Mobility think-tank Rinspeed from Switzerland presents CitySnap, the latest EV in their Snap Motion line. This time, they constructed the body to accommodate highly automated deliveries and most mobile pick-ups.
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At the CES Las Vegas 2019: Rinspeed presented a further advanced “Snap” ecosystem with the “microSNAP”. The new concept features an interchangeable body on an intelligent EV platform in micro-size.
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A visit to the CES technology trade fair in Las Vegas confirmed an already growing impression: The car of the future is a bubble-like pod vehicle, and most exhibitors also agreed that these small shuttle buses will one day rule the city; and by the by, universal adoption of the electric drive is simply a […]
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The Swiss company Rinspeed has announced the founding of their startup called Snap Motion, which will further develop their electric concept “Snap”, and produce it in a small series.
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The German car supplier has created a platform for autonomous EVs called Intelligent Dynamic Driving Chassis (IDDC). Among others, it is going to serve as a basis for Rinspeed’s new urban mobility concept dubbed Snap.
Read moreEU battery strategy due in February: Representatives of industry heavyweights and politics gathered at the “battery summit” in Brussels and agreed to develop a strategic roadmap for an EU Battery Alliance until February 2018, according to media reports. Until then, several working groups are supposed to discuss topics such as supply chain, investment financing, trade issues and R&D. The European Union might contribute up to 2.2bn euros.
euractiv.com
Rinspeed’s interpretation of a “snapping” car: The Swiss company is known for its creative mobility concepts. At the CES in Las Vegas, it will present its electric-powered concept car Snap, which basically consists of two parts: a flat chassis and several exchangeable cabins. Depending on the cabin, the vehicle can serve as delivery van, public transport car or mobile home.
motor1.com, carscoops.com, rinspeed.eu
Approval for Nissan’s debut in the Formula E? Rumours about Nissan’s ambition to take the starting place of Renault e.dams most probable turn out to be true: Motorsport-Total.com reports that the Formula E’s union has approved Nissan’s move into the electric series. Meanwhile, Renault wants to fully focus on the Formula 1.
motorsport.com
Modified Twizy drives autonomous: British company StreetDrone managed to convert Renault’s Twizy into an autonomous car. Six cameras, a 4G connection and a Nvidia computer enable the StreetDrone ONE to move without a driver. As reported, Universities across Britain shall be asked to buy the modified Twizy in order to do research on self-driving cars. Pricing starts at 49,500 Pounds.
theengineer.co.uk, thedrive.com
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Video tip I: Following first images of its innovative self-driving city EV named Oasis, Swiss company Rinspeed released a first video showing the little cube in action. Though here, there is still a steering wheel – at least for the most part of the film. The car will be officially presented at the CES 2017 in Las Vegas.
youtube.com
Video tip II: Zero Motorcycles released a new promotional video, showing probably the first (and fake) chase on electric bikes. The policeman sits on a Zero DSR, trying to catch up with the bad guy on his Zero FXS.
youtube.com via autoevolution.com
Rinspeed shows rolling oasis: Swiss company Rinspeed already announced a new EV concept for the CES 2017, showing first pictures. The two-seater Oasis features large glass and solar panels, while its interior is said to have a living room feel to it. The front windscreen doubles as screen for virtual reality, while a small patch of green allows for drivers to plant flowers or radishes. The future has wheels.
automotiveit.com, rinspeed.eu
Detroit Electric goes to China: The U.S. manufacturer says it is talking with Chinese authorities about setting up shop there and that it found 120 potential buyers for its SP:01. In Hong Kong, the electric roadster can already be ordered. Detroit Electric wants to build a total of 950 units by the end of the year.
scmp.com
EPA rated: The U.S. agency has rated the all-electric range of the Toyota Prius Prime at 25 miles (around 40 km), while average fuel consumption is 133 mpg. The figures were released by Toyota in a press release and mean that fuel consumption of 2017 model is 26 percent better, than that of its predecessor.
hybridcars.com
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New Mahindra EV: Mahindra has launched the electric variant of its small transporter Supro in India. The e-Supro is available for about 12,500 dollars. A version fit for passenger transport costs around 450 dollars more.
indianautosblog.com, indiatimes.com
GT drivers get ready: The Electric GT racing series that will launch next year, has named its first drivers. Next to Stefan Wilson, Vicky Piria and Dani Clos, Leilani Münter, herself a Tesla owner and environmental activist, will get behind the wheel. The series is the first of its kind and features modified Tesla Model S.
electrek.co, motorauthority.com
Two-wheeled Rimac: The Croatian company presented its power e-bike Geryp G12H. Able to go 150 miles on one charge, it has double the range of its predecessor, the Greyp G12S. Details about a release date or pricing were not announced.
ubergizmo.com
Correction while running: SafeAdapt is working on a software designed to auto-adjust disruptions during ongoing operation of electric vehicles (Fail-Operational). The EU project is said to enter the testing stage with a prototype vehicle and driving simulator by mid 2016. The vehicle is a Roding sportscar equipped with Siemens’ RACE E/E architecture.
idw-online.de (in German), safeadapt.eu (project’s website)
i8 based concept: Swiss Rinspeed delivers an update of its self-driving Σtos hybrid. New pictures reveal the concept car that is due to be presented at CES in Vegas in January (we reported).
rinspeed.eu
Automated EV testing: Nevada now allows automated driving tests, which both Hyundai and Kia will take advantage of. Kia will put automated driving features of its Soul EV to the test, while Hyundai trials self-driving Tuscon Fuel Cell cars. Kia plans to introduce partially driverless features by 2020.
autoblog.com (Soul EV), automotive-business-review.com (Tuscon FCV)
Prototype in flames: Hong Kong’s first electric bus caught fire over weekend. A short circuit in the prototype’s batteries has been blamed but the investigation is still ongoing. The locally designed bus had just passed road tests and was supposed to go into operation (we reported).
scmp.com, ejinsight.com
Ford to head for China: The C-Max plug-in and Mondeo Hybrid will become available for the Chinese market by next year. It is the first step of Ford’s eastern expansion that will see the carmaker introduce a full range of hybrid and electric cars in China by 2020.
reuters.com, wsj.com
Prius-Fighter only by 2016: Hyundai postpones its dedicated hybrid model. While initial plans saw a launch for November this year, the presentation has been set for the International Electric Vehicle Expo on south Korea’s Jeju island in March 2016.
yonhapnews.co.kr
Rinspeed’s hybrid concept: The Swiss company will present its Ʃtos at CES Las Vegas in January 2016. The hybrid sports car comes with various autopilot features and will be accompanied by its own drone able to start and land on the rear.
jalopnik.com, autoblog.com
Tesla autopilot to spread: The widespread release of firmware 7.0 – including the full range of autopilot – will be initiated this Thursday, Elon Musk announced on Twitter. Within “roughly 5 days,” the update will be made available to all Model S worldwide.
teslarati.com, insideevs.com
Toyota EV for China: Spy shots emerged that show the all-electric Leahead i1 EV production version by the Guangzhou-Toyota joint venture. The electric car is based on Toyota’s Yaris and will be offered in China by the beginning of 2016.
carnewschina.com
Hybrid hypercar: PSC Motors released new images of its hybrid sports car SP-200 SIN to be launched next year (we reported). The Vegas company also conveyed the car’s power: impressive 2,400 hp. Production is limited to exclusive 35 units.
topspeed.com
i3-based autonomous concept: Rinspeed announced its plans to present the Budii at the Geneva Motor Show. Based on the i3, the Swiss study will drive all-electrically and autonomously, too. It features numerous screens, desktops and an information system which is said to turn the Budii into a “learning and proactive companion” for the driver, or better, the passenger.
worldcarfans.com
Tesla´s Gigafactory will take up production already in 2016, one year earlier than initially announced. This was stated in the latest ‘Shareholder Letter’ and has since been confirmed by a spokesperson for the Californian electric carmaker, quoted by Japanese Nikkei.
nikkei.com, files.shareholder.com (Shareholder Letter as pdf, p. 3)
Driverless in Dubai: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has commissioned a study on ‘autonomous cars’ which entails talks with various carmakers. If found technologically feasible, self-driving electric vehicles could become a mean of transport for the Expo 2020 in the desert state.
gulfnews.com, daijiworld.com
More hybrids to come: Lancer Automotive Group entered into a non-exclusive installation and distribution agreement with XL Hybrids. The former is to include XL Hybrids’ XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System line into its roster of alternative drivetrain technologies which also includes CNG, LPG and EVs.
greencarcongress.com
Most clicked link on Monday was Apple’s secret iCar project which is now all over the news.
wsj.com
New Rinspeed EV: The Swiss company released first details of its “Budii” concept which is set to debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The electric car will enable autonomous driving as well as conventional steering aided by a robot arm and is designed to “learn from experiences”.
worldcarfans.com
Volvo XC90 plug-in technology: Many of the XC90 T8’s powertrain features have been optimised specifically for hybrid technology. A choice of five drive modes goes from hybrid to pure electric to battery save mode while the AWD is on demand. The electric range is given with more than 40 km (25 miles).
greencarcongress.com, electriccarsreport.com, transportevolved.com
Connecting Canada with Japan: Canadian GaN Systems, a producer of gallium nitride based power switching semiconductors, has assigned Japanese Daito Electron (Daitron) to distribute its products in Japan and Korea. GaN is looking to expand its business in the automotive and industrial sectors.
compoundsemiconductor.net
Most clicked link on Monday was Donald Sadoway, Professor of Materials Chemistry at the MIT, saying that fuel cells are “a dead end technology and the manufacturers are foolishly wasting their time.”
forbes.com
Futuristic truck: Walmart revealed the WAVE or Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience which is the latest of its fleet efficiency programme. The aerodynamic truck seats its driver in a central position and carries a trailer completely made from carbon fibre. Powering the WAVE is a Capstone turbine engine coupled to an electric powertrain.
electriccarsreport.com, puregreencars.com
Rinspeed’s XchangE: The Swiss think tank will present a highly modified Tesla Model S at the Geneva Motor Show to showcase its vision of autonomous driving. The XchangE’s interior focuses on the passengers who will be able to face each other, surf the net and “park” the steering wheel in the centre of the dashboard to “steer by wire.” Rinspeed’s slogan: “Not even flying is better!”
technologicvehicles.com, globenewswire.com, youtube.com (Video)
Big savings for big trucks: Wrightspeed’s ‘Route system’ is a plug-in hybrid setup making use of a fuel-efficient microturbine engine. Ian Wright, Wrightspeed founder and former Tesla employee, is aiming to electrify lorries and heavy duty vehicles with his new powertrain.
hybridcars.com
VW for EV battery recycling: The German carmaker has signed a partnership agreement with the French Société Nouvelle d’Affinage des Métaux (SNAM). SNAM will be responsible for the collection, dismantling and reutilisation of used li-ion and NiMH batteries of electric vehicles according to EU directive 2006/66/EC.
greencarcongress.com
