Important Innovations

  New Tech Making Electric Cars A Lot Easier to Use                                                                                           Source:  WiTricity New Global Standard Operating an electric car is about to get a lot easier.  New technology has been developed that allows a driver to charge their EV without plugging into an outlet.  The baseline technology has been developed by WiTricity, an MIT spin-off company that designs wireless charging for vehicles and appliances.  Automakers and suppliers have signed on to developing it as a universal standard.  Luxury vehicles like the BMW53oe hybrid are ready to use the system with moderately priced EVs expected to follow suit. Pad and Receiver The wireless power transfer (WPT) system is composed of a pad and a receiver.  The system delivers DC current from a pad mounted on the floor to a receiver on the vehicle.  Charging efficiency is 94%.  The SAE International engineers' association has brought in a large,  number of automa

  VW Pumping $86 Billion into Electric & Autonomous Mobility                                                  Source:  VW  Leading the Way in Green Mobility Over the next five years, Volkswagen will pump $86 billion into electric and autonomous technologies. VW seeks to remain the world's largest automaker as the world shifts toward green, no emissions cars.   Half of VW's investment budget is going into electric vehicles, autonomous technology, hybrids and what it calls seamless software-based vehicle operating systems.  VW is also doubling its spending on digitalization to develop new self-driving systems and new vehicle operating systems. Tighter Emissions Standards in Europe and Elsewhere  With the European Union and many countries around the world toughening their regulations to reduce carbon emissions, VW is re-shaping the company and its brands with a strategic focus on green, electric, autonomous clean mobility.  Just in the EU, VW needs to increase its hybrid and E

  Sweden Based EV Maker Expanding Globally                                               Source:  Polestar Taking on Tesla Polestar, the premier EV manufacturer based in Sweden and owned by China's Geely, is expanding its market penetration into Asia and the Middle East and doubling the number of showrooms it has in current markets.  It started producing the Polestar 2 EV sedans in China in 2020 and is selling them in the US, Europe and China.  The 5-door, Polestar 2 electric fastback starts at $59,900. Polestar Technology Polestar 2 has two electric motors, front and rear and gets 275 miles on a single charge.  It goes from 0 to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds and has power of 300 kw/408 hp.  This EV adjusts itself to the owner.  It recognizes their voice via their smartphone and adapts by implementing their favorite home screen apps and preferred seating position. Plans Going Forward Polestar is designed to take on Tesla.  CEO Thomas Ingenlath wants to double the number of global markets t

  From the Netherlands, a Long Range, Solar E-Car Source:  Lightyear One Lightyear One Dutch automaker Lightyear has invented the Lightyear One - an all electric car powered by solar energy.  It's expected to hit the market in 2021.  It's the world's first, long range, solar powered, electric car.  A prototype has been released and mass production and deliveries will start in 2021.  The company says this car will provide the driver with 100% clean energy.  The asking price is $165,000. Long Range & Electric Plug-In Option The car's 4 electric engines are powered by a custom built 60 kWh battery pack. The Lightyear One is covered with 16 sq. feet of integrated solar cells that are encased in safety glass to protect them from damage.  The sun's solar energy can serve as the only energy source.  But, t he car also packs an electric plug-in option as an alternative energy source. A single overnight plug in charge provides 450 mile range. The plug-in enables up to 60

Squad Mobility's Solar Cars to Debut in Europe Source:  Squad Mobility Green, Sustainable Driving Amsterdam-based Squad Mobility has invented a solar powered, 2 seat mini electric car.  Called the Squad Solar City Car, it's getting ready to go on the market in Europe.  The vehicle comes in two versions.  A L6e model can go up to 28 mph.  And, the L7 model can accelerate up to 50 mph.  These electric vehicles are not designed for highway driving.  They're designed for driving city streets and country roads. Roof Top Solar Panels The solar panels are mounted on the roof so charging can be done inexpensively or even for free with sunshine only.  The company is taking pre-orders.  The price is $6,330.  First deliveries will start in late 2021.  The vehicle size is 21.5 square feet.  4 of the EVs can fit into a parking spot designed for a SUV.  The vehicle has seat belts, a roll cage for additional safety, air conditioning and removeable doors.  The company says i

VW's New Affordable E-Car Source:  VW ID Lineup Electric People's Car Volkswagen is developing an affordable, inexpensive electric compact for the people,  It's called the ID.1.  VW is targeting a price below $22,000 with incentives.  The EV will roll out in 2023.  And, there will also be a cross-over version.  The ID.1 is designed as a city car.  The base version of the electric car is expected to have a range of 300 miles on a charge.  This is a big development in enabling the affordable purchase of green, clean electric cars by the masses. VW's Electric Lineup The ID.1 is the smallest ID branded vehicle in VW's lineup of seven electric models. The ID.3 compact is launching in Europe mid-2020, to be followed by the ID.4, formerly known as the ID Crozz. The ID.1 will have a choice of two different battery packs:  24 KWh and 36 KWh. Affordable Green Driving VW wants to sell 1 million EV's a year starting in 2023.  In order to achieve that goal,

Norway Shows Refueling Industry How to Evolve Source:  Norway Electric Cars Big Oil Goes to Norway to Learn if Roadside Refueling Is At the End of the Road More than 50% of new cars sold in Norway are now electric vehicles.  In one city Bergen, one out of every 5 cars on the road is electric.  That's the most for any city in the world.  By 2025, Norway wants to end the sale of fossil fuel powered cars.  It's the new world of zero emissions driving and Norway is leading the way.  But,where does that leave traditional gas stations?  Big Oil is looking to Norway to find answers. Norwegian Tours Canadian refueling giant Alimentation Couche-Tard says Norway is its laboratory.  The company is following what works in Norway.  It's converting a number of its gas refueling stations to electric recharging stations. The company is also offering home and workplace recharging services.  Norwegian officials says oil industry executives are coming to Norway for gas

US EV Market On the Rise Source:  Tesla Model 3 EV's in US Beating Out Another Auto Category The sale of electric vehicles in the US is at a very early stage, representing 1.6% of the 17 million "light" vehicles sold in 2019.  But, for the first time, EV's are outperforming a segment of the automotive market.  Specifically, EV's are outpacing vehicles with standard shifts which represent 1.1% of automotive sales. Sales of standard shift models have dropped .5% in the past year.  By contract, sales of the world's most popular EV, the Tesla Model 3, are up 1% in the US in 2019. It's the beginning of a shift by Americans to zero emission, green, electric vehicles to save the environment from carbon emissions. Tesla's Roadster Electric Sportscar In Q1 2020, the electric car segment in the US is composed of 16 models.  That is scheduled to significantly grow  this year.  And, EV's are expected to outperform another category in 2020 -- conve

Just Published Book on the Hottest Electric Vehicles in the Pipeline for the Next Decade Amazon and Kindle Paperback and E-Book Christmas Gift Journalist Ed Kane's latest book "Hot Electric Vehicles for the 2020's" is designed to keep you informed and up to date on the latest prototype electric vehicles being developed for launch during the 2020's.  It's news you can use to spot the electric car of your future.  And, it's a great Christmas/Hanukkah gift for anyone who loves cars.  For an Amazon sample read, go to  https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B082GKV1ZY&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_g.s9DbKGV3TDA amazon.com/author/ekane    Be in the know about premiere electric cars now being developed. 1.     Big Electric Push by Big Auto: Tesla, GM, Ford Source:  Tesla Big SUV and Pickup Truck Green Drivi

Journalists New Book on Hottest EVs for 2020's Amazon and Kindle Paperback and E-Book Christmas Gift "Hot Electric Vehicles for the 2020's" by journalists Ed Kane & Maryanne Kane (co-author) is designed to keep you informed and up-to-date on the latest prototype electric vehicles being developed for launch during the 2020's.  It's news you can use to spot the electric car of your future.  And, it's a great Christmas/Hanukkah gift for anyone who loves cars.  For an Amazon sample read, go to  https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B082GKV1ZY&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_g.s9DbKGV3TDA amazon.com/author/ekane    Be in the know about premiere electric cars now being developed. 1.     Big Electric Push by Big Auto: Tesla, GM, Ford Source:  Tesla Big SUV and Pickup Truck Green Driving Big news.  Tesla's all electric Cybertruck picked up 250,000 ord

Hottest Electric Vehicles in the R&D Pipeline for the 2020's Must Have News You Can Use This is a link to a sample chapter in the latest book published by journalist Ed Kane on the hottest electric vehicles in the global pipeline for roll outs in the 2020's.  I co-authored the book and believe this is news on zero-emissions electric vehicles you can use and will want to know about. Important Innovations Collection: "Hot EVs for the 2020's" Sample Chapter : "Hot EVs for the 2020's" by Journalist Edward Kane Hottest Electric Vehicles Rolling Out Globally

BMW & Tesla Expanding Production of Electric Vehicles in China Source:  BMW MINI Cooper Tesla's Cybertruck About to Set a Record BMW is significantly expanding its global electric vehicle operations.  BMW and its Chinese partner Great Wall announced today that they plan to build a $716 million plant in China big enough to manufacture 160,000 electric cars a year.  The plant will produce electric MINI's for BMW and also Great Wall electric vehicles.  Great Wall is China's #1 SUV and pickup truck manufacturer. Meanwhile, US-based Tesla is close to setting a new record with its electric pick-up Cybertruck. Big China Electric Vehicle Market Expansions The BMW-Great Wall plant is due to open in 2022 near Shanghai.  For e-car makers, the opportunity in China is huge.  China has new quotas starting in 2025 requiring that 20% of total vehicle sales are electric and rechargeable hybrids.  Automakers and suppliers are diligently working to meet these tough,

Tesla Model 3 Top Seller in Norway for Q3 2019 Norway is #1 in Electric Vehicles Despite a sales decline, Tesla Model 3 remains Norway's top selling vehicle in Q3 2019.  This win for the all electric mid-size sedan, despite back to back sales declines in Q1 and Q2.  Norway leads the world in per-capita electric car sales.  In fact, 54.5% of all new cars sold in Norway in September were fully electric. Norway Driving Green Norway has a goal of ending the sale of cars with diesel or gas powered engines by 2025.  As part of the effort, the nation exempts battery powered cars from the taxes imposed on fossil fuel vehicles. Tesla Model 3 Tesla's Model 3 electric vehicle is cheaper than the larger Model S and Model X models. Tesla is counting on it to transform Tesla into a profitable, big player in the global automotive industry.  Meanwhile, Audi and Jaguar Land rover recently introduced all electric SUVs into the Norway market, heating up the competition.

Pan European Effort to Push Back Asian Battery Dominance Source:  CATL of China Pilot Battery Cell Plant in France To Start France and Germany are joining forces to produce batteries for electric cars.  France will host a pilot plant. There are plans to build plants in both Germany and France.  This is part of a Pan European project to defeat Asian dominance of the battery cell industry for electric vehicles.  The European nations want to cut dependence on Asian batteries.  China's CATL plans to start battery cell operations in a plant in Germany in 2022. Germany and France also want to protect domestic jobs that are being lost to the shift away from combustion engines.  The details on what is the first, cross border, battery cell consortium in Europe are expected to be announced on Thursday, September 19th. Battery Production Capacity Constricting Electric Vehicle Market in Europe In Europe, mass production of electric cars is being constricted by a lack of battery prod

Mass Market Electric Cars Debuting at Geneva Auto Show Source:  Citroen Ami One Electric Car New Market Conditions Could Favor China According to Germany's Center of Automotive Management, global electric car sales hit 2.1 million in 2018 and are forecast to rise to 2.8 million in 2019.  China is the biggest market with more than 1 million sold, Europe is second with 389,000 and the US third with 359,000 vehicles sold last year.  The market is expected to ramp up and start accelerating as the European Union's tough emissions standards start rolling out in 2021. Geneva Auto Show Electric Vehicle Debuts There are a number of mass market electric cars debuting in Geneva.  They are more affordably priced and have good driving range.  Some examples: Kia e Soul Honda Urban Citroen Ami One, a tiny, 2 seat, city car that doesn't require a license Renault Zoe Nissan Leaf Peugeot Citycar 208 Volvo Polstar 2, a compact with 275 mile range Some of the cars being in

Volkswagen Innovation The Electric Charger Comes to You For electric car enthusiasts, this mobile charging machine is a gamechanger.  VW is working on bringing the charging station to you and your car. VW's Mobile Electric Charger System VW has introduced a mobile charging station that can be delivered to you wherever you are. The time to charge is 17 minutes and 15 cars can be charged at one station.  It is a real enabler for electric cars. It's innovation technology that is green and on the move.  This could be particularly effective for people who live in urban areas, park on the street and don't have access to a garage to charge their vehicle.