VW Unveils Four EV Breakthroughs

News: North America

2023-08-20

VW Unveils Four EV Breakthroughs

Guy Youngs
Guy Youngs

VW’s US Innovation Hub just announced four breakthroughs in electric mobility and sustainable transport. First, the team used artificial intelligence on University of Tennessee’s high-performance computer cluster to develop a modular structure in the shape of tiny pyramids; the structure can be 3D-printed from liquid resins and can hold 30K times its own 0.15 lb weight (68g), so this frame would be up to 60% lighter than the steel frame.

Second, they have developed a method of using paper as a recyclable alternative to plastic parts and foils for EV interiors.

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2023-06-19

CARB Is Phasing Out Heavy Trucks

NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

In April, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted unanimously to finalize its Advanced Clean Fleets rule that requires all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold or registered in the state of California to be zero-emission by 2036. 

Among these requirements is a new 2036 target for an end to diesel truck sales. This was lowered from an early 2040 target, with the thought that 2040 would be too late to reach California Governor Gavin Newsom’s goal for 100% zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2045. 

The 2036 target is only one year after the 2035 target for passenger cars.  Also in the rule, state and local agencies must purchase 50% ZEV by 2024, and 100% ZEV by 2027.

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2023-05-26

PSR Awards $2,000 Scholarship

Erin Kelly

Power Systems Research has awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Erin Kelly, a student at Eagan High School in Eagan, Minnesota. Erin plans to attend the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn., and study computer engineering.

Erin enjoys reading, writing, playing and listening to music and all things theater and storytelling. She doesn’t really have a favorite school subject because, as she says, “There are so many ways to view the world and love learning about all of them.”

Her favorite high school memory is “seeing everyone on stage during on stage during our recorded concert style production of Les Miserables–in masks and social distancing, it was the first normal thing since the pandemic began.”

Power Systems Research has been supporting high school science and engineering programs for many years. It has been donating to the Eagan Foundation Scholarship program since 2013.

Another program PSR funds is the Experimental Vehicle Team at St. Thomas Academy in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota. The school successfully competes in international competitions with high schools and universities to build the most energy efficient vehicles. PSR

2023-05-24

DATAPOINT: NA Lawn Mower 2023 Production

NA Lawn Mowers – May 2023Download

3.4 million units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of lawn mowers to be produced in North America in 2023. This includes 249,000 electric units.

Lawn mowers are produced in many designs and power sources and are designed to cut grass in lawns and public areas such as parks and golf courses. Robotic Mowers autonomously mow an area. Walk Behind Reel Mowers use blades set on a revolving cylinder or reel to cut grass. These mowers are powered either through human effort or engine power; when the reel mower is moved forward the reel moves, cutting the grass.

Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, for Power Systems Research

2023-05-21

EPA Introduces Phase Three GHG Emission Standards

NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

In early May, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a virtual public hearing regarding the Phase 3 greenhouse gas emission standards for heavy duty trucks.  There are various comments and opinions from the stakeholders that attended the hearing.  Along with introducing the Phase 3 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) rules to begin for MY 2028 trucks, the EPA also revised the Phase 2 GHG standards for the MY 2027 truck standards. 

This link from CCJ (Commercial Carrier Journal) is a good overview of the conference.

CCJ: ‘Destined to fail’: Trucking sounds off to EPA on new Phase 3 greenhouse-gas regs

The Environmental Protection Agency this week held virtual public hearings related to its Phase 3 greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks, unveiled last month. Among the dozens who testified during the hearings, trucking industry stakeholders were part of a small minority advocating for EPA to take a step back and reconsider the proposed standards that would take effect beginning with model-year 2027 trucks.

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Cummins To Invest $1 Billion in US Hydrogen Fuel Network

Cummins has announced that in addition to the recent investments it has made in its Fridley, Minn., plant, it will also invest more than $1 billion across its US engine manufacturing network in an effort to support the transition into hydrogen fuel.

The investments are being made in Indiana, North Carolina and New York. The $1 billion is intended to provide an upgrade of facilities supporting the first “fuel-agnostic” engine platforms in the industry. The fuel-agnostic concept refers specifically engines that can use different types of fuel, especially a variety of low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels.

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VW To Build Its Largest Battery Factory In Canada

The battery division of Volkswagen Group, PowerCo SE, said it plans to construct its biggest battery gigafactory to date in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. A potential final expansion stage could produce up to 90 GWh of batteries annually.

This will be the company’s first overseas gigafactory for cell production, and it will provide the company’s BEVs in the North American region with their unified cells technology, a cell technology created for mass production. Construction is expected to start in 2024 and be completed in 2027.

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Caterpillar and NMG Sign Circular Supply Chain Deal

Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (NMG) and Caterpillar Inc. have signed agreements to provide a zero-exhaust emission fleet, supporting infrastructure, and service for NMG’s Matawinie Mine. Caterpillar will supply heavy mining equipment to transition from traditional models to Cat zero-exhaust emission machines.

Additionally, a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the two companies to advance commercial discussions targeting NMG’s active anode material.

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2023-04-19

Alternative Power Report, April 2023

PSR Alt Power Report-April 2023.Download

Engines powered by gasoline and diesel fuel are reaching a critical point in production compared to electric and hybrid vehicles, according to reports in the April issue of Alternative Power Report. 2026 could be a critical year. Read about this trend and related articles that address alternative power in this issue.

2023-04-18

Vingroup To Enter EV Cab Market

VIETNAM REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Vingroup plans to launch a cab business using EVs in the country in April. The founder and chairman of the company has established a new company, owning a 95% stake. The company plans to start the service in Hanoi, the capital of the country, and expand it nationwide within the year. The company also hopes to increase awareness of its products.

The new company, Green and Smart Mobility (GSM), is capitalized at US$ 128 million (VND3 trillion, approximately 17 billion yen) and will develop a cab business using EVs as well as a business that rents EVs and electric bikes to other cab companies, etc. GSM plans to use 10,000 EVs and 100,000 electric bikes.

Source: The Nikkei

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