Berlin- A number of European states are in talks regarding the development of a second European consortium for the production and recycling of battery cells for cars according to German Economy minister, Peter Altmaier. In a statement last Friday, Altmaier said that "Germany and Europe need to develop and build competitive, innovative and environmentally sustainable battery cells." This comes as a response to the new European C02 emission standards which are driving Europ's auto industry to shift towards zero-emission technologies. Read more
In test results from a new research paper, Jeff Dahn, Tesla's battery research partner, claims that their new battery cell could last for over 1 million miles (which is twice to three times longer than their current battery cells). Dahn says the new battery cell will be particularly useful in their 'robot taxis'. The new battery is a Li-Ion battery cell with a next-generation “single crystal” NMC cathode and a new advanced electrolyte. Read more
UK - ZapGo Ltd, the Oxford battery manufacturer, have developed a Carbon-Ion battery that is expected to be cheaper, safer and charge EVs 100 times faster than existing Li-Ion batteries. It will provide 350 mile (500km) range within 5 minutes of charging. Stephen Voller, CEO and Founder of ZapGo said that “Our eventual goal is making EVs available that perform the same as petrol and diesel vehicles, not only in requiring the same time to recharge as it does to fill a tank with fuel, but also in offering the same showroom sticker price as conventional vehicles.” Read more
Volkswagen has recently released its first fully electric ID.3 model following its ambition to sell 1 million EVs per year by 2025. A number of its attributes, such as its size, battery range and pricing, make it clear they are aiming to target the mass-market category. The first special edition to be released is the ID.3 1ST which will have a 58 kWh-battery pack and a range of around 250 miles, starting under $44,200. Th ID.3 1ST will have the capability of adding 180 miles to its battery within 30 minutes. Read more
Toyota is securing its battery supply for its plug-in hybrid models in China, the Toyota Corolla and Levin, by using Panasonic batteries similar to those used by Tesla. This past January, Toyota and Panasonic have announced their joint venture to develop EV batteries. The new batteries are the result of this co-development. Read more
According to Automotive News, Mazda will unveil its new fully-electric vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show in October. A release date has not yet been announced, however, in an interview with Automotive News Europe, Mazda CEO Akira Marumoto said that “…the first Mazda battery-electric vehicle will hit the market next year. Finally, we will introduce plug-in hybrid models from 2021 or 2022. So we will eventually achieve the target, although we will have some difficulties in 2020.” The electric powertrain of the prototype includes a 35.5kWh battery that can deliver 105kW (142hp) of power and 264Nm (195 lb-ft) of torque. Read more
Frankfurt- Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) and Robert Bosch are collaborating to develop high-performance battery cells. Bosch, who supply 48-volt hybrid powertrain systems to 50 electric-vehicle platforms, are the market leaders in China. CATL, the Chinese battery manufacturer and technology company, will design and manufacture electric car battery cells for Bosch. Stefan Hartung, a member of the board of management in Bosch said that "In combination with our systems know-how and expertise in battery management, we will extend our strong position in the 48-volt battery market." By 2025, Bosch predict that close to 20% of annually sold new vehicles will have a 48-volt system with a compatible battery. Read more
ExxonMobil launched their Mobil EV suite of fluids and greases for EVs. These products were developed to meet the increased demand for battery-electric vehicles.
"Mobility is changing and electric vehicles are becoming a greater part of the mix. Customers and OEMs are looking to optimize the range and safety performance of their electric vehicles... This is just the start of the product and service solutions we’ll be developing to support the evolving needs of our customers," said Russ Green, ExxonMobil’s vice president of finished lubricants. The launch follows ExxonMobil's recent entry into electric motorsports through their collaboration with the Formula E series car of Porsche. Read more
