OSVehicle introduces modular EV: Known for its open source platform Tabby, the company presents a self-driving EV called EDIT. Its modular design shall attract B2B clients (e.g. car sharing providers or delivery services) as the car is easily adaptable to different usage requirements. That also applies to the interior space with its autonomous driving tech reaching from level 1 to 5. charged.io, geekreply.com, osvehicle.com
Headless shuttle for heavy loads: Kamag introduced its E-Wiesel AGV pallet, an autonomous electric transporter that lacks a driver’s cab and thus can be loaded from both sides with up to 30 tonnes. Navigation is handled through sensor technology and loading and unloading is automated too. kamag.com
Hybrid power for heavy trucks: The Finnish companies Visedo and Sisu Auto developed a hybrid electric power system for the heavy road transport sector. The parallel hybrid drive relies on an electric motor as well as a diesel engine and shall provide up to 850kW and more than 5000Nm torque. visedo.com
Insights of Elektra-2: The SolarStratos project reported the maiden flight of its ultra-light solar aircraft two weeks ago and now has details. Weighing 420 kilo with a wing span of 25 metres, Elektra-2 uses technology from the DLR spin-off Elektra-Solar. It aims to fly 20 km high with a payload of up to 100 kg. dlr.de
Soaring with the sun: PC-Aeros now officially unveiled its SolarStratos (we reported), a 8.5 meters long plane that runs on solar-power and is fitted with a 32-kW electric drive and 20 kWh Li-ion battery. Adventurer Raphael Domjan wants to be the first to take a solar plane on a stratospheric flight. Take-off is scheduled for 2018. phys.org
Samsung SDI to supply Lucid Motors: The Korean electronics giant will supply battery cells for Lucid Motors’ first production EV, said to arrive in 2018. The two companies previously collaborated, saying they have develop the next-generation of cylindrical cells that “are able to exceed current performance benchmarks in areas such as energy density, power, calendar life and safety.” autocar.co.uk, forbes.com
Lithium factory in Chile? The country’s government is allegedly in talks with Chinese and Korean investors to harvest the Chile’s lithium reserves and build a 2bn dollar lithium factory in the north of the country. Initial production capacity of lithium-carbonate is estimated at 1,000 tons – but could grow to 10,000 tons by 2018. mining-journal.com
Bowling for the Gigafactory: Finnish harbour town Vaasa is considering throwing its hat in the ring to host the European Gigafactory. The town’s proximity to i.e. Europe’s richest lithium mines could definitely push it to the top of the list of possible locations. yle.fi
EPA pushes emission standards: In a rush to affirm the 2025 fleet emission standards of 54.5 mpg before Donald Trump takes office, the EPA decided to leave them in place. Carmakers had hoped for further negotiations until 2018. While the president could change the standards at a later date, it would neither be easy nor quick. insideevs.com, autonews.com, greencarcongress.com, epa.gov
Designers wanted at Tesla: It looks like the Model Y and other ideas are slowly taking shape. There are several jobs posted at the Tesla Design Centre in Hawthorne and while descriptions remain vague, interesting tasks lay ahead. Elon Musk only recently mused on the Model U for example. teslarati.com
Tesla made in India? Indian steel-to-power group JSW is to venture into electric cars next year. Government subsidies make the idea particularly attractive for the debt-laden company. There has been talk of Tesla technology but neither Tesla nor JSW would confirm any cooperation. reuters.com
To soar to the edge of space on solar power alone is the plan of Swiss Raphaël Domjan. The Solarstratos plane by PC-Aero is just 8.5 meters long and runs on a 32-kW electric drive and 20 kWh Li-ion battery. The hangar and aircraft will be presented next week with take-off set for 2018. newatlas.com, solarstratos.com
First drive Smart ForTwo: The electric 2017 mini Mercedes clearly is a European invention, Jeff Jablansky found out, when taking the city slicker to Miami. There, fuel is cheap, cars are large and roads are wide. Luckily, the little Smart ED convertible stood out and may make a great second car. greencarreports.com
Headless shuttle for heavy loads: Kamag introduced its E-Wiesel AGV pallet, an autonomous electric transporter that lacks a driver’s cab and thus can be loaded from both sides with up to 30 tonnes. Navigation is handled through sensor technology and loading and unloading is automated too.
Soaring with the sun: PC-Aeros now officially unveiled its SolarStratos (we 
Designers wanted at Tesla: It looks like the Model Y and other ideas are slowly taking shape. There are several jobs posted at the Tesla Design Centre in Hawthorne and while descriptions remain vague, interesting tasks lay ahead. Elon Musk only recently mused on the Model U for example.
