Volkswagen

When electric vehicles crash, what happens to the battery?

Safety, range and costs: these are the three big premises of electromobility. Safety definitely comes first. Lithium-based traction batteries are usually completely enclosed in the battery case and integrated in the vehicle to protect the battery from all conceivable stresses and external influences. This "armour" has an effect on construction, weight, size and overall design of the vehicle.

EV forecasts turn upwards

From its facts based research, IDTechEx has what some regarded as over-optimistic forecasts for electric cars. However, others are now matching or exceeding our optimism.

Mild Hybrid 48V Vehicles 2017-2027

Vehicle emissions regulations for 2025 and 2030 are unlikely to be met by conventional vehicle technology as applied to most vehicles beyond small cars. Going to strong hybrid and pure electric powertrains involves considerable expense and delay and often totally new platforms.

Germany EV laggard to leader

Germany took a wrong course in vehicle powertrains initially resisting government support for electric vehicles, but many German industrial and commercial vehicle manufacturers are now going electric.

New insights and technologies to improve human-robot collaboration

Introducing new adaptive control software and using gestures to improve human-machine communication, Walt, a collaborative robot (cobot) has been developed that works alongside its human co-workers in a safe and flexible way.

Solid-state electrolytes and the quest for a safer battery

2016 was the year of Li-ion batteries' silver jubilee, a coming of age that has not been hassle-free, as Samsung's Firegate showed us. This year might mark the first significant switch to new materials in the electrolyte compartment, with both large and small companies trying to bring inorganic and polymer electrolytes to commercial fruition.

A report from Batterieforum Deutschland 2017: Part 1 (manufacturing)

There is only one thing worse than bad planning, and that is too much planning. From the 25th to the 27th January around 300 stakeholders in the battery business gathered in Berlin to discuss why is Germany not building its own gigafactories yet. The fifth edition of Batterieforum Deutschland, the prime event organised to foster a Li-ion battery ecosystem in Germany, took place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel near Potsdamer Platz, with three topics as the main sources of engagement for the attendees: battery manufacturing in Germany, advanced Li-ion chemistries, and stationary storage. The event was organised by KLiB, a public-private partnership of the German government and some national battery stakeholders. In this premium article, we will focus on battery manufacturing.

Electric boat climbs mountains

Light amphibious all-terrain vehicles have their own place within a broad spectrum of modern self-propelled machines.

Electric boats and ships 2017-2027: Large market emerging

Analysts at IDTechEx have issued a new report, Electric Boats and Ships 2017-2027 looking at this fragmented but often highly profitable and growing sector.

Volkswagen presents the ID Buzz

Volkswagen is demonstrating with the I.D. BUZZ concept vehicle just how rich in features the electric mobility of tomorrow will be.

Flexible OLEDs now one step closer to market

Partners of the PI-SCALE project recently showcased their first pilot lines demonstrators of flexible OLEDS — providing a great opportunity for EU companies to bring their ideas and concepts to market.

Joint venture for ultra-fast, high-power charging along major highways

BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the highest-powered charging network in Europe.

Cars reinvented: huge new opportunities and dangers

The new IDTechEx report, Electric Car Technology and Forecasts 2017-2027 finds that the biggest change in cars for one hundred years is now starting. It is driven by totally new requirements and capabilities.

Hundreds of new electric vehicle technologies revealed

IDTechEx Show! on emerging technologies is taking place November 16-17 in Santa Clara California with record attendance and display of electric vehicle technologies of the future. Coverage is exceptionally comprehensive with land, water and airborne electric vehicle technologies in evidence.

The bus of the future

Buses are very important. Injuries and deaths from two wheelers have not reduced very much in decades whereas vehicles with four wheels or more have seen huge improvements.

Silicon valley: doctor heal thyself

Silicon Valley in California spawns the awesome giants that hold the future in their hands but they cannot solve their traffic problem.

When will 48V mild hybrids become EVs?

48V mild hybrids will start series production at many automotive manufacturers in 2017 with many others following shortly after.

Joint development of electric vehicles in China

Volkswagen AG and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to define the next phase of negotiations between the two companies in order to achieve long-term cooperation in the joint development of all-electric vehicles in China.