The CircuBAT research project aims to close the loop between the production, application and recycling of lithium-ion batteries from mobility. To this end, seven Swiss research institutions and 24 companies are jointly looking for optimisation options for more sustainability in all stages of the battery’s life.
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The Swiss electric vehicle manufacturer Kyburz has put a battery recycling plant into operation in Freienstein in the canton of Zurich. According to the company, the recycling process used there recovers up to 91 per cent of the metals contained.
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Experts from seven European countries are now working on solutions for next-generation lithium-ion batteries in the SeNSE research project within the European Battery Alliance. The Swedish company Northvolt is to play a decisive role in the four-year project.
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At the beginning of the year, the Fraunhofer Institute ISC and the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (Empa) launched a joint research project called IE4B to create the basis for production-ready solid-state batteries for electric cars.
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The eDumper dump truck claims the title of the world’s largest EV and may sure be the readiest. It has just sprung into operation in a quarry in Péry in the Bernese Jura and is a joint development by Swiss universities and Empa.
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Navya plans U.S. Production: The French manufacturer wants to erect an assembly facility for autonomous EVs in Michigan. It is there the first 20 units of its electric shuttle Arma shall come off the lines this year. Navya has worked together with the University of Michigan in order to test the Arma model in its simulated city dubbed Mcity since 2016, hence its decision to produce outside Europe.
greencarcongress.com, mlive.com, navya.tech
Aston Martin’s Valkyrie: The hybrid super sports car by Aston Martin and Red Bull may deliver 1,130 hp, according to unconfirmed information. 1,000 hp however come from a V12 engine, the rest is contributed electrically.
As reported, the battery system will be supplied by Rimac, the drive control by Bosch. The edition is limited to 150 regular units and 25 additional racing vehicles.
carscoops.com, roadandtrack.com
Hydrogen decoded: Scientists of the Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt (Empa) managed to decode the movement of H2 ions in crystals. Their results could help to choose more suitable materials for fuel cells and H2 storage in the future.
empa.ch
UK based BAE Systems teams up with QinetiQ as both seek to equip combat vehicles with electric mobility systems. The aim is to improve the vehicles’ fuel efficiency and to decrease their life-cycle costs. While BAE is an expert in the field of defence tech, QinetiQ contributes its electric drive expertise.
baesystems.com
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BMW motorcycle as hybrid: German aftermarket shop Wunderlich has added a 7.6-kilowatt hub motor on the front wheel to the BMW R1200GS LC. It can propel the bike up to 12 mph on its own (20 kph), helping with acceleration on the road and propulsion when off road. The battery nests under the machine’s front beak.
autoblog.com
Green energy as fuel: Swiss research institute Empa kicked off project “move” to test the use of renewable energy to power vehicles. Over the next years, it will analyze long- and short-term energy storage methods during summer months. Stored in batteries or as H2, the green energy will then later be used to fuel vehicles.
idw-online.de
Leaf brake issue solution: In March, Canada’s transport ministry had started to look into possible braking problems with the Nissan Leaf during cold weather. The Japanese carmaker says it can fix the issue without a recall by simply updating the software.
insideevs.com
From methane to hydrogen: Researchers from the German KIT and IASS have developed a stable method for hydrogen production from methane gas. Using a process called “methane cracking,” the former is split into hydrogen and carbon without emitting any CO2. The H2 can then be used as fuel.
greencarcongress.com, kit.edu
Swedish eHighway: Siemens and Scania will conduct a joint demonstration project of a catenary system for hybrid trucks. The contract was awarded by the Swedish Transport Administration to the County Council of Gävleborg and means the electrification of a two-kilometer stretch of the E16 highway north of Stockholm. The core of the system is a pantograph which hooks up to the catenary system and disconnects automatically at speeds of up to 90 km/h. Two hybrid trucks by Scania will be used in the demonstration phase.
siemens.com
EU aims for more range: The project JOSPEL is set to develop a novel energy efficient climate control system for electric cars to help reduce the energy used for passenger comfort by at least 50 percent. The project is funded with 6.7 million euros through EU’s Horizon 2020 programme.
greencarcongress.com, europa.eu
Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, together with ETH Zürich and road sweeper manufacturer Bucher Municipal have developed a natural gas-electric hybrid powertrain for road sweepers. Compared to conventional sweepers, the energy consumption has been halved. A concept study to investigate possible commercialisation is currently under development.
empa.ch
New magnet: Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University were able to synthesize a powerful new magnetic material that could replace rare earth magnets. The new material consists of nanoparticles containing iron, cobalt and carbon atoms with a magnetic domain size of roughly five nanometers.
greencarcongress.com, vcu.edu
Most clicked link on Thursday was the report by German WirtschaftsWoche on BMW allegedly planning an all-electric SUV to take on the Tesla Model X.
