For an electric car to deliver the best capabilities and comfort, the temperature of its components and cabin must be managed effectively. Batteries and control units that get too hot during operation, for example, can cause degraded performance, charging and range issues. Ineffective cabin heating and cooling solutions, similarly, can result in excessive power draw … Continue reading All-electric Audi Q4 e-tron features two cooling loops, R744-charged heat pump
By Craig Van Batenburg (Article reproduced by permission of SAE International) The Automotive Career Development Center (ACDC) that I founded over 20 years ago provides training and tech support to the world’s independent electric-vehicle (EV and hybrid) technicians, who will be asked to fix and maintain the systems as they age. Our facility in central … Continue reading Heat pump technology a game changer for widespread electric vehicle adoption
I don’t know about you, but the last place I expected to see R1234yf show up was under the bonnet of a Chinese-made electric van. The Skywell EC11, imported by Brisbane-based EV Automotive, is a medium wheelbase mid-roof van with a design that has shades of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Renault Master and Ford Transit. Unlike those … Continue reading Brisbane truck show debuts Include several electrified trucks, vans, minibuses and R1234yf
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia has entered into a binding letter of intent with VivoPower to collaborate on the electrification of LandCruiser 70 Series models using conversion kits designed and manufactured by VivoPower subsidiary Tembo. VASA member GB Auto is the exclusive Australia-wide distributor of Tembo products, committing to 2000 conversions over the first four years … Continue reading VASA member in partnership for Toyota Australia’s official electric LandCruiser 70 conversions
A study of dealer management system data in the United States has found that repairs to electrified vehicles are so far proving more lucrative than originally predicted, the aggregated results suggesting EV parts and labour invoices tend to double those for conventional vehicles. The most frequent EV issues were electronic controller, high-voltage battery, charger/cable and battery contacts, … Continue reading EV fault diagnosis could prove lucrative
A gauntlet has been thrown down by BHP, Rio Tinto and Vale – the world’s three largest mine operators – to accelerate the development of electric haul trucks for widespread global adoption in the surface mining industry. The Charge On Innovation Challenge has been launched with mining equipment, technology and services industry body Ausmine to encourage technology innovators to … Continue reading Mining giants challenge innovators to electrify haul trucks for global adoption
A study by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) has concluded that electric cars and vans in every European light vehicle segment will less expensive to make than their fossil-fueled equivalents by 2027 at the latest. The report, commissioned by independent clan transport campaign group Transport & Environment, says small and mid-size cars and SUVs will cost the same to … Continue reading Study predicts EVs will be cheaper to make than petrol or diesel equivalents by 2027
This year’s Brisbane Truck Show will host the launch of EV Automotive’s EC11 electric van and minibus, which have received full volume Australian Design Rule certification and compliance. Available in 12.3 cubic metre E-Cargo and 12-seat E-Crew formats, the EC11 has a 1.7-tonne payload and its 73.6kWh battery provides a claimed range of 200-300km depending … Continue reading Brisbane Truck Show promises electrification
Falken parent company Sumitomo Rubber Industries has developed a method of harvesting static electricity from rotating tyres and then using this energy to power sensors, such as those used for tyre pressure monitoring systems. The joint project with Professor Hiroshi Tani of Kansai University in Japan, has resulted in an integrated system that uses the electricity generated … Continue reading Tyres that can generate electricity?
The shipping industry is looking to the past and future in an attempt to address its heinous air pollution record, with a return to wind power as well as battery power for upcoming ocean-going cargo vessels. Perhaps most striking is the Oceanbird roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vehicle carrier that has taken its first order from Norewgian … Continue reading Shipping finally starts to clean up its act
