Month: December 2024

Tennessee Tech receives $4.8-million federal grant to improve EV battery recycling

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Tennessee Tech receives .8-million federal grant to improve EV battery recycling

Researchers at Tennessee Tech University are set to receive a $4.8-million grant from the US Department of Energy to help improve the nation’s EV battery recycling ecosystem.

The grant is part of a $45-million federal initiative supporting projects at eight businesses or institutions, including General Motors, Caterpillar and Siemens.

Tennessee Tech University’s project aims to develop a mobile preprocessing hub that can be taken to local collection sites, allowing EV owners to have batteries safely disassembled and shredded on-site. The raw materials from the batteries will then be extracted, studied and reused in battery manufacturing.

“We hear concerns in rural communities when people are considering an electric vehicle. What do we do with the battery when the vehicle is retired?” said Pingen Chen, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and project lead for the university. “Our goal is to figure out the most efficient, cost-effective and safest way to recycle these batteries at the end of their life cycles.”

Other Tech faculty joining Chen on the project include Stephen Canfield, Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Canfield’s involvement will focus on leveraging collaborative robotics to help execute the mobile preprocessing hub.

The DOE has also awarded Chen and his colleagues a separate $1-million grant to continue their work expanding EV charging availability and helping city agencies, including those in Chattanooga and Nashville, integrate more electric vehicles into their fleets.

Source: Tennessee Tech University

BYD launches second delivery tanker

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BYD launches second delivery tanker

BYD has commissioned its second dedicated transport ship for the export of its electric cars and plug-in hybrids. The 199.9 metre long freighter named BYD Changzhou has capacity for 7,000 cars and is currently on its way to Europe with almost 5,000 BYD vehicles.

Asahi Kasei and Honda form joint venture to produce Li-ion battery separators in Canada

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Asahi Kasei and Honda form joint venture to produce Li-ion battery separators in Canada

Japanese chemical company Asahi Kasei and automaker Honda Motor have agreed to collaborate on the production of lithium-ion battery separators in Canada.

The two companies plan to convert E-Materials Canada into a joint venture, to be tentatively renamed Asahi Kasei Honda Battery Separator, in which Honda Canada will acquire a 25% stake. Honda will invest a total of approximately C$417 million ($300 million) in the venture.

Honda Motor previously announced plans to build out an EV production chain in Canada with an approximate investment of CAD$15 billion ($11 billion).

The integrated plant for the base film manufacturing and coating of Asahi Kasei’s Hipore lithium-ion battery separator will have a production capacity of approximately 700 million m² per year. The companies plan to start operating the JV in early 2025, and start commercial production in 2027.

“At the beginning of October we launched Asahi Kasei Battery Separator as a new company for the Hipore separator business to achieve more nimble management for this essential component of lithium-ion batteries,” said Ryu Taniguchi, President and Representative Director at Asahi Kasei Battery Separator. “Our partnership will not only establish a stable supply of separators in North America, together we will enhance battery performance and durability to advance the energy transition.”

Source: Honda Motor

Everything Tesla’s New Holiday Update Has to Offer

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Everything Tesla’s New Holiday Update Has to Offer

Tesla’s annual Holiday Update is here, delivering a sleigh-load of features to enhance your driving and ownership experience. Starting next week, Tesla vehicles will receive these exciting updates over-the-air, making them feel newer and more advanced than ever. Let’s dive into the standout features included in the 2024 update.

Tesla App on Apple Watch

Tesla owners with an Apple Watch can now enjoy enhanced functionality right from their wrist. Use your watch as a phone key and access key controls, including:

  • Viewing battery charge levels
  • Opening the frunk
  • Turning on climate control

Additionally, you can save Dashcam and Sentry Mode clips directly to your phone, edit, or share them.

Model 3’s Autoshift Upgrade

For owners of the stalkless Model 3, the new Autoshift feature simplifies parking lot maneuvers and multi-point turns. Your car can now automatically shift between Drive and Reverse, reducing effort in tight spaces.

Enhanced Navigation Features

Tesla’s navigation system has received some highly anticipated upgrades:

  • Set Arrival Energy: Specify the preferred battery charge level at your destination.
  • Search Along Route: Filter search results for stops along your route, complete with estimated detour times.
  • Precipitation Map and Weather: View real-time precipitation and weather conditions for your destination.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert

Reversing just got safer. Tesla will now alert you when it detects pedestrians or vehicles crossing behind you. If a potential collision is imminent, an audible warning will sound, giving you extra peace of mind.

Entertainment Upgrades

The 2024 update packs plenty of entertainment improvements:

  • SiriusXM is now available on Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck.
  • TuneIn Radio offers an improved experience with no setup required.
  • Boomerang Fu: A new action-packed party game where you can slice and dice your friends with boomerangs.

For Cybertruck owners, there’s even more:

  • Cybertruck Rear Arcade: Play games from the backseat while cruising.
  • Santa Mode: Transform your Cybertruck avatar into Santa’s sleigh, complete with reindeer and elves.

Cybertruck Customization

Cybertruck owners can now personalize their vehicle avatar with custom wraps and license plates. Choose from preloaded designs or create your own using a USB flash drive. Instructions and templates will be shared on GitHub.

Additionally, rear camera improvements make the feed larger with pinch-to-zoom functionality.

Sentry Mode Enhancements

Tesla continues to refine security with:

  • Mobile Notifications: Receive alerts if your door handle is pulled while in Sentry Mode.

Maintenance and Comfort Updates

  • View and track maintenance items directly on the vehicle touchscreen.
  • Adjust unoccupied passenger seat positions, including second-row seats, through the new control panel.
  • When reversing, music volume can automatically lower to help reduce distractions.

Schedule Light Shows

Tesla’s iconic Light Show is now easier to enjoy. Schedule it remotely from the Tesla app, including two new festive light shows for 2024.

Other Updates

  • Dynamic rerouting around road closures in navigation
  • Notifications for Supercharger stalls out of service upon arrival
  • Energy consumption insights for Model S, X, and Cybertruck
  • Vehicles without premium connectivity can now see traffic on their navigation route

What This Means for Tesla Owners

The 2024 Tesla Holiday Update continues the brand’s tradition of pushing the boundaries of what a vehicle can do. From new entertainment options to safety and usability improvements, this update ensures Tesla owners have even more reasons to love their cars.

Which feature are you most excited about?

Source: @Tesla via x.com 

Ford stellt neuen Puma Gen-E vor, bestellbar ab 36.900 Euro

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Ford stellt neuen Puma Gen-E vor, bestellbar ab 36.900 Euro

Ford präsentiert den neuen batterieelektrischen Puma Gen-E, der nun zum Einstiegspreis von 36.900 Euro bestellt werden kann. Das in Europa bestverkaufte Modell der Marke erhält damit eine lokal emissionsfreie, auf dem Kontinent produzierte Variante.

Die neue elektrische Fahrzeugarchitektur ermögliche einen „hocheffizienten“ Betrieb, wie der Energiebedarf von 13,1 kWh/100 km unterstreiche, wirbt der Hersteller. Mit einer Batterie mit 43 kWh Speicherkapazität für eine WLTP-Reichweite von bis zu 376 Kilometern eigne sich der Puma Gen-E auch für längere Strecken. An einer Gleichstrom-Schnellladesäule (DC) lädt die Antriebsbatterie in 23 Minuten von zehn auf 80 Prozent ihre Kapazität auf. Die Wechselstrom-Ladeleistung (AC) erwähnt Ford nicht, sie dürfte aber bei elf Kilowatt liegen.

Mit dem 123 kW/167 PS starken Elektromotor vorne geht es in dem 4,21 Meter langen Wagen in 8,0 Sekunden von null auf 100 km/h und weiter bis Tempo 160. Dabei fahre sich das E-Auto dank der direkten Lenkung „ebenso agil und unterhaltsam“, heißt es.

Der kompakte elektrische Antriebsstrang verhilft dem Crossover zu mehr Gepäckraumvolumen: „Die schon bekannte innovative MegaBox im Kofferraum wächst zur neuen GigaBox, das Kofferraumvolumen legt dadurch auf 523 Liter bei aufrechter Rücksitzbank zu – mehr als manch größere SUV-Modelle zu bieten haben“, erklärt Ford. Ein 43 Liter großer „Frunk“ unter der Fronthaube schafft zusätzlichen Stauraum, wo ansonsten der Zylindermotor sitzt.

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Das Exterieurdesign übernimmt die Anmutung der konventionell angetriebenen Puma-Varianten mit Benzinmotoren, den Auftritt hat Ford aber in Details verfeinert. Statt eines klassischen Kühlergrills verfügt der Puma Gen-E über eine geschlossene Front, die Ähnlichkeiten mit Fords großem Elektro-SUV Mustang Mach-E aufweist. Ein neuer Heckspoiler und aerodynamisch gestaltete Leichtmetallräder geben weitere optische Hinweise auf den vollelektrischen Antrieb. Letztere Ausstattung steigert die aerodynamische Effizienz, die sich in niedrigerem Stromverbrauch und höherer Reichweite niederschlägt.

Im Interieur finden sich unter anderem zwei hochauflösende Bildschirme. Die jüngste Generation des Infotainmentsystems Ford Sync 4 verfügt über Cloud-basierte Navigation. Smartphones lassen sich via Apple CarPlay und Android Auto kabellos koppeln. Mit Alexa Built-in steht Puma-Gen-E-Fahrern ein digitales Assistenz-System mit Sprachsteuerung zur Seite.

Die neue, erhöhte Mittelkonsole bietet viel Stauraum für die kleinen Dinge des täglichen Bedarfs sowie eine induktive Ladestation für kompatible Smartphones. Die in Längsrichtung verschiebbare Armstütze verbessert den Sitzkomfort. Der vereinfachte, elektronisch gesteuerte Gangwahlhebel des Puma Gen-E findet unmittelbar hinter dem Lenkrad Platz. Das in vier Rekuperationsstufen einstellbare „One-Pedal-Fahren“ erleichtert das Dahingleiten vor allem im Stadtverkehr zusätzlich.

Zum Artikel Ford stellt neuen Puma Gen-E vor, bestellbar ab 36.900 Euro auf ecomento.de

GM and LG Energy Solution extend battery technology partnership

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GM and LG Energy Solution extend battery technology partnership

General Motors and LG Energy Solution are extending their 14-year battery technology partnership to include prismatic cell development. GM expects the prismatic cell technology developed under the agreement to power future GM electric vehicles, as part of the company’s strategy to diversify its supply chain, leveraging multiple chemistries and form factors. GM will continue to […]

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