Stagnating growth in demand for battery electric vehicles in some markets has prompted UK-based Horse Powertrain to develop a modular hybrid system that retrofit an internal combustion engine to existing BEV platforms with minimal modifications. The company, a joint venture between Renault Group and Geely with backing from Saudi oil giant Aramco, revealed its Future … Continue reading Convert EV to a hybrid: Horse Powertrain retrofit kit
BYD, the world’s largest electrified vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has unveiled its groundbreaking 1000kW Super e-Platform. The company claims to be the first to achieve a 10C charging rate, meaning the charging speed is 10 times the battery’s capacity per hour. This allows vehicles to add up to 400km of range in only five minutes, with … Continue reading Will electrified vehicle thermal management move toward direct refrigerant contact?
The European Union is considering potential chemical restrictions that could affect certain refrigerants and fluoropolymers. Depending on regulatory processes, restrictions could take effect around 2028, following comprehensive assessments currently underway. Continue reading EU edges toward PFAS ban
A 68-year-old man from St. Louis, Missouri, has been sentenced to prison for orchestrating a Ponzi scheme involving the trade of ozone-depleting R-22 refrigerant. Robert F. Rothluebbers was convicted of wire fraud after admitting to running the scheme from October 2014 to May 2017, during which he defrauded unsuspecting investors of $350,000. Rothluebbers solicited investments, … Continue reading Jail for man behind US R22 Ponzi scheme
Sunswap, the pioneering British manufacturer of zero-emission transport refrigeration systems, has expanded its operations with the opening of a new production facility in Leatherhead, Surrey. This move comes as the company experiences increasing demand for its solar and battery-powered refrigeration units across the UK and Europe. The new facility will produce Sunswap’s “Endurance” transport refrigeration … Continue reading New factory for British solar reefer firm
The 2025 Brisbane Truck Show (May 15-18) looks likely to have an increased focus on electric axles (e-axles), which have the potential to boost the efficiency and environmental performance of both truck and trailer setups – especially for refrigerated transport. Since a handful of e-axle technologies were showcased at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show (the … Continue reading Trucks with e-axles to proliferate
As the cost of regulated high-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants continues to rise and supply diminishes, the illegal trade in these substances is becoming an increasingly pressing global issue. Regular SightGlass readers will have seen how smugglers exploit weaknesses in customs enforcement and bypass security measures, creating a grey market where refrigerants are sold at … Continue reading The world is still combating illegal refrigerants
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have developed a new, compact cooling device that can reduce temperatures by up to 16°F (9°C) in the surrounding area and as much as 25°F (14°C) at the heat source within 30 seconds, showing promise in transforming wearable cooling technologies, portable devices, and potentially even car … Continue reading Electrocaloric tech to help cool cars?
German company Magnotherm has made a significant advancement in the development of refrigerant-free cooling systems, demonstrating that magnetocaloric materials can be protected by applying a copper coating and corrosion inhibitor to the alloys used in technology that is claimed to be 40 per cent more energy efficient than vapour compression. After three months of continuous … Continue reading Magnetic cooling attracts attention
A team of scientists at Australia’s Monash University have achieved a breakthrough in developing an ultra-fast charging lithium-sulphur (Li-S) battery that is poised to power everything from long-haul electric vehicles (EVs) to commercial drones. This game-changing technology, detailed in a recent publication in ‘Advanced Energy Materials’, could also pave the way for electric aircraft in the … Continue reading Aussie battery breakthrough: Ultra fast-charging lithium-sulphur tech
