Atlis Partners with EAVX for Bodies and Accessories
Atlis Motor Vehicles (ATLIS), a startup mobility technology company, announced today the signing of a Strategic Collaboration Agreement with the JB Poindexter & Co business unit EAVX to develop electric commercial work truck products that integrate EAVX bodies and accessories with the ATLIS XP platform.
ATLIS is developing a fully electric vehicle platform, proprietary battery cells and packs, and the necessary charging infrastructure to recharge a 500-mile range battery in less than 15 minutes. The XT pickup and XP platform production will begin in 2022.
EAVX partners with the most advanced electric and alternative power chassis producers to design, manufacture, distribute, and service the world’s largest commercial fleets and markets.//
Hyundai Motor Company today revealed teaser images of the sleek and spacious SEVEN, an all-electric SUV concept to be fully unveiled at AutoMobility LA later this month.
SEVEN captures Hyundai Motor’s future design and technology innovation in the electric mobility era and hints at a new SUV model coming to the IONIQ family, the company’s dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) brand.
Autoliv & Piaggio Group Work on Airbag for Two-Wheelers
Autoliv, Inc., the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, and the Piaggio Group, one of the leading manufacturers of scooters and motorcycles, are collaborating to develop an airbag for powered two-wheelers, for greater rider safety.
A joint development agreement was signed by the two parties for the purpose of developing airbags to provide greater protection for two-wheeler riders and enhance riding pleasure. The airbags will be mounted on the vehicle frame and will deploy in milliseconds.
Lightning eMotors and ABC Companies Largest Electric Double Decker Bus
Lightning eMotors (NYSE: ZEV), a leading provider of all-electric powertrains and medium-duty and specialty commercial electric fleet vehicles, and ABC Companies, a leading provider of motor coach, transit and specialty passenger transport equipment, announced today the sale of the largest battery electric double decker motor coach to All Aboard America! Holdings, the fourth largest motor coach operator in the U.S.
The first delivery to Lux Bus America in Anaheim, CA will be a Van Hool TD925 repowered double-decker electrified by Lightning eMotors from diesel to all-electric. It touts a 640 kWh battery capacity, the largest known to exist for a vehicle of its type, an estimated range of over 200 miles, and a charge time of under six hours with a 150 kW DC fast charger. The coach has a seating capacity of 70 people.
“There are nearly 35,000 diesel motor coaches on the road in the U.S. today, and the vast majority of them are ideal candidates for electrification,” Kash Sethi, Chief Revenue Officer of Lightning eMotors, said. “Electrifying these existing diesel vehicles has a strong financial and environmental business case. It keeps the chassis and premium bus body out of the scrapyard and enables the move to zero-emissions with a dramatically lower cost than buying a new motor coach, diesel or electric.”
Lightning worked with their motor coach dealer-partner ABC Companies to deliver a single deck motor coach to All Aboard America! in Mesa, AZ in January of 2021 and to develop the double decker.
With the elimination of emissions and the quiet ride, both single-deck and double decker motor coaches are an ideal solution for transporting employees to and from large corporate campuses. From global corporations to local universities, eliminating many privately operated vehicles on the road with a zero-emissions motor coach has a significant impact on the quality of life for those institutions and the communities on the commuter routes.
The first Lightning eMotors electrified double-decker coach is scheduled to be delivered and deployed later this month.
Exro Tech Launches Extro Vehicle System for EV Design and Engineering
Exro Technologies Inc. (TSX: EXRO) (OTCQB: EXROF) (the “Company” or “Exro”), a leading clean technology company that has developed a new class of power electronics for electric motors and batteries, announced the launch of its services arm to provide vehicle integration solutions for automakers pursuing electrification. The new division, called Exro Vehicle Systems (the “division”), will provide end-to-end electric vehicle (EV) design and engineering services.
The division will be led by Brian Van Batavia, former Bollinger Motors Technical Director and AVL Chief Engineer of Electrification, who joins Exro as President of the division and has strong expertise in systems integration engineering. In his career, Van Batavia has built up a wealth of expertise and accomplishments in the areas of electric and hybrid vehicles, alternative energy systems, electro-mechanical systems controls, and connected vehicle systems. He holds several patents related to hybrid and electric vehicles and powertrains and has authored a number of papers and articles related to vehicle energy management and controls. Van Batavia will bring his team of engineers alongside him as he joins Exro, including Justin Goeglein as the division’s Director of Engineering. Goeglein has over 10 years of expertise in integration of automotive vehicle platforms with a specialty in software solutions.
Exro’s Vehicle Systems division will focus on complete powertrain designs that integrates Exro’s core technology with vehicle powertrains including embedded software, Vehicle Control Units (VCUs) and batteries. The division will build on Exro’s suite of existing product offerings with Coil Driver™ and Battery Control System to solve additional challenges for automotive customers. It is expected that the services division can yield business for the Coil Driver™ by introducing automakers to Exro’s independently tested technology in the early design stages to create lower cost yet higher performing electric vehicles at scale, which is the key to accelerating EV adoption.
Exro plans to open a facility in Detroit in 2022, the heart of the automotive industry, to service the top automakers pursuing aggressive EV goals. The Detroit office will enable the Company to capitalize on services opportunities in the region and among the emerging electrified vehicle industry. This is an important milestone for Exro as it adds a new channel for revenue generation and enables the Company to serve as a one-stop-shop for vehicle manufacturers finding their footing in the electric revolution. Combined with Exro’s product technology and ability to deliver continuous innovation, the addition of Van Batavia and his team positions the Company as a valuable part of the EV supply chain.
REV Fire All Electric Fire Truck
REV Fire Group, comprised of REV Group, Inc. companies E-ONE®, KME®, Ferrara™, Spartan Emergency Response®, Smeal™, and Ladder Tower™, announces an all-electric E-ONE® Vector™ fire truck will be built for Mesa Fire and Medical Department in Mesa, AZ.
REV Fire Group first announced the introduction of its all-electric fire truck, now named Vector, in August, and Mesa is the first confirmed order announcement. The customizable Vector has the industry’s longest electric pumping duration which allows four hose lines to be in use for four hours on a single charge. Additional features include a superior battery storage solution offering a safer, lower center of gravity and regenerative braking.
“In developing the Vector, we worked closely with our customers to identify their product needs. Using this feedback, we designed a robust EV rig that upholds our commitment to providing the highest quality and best performing fire apparatus,” said Mike Virnig, Vice President of Sales, REV Fire Group. “We are excited to partner with Mesa in protecting both their community and the environment and look forward to delivering the first of these revolutionary EV fire trucks. The Vector is well equipped to serve the needs of Mesa firefighters and customizable for department needs across the country.”
This rig supports the City of Mesa’s Climate Action Plan and goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. “I’m an advocate for electric vehicles — it’s a better technology and this is one of many steps we can take to bring us closer to our Climate Action Plan goals,” said Mayor John Giles. “We look forward to this as a study in the potential cost-savings and efficiency of electric vehicles in City operations.”
H&E Equipment, an E-ONE authorized dealer, is coordinating the Mesa order and delivery is expected in 2022. The Vector is available for preorders through any E-ONE, KME®, Ferrara™ or Spartan Emergency Response® dealer sales representative.
Biliti $400M PIPE Investment from GEM
– BILITI Electric™, the maker of compact electric vehicles, announced a $400 million PIPE investment commitment from Luxembourg-based GEM Global Yield LLC SCS (GEM). The commitment will be in the form of a Share Subscription Facility and will be made available on the first day of trading or in tranches to be drawn at the company’s option over a four-year period. With certainty of a PIPE investment upon public listing, BILITI Electric is now well-positioned to deliver on the company’s vision of accelerating the world’s transition towards smart and sustainable mobility.
The company plans to showcase the GMW Taskman™, its electric vehicle with SmartSwapp™ battery technology, at the upcoming AutoMobility event in Los Angeles on November 17-18, 2021. This will be the vehicle’s US debut. The vehicle has a certified range of 110 miles and is designed for commercial last-mile deliveries. The SmartSwapp technology enables user to simply swap the vehicle battery and get recharged in less than a minute.
Ford Shows F-100 Eluminator Concept–OLD Ford with New Mustang Mach-e Engine
Ford previewed the future of electrified custom vehicles with the reveal of the all-electric F-100 Eluminator concept – a zero-tailpipe-emissions** demonstration truck powered by the all-new Ford Performance Parts Eluminator electric crate motor that customers can now buy online.
Based on a heritage 1978 F-100 pickup, the F-100 Eluminator concept features all-wheel drive via two powerful electric motors shared with the 2021 Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition. Two electric traction motors drive the front and rear wheels, packing a powerful 480 horsepower and 634 lb.-ft. of torque. Eluminator, the first e-crate motor from Ford Performance Parts, is based on the Mustang Mach-E GT’s traction motor.
“Ford owners have personalized, customized and enhanced their vehicles since the beginning – from changing looks to bringing the power,” said Eric Cin, global director, Vehicle Personalization, Accessories and Licensing. “Our F-100 Eluminator concept is a preview of how we’re supporting customers as they go all-electric and embrace zero-tailpipe emissions performance, even for our heritage vehicles.”
The all-electric F-100 Eluminator concept, designed and created by Ford Performance, was built in collaboration with MLe Racecars and sits on a custom chassis by the Roadster Shop. It’s painted in Avalanche Gray with Cerakote Copper accents applied by Brand X Customs, while the interior features a billet aluminum dash by JJR Fabrication and avocado-tanned leather upholstery by MDM Upholstery. It’s fitted with custom 19×10-inch billet aluminum three-piece wheels by Forgeline wrapped in Michelin® Latitude® Sport 275/45-19 high-performance tires.
Eluminator e-crate motor ignites electric performance revolution
Globally, vehicle performance parts and accessories industry generates approximately $50 billion annually, that covers hardware for everything from hot rods to off-road vehicles, and from mobile electronics to vehicle accessories.
Ford Vehicle Personalization and Ford Performance Parts continue to add new choices for customers, like the Eluminator e-crate motor, as the shift to electric vehicles accelerates. It’s the first of what will become a growing portfolio of performance parts and accessories for Ford electric vehicles.
Part No. M-9000-MACH-E, the e-crate motor is now available at authorized Ford parts warehouse dealers or online at Ford Performance Parts. Retailing at $3,900, it is targeted for builders looking for a transverse-oriented powertrain to electrify a range of vehicles from modern to vintage cars, trucks and SUVs. Each Eluminator e-crate motor produces 281 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of torque and is street-legal in all 50 states.
Over time, Ford Performance plans to develop a wider list of components for the Eluminator powertrain with some of the leading performance manufacturers, including battery systems, controllers and traction inverters to close the loop on full turnkey aftermarket electrification solutions.
Ford to lead aftermarket electric performance revolution
With the push toward electrification, several electric-powered vehicles on display at the Ford set, booth No. 22200, include the 1,400-horsepower electric Mustang Mach-E 1400 demo, driven by Vaughn Gittin Jr. in smoke-filled, tire-thrashing exhibition rides at Ford Out Front at Las Vegas Convention Center.
The first all-electric 2022 F-150 Lightning™ is also on display, along with a factory Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition next to the all-electric F-100 Eluminator concept. Three custom Mustang Mach-E creations include a prototype from Shelby American, showing could come from the legendary Ford racing collaborator. Jim Osborn, former pro SCCA racer and founder of the Austin Hatcher Foundation, is preparing their custom Mustang Mach-E GT build to run at the Bonneville Speed Week next summer with the goal of being the first Mustang Mach-E to top the 200-mph mark.
This past weekend, Ford’s Mustang Cobra Jet 1400, an electric-powered exhibition dragster prepared by Ford Performance and MLe Racecars, demonstrated its quickness at the NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas.
“The fact is, electric performance is fun, and as the industry moves toward electric vehicles, motorsports and the performance aftermarket will too,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance. “Just as Ford is committed to leading the electric revolution on the product side, Ford Performance is equally committed to winning on the performance and motorsports front.”
All of the vehicles shown have been modified by independent vehicle modifiers for SEMA. They are for demonstration purposes only and are not available for sale by Ford. Ford’s display of these vehicles is not intended to, nor does it constitute an endorsement of the vehicle modifiers, vehicle modifications, or use of the vehicles by Ford. Ford has not evaluated these modified vehicles. Vehicle owners and modifiers should consult their Ford’s owner’s manual before modifying vehicles and for proper usage. Vehicles that are not street legal or certified under FMVSS and safety and emission regulations are not intended or certified for use on public roads.
StoreDot New Digital Battery Patent
StoreDot, the pioneer of extreme fast charging (XFC) battery technology for electric vehicles (EVs), is furthering its mission to enhance the entire electric vehicle ecosystem with an approved patent for a transformational technology, giving automotive batteries fixed capacity and driving range throughout their lifespan.
This revolutionary ‘digital battery’ breakthrough, achieved through a combination of patented software and cell chemistry management, gives an EV owner a fixed battery driving range for the duration of its useful service life, thus overcoming another aspect of the known Range Anxiety. It manages both charging voltages and StoreDot’s XFC silicon-based cell chemistry to stress a battery less at the start of its life and balance its performance across the battery’s life to deliver a driving experience with predictable and consistent range.
Until this StoreDot innovation, battery capacity, and therefore driving range, degrades over the life of the vehicle, making it one of the major frustrations of EV ownership. The certainty and consistency that this advancement provides could also improve residual values of vehicles, lowering leasing costs and further benefitting both consumers and global automotive manufacturers utilizing the technology.
As with previous patented technologies StoreDot is making this technology for improved driving experience available to other organizations to help speed up the global adoption of electric vehicles and a future zero-emissions world.
Dr Doron Myersdorf, StoreDot CEO “Our development of extreme fast charging batteries is aligned with our commitment to the holistic improvement of the EV battery ecosystem. We want to make it more attractive for consumers to adopt zero-emissions electric vehicles. This new patent, which we will make available to any organization as open-source, is another great example of that commitment. Our new digital battery software, aligned with our leading silicon-based cell chemistry, will give all EV owners guaranteed battery performance and range throughout the ownership of their vehicles. Battery degradation is one of the main bugbears of long-term EV ownership and it’s essential that we all do everything we can to promote the mass adoption of EVs, on our critical path to live in a cleaner world.”
StoreDot’s new digital battery patent comes shortly after its announcement of an application for ground-breaking charging booster technology, which will reduce vehicle charging times in limited charging stations. The system analyzes the charging station power in real-time allowing the XFC battery to accept higher charging rates without overheating. The company is also making this technology available to other organizations as open-source.
StoreDot is now making rapid advancements in extreme fast charging lithium-ion batteries for use in the automotive sector, increasing the number of miles per minute of charge. It is currently shipping samples to global car makers for real-world testing and remains firmly on track to deliver mass-produced XFC batteries, which deliver a 50% reduction in charging times at the same cost, by 2024.
The company presents a clear roadmap also for its next generation XED, extreme energy density solid state technologies which will enter mass production in 2028.
Nova Bus Gets 3 Orders from SFMTA
Nova Bus, a leading North American transit bus manufacturer, is proud to announce a new order for 3 electric Nova Bus LFSe+ vehicles by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).
“We look forward to introducing the Nova Bus LFSe+ buses to the San Francisco community. These zero-emission buses will help keep the city air cleaner as well as provide a quieter transit experience and a healthier environment to its passengers”, said Martin Larose, President of Nova Bus. “We are proud to be working with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and help lead the charge toward the electrification of transit in California and across the USA.”
With an electric drive motor coupled by BAE Systems’ next generation power electronics, these electric buses provide better fuel economy, longer driving range, reduced maintenance costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The LFSe+ is the perfect pairing of Nova Bus’ proven expertise with the latest innovations in clean and sustainable technologies.
Redline Leak Detection
Redline Detection, the world’s leader in diagnostic leak detection technology, announcedy a new division of the company that has engineered diagnostic leak detection technology exclusively for battery electric vehicles.
Speaking at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Redline Detection CMO Alex Parker announced that a major global OEM has made the new Battery + Coolant Leak Detector an essential tool for electric vehicle diagnostics at all dealer locations in 160 countries.
“The wide adoption of electric vehicles hinges upon safety and reliability. Redline has partnered with leading EV automakers to develop technology that gives 100% assurance that battery cases and battery coolant systems are sealed under precise pressures and meet all OEM and battery manufacturer warranty standards for safety,” said Parker.
The Battery + Coolant Leak Detector (BCLD) was designed to test the integrity of battery enclosures in electric and hybrid vehicles. Durable and compact, BCLD connects to the battery enclosure on or off the vehicle, giving audible and visual progress and precise pass/fail indication—specific to that battery and vehicle type—when testing is complete. Data logging and reports can be accessed remotely and the machine is programmable for future battery configurations.
Testing the integrity of battery enclosures is necessary to ensure that there is no possible intrusion of water, dust, or contaminants that could cause catastrophic failure. Battery enclosures are tested after any collision, even a scrape to the bottom of the battery box over a curb that could compromise the seal, as well as after lid off battery maintenance or service. BCLD gives OEMs and aftermarket service locations the ability to do lid off maintenance and repairs, and restore the integrity of battery and battery coolant enclosures to original factory design specifications.
Redline has also opened a dedicated EV Technology Center in Orange, CA for ongoing battery testing, research, and technician education. The space can be used for both in-person and virtual technical demonstrations.
“The future of automotive technology is evolving quickly and Redline technology is at the forefront of these exciting changes, supporting the engineers and technicians who use our technology to ensure peak performance. Redline is the trusted world’s leader across traditionally aspirated, boosted, and now electric vehicle diagnostic leak detection technology,” said Parker.
NI Two New Test for EV Inverters and Validations
–NI (NASDAQ: NATI), a leading developer of automated test and measurement systems, today announced two new offerings to enhance testing environments and workflows for electric vehicle (EV) traction inverter validation: a new Inverter Test System (ITS) and a collaboration agreement with D&V Electronics for power-level inverter test.
These offerings promise to accelerate innovation for EVs by integrating test earlier in the product development lifecycle. By simulating EV powertrains to perform hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) tests of traction inverter electronic control units (ECUs), the ITS allows EV test engineers to create more life-like scenarios not easily and accurately reproduced on the road.
For over a century, automotive powertrain engineers focused on optimizing the combustion engine. The arrival of the electric vehicle brings the promise of a sustainable future, but the engineering challenge has proven formidable. NI solutions, coupled with the expertise of D&V Electronics, allow customers to spend more time engineering ambitiously toward Vision Zero and less time troubleshooting their test systems. Through this collaboration between NI and D&V, electric motor and direct current power emulators can be inserted into the test workflow to enable durability and thermal testing of the inverter component at full power in a high quality, cost-effective, and safe environment. Adding more simulation fidelity and capabilities speeds up the entire development process at a lower overall cost than field tests.
“Automotive engineers are constantly modifying simulation models based on evolving electric vehicle performance and test requirements,” said Noah Reding, senior director of Validation, Transportation at NI. “They need integrated solutions to seamlessly move these models from design to validation. Advancements such as these speed up EV adoption and production innovations by eliminating inefficiencies in the testing process.”
“Traction inverters are the heart of the powertrain, and inverter design technology is changing rapidly. D&V’s innovative power emulators, combined with NI’s high-speed test platforms, will offer customers future-ready capabilities that enable coverage from component to system level testing in a controlled environment. Our team is excited to partner with NI on its new inverter test offerings, and we look forward to ongoing success,” said Uday Deshpande, chief technology officer of D&V Electronics.
About NI
At NI, we bring together the people, ideas and technology so forward thinkers and creative problem solvers can take on humanity’s biggest challenges. From design and validation to manufacturing production, we provide software-connected systems leveraging data through all aspects of the development lifecycle, enabling engineers and enterprises to Engineer Ambitiously™ every day.
National Instruments, NI, ni.com and Engineer Ambitiously are trademarks of National Instruments Corporation. Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.
SES Batter World Announcements
SES (formerly known as SolidEnergy Systems), a global leader in the development and initial production of high-performance hybrid lithium-metal (Li-Metal) rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and other applications, today announced Apollo™, a 107 Ah Li-Metal battery that is the largest in the world and a breakthrough for the automotive industry. This is also the world’s first 100 plus Ah Li-Metal battery ever demonstrated. SES also announced the largest Li-Metal facility in the world – the Shanghai Giga, a new 300,000 square-foot facility being built in Shanghai, China and scheduled for completion in 2023.
The announcements were made at SES Battery World, the company’s inaugural Battery World virtual event taking place in the United States on November 3 and in South Korea and China on November 4.
In July 2021, SES announced plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) through a merger with Ivanhoe Capital Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: IVAN) (“Ivanhoe Capital”). Upon the closing of the transaction, the combined company will be listed on the NYSE under the new ticker symbol “SES.”
Apollo™ can deliver 107 Ah, weighs only 0.982 kg, and has an energy density of 417 Wh/kg and 935 Wh/L. Apollo™ also demonstrated similarly high capacity and energy density when tested at C/10 (10 hour discharge), C/3 (3 hour discharge), and 1C (1 hour discharge) at room temperature.
Sensata High Voltage Junction Box
-Sensata Technologies (NYSE: ST), today announced its new High Voltage Junction Box solutions provide safe and reliable protection and power distribution for high power charging of commercial electric vehicles. The solutions include DC Charging Boxes that support megawatt charging of medium and heavy-duty electric trucks up to 850 Volts and 1300 Amps.
Combining Sensata’s proven contactor, fuse, and controller technologies into a compact package, the new High Voltage Junction Boxes are custom designed for specific vehicle requirements.
Driven by the need for fast charging, electric vehicle manufacturers require systems that can handle higher charging power levels. “We have successfully optimized our contactor and fuse design to meet the increased thermal performance that megawatt charging requires while keeping within tight space constraints,” said Brian Wilkie, Vice President, Heavy Vehicle & Off-Road at Sensata Technologies.
According to Mr. Wilkie, “Sensata’s unique capability to design all the safety critical components of the solution (like contactors, fuses, control boards and software) in-house was instrumental in securing new strategic agreements with industry leaders for our custom power management and protection solutions, which help simplify our customers’ production processes.”
To meet current carry and temperature requirements, Sensata’s cooling and temperature control technology directly interfaces to the busbars and provides exceptional cooling efficiency within tight space restraints. For additional safety, Sensata’s isolation monitoring design ensures isolation of the high voltage from the chassis. The solutions’ software and controllers are built on the AUTOSAR platform.