Automotive Technology

48V Vehicle Systems

48V systems are close to adoption in some new cars across the world partly to cope with the greater amount of electricity being stored and distributed. They are also becoming attractive for some of the more basic electric vehicles.

CPT's new technical centre in Coventry

The official opening by Controlled Power Technologies (CPT) of its new engineering technical centre in the West Midlands.

Review of supercapacitors in 2014 and the outlook for 2015

Whilst the industry has reduced its growth in comparison to the previous years (from an estimated 30% in 2014 vs 2013 to 15% in 2014 vs 2013), IDTechEx believes that this is just a temporary stagnation. Indeed, the fact that other companies are investing in manufacturing capacity and challenging the leadership of Maxwell Technologies is a positive sign for the industry and a good signal for the supercapacitor market, which by definition needs more than one major player. We believe that more manufacturer options across the globe will provide the required alternative supply that end user industries are requiring in order to warranty market competition. This article gives an overview of the major events and developments in 2014 and gives the IDTechEx outlook for 2015.

Thin film traction motors for electric vehicles

KLD of the USA is collaborating with MINTH Group of Ningbo City, China on its thin film based traction motor technology.

Latest update on Taiwan Automotive International Forum and Exhibition

The Taiwan Automotive International Forum and Exhibition is proving to be a lively affair with about 300 present and a high standard of excellence in presentations and participation - an apt celebration of ten years of industry partnership in Taiwan. Here are some themes, including information from many valuable personal conversations at the event - so rich with detail, any report can only give a few aspects.

£1 billion Advanced Propulsion Centre hub location at Warwick

The Advanced Propulsion Centre has selected the University of Warwick as the site for its Hub location, supporting the ten year, £1 billion industry and government commitment to the development of low carbon propulsion systems.

Large UK Government grants for KERS harvesting

Gyrodrive flywheel harvesting for buses and Flybrid flywheel harvesting for diggers will receive a big boost from large UK Government grants just announced.

Toyota Simplifies Priorities: Tesla Gets Lonely, Fisker unites

Toyota Motor, world number one in electric vehicles by a big margin, has long done the minimum with pure electric cars, saying that they remain unready for prime time due to cost and range. The rejection of pure electric cars further firmed up in May 2014.

Virtual electromobility takes to the streets of Munich

A fleet of 130 virtual electric cars is set to commence on the roads of Munich, Germany.

Chrylsler Group to develop advanced electric and hybrid power trains

hrysler Group LLC has entered a 5-year, $18.2 million partnership with McMaster University, with funding support from the Canadian government, to develop next-generation, energy-efficient, high-performance electrified powertrains and powertrain components.

Scientists to gain from inside view of fuel cells

The new Nano X-ray Computed Tomography tools will become part of a nationally unique fuel cell testing and characterization facility.

4th Annual Green Mobility 2013

CDMC Events will be presenting the 4th Annual Green Mobility 2013 to be held on Oct 9th-11th, 2013 in Beijing, China.

Bosch and PSA Peugeot Citroën's OpEneR system to increase range of EVs

Bosch and PSA Peugeot Citroën unveiled two prototype vehicles that use the Optimal Energy Consumption and Recovery (OpEneR) system that significantly increase the efficiency, driving range, and safety of future hybrid and electric vehicles.

Nissan unveils Le Mans prototype plans for fastest electric racing car

Nissan unveiled the groundbreaking, innovative ZEOD RC - the world's fastest electric racing car that will reach speeds of more than 300km/h with electric technology at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Enhanced fuel cell systems

A £2.8 million development project between Intelligent Energy, Dyson Technology, Ricardo and TRW Conekt, increased power density of Intelligent Energy's fuel cell engines by more than 30%.

A123 Systems agrees to sell automotive business to Johnson Controls

A123 Systems has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Johnson Controls valued at $125 million.

Indian government pushes plans to support EV market

Recent announcement of National Electric Mobility Plan 2020 envisions six million to seven million EVs on the road in India over eight years

Valeo acquires electric supercharger technology

As part of its strategy of developing solutions to reduce CO2 emissions, Valeo has acquired the Variable Torque Enhancement System (VTES) business of British automotive technology development company Controlled Power Technologies (CPT).

Audi R8 e-tron: A look inside the development workshop

The first all-electric Audi will be built at the Neckarsulm site, with a small production run of the R8 e-tron sports car to hit the roads in late 2012.