Evans Electric have revealed the first of a new range of next
generation ultra-high performance axial flux motors starting with AFIM-SMC-400 Axial
Flux Induction Motor.
The Evans Electric AFIM-SMC-400 Axial Flux Induction Motor
offers 720 Nm of peak torque, 360 Nm continuous rated torque and features a yokeless
copper rotor with high efficiency SMC core.
AFIM-SMC-400 is designed to suit heavy duty industrial and
transport applications.
The McMurtry Spéirling fan car has achieved an independently measured 0-60mph in 1.40s and 1/4mile (400m) in 7.97s during filming for one of YouTube’s largest automotive channels, carwow. This makes it the fastest accelerating car they have ever tested, surpassing some of the World’s greatest cars: the Bugatti Chiron, an F1 car and the Rimac Nevera.
We are a little late in reporting on the McMurtry, but better late than never. While the McMurtry may cost £2,000,000 (~ AU$3m) due to low volume F1 style carbon fibre fabrication used in it's construction, the Spéirling is the first EV to demonstrate an electrically powered downforce-on-demand fan system offering 2,000 kg of instant downforce from stand-still that delivers acceleration previously reserved for drag racing specific cars.
In terms of power output, it has two electric motors that produce 1,000 hp. Now you may not think that’s too impressive, given EVs such as the Rimac Nevera come with almost 2,000 hp. However, whereas the Nevera weighs over 2 tonnes, the McMurtry Spéirling weighs less than one tonne!!
Rimac's Nevera can do 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, and was previously the only production car ever to do a sub-nine second quarter mile. The Spéirling beats it to 60 by an astonishing half a second, and demolishes its quarter mile by half a second also.
The Electric Vehicle Council is imploring the Federal Government to ‘clear the air’ by introducing strong mandatory fuel efficiency standards, as new research shows significantly more Australians are dying from traffic pollution than previously estimated.
On Friday, Melbourne Climate Futures Academy will host a Vehicle Pollution Forum to discuss their analysis of new international modelling and research.
The fellows concluded vehicle emissions in Australia may cause 11,105 premature deaths in adults per year. That’s about ten times more than road accidents.
The analysis also reveals vehicle emissions in Australia may cause 12,210 cardiovascular hospitalisations, 66,000 active asthma cases, and 6,840 respiratory hospitalisations per year.
Electric Vehicle Council CEO Behyad Jafari has joined a chorus of doctors and health organisations in an urgent call for action.
“Combustion engine vehicles are not only bad for the environment, they’re bad for our health. Thankfully, their replacement with electric vehicles will reduce this toll,” Mr Jafari said.
“But health and environmental outcomes can improve even faster if the government introduces a strong mandatory fuel efficiency standard, which would decarbonise manufacturers' portfolios of new vehicles.
“Australia has some of the most polluting vehicles in the world yet is the only OECD country without mandatory fuel efficiency standards.
“Right now, Australia is choking in the slow lane. We can’t overtake without the targets.”
Winemaker Joseph Evans had grown frustrated at an annual electricity bill that had climbed to $6000 for his Barossa Valley vineyard, Ballycroft. And so he decided to do something about it.
The first step, he says, was to install a rooftop solar system that could entirely power his property during daylight hours, immediately removing $4000 from his annual power bill.
But that still left the question of how he’d power his home and property at night, which was responsible for the remaining $2000 in annual power costs.
His Nissan LEAF, and its Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, held the answer.
“I’ve gone from a $6000 annual power bill to making around $50 per week in profit selling my excess power back to the grid,” the celebrated winemaker says.
“That is more than $2500 in annual profit, from what was once a significant cost. And what’s even better is the fact that, while fuel and electricity prices are only heading in one direction — and that direction is up — my costs are fixed, and fixed at zero.
”Instead of paying for my power, I’m getting paid for my power. “ Evans has also eliminated fossil fuel expenses from the bowser.
Ballycroft has been one of the first pilot sites approved by SA Power Networks (SAPN), who have been leading the way nationally in the installation and integration of renewable energy and distributed energy resources within their network
While securing required approvals nationally continues to be a work in progress, customers in South Australia can now apply to SAPN to install a Wallbox Quasar V2G units in the same way they otherwise would for a new home solar or battery installation. JET Charge will be opening orders to South Australian customers in late January for the next shipment of Wallbox Quasar V2G chargers.
“This is a game-changer, and I wanted to be right at the front of the queue to have V2G installed," Joseph says.
“It makes me entirely self-sufficient with my power needs, makes my home and business more sustainable, and it’s so easy to use.
“If your next car is going to be an EV, and it should be, make sure it has Vehicle-To-Grid technology, like the Nissan LEAF.”
Joseph is one of the first in Australia to put V2G technology to the test in a real-world setting, using charging infrastructure supplied by JET Charge and the 40kWh battery in his 100% electric Nissan LEAF.
The sustainability-driven winemaker and viticulturist at Ballycroft Vineyard and Cellars uses his Nissan for the roundtrip to Adelaide to make wine deliveries to local restaurants, before recharging through his solar panels.
He then plugs his LEAF into his V2G charger, and uses the stored energy in the Nissan’s battery to power his home and property overnight, before replenishing it in the morning via solar power.
Not only does the vehicle provide enough energy for all of his living, heating and cooling needs — as well as meeting the agricultural requirements of his 10-acre vineyard — but he also feeds excess energy back into the grid, earning Joseph a rebate tariff.
A simple charging application on his phone means Joseph can charge his LEAF, or discharge the power from it, at the turn of a digital dial, with his vehicle not just providing the power needed for his home and property, but also playing a crucial role in helping to stabilise Australia’s power grid.
Demand for grid power fluctuates significantly, and it’s this instability in the grid that can lead to issues and blackouts. The V2G technology in the Nissan LEAF can also provide energy to the grid to help stabilise the load in peak and off-peak periods.
Ballycroft is among the first businesses in Australia to pilot V2G in a real-world setting, marking a key moment in our transition to a more sustainable future.
It follows the Realising Electric Vehicle Services (REVS) project, which saw 51 Nissan LEAF EVs deployed across the ACT to trial the technology and to explore how it can support Australia’s energy infrastructure.
The Nissan LEAF is the only factory-delivered and warranted V2G-capable battery electric vehicle on the market today.
“While the REVS project continues to be extremely positive, it’s incredibly rewarding to see this game-changing technology now being piloted in a residential and commercial setting, and to see the real-world benefits V2G can deliver,” says Nissan’s National Manager of Electrification and Mobility, Ben Warren.
“V2G transforms the Nissan LEAF from a vehicle into a mobile energy storage solution, at once meeting both your transport and home energy needs.
“We’ve seen this technology deployed internationally, and it’s so exciting to now see it begin rolling out across Australia, first in the ACT with the REVS project, and now with our first customer site in SA.”
The electromobility specialist Designwerk (owned by Volvo Group) has become the first manufacturer to launch an all-electric semitrailer tractor with 1000 kilowatt hours (kWh) battery capacity. This represents a new milestone in electromobility for the commercial vehicle industry, in that long-distance and heavy-duty transports are no longer restricted to diesel and hydrogen-powered vehicles. The higher energy efficiency of the electric truck drive outshines the trio of diesel, hydrogen, and synthetic fuel drives by far. This is a clear plus point for e-trucks in a time of energy scarcity. With a battery capacity of one megawatt hour, the vehicle is likely to be particularly appealing to companies in distribution and long-distance logistics. Criteria such as emission-free driving, subsidy measures and a long-term positive cost balance compared to conventional drives are convincing more and more customers from transport logistics of the benefits of electric drive systems.
The speed of change in mobility for commercial vehicles on the road is picking up. The complete system provider Designwerk, which is driving electromobility forward with e-truck range world records, a wide variety of special applications and high-capacity batteries, is now presenting what is to date a unique vehicle: a tractor unit with 1000 kWh battery capacity. No other manufacturer has broken the megawatt-hour barrier so far.
Of the 1000 kWh available, 864 kWh are consumed in daily operation; the remainder is stored in order to extend battery life. With a fully loaded transport, say of 42 tonnes, the vehicle designed by the Swiss e-mobility pioneer can drive for 576 kilometres. Depending on the load and route profile, up to 640 kilometres may be possible.
Designwerk founder and board member Tobias Wülser puts it in a nutshell: “Large capacity batteries make the energy efficiency of electric trucks even more apparent. In this case, our electric vehicle consumes 52 percent less energy than a diesel vehicle.” It is not only from a commercial point of view that the figures favor the e-truck. With an average mileage of 120,000 kilograms per year, the CO2 savings with a Swiss electricity mix are 74 percent over the entire service life of the vehicle.
Above all, customers from the distribution, long-distance transport, heavy and special transport industries will find the Designwerk electric truck to be a genuine replacement for their conventionally powered vehicles. Due to the special positioning of the battery systems behind the cabin and the resulting extension of the chassis by one metre, the vehicle is particularly suitable for use in Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries. The option to charge the vehicle with 350 kW allows it to be used in shifts. The electric truck charges 80% SoC in about 100 minutes.
The built-in high-voltage battery system with NMC technology originate from the company’s own battery manufacturing facility. They stand out due to their modular design and high energy density in a small space when compared to the competition. Designwerk uses them to electrify a wide variety of commercial vehicles.
The 40-tonne truck puts 500 kilowatts (680 hp) of power on the road and drives with the proprietary 1-speed transmission with no gear shifting, no clutch engagement and no jerking. Designwerk offers the vehicle as Mid and High Cab 6x2T. The first vehicles will be seen, but barely heard, on Switzerland’s roads at the end of 2023.
The battery-electric eActros LongHaul long-distance truck will be Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ trade show highlight at this year’s IAA Transportation in September in Hanover.
The manufacturer announced the 40-ton truck in 2020 and presents the “concept prototype” exactly two years later for the first time. The eActros LongHaul to be shown at IAA provides a preview of the design theme of the series-production vehicle. The tractor unit is also part of the eActros LongHaul test fleet.
The first prototypes are already undergoing intensive testing and the eActros LongHaul will be tested on public roads this year. In the coming year, near- production prototypes will got to customers for real-world use testing. Series readiness is planned for 2024. On a single battery charge the eActros LongHaul will have a range of around 500 kilometers. The e-truck will enable high-performance charging – or so-called “megawatt charging.”
Karin Rådström, CEO Mercedes-Benz Trucks: “The electrification of heavy long-distance transport is the next milestone on our road to CO2-neutrality. The eActros LongHaul is a battery-electric vehicle which is planned to be economically feasible for our customers. My team and I look forward to presenting this innovative truck to our customers and the public in September.”
As part of its pre-launch communications for IAA, Mercedes-Benz Trucks published the first teaser images of the eActros LongHaul concept prototype and announced further technical specifications planned for the production vehicle. The batteries used in the eActros LongHaul employ lithium-iron phosphate cell technology (LFP). These are characterized, above all, by a long service life and more usable energy. The batteries can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in well under 30 minutes at a charging station with an output of about one megawatt.
The long range on a single charge in combination with megawatt charging results in overall ranges on a par with conventional trucks and thus enables two-shift operations. The vehicle is also characterized by a particularly well-balanced driveline for a very pleasant driving experience. In addition, the eActros LongHaul features the manufacturer’s numerous safety innovations.
The core of the Mercedes-Benz Trucks concept for battery-electric long-distance transport is to offer customers a holistic solution consisting of vehicle technology, consulting, charging infrastructure and services. The eActros LongHaul should be the right choice for customers in terms of profitability, sustainability and reliability.
The lion’s share of long-distance transport applications in transporters’ operational practices do not require a range beyond the approximately 500 km the eActros LongHaul makes possible on a single charge. In addition, legal restrictions on the driving times for truck drivers limit the need for longer ranges, depending on the case.
For example, truck drivers in the EU must take a minimum of a 45-minute break after a maximum of 4.5 hours of driving. During this time energy for the remaining route can be recharged. The eActros LongHaul is therefore the right choice for transport companies when used regularly on routes that can be planned, given appropriate distances and charging options.
Toyota will offer the bZ4X in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants. The former will feature a single 150 kW capable of accelerating the car from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 8.4 seconds. Per the WLTC standard, the automaker claims the FWD model’s 71.4 kWh battery will allow it to travel approximately 500 kilometers or 310 miles on a single charge.
The battery will support 150 kW DC fast charging, allowing it to go from dead to 80 percent after about 30 minutes of charging. As for the AWD model, it will feature two 80kW motors, one built into each axle, for a total power output of 160 kW. It can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 7.7 seconds. Toyota estimates the ranges of the AWD model at 460 kilometers or 285 miles on a single charge. In both variants, the battery is integrated into the chassis, a design choice the automaker helps lower the SUV’s center of gravity and improve the rigidity of the chassis.
Toyota also plans to equip the bZ4X with some nifty extra features. One of those is a solar roof the automaker says will generate about 1120 miles worth of free power generation. It will also offer a steer-by-wire system that removes the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and front wheels. Both features will be available in select models.
The bZ4X will debut in the US and other markets in mid-2022.
Powertrain kits for the 2022 World Rallycross electric supercar class will include two 250kW motors, one on each axle, two inverters and a 52.65kWh battery with an innovative cooling system. The power units will develop 500 kW (680 horsepower).
The kit can be retrofitted to existing internal combustion-powered World RX Supercars or built into an all-new chassis.
The electric kits are priced at €300,000 with an additional €100,000 for four years of technical support. The cost is lower than the current Supercar power units over the same period. Performance levels of RX1e will be higher than existing ICE Supercars, with a significant power and torque increase and with a contained weight gain.
Kreisel Electric, the official supplier of the electrification kit to the world championship, is collaborating with GCK Energy, the approved energy supplier. A prototype World RX1e car has already been tested by Kreisel with impressive results.
Having track tested the RX1E powertrain kit installed in a Skoda WRC chassis Andreas Mikkelsen said "It's on another level – absolutely insane"
Philipp Kreisel, managing director of Kreisel Electric, said: "We are very happy to confirm that there is good progress on the World RX1e kit and we are fully on schedule. Despite the COVID-19 crisis and the postponement of the series to 2022 we were able to finalize the design of the performance kit and start testing with the mule-car. Beyond this I would like underline the outstanding collaboration with the FIA who make this ground-breaking project possible.”
The original intention was to introduce full-electric racing to the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2021. However, following a World Motor Sport Council e-vote in April this year it was decided to delay the implementation until 2022 due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a delay to introducing electrification to the FIA World Rallycross Championship,” said Gyarfas Olah, president of the FIA Off-Road Commission.
“Nonetheless, we are committed to a new, electric future which has as guiding principles cost control and demonstration of the huge power capabilities of full electric road car-based Supercars. Together with Kreisel we are developing a performance package which is sustainable and enables teams to be part of a highly-competitive electric racing series. The fans, who are used to very spectacular races in rallycross, will be thrilled by the acceleration power of the coming RX1e cars.”
Rolls-Royce and airframer Tecnam are joining forces with Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia, to deliver an all-electric passenger aircraft for the commuter market, ready for revenue service in 2026. The project expands on the successful research programme between Rolls-Royce and Widerøe on sustainable aviation and the existing partnership between Rolls-Royce and Tecnam on powering the all-electric P-Volt aircraft.
Stein Nilsen, Chief Executive, Widerøe said: “Norway’s extensive network of short take-off and landing airports is ideal for zero emissions technologies. This aircraft shows how quickly new technology can and will be developed, and that we are on track with our ambition of flying with zero emissions around 2025.”
Rob Watson, Director – Rolls-Royce Electrical, said: “Electrification will help us deliver our ambition to enable the markets in which we operate achieve net zero carbon by 2050. This collaboration strengthens our existing relationships with Tecnam and Widerøe as we look to explore what is needed to deliver an all-electric passenger aircraft for the commuter market. It also demonstrates Rolls-Royce’s ambitions to be the leading supplier of all-electric and hybrid electric propulsion and power systems across multiple aviation markets.”
The programme will look to cover all elements of developing and delivering an all-electric passenger aircraft that could be used in the Norwegian market from 2026. Due to its topography, Norway makes extensive use of aviation for regional connectivity and has an ambition for all domestic flights to be zero emissions by 2040. Rolls-Royce will bring its expertise in propulsion and power systems, Tecnam will provide aircraft design, manufacturing and certification capabilities. Widerøe’s mission will be to ensure that all competence and requirements of an airline operator are in place for entry into service in 2026.
Andreas Aks, Chief Strategy Officer, Widerøe, added: “We are highly excited to be offered the role as launch operator, but also humble about the challenges of putting the world’s first zero emissions aircraft into service. Our mission is to have all new capabilities, processes and procedures required for a zero emissions operator, designed and approved in parallel with the aircraft being developed and certified.”
Fabio Russo, Chief Project R and D and Product Development, Tecnam, said: “It is incredible to see the interest around the P-Volt, not only coming from regional airlines, but also from smart mobility-based companies. This last year has demonstrated the importance of promoting capillary connections between small communities, while reducing the congestion of the main hubs. The P-Volt, like the P2012 Traveller today, will perfectly fit the scope of this programme. We are honoured and pleased to see the level of enthusiasm Widerøe and our partner Rolls-Royce are dedicating to this project.”
The collaboration offers an opportunity to develop an exciting solution to the commuter aircraft market. Before the pandemic, Widerøe offered around 400 flights per day using a network of 44 airports, where 74% of the flights have distances less than 275 km. The shortest flight durations are between seven and fifteen minutes. Developing all-electric aircraft will enable people to be connected in a sustainable way and will fulfill Wideroe’s ambition to make its first all-electric flight by 2026. The all-electric P-Volt aircraft, which is based on the 11-seat Tecnam P2012 Traveller aircraft is ideal for the short take-off and landing as well as for routes in the North and the West Coast of Norway.
Rolls-Royce and Widerøe announced a joint research programme in 2019. The aim of the programme was to evaluate and develop electrical aircraft concepts that would fulfil the Norwegian ambition of having the first electrified aircraft in ordinary domestic scheduled flights by 2030 and 80% emission reduction in domestic flights by 2040.
Rolls-Royce also has an existing strategic partnership with Tecnam to develop the modified Tecnam P2010 aircraft with the H3PS1 propulsion system, the first parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system for General Aviation started together with Rotax in May 2018.
When an ideal balance is called for between dynamics and ride comfort, the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series models consistently set the benchmark within their segments in the premium market. In terms of electrically powered vehicles, the new BMW i4 is set to take on this role very soon. The first purely electrically powered 4-door Gran Coupé enriches locally emission-free mobility with sheer driving pleasure.
“For the first time, we’ve developed a BMW with sporty DNA for purely electric driving entirely from scratch,” explains project manager David Alfredo Ferrufino Camacho. “The BMW i4 offers everything BMW stands for – and it’s fully electric, too.”
A few months prior to its world premiere, the BMW i4 is currently completing the final phase of driving dynamics testing. The focus here is on the integrated application of all drive and suspension components, ensuring that the spontaneous power delivery of the electric motor is combined with precisely controllable handling in every situation, fascinating cornering dynamics, optimised traction in all weather and road conditions and perfectly balanced ride comfort. For the purpose of this fine-tuning process, the BMW Group applies its technological expertise in the areas of drive and suspension drawn from decades of experience. This gives the new BMW i4 a mature premium character and makes for a driving experience that is unique within the competitive environment.
Excitingly calm: sprinting with the BMW i4.
With a maximum output of up to 390 kW/530 hp, the electric powertrain in the BMW i4 enables impressive acceleration manoeuvres: it reaches the 100 km/h mark in just four seconds from standstill. But even more impressive than its pure sprint capacity is the driving response it conveys. A model-specific damper technology reduces the dipping movements of the body at the moment of set-off, while the actuator-related wheel slip limitation (ARB) developed by BMW with its extremely fast and precise control guarantees optimum traction and perfect straight-line stability at all times – even on slippery road surfaces. This makes the catapult-like sprint in the new BMW i4 an experience that is both exciting and carefree, because it is not affected by drive slip or course corrections.
However, fascinating acceleration is only one aspect of the superior performance characteristics that define the BMW i4. Other distinguishing features include its spontaneous reactions to every movement – not just of the accelerator pedal but also of the steering and the brake pedal. The prerequisites for this high level of agility and precision are anchored in the underlying vehicle concept of the BMW i4. This includes the car's long wheelbase, wide track widths, model-specific camber values, large wheels, as well as the high torsional rigidity and the vehicle’s low centre of gravity and weight balance.
Effortless precision: taking the bend on the ideal line.
All these parameters were taken into account in detail in the integrated application of the drive and suspension components so as to ensure hallmark BMW sporty flair in every situation on the road. The design and tuning of the suspension and damping systems consistently ensure optimum road contact. At the same time, the virtually silent drive in combination with the sophisticated suspension technology gives the impression of an effortlessly floating vehicle even at higher speeds, entirely unaffected by bumps in the road or difficult traction conditions.
“The BMW i4 conveys the feeling of being light and agile yet also solid and authoritative,” says project manager David Alfredo Ferrufino Camacho. “With its superior directional reliability and high level of cornering stability, it seems to literally attach itself to the road. All electric vehicles are capable of fast straight-line acceleration. But that’s not enough for us at BMW.”
The BMW i4 is also effortlessly controllable – even in highly dynamic driving situations. In addition to its neutral self-steering behaviour and its powerful, precisely controllable brakes, the steering in the BMW i4 is a major contributing factor here: it responds directly and with a high degree of accuracy, offering the driver precise feedback at all times while remaining entirely independent of drive forces, even during intensive acceleration or deceleration. Lane changes at high speeds are mastered with ease, while relaxed driving over long distances is ensured by the speed-related Servotronic power steering and the fact that the vehicle is largely insusceptible to any disruption caused by road bumps.
Typical BMW: the unique balance between sporty flair and ride comfort.
The distinctive driving dynamics of the BMW i4 derive partly from the fact that its performance characteristics are not achieved at the expense of driving comfort. The purely electrically powered Gran Coupé is characterised by unrestricted suitability for day-to-day use. Fitted with a high-voltage storage system featuring the latest battery cell technology that enables a range of up to 600 kilometres (WLTP), the chassis technology of the BMW i4 is designed for long-distance comfort, too. It is based on the high-quality damper technology, supplemented with model-specific components and separately tuned. This effectively reduces body vibrations due to road unevenness and on bends. The model-specific fine-tuning of the suspension and damping contributes significantly to the harmonious driving characteristics of the BMW i4.
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