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VW Unveils Four EV Breakthroughs
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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Methane Is A Big Greenhouse Gas Problem
The world has a methane gas problem. Methane is over 80 times worse for forcing global heating over 20 years than its greenhouse gas sibling, carbon dioxide.
And yet we love to burn natural gas, which is mostly methane, to make electricity and heat. Our agricultural and food systems leave a lot of biomass lying around where a lot of it turns into methane and enters the atmosphere. Acceptable limits of leakage are suggested at 0.2%, however evidence suggests that actual leakage to be in the range of 1.5% to 3%
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EV Gas Emissions Evaluated
Argonne National Laboratory’s cradle-to-grave analysis considers everything from raw material extraction to vehicle scrappage to provide a holistic view of the sustainability of different vehicle and fuel technologies.
The analysis showed that EVs (which have no tailpipe emissions) also have fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional gasoline or hybrid electric vehicles when the entire life cycle is considered.
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New Machinery Requirements
Christopher Bamforth New Machinery requirements have been published for Europe and will replace the existing Machinery Directive Jan. 20, 2027. OEMs will have to be compliant with the new requirements on that day since there is no transition period.
With a heavy focus on safety, the environment and machine learning, the main takeaways are that these are EU regulations. This means that manufacturers will not have to wait for each member state’s upgrade of the regulation into law. This may streamline the process although it could mean big changes for some member states that previously had fewer requirements.
And there’s another important consideration. Since we have entered the digital age, all certifications and instructions can be in digital format. One exception is the non-professional machinery’s safety measures which must be included in paper format.
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Outdoor Power Equipment Shifts To Electric
Michael Aistrup In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift towards environmentally friendly and energy-efficient outdoor power equipment in the global market. This shift is evident in both the consumer and the construction markets. Battery-powered tools have gained popularity because of their lower emissions, reduced noise levels, and convenience.
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Q2 2023 Economic Update Is Mostly Positive
GLOBAL REPORT
Guy Youngs SUMMARY. There are several factors that could contribute to modest growth in the second half of this year as we await final numbers for the quarter. This should lead to total production globally growing at +2.6% in 2023 (vs 2022). Given this 2023 growth, the outlook for the years into 2028 remains positive.
Apart from Russia and Ukraine, the main country to show a decline is South Korea, while Japan is barely positive. However, the segment picture shows some differences.
- Fuel prices have eased recently, but they remain a serious concern.
- Supply chains remain constrained.
- The war in Ukraine shows no sign of a speedy conclusion, despite recent successes by Ukraine.
- Ukrainian exports of wheat, other grains and fertilizer continue but are still low compared to pre-war levels.
- Inflation continues to be a concern and central banks are raising their interest rates. This will pose a risk to economic growth in all regions. Inflation and price increases are putting OEMs in a tricky situation.
- Risk of recession appears in several countries including the USA and Germany.
- Covid is still lingering with global deaths now at over 6.9 million, but the death rate has slowed considerably.
- Latent demand for machinery keeps bursting out into the open.
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What Is the Future of Alternative Power?
Guy Youngs Making the switch from diesel powered machines to a low carbon option is not as simple as some would argue. Switching to electric has drawbacks such as their modest power density, which currently holds back their ability to power heavy equipment for a full working day. Cost is another important consideration.
So, what about HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil)? HVO, which is of particular interest to many equipment manufacturers, is obtained from cooking oil waste, grease and fat residues, waste fats and vegetable oil. The manufacture and use of HVO is nearly climate-neutral when only renewable energy sources are used in the production process. The problem with this fuel is its availability.
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BYD Expands Production in Brazil
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
Fabio Ferraresi BYD announced the installation of an industrial complex in Camaçari, Bahia. The largest manufacturer of electric vehicles in the world, the Asian giant will invest, in five years, about US$ 600 Million (R $ 3 Billion) in the installation of three factories at the Bahia complex, generating about 5,000 direct and indirect jobs. In addition to passenger vehicles, electric bus and truck chassis will be made on site, as well as a battery split.
The company will take over Ford’s facilities. The deal, however, has not yet been officially announced. The Camaçari pole is the last factory that still belonged to the North American brand in Brazil. The automaker, which announced the end of its local production in 2021, has already sold its facilities in Taubaté (SP) and São Bernardo do Campo (SP).
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First VW Truck Produced in Argentina
The first Volkswagen truck has just left the new exclusive area for the assembly of commercial vehicles of the Industrial Center of Córdoba, Argentina. The vehicle, a VW Delivery 11,180, will be used in the validation of the manufacturing process and for the training of employees. Then it will be part of the fleet that will run tests around the country. The agreement announced by Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus and Volkswagen Argentina in December 2022 provides for the manufacture of five models of…
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