Techrules of China has already presented several electric car concepts with its TREV technology (Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle). Now the technology os approaching serial maturity and is to go into production by the end of this year.
Read more
Techrules has uncovered new uses for the turbine range extender it first applied to a hybrid hypercar. New cooperations with Chinese companies will see the TREV technology be used in transit trains, buses as well as electric vans.
Read more
Fuel cell REx by Magna: The Canadians have an electric van concept on the stand in Switzerland that uses fuel cells to extend the range. Magna’s FCREEV is based on the Mercedes Viano with a 30 kWh fuel cell stack coming from Proton Motor. The battery holds 16 kWh and serves for about 70 km of the total range of 350 km. The concept is not scheduled for production but serves Magna as mobile shop front rather. While the company said it sees “big potential” in the future, prices for both fuel cells and batteries are too high to be competitive at present.
autonews.com, magna.com (in German)
Techrules presents the production-ready Ren with turbine range extender in Geneva as promised previously. The sports car delivers up to 960 kW and has a range of 1,170 km, according to its Chinese creators. Production is to start by 2018 in a limited run of 96 track versions that can be ordered now. The Ren has a six e-motor set-up and offers three battery options (14kWh, 25kWh, and 32kWh) as well as two different turbines. The company plans to use tech components of this rather showy car that was designed in Italy in future models that could range from SUV to small city cars.
autocar.co.uk, electriccarsreport.com
Aston Martin Valkyrie is the name Aston Martin and Red Bull chose for their hybrid racer, that was known AM-RB 001 before Geneva. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler took the opportunity to open rivalries on the spot when he considered Audi’s very own hypercar.
carscoops.com, autocar.co.uk (Audi)
Hybrid digger by BMW: John Deere developed an excavator with the support of BMW’s subsidiary Designworks. Their concept is called Fixstern Backhoe and is currently on display at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG show in Las Vegas.
autoblog.com, bmwgroupdesignworks.com
- ADVERTISEMENT -
MAN trials e-trucks: Commercial vehicle maker MAN issued its roadmap to electrification. From November 2017, electric trucks will serve nine partners in Austria on a daily basis. If this real life trial is successful, a small series may be made in Steyr from late 2018. Furthermore, MAN plans to present a pre-series electric bus that shall go into production by the end of 2019. Full series production of electric trucks will then likely follow in early 2021.
man.eu
Turbine hyper EV to go serial: Chinese Techrules confirmed its turbine-recharged electric car (TREV) for Geneva and will this time show the production-ready version. The 768 kW GT 86 is said to have a 2,000 mile range thanks to its turbine Rex. Expect 25 units before the year’s end.
autocar.co.uk
Another electric supercar is headed for the Swiss show. All that is known of Elextra is its stated aim to make the 0 – 100 km in less than 3 sec and that it takes inspiration from “Italian supercars of the past.” Danish entrepreneur Poul Sohl and Swiss designer Robert Palm are looking for investors.
motor1.com, elextracars.com
EV tyre: It will be the first appearance of Sumitomo brand Falken in Geneva and they bring a tyre made for electric and race cars to the show. The Ecorun A-A will go on sale Europe later this year and makes use of Advanced 4D Nano Design.
tyrepress.com
Hyundai bets on EV market in the U.S.: Including the Ioniq, the South Korean brand wants to launch no less than 14 electric and hybrid models in the U.S. by 2020. According to CEO Dave Zuchowski, the plans include four BEVs and PHEVs each, as well as a fuel cell vehicle. Asked about President-elect Donald Trump, the Hyundai boss didn’t want to speculate on possible changes on the U.S. market.
autonews.com
China approves fifth EV start-up: Min’an is the first joint venture to get the government’s green light after China said this summer that all EV production must be approved. A first model is to hit the road in 2018. The company’s plant will start with a production capacity of 50,000 units per year, which will later be tripled.
shanghaidaily.com
EU funds electric bin lorry: As part of the LIFE programme, the EU Commission will invest around 223m euros in low-emission pilot projects. Part of the cash as been earmarked for electric mobility undertakings, such as a lorry bin with an electric and fuel cell drivetrain in Belgium.
europa.eu, europa.eu (all projects)
McLaren plans second hybrid hypercar: The hybrid GT codenamed BP23 was inspired by McLaren’s F1, though the three-seater is said to be more comfortable. Insiders believe the new hybrid addition will boast a total of 515 kW.
autocar.co.uk
Slovakia pushes EVs: The announced subsidies programme has now been finalised, and the government will grant buyers up to 5,000 euros for battery-electric and up to 3,000 euros for plug-in hybrid cars. A total of 5m euros have been earmarked for the scheme, which will not be extended once cash runs out.
cleantechnica.com, data.greenway.sk (funding details)
Supercar unveiling: Techrules announced the serial version of its GT96 supercar with turbine range-extender for the Geneva Motor Show next spring. The car is said to go 2,000 km on one charge. 25 units a year will roll off production lines from 2017. A street-legal and a track version are planned.
autocar.co.uk
Techrules plans serial production: The Chinese company wants to show the serial production version of its GT 96 in Geneva next year. The 768 kW EV with about 2,000 km of range was initially introduced at this year’s auto show (we reported). Until the final unveiling, Italian designers Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro are to finalise design and implementation.
carscoops.com
Looking for green transporters: The UK Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and Innovate UK have kicked off a 24m pound trial competition for low emission vehicles for cargo, logistics, utility and emergency response companies, as well as the technology and business cases. The application must be submitted before October 12th.
greencarcongress.com, lowcvp.org.uk
Autopilot restriction: According to electrek, the Tesla software update 8.0 will make the Autopilot safer and educated some users. Drivers who don’t take a hold of the steering wheel despite the system telling them to do so, will no longer be able to activate the function until the EV has come to a complete stop.
electrek.co
Autonomous Daimler bus: Russian Google opponent Yandex, truck manufacturer Kamanz, as well as researchers from NAMI and Daimler are working on a self-driving electric shuttle with a range of 200 km. It can fit up to 12 passengers and can be ordered via app. Their destination in the international market.
fortune.com
- ADVERTISEMENT -
Tech destination Europe: Chinese Techrules is looking to set up a production facility in the old world to build its promised TREV (Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle). While no European countries have been named yet, the company says it is working on a “shortlist.” Regardless of the final location, Techrules will launch the first supercar within the decade.
worldcarfans.com, carsifu.my
Gearing up lithium production: South Korean Posco predicts rapid growth in demand for lithium due to the surging EV market. The steel manufacturer thus hurries to finish its lithium production plant by September and not in December, as initially planned. Annual production capacity is 2,500 tons of lithium, enough for about 60,000 EVs.
pulsenews.co.kr
Joint e-drive development: German Groschopp presents a drive module developed within the ESKAM project, which stands for electric scalable axle drive modules. It is a joint initiative by seven German companies, three universities and a Fraunhofer Institute. The drive has no permanent magnets and develops up to 45 Nm.
elektrotechnik.vogel.de, emobilight.de (articles in German)
Nuclear transport: Autonomous electric shuttle buses now transport EDF employees around the nuclear power plant in French Civaux. The six electric buses by Navya Arma will operate a 3 minute schedule and are hoped to increase productivity considerably. If they are charged using “clean” energy is debatable.
lyonmag.com, navya.tech (articles in French)
Most clicked link on Monday was not yet another Tesla news, but that about a Chinese competitor. BAIC is building an electric supercar inspired by both the BMW i8 and the Californian EV maker.
autocar.co.uk
Technology rules: Chinese Techrules unveiled its Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle (TREV) in Geneva. Its hybrid system comprises six motors powered by a battery, which is in turn charged by a micro-turbine fuelled by liquid or gaseous fuel. Specs set peak power at 768 kW and top speed at 350 kph. All-electric range is estimated at 93 miles (150 km), while 80 litres of i.e. aviation kerosene extend range to an estimated 1,243 miles (2,000 km).
greencarcongress.com, autocar.co.uk, technologicvehicles.com
Modular electric drive: ZF presents an integrated electric axle motor. The modular approach makes it suitable for rear and front-wheel drives as well as electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. The asynchronous motor develops up to 150 kW and will be seen in action by 2018.
zf.com
Exhaust energy recovery: The Energy Heat Recovery System by Faurecia recovers otherwise lost exhaust energy for the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid. A gas or fluid heat exchanger is integrated in the exhaust line and transfers up to 3 kW of energy that is used to warm the engine and cabin.
faurecia.com
Super Truck II: The DoE is launching an 80m dollar funding opportunity. 12m dollars from the Super Truck II initiative are dedicated to plug-in powertrain technologies for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Bosch, Cummin and McLaren are to benefit.
greencarcongress.com, energy.gov
Mercedes with SK cells: Korean SK Innovation says it secured a contract to supply battery cells for Mercedes plug-in models from 2017. Other than it being a “large-scale project” involving multiple models, no more details have been revealed yet. Kia and BAIC are also customers of SK.
reuters.com, greencarcongress.com, koreatimes.co.kr
Turbine EV: Over 1,000 miles on one charge sounds impossible, but China-based Techrules claims that its electric racer can do just that. Power is given at 768 kW, reached with a turbine recharging system, whose inner workings are yet to be revealed. The super car concept is scheduled to debut in Geneva this spring.
autocar.co.uk, carscoops.com
Google search: The company hunts for a location for its new R&D centre. The facility will concentrate on autonomous driving technology, so it makes sense the internet firm is scouting Detroit, Michigan, rather than its native California. Google is looking for at least 30,000 sq feet for its lab.
autonews.com, autoblog.com
Hover boats: Paris is to trial autonomous electric boats hovering above the Seine. The Sea Bubbles derive their name from their encapsulated nature. Only four “marine wings” touch the water, while the boats float above much like a catamaran. With a speed of up to 18 kph they will take passengers, eventually without a captain on board. If testing is successful this summer, the water cabs could be launched by 2017.
inverse.com, thelocal.fr