwall Garage Group a rental income in return for housing them, making its money from the sale of electricity to drivers.

Mr Whistler added: “It was an easy decision for us to make. Using InstaVolt has meant we haven’t had to shell out the capital expenditure to install the chargers.

“We don’t need to worry about maintenance costs going forward either, that’s all taken care of.

“There’s been a bit of nervousness across the fuel retailing industry about the cost implications of installing chargers, particularly in light of the new Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill, but this arrangement means we don’t actually have to pay a penny.”

InstaVolt CEO Tim Payne said: “We see petrol forecourts as playing a very important role in e-mobility.

“They are adapting, just as Cornwall Garage Group has, and providing the same service that they do today, just in a slightly different way.

“They are still helping people get back on the road, the only difference is motorists are topping up with electricity instead of petrol or diesel.”

InstaVolt’s rapid DC chargers are available for drivers to use on a pay-as-you-go basis, with users charged for the electricity they use on a per-unit basis.

The charge is 35p per kilowatt hour, with a full charge estimated to cost between £6 and £8.

CARTA’s electric vehicle project honored

February 16, 2018 By Editor

The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority has received a Smart 50 Award for its solar-assisted electric vehicle charging and car-share project, the agency said in a news release.

Spokeswoman Veronica Peebles said CARTA is one of two Chattanooga-based entities to receive accolades in this year’s awards, which recognize smart cities projects from around the world. The awards are a partnership of Smart Cities Connect, Smart Cities Connect Foundation,and US Ignite, according to Peebles.

CARTA, as the public transportation agency and leader in electric vehicle deployment, developed the solar charging project in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, Green Commuter, Prova Group, EPB, and the city of Chattanooga.

It comprises a network of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure and promotes transportation choice through
integration with traditional transit, electric shuttle operations, the Bike Chattanooga bicycle transit system, and public parking infrastructure.

“Our over 30 years of experience with electric vehicles made this project a perfect fit,” said Lisa Maragnano, CARTA Executive Director. “Providing the public with the rights tools for the right trip is what CARTA is about, now and in the future. Bike, bus, drive, or park, CARTA is there.”

With the construction of 80kW of solar energy production and related power provider agreements, a compensatory amount of clean energy is provided to the electric grid to match vehicle energy use. So far CARTA has installed 64 electric vehicle charging ports across 22 site locations promoting electric vehicle charging access at no cost to the user. CARTA selected Green Commuter, a California-based benefit corporation, to introduce 20 Nissan LEAF all-electric vehicles as part of a new car share program, with vehicles accessible by the hour or day through smart phone technology. This unique ownership model of the electric vehicle supply equipment by CARTA provides for continued maintenance and connectivity of the charging network through revenues produced by solar energy production.

BMW arcs up again: ‘Govt idling on electric vehicle policy’

February 16, 2018 By Editor

BMW’s attack on the Federal Government’s lack of electric vehicle policy has ramped up.

The German company’s local chief executive officer has launched a fresh broadside at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his government for sitting idle.

BMW Australia boss Marc Werner wants the government to abolish stamp duty and deliver GST relief on electric cars to bolster sales.

Chief beneficiary of such relief would be the brand’s i3 electric hatch — an updated version was released this week priced from just under $69,000. The stablemate i8 sports coupe is $300,000-plus.

BMW i3s electric hatch: Update released this week, from just under $69,000.

“We need to see some action or Australia will continue to lag behind the rest of the world,” he says.

“Things like strong electric vehicle targets, CO2 emission targets, extended charging infrastructure and tax incentives … that all works in other countries, why not Australia?”

Provocative comments aren’t new from BMW — Werner’s previously calls on the government to take action have yet to inspire action.

Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has publicly stated his support for the electric car industry and believes there will a one million EVs on our roads by 2030.

Coalition backbenchers have been less enthusiastic, arguing the new breed of vehicle is no greener than petrol or diesel vehicles.

A Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development report released in 2016 found the high reliance on coal-fired power in Victoria, NSW and Queensland meant electric vehicles charged on the grid in those states “have a higher CO2 output than those emitted from the tailpipes of comparative petrol cars”.

BMW i8 sports coupe: A $300,000-plus proposition.

Electric cars accounted for less than 0.1 per cent of sales in Australia last year. Combined with hybrids, the figure hovers about 1 per cent of the total market.

Frydenberg wants to stay ahead of the curve. “I think they will be to the transport sector what the iPhone has been to the communication sector,” he told ABC radio earlier this year.

Recent motor shows indicate the big makers are backing electric power. Marketing talk is quickly becoming reality, as shown by brands such as Tesla, BMW, Volvo and Hyundai.

Werner cites the likes of Norway and Malaysia as countries showing how quickly the market for electric vehicles can grow and says taxpayers should help subsidise a beneficial technology.

BMW Australia boss Marc Werner: “Future is clearly electric.”Source:Supplied

“The BMW brand is not prepared to wait. Our future is clearly electrified vehicles,” he says.

“I’m still optimistic. BMW started with the rollout of the ‘i’ brand in 2014 and we’ll continue to do so.

“We need the buy-in from government. There is a growing awareness for electric vehicles but if you do not have a government that actually supports this technology then we will continue to struggle.”

Last year, the Queensland Government launched its Electric Super Highway, designed to enable zero or low emission vehicles to travel from the Gold Coast to Cairns and from Brisbane to Toowoomba.

The initial phase of the project is complete, with the installation of 17 “green” charging stations (bought through green energy credits or offsets). Charging will be free until next year.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey hailed the scheme as an ambitious vision but says, “this shift is happening around the world and unfortunately Australia is lagging behind”.