Automotive

Grid

NASA tech lands for brake systems

Orbis Brakes in the US has licensed a NASA-patented technology for lightweight braking systems in electric vehicles, writes Nick Flaherty. The revolutionary brake disc design is at least 42% lighter than conventional cast-iron rotors, with performance comparable to much more expensive carbon-ceramic models.

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Herrmann Ultraschall boosts power of welding

With the Ultrasonic Power Stack 12.000, Herrmann Ultraschall has developed an expansion for the ULTRASAFE W welding machine, which increases its power while reducing cycle times. This increases the maximum welding force of the machine to 10,000 newtons, so even high-voltage cables with cross-sections of up to 150 mm² can be welded reliably.

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Siemens enables simultaneous fast charging of four EVs

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has rolled out an additional variant of its SICHARGE D electric vehicle (EV) fast charger, with a maximum output of 400 kW. Designed for future-proof EV charging, the SICHARGE D dispenser enables up to four vehicles to be charged at the same time with only one grid connection, optimising times for customers, and delivering cost and space savings for charge point operators (CPOs).

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Audi’s more powerful & smarter HV battery

The completely newly developed high-voltage battery (HV battery) is largely responsible for the longest electric range in the current Audi portfolio. With an impressive range of 625 kilometers (388 mi), the Audi Q6 e-tron1 is highly suitable for everyday use, making it one of the models with the longest range in its segment.

Digest

BEDEO van conversion

Peter Donaldson discovers how conversion packs are putting electric powertrains inside diesel vans One of the greatest benefits of electrified light vehicles is the elimination of tailpipe emissions and the consequent improvements in air quality in urban areas. Large vans form a key part of the ‘last mile’ logistics that keep cities

In Conversation

In conversation: Michael Fischer

Honda R&D Europe’s deputy GM talks with Rory Jackson about changing where EVs stand relative to the environment, the grid and the home. A drive to understand how complex machines work can spur one towards a life of engineering and research across a diverse field of sciences, as Michael Fischer, deputy GM of Honda

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IoTecha and Software République fire up Mobilize Powerbox

IoTecha, a provider of smart charging solutions for electric vehicles, has developed the Mobilize Powerbox, a smart, secure, bidirectional AC EV charger, with Software République. IoTecha’s IoT.ON is an integrated platform consisting of software, hardware and cloud components for the smart charging infrastructure and power-grid integration of all kinds of EVs, including light-duty vehicles, trucks and school buses.

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Magna awarded specialized eDrive system business with North America based OEM

Magna is growing its electrification customer base with a newly awarded contract from a North America-based OEM to supply a specialized primary rear eDrive system for one of the company’s high-end niche vehicle platforms. The award reinforces Magna’s commitment to supporting the automotive industry’s short and long-term transformational needs.

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New Renault Master E-Tech electric’s WLTP range – up to 460 km

Renault has chosen two batteries optimised for capacity, size and mass, combined with in-depth work on aerodynamics and a brand-new innovative platform. The van comes with a choice of two energy storage capacity ratings: 40 kWh and 87 kWh. These two packs are built into a single casing and designed for driving requirements in cities as much as in suburbs. And they do not hamper the vehicle’s payload capacity – which is an essential criterion in this segment.

Grid

In wheel motor development

YASA is working with Domin on an in-wheel motor system that weighs under 2 kg, writes Nick Flaherty. The project with Cranfield University in the UK will create a patented in-wheel motor design using YASA’s axial flux motor and Domin’s digitally controlled hydraulic active suspension. The aim is to develop a motor system that is ten times lighter than the current 12 kg motor package design.