The iX3 will be the first of many full electric crossovers from BMW in coming years. The German automaker has trademarked every nameplate from iX1 through to iX9, so it’s likely BMW will one day have a compact electric crossover, a three-row electric SUV and other products to cover off every crossover/SUV segment in between. The iX3 will share a platform with the new, internal combustion engine-powered X3. […]
Battery Metals
Robot delivery vans may hit the streets before self-driving cars
THE future of driverless driving looks like a giant toaster with a funny hat. That’s an approximation of a new autonomous vehicle unveiled last week by Nuro, a Silicon Valley startup that’s been cryptic about its business plan since it launched about 18 months ago. Nuro’s shiny, minimalist appliance on wheels doesn’t have doors or […]
SA government introduces ‘virtual power plant’
As the South Australian government fights a state election where Labor is in a three-way battle for power with the Coalition and Nick Xenophon’s SA Best party, it has announced plans to build a 250MW “virtual power plant”, linking household rooftop solar and battery storage. Beginning with a trial of 1100 low-income Housing SA (social housing) properties, […]
New trucks; self-contained power grids
The modern, over-the-road grain hauler or cattle hauler has become an electrical grid unto itself. The truck’s total dependence on clean, stable electricity increases with each new model year. Electricity has replaced belts to drive most compressors and pumps. It’s essential for the ECUs (engine control units), fuel injection, air conditioning, power steering, navigation, display […]
Chargemaster boosts EV charging points
Chargemaster is extending the rollout of its POLAR national charging network by adding 2,000 new charging points in 2018, including 400 rapid chargers. The company say this is to “match the increasing take-up of electric vehicles”. It means in total, electric vehicle drivers on the Chargemaster network are expected to have access to over 8,500 […]
China claims controversial stake in Germany’s power grid
China’s gigantic power company plans to acquire a stake in a major German grid operator. As German politicians watch warily, sector analysts say there are advantages for both sides. To hear critics tell it, the Chinese are taking over part of Germany’s power grid and stealing German technology. But if one listens to Boris Schucht, […]
