Tag: Hybrid

In electric and hybrid vehicles, frequent battery charging and continuous thermal management mean components such as pumps and valves in cooling systems must operate for 45,000 to 55,000 hours at operating temperature, compared with roughly 5000 hours for typical petrol or diesel cars. These extended duty cycles present new challenges for engineering plastics, particularly those … Continue reading BASF develops durable plastic for EV cooling systems

After showcasing its retrofittable Future Hybrid Concept at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show (as reported in SightGlass issue 37, Horse Powertrain has now revealed a global plug-and-play hybrid system for multiple vehicle types. The UK-headquartered joint venture between Renault Group and Geely backed by energy giant Aramco was founded in May 2024, combines Geely subsidiary … Continue reading Horse launches ‘plug-and-play’ hybrid system to help auto-makers cut CO2

Although an earlier transition to BEVs would accelerate reductions in transport emissions, BMW head of portfolio management for electrified powertrains Michael Hoffmann considers hybrids a smart and scalable way to cut CO2 in the short term as manufacturers face tightening regulations and uncertainty around charging infrastructure. “If you glanced at September’s European Automobile Manufacturers Association … Continue reading BMW exec spruiks hybrid tech as market resists fast BEV uptake

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

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

Early hybrid cars first started using DC-DC converters to take power from the traction battery pack and convert run 12-volt components such as lights, infotainment and control electronics while the internal combustion engine is off, while also keeping the 12-volt battery charged, in some cases when the vehicle is parked and not in use. Now … Continue reading Liquid-cooled 4kW DC-DC converter launched

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association government relations and advocacy director Lesley Yates returned to this year’s Wire & Gas to deliver a wide-ranging and incisive presentation that addressed the challenges and opportunities facing the independent automotive repair sector. Yates offered an unflinching look at the realities of electric vehicle (EV) adoption, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), … Continue reading Embrace the change: Lesley Yates at Wire & Gas 2024

InfinitEV business development manager Oscar Vall delivered an insightful Wire & Gas presentation that explored the rapidly evolving field of hybrid and electric vehicle battery repair, refurbishment, repurposing and recycling. As part of the pioneering InfinitEV team, Vall’s seminar focused on the challenges and opportunities wrought by the increase in vehicles requiring battery pack replacement … Continue reading The circle of battery life: Oscar Vall at Wire & Gas 2024

The 2025 Ramcharger represents the first series hybrid from Stellantis or, as the global automotive conglomerate dubs it, a Range-Extended Electric Truck. It is designed to addresses three major concerns among electric ute owners: Range anxiety, towing and hauling practicality, and charging when away from base. Continue reading Is Ram’s 2025 Ramcharger the revol-ute-ion we’ve been waiting for?

In the rapidly evolving world of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the need for innovative materials is growing due to the unique challenges faced in thermal, electromagnetic and acoustic shielding. Chemical companies are busy developing new grades of specialised plastics to capture these opportunities. Continue reading Advancements in plastics pivotal to transport electrification