Electric vehicles

Molex is a major manufacturer of printed electronics, flexible circuitry, sensor solutions, and user interface for a wide variety of applications. IDTechEx caught up with marketing analyst Kylie Pessetti of the Printed Circuit Solutions business unit (PCSBU) to find out about its capabilities in the manufacture of printed and flexible electronics.

Opel presents the first SUM. The entry-level electric vehicle is the answer to current mobility requirements, offering electric mobility with protection from wind and rain. It can already be driven in Germany by young people from 15 years of age with the AM driving licence.

Electraflyer has announced that it has passed crossover, meaning it now sells more battery-electric aircraft than polluting ones. Pipistrel sold over 100 battery-electric aircraft last year as they take over from its traditional offerings. Bye Aerospace does not even make conventional aircraft. With its Tesla-style approach, its order book exceeds 720 battery-electric aircraft evenly split between two and four-seaters. As the IDTechEx report, "Manned Electric Aircraft: Smart City and Regional 2021-2041" points out, this has caught Cessna, Cirrus and Piper by surprise.

This unique robot can inspect critical parts of the railway infrastructure whilst driving on the track. Should the Railway Robot encounter oncoming traffic, it can avoid dangerous situation by flying to the side of the track and let traffic pass. The sensors onboard the robot automatically detects changes on the railway, whilst providing a live data feed to decision makers.

Innovation roadmap for the report 'Autonomous Cars, Robotaxis & Sensors 2022-2042'.

Part 2 of IDTechEx's overview of metamaterial companies

Thermoelectrics is a business impeded by the use of the toxic rare metal Tellurium. Commendably, there is a trend to alternatives in research but few volume sales as yet in any of the three uses. These are energy harvesting to make electricity where it is needed and the more successful cooling and heating, those last two constituting very-reliable, solid heat pumps.

Volta Trucks has confirmed the start of engineering evaluation and development testing of the first prototype Volta Zero at HORIBA MIRA in Nuneaton, UK. The start of testing follows soon after the reveal of the first prototype chassis of the Volta Zero - the world's first purpose-built full-electric 16-tonne commercial vehicle designed specifically for inner city logistics.

Zadar is a radar start-up specialising in next-generation SAE level 2+ applications.

Formerly known as SolidEnergy Systems, SES are developing hybrid Li-metal cells using a stable liquid electrolytes.

In recent metamaterial premium articles we have assessed three metamaterial companies - two in thermal and one in optical. Here we look at others that are in other types of metamaterial technology and application.

Thursday 26 August 2021 - Why is even seasonal storage a new requirement? How is it that storage by compressed air, gravity and other non-battery options closely leverage mine assets for greater safety and viability? Why does next generation solar fit so well in mines? and more.

With the growing momentum behind the electric vehicle market comes an added importance of understanding the Li-ion batteries that power them, the variety of design choices available, and trends in their implementation.

Whether a robot or a person delivers your package, the carbon footprint would essentially be the same, according to a study that could help inform the future of automated delivery as the pandemic fuels a dramatic rise in online shopping.

Post-pandemic vacation travel was among the biggest stories of summer 2021, raising questions about air travel's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 710 million tons of global carbon dioxide came from commercial aviation in 2013. By 2017, that number reached 860 million tons, a 21% increase in four years. By 2018, it climbed to 905 million tons, 2.4% of total CO2 emissions.

High Power Charging/Charger (HPC) refers to level 3 DC fast charging at a rate of 50 kW or more. In an effort to bring charging times down to those of conventional refuelling, such technology will play a vital role. For new EV owners, this means remarkably faster charging times, often cutting down the time needed for nearly full recharge by 30% to even 70%. It is ideal for short-stop locations or fleet vehicle charging, ranging from passenger vehicles to buses and trucks. With the charging power of the HPC, chargers can deliver all the power the new vehicles of the market can utilize. HPC charging is also a real game-changer for long-distance driving, as it dramatically reduces the time needed for charging over the journey. This article provides information about this technology, drivers, specifications, players and markets for DC fast charging stations.

This week the US federal agency governing road safety has announced an investigation into Tesla and its self-driving car claims, bringing the challenges of autonomous vehicle adoption to the spotlight.

SSAB has now produced the world's first fossil-free steel and delivered it to a customer. The trial delivery is an important step on the way to a completely fossil-free value chain for iron- and steelmaking and a milestone in the HYBRIT partnership between SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall.

To mark National Aviation Day, a celebration of the history and development of aviation, IDTechEx analysts consider the future of electric aircraft.

To demonstrate progress with its national hydrogen strategy, the UK Government launched the Tees Valley Hydrogen Hub, and initiated the Hydrogen Transport Hub Demonstration competition to showcase real-world hydrogen transport technology solutions.