The Australian Government has announced a $A74.5 million investment scheme designed to help communities and business adopt electric, hydrogen-powered and bio-fuelled vehicles. Specific details of the new scheme, called the Futures Fuel Fund, are to be announced soon. It is expected, however, that it will subsidise the purchase of alternatively powered vehicles and infrastructure. This … Continue reading Australian government announces $74.5m clean transport investment
Australian manufacturer Lumen Freedom has supplied its first wireless charging system to McLaren Automotive, which will use the inductive charger for its hybrid Speedtail hypercar. The wireless electric vehicle charging (WEVC) system means that the car can be charged without requiring any cabled connection, making it easy and unobtrusive to use. The car simply needs … Continue reading McLaren adopts Australian wireless charging tech for Speedtail hypercar
Pandemic-busting vaccines need those working in temperature controlled transport and cold chain to bring their A-game In 2020 the word ‘unprecedented’ has been used with unprecedented frequency and now we have the unprecedented challenge of distributing vast volumes of COVID-19 vaccines around the world at strictly controlled temperatures of less than -70°C. As a result, … Continue reading COVID cold chain
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association’s long-running Choice of Repairer campaign seeking to mandate information sharing between car manufacturers and independent repairers is on the home straight. On November 2, Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar announced draft “Right to Repair” legislation that will compel car manufacturers to share their information on “fair and reasonable commercial terms”. This, … Continue reading 10-year Choice of Repairer campaign set to pay off
Zero-emissions transport company Nexport has announced it will build an electric vehicle plant in the South Highlands of New South Wales (NSW). The $A700 million facility will be built on a 51-hectare site in the town of Moss Vale. The construction work alone is expected to employ 700 people and, once operational, Nexport expects the … Continue reading NSW to get electric bus factory
Australia’s federal government has launched a $A1.2 billion apprentice and trainee subsidy scheme that is designed help counter the economic impacts of COVID-19. A total of 100,000 new apprentices and trainees will be supported by the scheme, which will initially create much-needed avenues for those looking to establish a new career – which, on its … Continue reading Fresh apprentice funding to aid post-COVID comeback
Tesla is set to introduce a new large “tabless” battery cell that is said to offer significant improvements in efficiency, capacity and ease of production. Its new cell technology, which was previewed at the Tesla Battery Day event in September, will enable a greater vehicle range, easier production and reduced costs – all factors that … Continue reading Tesla’s innovative ‘tabless’ cell design reduces complexity and increases performance
One of the challenges faced by manufacturers looking to expedite the development and production of electric cars lies within the battery management system (BMS). To ensure the pack provides a good service life and power, the BMS must monitor the cells and use that information to optimise and protect the battery. However, in a centralised … Continue reading Wireless tech to speed EV R&D
The next generation of electric vehicles from General Motors (GM) is set to be propelled by a new family of electric powertrains called Ultium Drive. GM’s new concept consists of five interchangeable drive units and three motors, each of which is reputed to offer industry-leading power and torque density. The modular nature of Ultium Drive, … Continue reading New Ultium Drive powertrains destined for extensive range of GM EVs
The inverter is one of the main components of an electrified vehicle and responsible for converting the battery’s DC output to AC power that can be used by an electric motor. Given the rapid development of modern electric powertrains, manufacturers are taking different approaches to inverter design and production. This has led to a wide … Continue reading Munro & Associates report details the ins and outs of EV inverters
