Battery Electric Vehicle News / Enjoying the Transportation Revolution

Martyn1981

Audi E-tron to get V2G, nice.

Audi e-tron — Top Selling Electric SUV — Will Be Even Topper With V2G EV Charging

You could practically hear the high-fiving from Audi fans all over the world earlier this month when news leaked out that the company’s e-tron SUV was the global leader among electric SUVs, thanks mainly to sales in Europe, which are a bit higher than the NIO ES6’s sales in China. Well, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Audi and the Hager Group really rocked the world of the motoring public last Friday, when the two companies announced the development of a plug-in + household vehicle-to-grid EV charging system. Ummm … whut?

Martyn1981

I've loved this idea since I first heard of it in Swedish trials. Massive potential (I believe) for electrifying heavy freight with relatively small battery trucks:

'E-highways' could slash UK road freight emissions, says study

The UK could eliminate the majority of the carbon dioxide emissions from road freight by installing overhead charging cables for electric lorries on “e-highways” across the country, a report by government-funded academics suggests.

The plan for a so-called electric road system would cost £19.3bn and put all but the most remote parts of the UK within reach of the trucks by the late 2030s, with the potential for the investment to pay for itself within 15 years, according to the report by the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight. The centre is backed by government research grants and industry partners including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and John Lewis.

The catenary cables, powered by the national electricity grid, would link to lorries driving in the inside lanes on 4,300 miles (7,000km) of UK roads through an extendable rig known as a pantograph – similar to those on the top of electric trains. The electricity would power the lorry’s electric motor, as well as recharging an onboard electric battery that would power them to their destinations beyond the electrified roads.

The report suggests that a first phase of building work on the busiest roads could take two years, costing £5.6bn. However, electrifying those most popular routes alone would cover almost a third of the miles travelled by heavy goods vehicles in the UK. Later stages would bring the total cost to £19.3bn.

Lower energy costs are predicted to pay back vehicle operators for the investment in new vehicles within 18 months, while electrification infrastructure could pay back its investors – either government or private – within 15 years, the report said.

Coastalwatch

I seem to remember when this was first announced and immediately lost interest when available only with a 41.4 kWh battery. Maybe others were as equally impressed, hence the 100 kWh addition!

Mercedes eVito Tourer available starting at 53,990 euros

The Mercedes eVito Tourer electric passenger van is now up for order. In Germany, the new eVito Tourer starts in Germany at a netlist price of 53,990 euros. In addition, the Mercedes EQV that has been available for order since the end of May can now also be ordered in the extra-long version with a length of 5,370 mm.

Mercedes introduced the eVito Tourer in March. In the course of the facelift, the electric version of the Vito Tourer was given the e-drive called eATS from the EQV – i.e. a battery with 100 kWh gross instead of the previous 41.4 kWh and above all the DC fast charging option. The update greatly increases the NEDC range from 186 to 421 kilometres.

https://www.electrive.com/2020/07/24/mercedes-evito-tourer-available-starting-at-53990-euro/

Coastalwatch

Came across this amongst other Electrive.com announcements and while on the surface it seems an amazing breakthrough it's only as yet been tested to 100 cycles! As the MD stated it would have significant impact not only on EV's and Storage but on electric flight also which must surely be where the greatest advances are now required if further cuts to global emmissions are to be achieved. 

We've seen similar such claims before. But, a great starting position if duration can accompany it too. Just need to multiply this aspect by a thousand fold!

Breakthrough in battery industry: LeydenJar boosts battery energy by 70%

LeydenJar Technologies, a Dutch spin-out of the applied research institute TNO, has developed a new anode that will drastically change the battery industry. For the first time, anodes in lithium-ion batteries can be made from 100% silicon. This breakthrough offers two key benefits: batteries with a 70% higher energy density (1350 Wh/L) and 62% less CO2 emissions. The anode is ready for production and LeydenJar is preparing to massively scale-up its production capacity in the coming years.

Founder and managing director Christian Rood: ‘The significance of battery capacity is huge. Electric driving, more intelligent smartphones, electric flying… everything and everyone is waiting for better batteries. Our solution is smart and easily incorporated. And there’s no additional cost. We cordially invite everyone to use and experience the advantages of LeydenJar’s silicon anodes.’

https://leyden-jar.com/breakthrough-in-battery-industry-leydenjar-boosts-battery-energy-by-70/

ed110220

Martyn1981 said:

I've loved this idea since I first heard of it in Swedish trials. Massive potential (I believe) for electrifying heavy freight with relatively small battery trucks:

'E-highways' could slash UK road freight emissions, says study

The UK could eliminate the majority of the carbon dioxide emissions from road freight by installing overhead charging cables for electric lorries on “e-highways” across the country, a report by government-funded academics suggests.

The plan for a so-called electric road system would cost £19.3bn and put all but the most remote parts of the UK within reach of the trucks by the late 2030s, with the potential for the investment to pay for itself within 15 years, according to the report by the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight. The centre is backed by government research grants and industry partners including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and John Lewis.

The catenary cables, powered by the national electricity grid, would link to lorries driving in the inside lanes on 4,300 miles (7,000km) of UK roads through an extendable rig known as a pantograph – similar to those on the top of electric trains. The electricity would power the lorry’s electric motor, as well as recharging an onboard electric battery that would power them to their destinations beyond the electrified roads.

The report suggests that a first phase of building work on the busiest roads could take two years, costing £5.6bn. However, electrifying those most popular routes alone would cover almost a third of the miles travelled by heavy goods vehicles in the UK. Later stages would bring the total cost to £19.3bn.

Lower energy costs are predicted to pay back vehicle operators for the investment in new vehicles within 18 months, while electrification infrastructure could pay back its investors – either government or private – within 15 years, the report said.

Interesting. Can't decide whether this is a great idea or something that could soon be rendered obsolete by advances in technology.

Coastalwatch

Shame it's not in the UK but good news that production is to be maintained in Europe coupled with the recycling of end of life batteries must surely be seen as a win, win.  It would also appear that German manufacturers, previously tied in to FF's, are now taking EV's more seriously!

Northvolt secures $1.6bn backing for twin battery gigafactories

In a little over ten years, Northvolt aims to pour 150 GWh of batteries onto the European market, annually. The company is also working to source end-of-life batteries for half its raw materials.

An assortment of public finance institutions, commercial banks and pension funds has issued another vote of confidence in Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt. The company today announced it has raised $1.6 billion in debt financing to pursue its goal of securing 25% of Europe’s battery market by 2030 while sourcing half of its raw materials – including lithium and cobalt – from end-of-life batteries.

The business is working with Norwegian battery collection firm Batteriretur and compatriot aluminum producer Hydro to source sufficient end-of-life batteries and to improve the economics of the recycling process. Hydro will pre-treat electric vehicle batteries to extract aluminum and ship the remaining material to Nothvolt’s recycling facility. The aim is to have the recycling scheme up and running and processing 8,000 tons of battery waste by 2022.

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2020/07/29/northvolt-secures-1-6-billion-debt-financing-for-two-gigafactories/

Ectophile

ed110220 said:

Martyn1981 said:

I've loved this idea since I first heard of it in Swedish trials. Massive potential (I believe) for electrifying heavy freight with relatively small battery trucks:

'E-highways' could slash UK road freight emissions, says study

The UK could eliminate the majority of the carbon dioxide emissions from road freight by installing overhead charging cables for electric lorries on “e-highways” across the country, a report by government-funded academics suggests.

The plan for a so-called electric road system would cost £19.3bn and put all but the most remote parts of the UK within reach of the trucks by the late 2030s, with the potential for the investment to pay for itself within 15 years, according to the report by the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight. The centre is backed by government research grants and industry partners including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and John Lewis.

The catenary cables, powered by the national electricity grid, would link to lorries driving in the inside lanes on 4,300 miles (7,000km) of UK roads through an extendable rig known as a pantograph – similar to those on the top of electric trains. The electricity would power the lorry’s electric motor, as well as recharging an onboard electric battery that would power them to their destinations beyond the electrified roads.

The report suggests that a first phase of building work on the busiest roads could take two years, costing £5.6bn. However, electrifying those most popular routes alone would cover almost a third of the miles travelled by heavy goods vehicles in the UK. Later stages would bring the total cost to £19.3bn.

Lower energy costs are predicted to pay back vehicle operators for the investment in new vehicles within 18 months, while electrification infrastructure could pay back its investors – either government or private – within 15 years, the report said.

Interesting. Can't decide whether this is a great idea or something that could soon be rendered obsolete by advances in technology.

I'm sure it would be obsolete before they have even finished rolling it out.

Just stick a few rapid chargers at every truck stop.  Job done.

Martyn1981

BEV's in Australia are growing slowly but as elsewhere, owners love them, and those trying them quickly get it.

Electric cars have few downsides except price. One company is looking to change that

Craig Salmon rattles off the benefits of electric cars with the swagger of a veteran car mechanic and the zeal of someone who is watching a profound historic change play out on his workshop floor.

“You ever look under the hood of one?” he asks. “They’re spectacularly simple. You’ve obviously got to be careful to not fry yourself with 1,000 volts, but day-to-day they’re far nicer to work on. You don’t get your hands dirty because there’s no oil. They don’t have exhausts. They don’t have turbos. They don’t have all the things that break on petrol cars.”

Salmon’s workshop is near Kingston, on the outskirts of Hobart, Tasmania, and although French cars are his speciality, he’s retraining to work on electric vehicles, which are rolling through his doors in greater numbers.

“Car enthusiasts hate them because they run so silent; you can’t get any noise out of them,” he says. “Mechanics think they’re the antichrist because they’re so damn reliable. For me? Driving something renewable is amazing. We’ve had 100 years of pouring fuel down a plughole, so to speak. To plug a car into your roof – it is incredible.”

Martyn1981

Couple of interesting articles on European electric sales.

The first looks at the number of PEV and BEV sales, with the mighty Zoe triumphing overall and therefore within its segment. The Tesla 3 and Audi E-tron 'smashing it' in their respective segments.

Record EV Sales In Europe

While the overall European market is still in recovery mode in June, down 24% year over year (YoY), the European passenger plugin vehicle market has returned to the fast track, having achieved almost 93,000 registrations in June (+95%). That was actually a record performance, placing June’s plugin share at 8.2% share (4.4% fully electric vehicles/BEVs), pulling the 2020 plugin share to 7.9% (4.3% for BEVs alone). The 7.9% market share more than doubles the 3.6% result of 2019, and gets mighty close to the disruptive 10% mark.

Will we see Europe’s plugin vehicle (PEV) market share end 2020 in double digits? Now that would be something to write about. …

The second article focuses on the growth of BEV's in 14 European countries, Hard to click on the UK in the first, but the second shows that sales whilst small, are growing rapidly

Top 14 European Countries In EV Market Share — Sales From 2012–2020 (Charts)

I recently published a report on the top 5 countries in terms of plugin vehicle market share (percentage of their auto sales coming from plugin vehicle sales). Underneath that article, some readers requested that I do a report focused only on fully electric vehicles. I thought that was a good idea, so here’s a report on that topic.

However, note that I focused only on Europe. If it was a global report, China would have made it onto this list as well, tied with Ireland just outside of the top 10 at #11 in 2020, and South Korea might have also made it onto the list.

Martyn1981

Vans, and more vans. As and when the economics work out, I can see a massive and rapid shift to BEV vans.

4 New Electric Vans Just Hit The UK & European Markets

It’s amazing what the threat of massive fines can do for automakers. The European Union has been getting serious about the need for automakers to clean up their fleets, and all of a sudden we’re getting a lot more vehicle models and automakers are actually trying to sell them!

That applies to light-duty vans as well as passenger cars and SUVs. In fact, just in the past week, I’ve seen automakers announce a whopping 4 new electric van models.

Electric Van News — 4 More Stories

Along with the news of 4 new electric vans in the UK and Europe, we’ve collected 4 other electric van stories in the past week that didn’t get their own articles but seemed worth highlighting.