Some merit in draft plan but lacks direct impact required to ramp up EV adoption In the previous edition of SightGlass News, the Australian Government’s new and seemingly positive $A74.5 million “Future Fuels” investment scheme for zero- and low-emissions vehicles was outlined. The plan, which was mooted to increase the commercial and community uptake of … Continue reading Australian federal EV plan doesn’t go far enough
It is time for automotive workshops to consider the effect that electric cars might have on their operations but fortunately there is already much in the way of support for workshops looking to increase their repertoire and prepare for the future. Many are thinking about investing in the training and equipment required to assess and … Continue reading How to get up to speed on EV repairs
One of the long-standing issues with mobile or stationary HVACR equipment, is what happens if and when its refrigerant escapes to atmosphere. It might be due to a leak, or due to improper disposal of the equipment at the end of its life, but the net outcome is the same – a release of substances … Continue reading Solid-state tech could cut refrigerant woes
In 1996, Nissan unveiled an all-electric version of its Prairie people-mover. It was the result of decades of research and the first electric car with a lithium-ion battery – a high-capacity, low-weight solution that would become the standard solution for myriad electric vehicles (EVs). Nissan subsequently capitalised on its experience with the launch of the … Continue reading Nissan charges ahead with new EVs, tech
EUROPEAN logistics company ECS has equipped 76 refrigerated trailers with a solar panel system that reduces the annual fuel consumption of each trailer by 1000 litres. Such reductions in fuel use are estimated to cut the CO2 emissions of the reefer fleet by at least 2000 tonnes in ten years, minimising the environmental impact of … Continue reading Thermo King solar panel system cuts costs and emissions
Australian heavy vehicle, fleet and mobile equipment specialist GB Auto has signed a $250 million ($A322m) deal to supply electric conversion kits for 4x4s. The VASA member company, which is headquartered in Orange, New South Wales, will now be the exclusive Australia-wide distributor of products from Tembo – a Netherlands-based manufacturer of electric light vehicles, … Continue reading VASA member GB Auto signs $250M EV deal
Engineers at Purdue University in the United States have quickly improved the performance of a white paint that can passively cool surfaces. The team behind the ultra-white paint has revealed an improved formula that can keep surfaces cooler than the version demonstrated last October. A new formulation is said to reflect up to 98.1 per … Continue reading Ultra-white paint cuts cooling challenges
Heavy equipment manufacturer Komatsu has announced that it is partnering with electric vehicle technology specialist Proterra to develop small- and mid-sized electric hydraulic excavators. Japanese multinational Komatsu will use the American company’s advanced battery systems to power its new line of upcoming zero-emissions excavators – prototypes of which are due in 2021, ahead of commercial … Continue reading Off-highway sector charges up
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has opened a new Auto Innovation Centre in Adelaide. Its new technical facility offers a wide array of engineering services and testing technologies to the automotive aftermarket, which will help companies accelerate the development of new products and bolster the industry. “This facility, in addition to the Melbourne AIC … Continue reading Adelaide gets new Auto Innovation Centre
New sustainable tech to benefit refrigerated transport and shipping companies Sustainability is the focus of almost every industry these days – and, as regulations and public perception continue to shift, making things cleaner, more efficient and less harmful will be both required and expected. In transport refrigeration, manufacturers and logistics companies are increasingly exploring ways … Continue reading Zero-emissions tech for transport refrigeration
