The American company Factorial Energy has announced a 40 Ah cell with solid electrolyte that is supposed to help electric cars increase their range by 20 to 50 per cent. The management team and investors of the as yet unknown company include some well-known names in the industry.
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The electric air taxi manufacturer Volocopter gained a new shareholder: DB Schenker is joining the company founded in 2011. The participation of the rail logistics subsidiary is part of the third round of financing, which has brought the company a further 87 million euros.
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It is a bit of a sea change for the industry, Dieter Zetsche leaving Daimler after 13 years at the helm and even BMW felt inspired to say goodbye in their very own way. This is the farewell video, featuring “Zetsche”, and well, a BMW i8.
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After 13 years at the helm of Daimler, Dieter Zetsche stepped down as CEO today and has handed over management of the Group to Ola Källenius. He will be appointed Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars for the next five years and comes with ambitions.
Read moreIn a concerted rebranding campaign, the three German premium vehicle manufacturers Audi, BMW and Mercedes want to adapt their labelling to the electric mobility of the future. The brand-new designs are exclusively available to our industry service electrive so far. Happy April Fools!
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During a call, executives of VW, BMW and Daimler have agreed on a common approach towards electric mobility following Volkswagen’s recent demand for technological clarity. Insiders report the trio being in agreement that the near future belongs to battery-electric vehicles.
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Daimler & Tesla are truly considering to electrify vans thus confirming rather unofficial hints that emerged last year. Now Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche confirmed the talks at the company’s annual press conference, but the outcome is open.
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Renault-Nissan and Daimler may make some cooperative efforts to include battery and autonomous driving technology. At least their executives, namely Carlos Ghosn and Dieter Zetsche saw chances to work more closely together when speaking to the press in Paris.
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It looks like Daimler might be coming ever later to the electric game as German Handelsblatt cites sources saying the first electric car, the EQC might be delayed with the same being alleged for the electric S-class.
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Daimler is planning to use the Smart factory in the French Hambach near the German border to construct a Mercedes compact model of the EQ brand, planning an investment of around 500 million euro.
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“From BYD’s point of view, the biggest challenge is battery capacity. Our Iron Phosphate battery plant, the largest in the world, has annual capacity of 10GWh, yet still cannot meet the booming demand.”
Asked about the current challenges for the uptake of electric buses, Wang Chuanfu, President and Chairman of BYD, mentions first of all battery capacity. Apart from that, the barriers would not be as high as one might think, he adds.
uitp.org
“I respect what Elon Musk is doing and his approach. He went to the other end, to luxury, and made electric car driving more desirable. At the same time, we have sold electric cars 12 years ago, long before him, but did not come up with a really-convincing car.”
Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche has a clear idea of why Tesla succeeds with its strategy while his company had to deal with setbacks when it comes to electrification. However, with the upcoming EV line-up, Zetsche is sure to make Daimler as attractive to EV buyers as Tesla.
auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche refers to the “golf cart” image he believes had been attached to electric vehicles for years. In an interview on the sidelines of SXSW 2017, he thanked Tesla for having paved the way.
electrek.co
“We see the smaller cars using battery power and the bigger cars using fuel-cell systems. So we need to look at where does the battery end and the hydrogen car start.”
According to Thomas Brachmann, chief project engineer-R&D Europe for Honda, the company may use its fuel cell technology for the new Civic soon.
wardsauto.com
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche with his prediction of price parity between gas guzzlers and electric vehicles. Not so outrageous after all.
autocar.co.uk
“We’re proud to come to market first.”
Says Kathy Beslic, marketing manager for the Chevrolet Bolt, who otherwise refused to comment on Tesla’s Model 3. So far, the Bolt EV is available in California and Oregon.
brandchannel.com
“Building a hybrid V90 Cross Country is feasible. If there is enough demand from customers we will do it.”
Lutz Stiegler, Volvo’s director of powertrain engineering, exhibits willingness to follow consumers’ wishes for electrification no matter the segment. Volvo does rule out diesel-electric hybrids though.
digitaltrends.com
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche is not putting a lot of faith in fuel technology. The carmaker is still planning to “launch a four-digit number of fuel-cell vehicles” next year, but not everyone can buy them. But Zetsche also admits, that all could change in ten years.
caradvice.com.au
“I believe the trend toward clean energy is irreversible.”
Outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama wrote in the journal Science that clean energy technology will continue under President Trump – whether he wants to or not. The reason is that people living in the U.S. have begun integrating the change in i.e. mobility into their own lives.
sciencemag.org via teslarati.com
“Over the last couple of years, German manufacturers and others have been investing very heavily in electric mobility. They are still a bit slower than Tesla but I wouldn’t underestimate their progress.”
Stefan Bratzel of the Center of Automotive Management (CAM) says that if Tesla does not manage to be profitable, it could be taken over by a company that is currently still playing catch-up.
forbes.com
For Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, the time to launch an EV has to be picked as carefully as the time to arrive at a party. He says that launching the Generation EQ concept at the end of the decade is the right time to so.
autonews.com
“We’ve essentially solved the biggest transportation problem in our history.”
Trevor Milton, CEO of Nikola Motors, seems to be ready to take Elon Musk head on – at least in terms of communication. The company just revealed its hydrogen-electric truck, said to launch in 2020.
automotiveworld.com
“It’s important for Formula E to keep its USP with racing in big cities where the people are.”
BMW motorsport director Jens Marquardt doesn’t believe that the Formula E needs to go any faster, but should focus on fan interaction and virtual racing. He even believes that one day, fans could virtually race against the teams actually on the track.
motorsport.com
Just forbidding petrol and diesel cars is not the way to push electric mobility, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says. He wants to conquer the buyers’ hearts with his products to ensure long-term success.
automobilwoche.de (in German)
“We have to do more in the NEV area. The government is pushing, the general environment in China is pushing that.”
Volkswagen’s China chief Jochem Heinzmann says the company wants to sell as many as 400,000 “new energy vehicles” in China by the end of the decade and even 1.5m by 2025. He is now hoping the Chinese government will approve the manufacture’s third joint venture there that would focus on battery-electric cars only.
autonews.com
“Of course we need EVs. As you know, in Norway, the complete energy source is water… this means that EV is much better for CO2 in Norway. But not in United States or China… Therefore, we are focusing on ICE, but some regions we need EVs, so therefore in 2019 or in that time frame we will introduce EVs where it is needed in the world.”
Mazda’s head of research and development Kiyoshi Fujiwara announced a prospective electric vehilces for 2019 at the LA Motor Show. The car could then also be offered with a rotary engine as range extender.
caradvice.com.au
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche tells the German Green Party that he, too, wants emission-free mobility. The party passed a resolution over the weekend, calling for and ICE ban from 2030 in Germany.
reuters.com
“California’s commitment to clean air and climate protection has been strengthened by this election.”
Following the election of a U.S. President most likely to sweep climate change under the rug, Chairman of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Mary Nichols tweeted that the western state will continue its efforts to promote EVs and implement zero-emission mandates.
bloomberg.com
“If you ask the question – what is the ultimate environmentally friendly vehicle? – we’ll say it will be fuel cell vehicles. And our idea has not changed.”
Toyota CFO Takahiko Ijichi explains that while the carmaker is looking to have EVs in its line-up to be more flexible when it comes to introducing a vehicle to a market depending on their infrastructure and policy, fuel cell technology remains their main cause.
autonews.com
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche on batteries for electric vehicles. He expects 100 euros per kWh by 2025 as costs for “electric controls, electric motors and all of the other parts” will decrease as well.
europe.autonews.com
Zero Emission Vehicle Credits are a mayor part of Tesla`s income, BMI Research says, but fears that these may be removed during the looming Trump administration.
forbes.com
“The electric cars from German manufacturers lack range. There is no comprehensive charging infrastructure available. In my opinion, the government cobbled together the incentive overnight in an amateur way and failed to prepare it professionally.”
Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, Germany’s answer to Bob Lutz, believes the buyers incentive is not enough and misguided. His continuous concern is range-angst.
automotiveit.com
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche is most satisfied with his firm’s progress and considers electrification the next segment to take a lead in, or where to go head to head with Tesla. It is EV premium he is talking, naturally.
insideevs.com
“I think it’s pretty clear when you look at the market, when you look at the premium market, there’s really only one company that is out there, and it’s Tesla.”
Henrik Fisker is certain who he considers his biggest competitor. However, as Tesla is moving further into autonomy, Fisker does not “believe that it makes any sense for an automaker to develop autonomous driving.”
businessinsider.com via insideevs.com
“The sharing economy is one of the shining economies. That, in cities, might be the direction. But it’s also a difficult business model to make work, because at the end of the day, whether somebody is sharing or using it, somebody has to pay for it. The asset must be funded. It’s an interesting business model but not an easy one.”
Says Toyota’s European President & CEO Johan van Zyl. He also mused on the electrification of the compact Aygo that Toyota produces together with PSA as EVs could definitely play a part in the urban sharing economy.
insideevs.com
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche seems (finally) ready to take things to the next level. He did however tell Bloomberg that he is against a government enforced ban of combustion engines, adding that “we cannot stop advancing combustion engine technology, even if 25 percent of vehicles sold in 2025 are e-cars, as 75 percent won’t be.”
automobilwoche.de (competition; in German); bloomberg.com (ban)
“We believe the real potential with the highest volume is in the low end of the market. So our new vehicle will be at a reasonable price, with not a huge amount of autonomous technology, and it will be very much a city car.”
Renault chief marketer Guillaume Berthier believes that China will be the next big market for electric mobility. In Europe, he says the “turning point for mass adoption” is already within reach.
wardsauto.com
A new report by McKinsey & Co and Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) says that with battery prices dropping, electric mobility could dominate the roads of wealthy cities by 2030.
reuters.com
“We are in contact with other manufacturers and suppliers around the world to build a fast-charging network. It sounds easy but getting the details agreed is hard. We already have the clear technical concept. It can even work with Teslas, with an adapter.”
Porsche CEO Oliver Blume comments on the planned 800 Volt fast-charging system that Porsche is developing for the VW Group. Plans are apparently getting more concrete and will even give its biggest competitor a place to plug in.
electrek.co
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says the company will not only catch up to, but overtake Tesla as leader of the electric mobility market in less than a decade. The EQ brand introduced in Paris is to lead the way.
electrek.co
“We will develop low-cost electric cars based on knowledge coming out of India, but deploy it in China, because that is where the market exists.”
Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn wants to develop inexpensive EVs in India to sell in China. The Alliance worries about losing its place there to local players, who offer electric mobility for less.
indiatimes.com
“Launching the Chevrolet Bolt EV, getting that into the marketplace and seeing customers’ reactions is one way we can capitalize on our battery cell technology.”
General Motors CEO Mary Barra explains the company’s move to invest in Lyft and Cruise Automation as a long-term way to profit from new technologies.
usatoday.com
Daimler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche explains the company’s newest plans regarding their accelerated development of premium electric cars. Though Zetsche would not reveal details, the company may be taking aim at rivals Tesla and Audi.
reuters.com
A statement from Nissan indicates that Japan’s charging infrastructure has reached a level where EV drivers don’t have trouble finding a plug. Some 6,200 chargers are said to be available at some 7,000 locations nationwide, including 60% of the world’s quick chargers.
insideevs.com
Dieter Zetsche, Daimler’s Chairman of the Board of Management, sees Tesla’s presence and competition as a welcome challenge, Zetsche admits that the American competitor offers what other manufacturers do not.
caradvice.com
“Wang Chuanfu is a marathoner, while Elon Musk is a 100-meter sprinter. A long-distance runner and a sprinter have different abilities and strengths.”
Stella Li, senior vice president at BYD, draws a clear line between the Chinese manufacturer and Tesla. BYD builds electric buses, cars and batteries and is looking to establish itself as a reliable brand name long-term. Li adds that BYD plans to up production capacity at its U.S. plant from 300 to 1,000 electric buses per year.
bloomberg.com
According to Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, batteries are key to the future of electric cars. Once EVs can go around 310 miles on one charge, they become competitive. Though Zetsche say, there is no “magic number” to trigger EV uptake.
autonews.com
Even Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche believes that, considering progress made in recent years, electric drivetrains will catch on. However, if Germany continues on the same path as before, its goal of one million EVs on the road by 2020 seems unattainable.
businessinsider.com
“My mandate from Elon is clear: cash is king.”
Tesla CFO Jason Wheeler explains that the EV maker plans to cut capital expenditures this year to obtain net cash flow positive, as Tesla also expects a year-on-year growth in vehicle deliveries of up to 78 percent.
fool.com
“The longer Germany waits before reducing its 18 cent tax gap between diesel and petrol, the harder it will become for its carmakers to become more competitive in making mass-market hybrids and electric vehicles.”
This sentence comes from a press release from Green Budget Europe (GBE), as members of the European Parliament were presented with a report showing that diesel cars are worse for the environment than petrol-powered vehicles.
green-budget.eu
British Cabinet Office minister Oliver Letwin whips up parliament to get behind the electric car revolution. He refers to inductive charging while driving, having to admit, however, that at this point, it is a technological rather than infrastructural reality.
standard.co.uk
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche explains that he expects slower growth in 2016 due to investments made. But maybe value can be measured not only in money alone? Tesla shares definitely speak of another reality than profit.
reuters.com
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche visited Apple and Google in Silicon Valley, commenting on their and Daimler’s development of autonomous driving technology.
reuters.com
“Being the leader in range and affordability means nothing if the car isn’t going to excite you each time you get behind the wheel.”
Chevrolet Bolt EV chief engineer Josh Tavel says the Bolt already tackles issues that had previously prevented EV uptake. Plus, it is simply fun to drive.
forbes.com
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche comments on the, in his opinion, meagre margins from selling electric cars as their production is still too costly.
automobil-produktion.de (in German)
“Yes we have one motor and we have ‘some’ gears. Because it is the first season of development you need some risk assessment.”
Renault’s technical programme manager Vincent Gaillardot says that team e-dams will compete with one single motor set-up in the upcoming Formula E season. Previous rumours presumed the use of a dual-motor.
motorsport.com
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says he is not opposed to cooperating with the two technology giants, as self-driving and connected cars take centre stage. However, he stressed that Daimler refuses to become just a supplier.
reuters.com
Professor Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, director of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) at the University of Duisburg-Essen, is convinced that Tesla’s batteries trumped plug-in hybrids, which are “too costly,” “too heavy” and “not environmentally friendly.”
forbes.com
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche does not see Tesla as a serious competitor. Audi and its planned Q6 electric car might be another matter. But the CEO did not confirm any plans to go head to head (yet).
caradvice.com.au
General Motors CEO Mary Barra sent out a similar message to Tesla, as she once more praises the upcoming Bolt as an EV accessible to mass market.
greencarreports.com
