Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha are setting up a new company in Japan on 1 April with the energy company Eneos: Gachaco is to offer a sharing service for standardised exchangeable batteries of electric two wheelers and corresponding infrastructure.
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Yamaha is launching the new NEO’s electric scooter in the 2.5 kW power class in Europe at prices starting at 3,099 euros. Deliveries of the new NEO’s to European Yamaha dealers will begin in June 2022.
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Yamaha is expanding its portfolio of Gogoro-powered vehicles with the new EMF electric scooter. The Yamaha EMF joins the existing EC-05 that launched in 2019. Utilising Gogoro’s battery swapping platform, the EMF will launch on the market in Taiwan in March.
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Yamaha is developing a sound module for electric cars that imitates engine sounds. There is a choice of sounds from combustion engines or other sounds, such as a Star Wars theme. The idea to give electric vehicles other sounds is not new.
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Yamaha Motor has developed an electric motor with a maximum output of 350 kW. According to the Japanese company, this drive module can be used in “hyper EVs” and other high-performance applications.
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Honda, Yamaha, KTM and Piaggio have founded a ‘Swappable Batteries Consortium for Motorcycles and Light Electric Vehicles’. Starting in May, motorcycle makers want to define replaceable battery system standards for use in L-category vehicles.
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For model year 2021, Yamaha and Mahle have both introduced new e-bike drives. Both companies are following the trend towards smaller and lighter drives that are easier to integrate into the frame.
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Yamaha has reorganised the sales and service of its e-bike systems. Starting next month, Yamaha will service European customers of its e-bike systems directly from Europe.
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The government of Rwanda has announced that they will be issuing national policy guidelines to eliminate fossil-fuelled two-wheelers from its roads. This is part of a broader electrification strategy aimed at comprehensively decarbonizing the East African country’s transport sector.
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A start-up called City Transformer has developed an electric car designed to tackle two issues, congestion of both the air and streets in inner cities. Their two-seater “folds” at the push of a bottom, reducing the width to no more than a metre. The price too has been set humbly.
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Yamaha is taking their electric bike business further into new markets. A cooperation with Gogoro for Yamaha to use the firm’s battery swapping system in Taiwan is just in the making. Yamaha will add their design and marketing power. Moreover, they started selling pedelecs in the U.S. for the first time.
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Yamaha presents an electric off-road motorcycle designed to compete for the first time in the 2018 FIM Trial-E Cup at races in France and Belgium. Professional racer Kenichi Kuroyama will represent the Yamaha Factory Racing Team on the TY-E motorbike.
Read moreAlso Slovenia to ban combustion-powered cars: The next European government specifies a deadline for diesel- and petrol-powered vehicles: By 2030, Slovenia wants to limit registration permission to cars with CO2 emissions of less than 50 grams per kilometre – what currently just applies to EVs and PHEVs. Already by 2025, newly registered cars will have to stay under 100 grams of CO2 per kilometre. Simultaneously, the country’s EV charging infrastructure shall grow significantly – from currently 227 stations to 1,200 units in 2020, to 7,000 in 2025 and finally to 22,300 in 2030.
reuters.com, english.sta.si
Tesla cars to get more costly in Norway? The country’s government intends to partly cut its generous EV subsidies, according to media reports. The draft 2018 budget proposes modifications regarding the exemption from motor vehicle registration tax as well as revising discounts in taxation of company cars. The new rules would particularly affect EVs with more than two tonnes, thus mainly Tesla: Its Model X could soon cost 70,000 krones (approximately 7,500 euros) more. However, Norway’s minority government is dependent on other parties to realise its plans.
europe.autonews.com, vg.no (in Norwegian)
Pam Fletcher heads GM’s EV business: General Motors has chosen Pamela Fletcher to be in charge of the company’s worldwide EV portfolio. Her new position of vice president, Global Electric Vehicle Programs, has been newly created. Fletcher has a lot of experience in GM’s management units, most recently she was executive chief engineer for Electrified Vehicles and New Technologies. Just recently, General Motors introduced its electrification initiative that includes 20 EVs by 2023
greencarcongress.com, media.gm.com
Daihatsu presents electrified concept cars: The Japanese carmaker has published first pictures of several interesting concepts that it will put on display at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. While the DN Pro Cargo is an utility vehicle with an all-electric drivetrain, the compact SUV DN Trec and the DN Compagno are hybrid-powered. Especially the DN Compagno draws attention as it represents a reinterpretation of the Daihatsu Compagno, launched in 1963.
motor1.com
Yamaha’s EV spectrum: Electrified bikes, scooters, motorcycles and even a car concept – Yamaha will show a broad range of low-emission vehicles at the Tokyo Motor Show. Additionally, the Japanese manufacturer has announced a so-called Leaning Multi-Wheel (LMW), a mixture between a car and a motorcycle with electric drivetrain and additional range extender. Further details, also about the company’s car concept have not yet been provided.
global.yamaha-motor.com
Tesla recalls 11,000 Model X cars: Due to problems with the second-row seats, Tesla voluntarily recalls approximately 11,000 models produced between 28th of October 2016 and 16th of August 2017. According to the Californian EV maker, some cables are not correctly tightened, so that seats could move forward during a car accident. However, Tesla estimates that this problem occurs in just 3 percent of all recalled cases.
electrek.co, electriccarsreport.com
Dyson to build EVs by 2020: After months of rumours buzzing around, the vacuum cleaner manufacturer finally confirmed the plan to create an EV business unit, using its own solid state battery tech. Company founder Sir James Dyson says he wants to debut with an EV in 2020 and create a whole electric car range afterwards. The models would become “radical” different. Dyson intends to invest 2bn pounds – half to build the car itself, the other half to contribute advanced solid-state batteries. Currently, 400 employees are already involved in the EV project – among them also former Aston Martin manager.
autoexpress.co.uk, europe.autonews.com, autocar.co.uk
Details about JSW’s EV plans: India’s JSW Energy, a division of the Jindal Group, and the Gujarat government signed a MoU to set up a new EV factory in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district. By investing 40bn rupees (approximately 500m euros), the company plans to build there up to 200.000 cars annually as well as batteries, storage solutions and charging infrastructure. As reported, JSW has scheduled the launch of its first electric model for 2020.
business-standard.com, carwale.com, indianexpress.com
Toyota to produce hybrid powertrains in the U.S.: The Japanese carmaker intends to invest into five manufacturing plants in the States in order to build its first American-made hybrid powertrain. According to Toyota, the investment sum will accumulate to 373.8m U.S. dollars. The project is supposed to start this year and to be operational by 2020.
greencarcongress.com, pressroom.toyota.com
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www.evs30.org
Mitsubishi UK is introducing a scrappage scheme to encourage clients to hand in their old gas guzzlers (EU1 to EU4, registered before 2010) and buy a new Outlander PHEV. A new scrappage bonus of maximum 4000 pounds can be combined with the company’s plug-in car grant of 2,500 pounds, promising a total saving potential of 6,500 pounds.
electriccarsreport.com
OjO scooters with Ford genes: U.S. company OjO Electric has signed a licensing agreement with Ford to create six different electric Ford OjO Commuter Scooters, supposed to hit the U.S. stores in January. The scooters shall reach up to 40km range, a top speed of 32 km/h and draw visual inspiration from Ford vehicles while integrating OjOʼs design and tech.
wardsauto.com, insideevs.com
Solar EV made in Australia: Brisbane-based Clenergy TeamArrow has unveiled its Arrow STF model and claims it to be the first commercially available solar EV in the world. The sports coupe with two seats is covered by 5 squar metres of solar arrays with an efficiency level of up to 24.4 percent. The vehicle’s range shall differ between 300 to 400 km at highways and up to 1,000 km at city driving speed.
reneweconomy.com.au, statements.qld.gov.au, teamarrow.com.au
VW details EV plan for China: As previously announced, the carmaker has formed a joint venture with JAC for the Chinese market. According to China chief Jochem Heinzmann, first EVs will be affordable, be built on a JAC platform and will hit the road under a new brand. VW also wants to build EVs for China with partners SAIC and FAW – but not before 2020 or 2021 and based on its own MEB platform.
autonews.com
Changan chooses LG: The Chinese manufacturer wants to introduce no less than 27 new electric and plug-in hybrid models by 2025. The needed batteries will be produced in the LG Chem facility in Nanjing.
automobil-produktion.de (in German), ihssupplierinsight.com (paid content)
Two-wheeled alliance: Honda and Yamaha want to work together on the development and production of conventional, as well as all-electric scooters for the Japanese market. According to Nikkei, the latter will even sell its scooter production in Taiwan to its new partner.
nikkei.com
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Swedish EV draws investors: Uniti, the developer of Sweden’s first electric city car (we reported), kicked off a crowdfunding campaign yesterday. The goal was to raise 500,000 euros in return for about 5 percent of shares. At the time of writing, more than 82 percent of the targeted sum had already been reached.
fundedbyme.com
Luxembourg gets e-bus centre: Volvo Buses there opened its first competence centre outside of Sweden. The centre is to develop electric mobility projects for cities and work closely with universities, government and transportation companies.
corporatenews.lu
Bosch strengthens e-mobility branch: Harald Kröger, who had been working as head of development for electric mobility and electronics at Daimler, will join Bosch come February 1st, where he will head the automotive electronics branch.
wiwo.de (in German)
Tesla fast lane: As Model X deliveries increased, so have the service requests. As a reaction, Tesla introduced fast lanes at service centres to prioritise minor problems. For further deescalation, Tesla president Jon McNeil and team offer to take very urgent requests themselves via the blog.
electrek.co, teslamotorsclub.com
eMTB motor by Yamaha: The PW-X e-bike drive is specifically designed for electric mountain bikes. Based on the 2016 PW, the new system is lighter, smaller, and features a 500 Wh battery plus an additional power mode. The HMI as seen in a Haibike is neater with the display integrated into the stem.
fullycharged.com
Tough love: Consumer Reports is asking Tesla to disable hands-free operation of the Autopilot and to come up with a new name. The organisation deems the feature dangerous and its branding misleading. Tesla denies that but vows to improve both functionality as well as consumer education.
consumerreports.org, electriccarsreport.com, insideevs.com
More range for i3: BMW now offers a battery upgrade for its electric car. In Germany, the new power pack with 33.2 kWh (94 Ah cells) will cost owners 7,000 euros when turning in the old pack. While it will hit in other European markets like the UK, it is not scheduled to come to the States.
insideevs.com
BMW i3 first drive: Despite being a veteran automotive journalist, it was Arthur St. Antoine’s first time in a BMW i3. Not a virgin to electric rides – Antoine is an i8 fan – the i3 REx “pulverised” his expectations. After one week with the crude cutie, he concludes the i3 to be “a total charmer.”
automobilemag.com
Rare-earth free motors: Honda and Daido Steel have developed a neodymium magnet for the motor of its hybrid vehicles, for which it will not need heavy rare-earth minerals. The Honda Freed will be the first to feature the new technology when it hits the road this autumn.
bloomberg.com, greencarcongress.com, honda.com
Self-driving electric boat: Yamaha has developed an autonomous electric vessel called BREEZE10. The 0.5 kW electric motor is powered by a 20 AH Li-ion battery that also supports the 1.6 kW onboard generator. That way, the ship can set out on its own for up to six hours.
gizmag.com, yamaha-motor.com
Almost there: The Solar Impulse 2 is set to land in Cairo today after a 50-hour flight from Seville. It is the solar-powered plane’s second to last leg before finishing its circumvention of the globe.
electricvehiclesresearch.com, solarimpulse.com
XL Hybrids qualifies for HVIP: In California, fleets that use GE vans equipped with a XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System now qualify for 2,500 dollar voucher under the Heavy Duty Voucher Incentive Project (HIVP). XL Hybrids offers conversions of the General Motors 2500 and 3500 vans.
greencarcongress.com
Reading tip: Over 300 riders in Orange County, California, showed up in an attempt to break the world record for longest electric bike parade. The event was organized by Pedego Electric Bikes, and the videos are on their way to Guinness World Record headquarters.
ocregister.com
Click tip: Yamaha unveiled two new electric concepts for short-distance travel. The 05GEN is a three-wheeled electric assist vehicle that pedals much like a bicycle. The o6GEN is a four-wheel vehicle similar to a golf cart and designed to feel like an open veranda.
slashgear.com, gizmag.com
Yamaha unveils electric concepts: Yamaha has revealed a series of new concepts which will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. On the electric side, there’s going to be the PES2 sportbike and the PED2 dirt bike as well as the YPJ-MTB, an electrically assisted mountain bike. Yamaha also announced a new concept car, but there is no word yet on whether it will feature an electric drivetrain.
gizmag.com, yamaha-motor.com
New EV from Japan: Nissan, Mitsubishi, and their joint venture NMKV have reached an agreement to continue their work on next-gen minicars. In addition, planning and development of a minicar EV is in progress through the collaboration, further details of which will be made available at a later time.
greencarcongress.com, mitsubishi-motors.com
New BMW hybrids on the horizon: BMW’s upcoming plug-in hybrid variant of the X1 has been spotted testing for the first time. According to German Auto Bild, BMW will add another SUV to its lineup: The BMW X2 is set to launch in 2018 and could share the X1’s underpinnings including the PHEV drivetrain.
autocar.co.uk (X1), autobild.de (X2, in German)
BYD to expand PHEV lineup: BYD has launched its new SUV Song on the Chinese market. A plug-in hybrid version featuring a turbocharged 1.5 liter petrol engine mated to two electric motors will follow in early 2016 and is expected to be priced at 280.000 yuan (around 44,000 USD) without subsidies.
carnewschina.com, byd.com
Saab 9-3 licensed to Turkey: Turkey has purchased the intellectual property rights of the Saab 9-3 from National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) in order to use the model as the basis of its new national car project. According to Science, Industry and Technology Minister Fikri Işık, Turkey’s main aim is to develop extended-range electric cars and to sell them under a Turkish brand.
hurriyetdailynews.com, dailysabah.com
2016 Prius c unveiled: The smallest of Toyota’s eight hybrid models has been updated including the addition of the Safety Sense-C system which equips the hybrid car with an array of driver-assist technologies. There will also be a new Persona Series special edition which will be limited to 1,500 units.
worldcarfans.com, greencarcongress.com
New player on EU market? According to Nikkei, motorcycle manufacturer Yamaha wants to get into the car business. The company aims to start making and selling two-seater commuter cars in Europe as early as 2019 and plans to offer them in both gasoline and electric versions. At the 2013 Tokyo auto show, Yamaha had already presented an all-electric city car concept named Motiv.e.
nikkei.com, wsj.com, europe.autonews.com
Beijing favours plug-ins: The Chinese city cut its licence quota for newly registered petrol-driven cars from 19,066 to 17,600 this year. Meanwhile, the license quota for new energy vehicles, meaning electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, gets doubled – from 10,000 last year to 20,000 in 2015.
cleantechnica.com, renewables.seenews.com
Peugeot follows suit: After Citroën announced a facelift for its Berlingo a few days back, Peugeot announced the same cosmetic changes for its sister model, the Partner. While the petrol and diesel engines will log better fuel efficiency, the 49 electric motor of the Partner Electric will remain unchanged.
worldcarfans.com (with video)
Kia e-bike in Geneva: The Japanese manufacturer will unveil its K-Velo EV at the Geneva motor show. The pedelec will be available as a city and mountain bike variant, each powered by a 250 kW Bosch electric motor and a 10 amp lithium-ion polymer battery pack.
autoevolution.com, worldcarfans.com
BMW i8 named car of the year: The BMW i8 has been announced as the overall winner of the 2015 UK Car of the Year award, judged by a panel of 27 of British motoring journalists. BMW’s plug-in hybrid sports car also won the title of Performance Car of the Year.
hybridcars.com, autoblog.com, express.co.uk
BMW i in emerging markets: BMW has officially launched its electric i-series in China last weekend. Prices for the i3 start at 449,000 yuan (about 73,000 dollars) while the PHEV i8 will be offered “under two million yuan,” the carmaker said. Seven stores in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Shenyang have been selected. Furthermore, sales of the BMW i3 REx have started in eight Brazilian metropolis.
wsj.com (China), just-auto.com (Brazil)
“All good news”: Says Designer Gordon Murray as he is getting positive messages from Yamaha. Murray co-developed the electric city car Motiv.e (we reported) which is apparently making good progress. There will be an “important announcement” before this year’s end, he said – probably it will be the start of production.
autocar.co.uk
Mitsubishi (fully) electric in Paris: The Japanese will not only show the Outlander PHEV Concept-S at the Motor Show (we reported) but will also present a rallye version of the plug-in SUV. Furthermore, the plug-in study XR-PHEV will be on display next to the ‘Electric Vehicle.’
insideevs.com (new images Outlander PHEV), mitsubishi-motors.com
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Toyota shows images of its C-HR concept which is to debut at the Paris Motor Show (we reported). The hybrid crossover coupe looks pretty dynamic and will definitely feature a hybrid power train. However, specifications remain yet to be published.
autoblog.com, thegreencarwebsite.co.uk
Trike to the rescue: Dutch manufacturer Trikke now presented its three-wheeled electric scooter for security firms. The ‘Trikke EV6 Security’ is light (22 kg), foldable, throttle-controlled to up to 25 kph, and just recently received the TÜV approval for use on German roads.
trikke-europe.com
Light-weight EV from Turkey: A team from Istanbul University have built an electric car. The ‘T-1’ is said to have a range of 500 kilometres while weighing only half a ton. As the four-seater won a competition by Turkey’s scientific and technological center TÜBITAK, the championing EV is now touring the country.
dailysabah.com, worldbulletin.net
Autonomous Humpty Dumpty: GM will present its podcar concept called Chevrolet EN-V (Electric Networked-Vehicle) at the ITS World Congress in Detroit. Version 2.0 of the egg-like vehicle has an all-wheel drive and features cameras as well as laser sensors for semi-autonomous driving.
gm.com
Yamaha to lean in there: The Japanese company has filed patents for an electric trike in both Europe and the United States. The scooter has two rear wheels and an electric motor in each. Its front however, closely resembles the existing Yamaha EC-03 electric scooter.
visordown.com
Collaboration extended: Williams Advanced Engineering and Li-ion battery maker XALT Energy, which both work with the Formula E, will widen their cooperation. A new agreement will see them reach into applications beyond motor sport and makes XALT an official Williams partner.
greencarcongress.com, williamsf1.com
3-D printed electric car: Local Motors says it will print out and assemble its ‘Strati’ at the International Manufacturing Technology Show that started yesterday. While the vehicle will come out out the printer in one piece, components like the battery, wiring, or the motor are sourced by suppliers and also taken form the Renault Twizy.
venturebeat.com
Most clicked link on Monday was McKinsey’s latest Electric Vehicle Index looking at worldwide EV sales and production activities.
mckinsey.de (in German)
Volvo turns it up: The Swedish carmaker will increase production at its Gothenburg facility from currently 200,000 to 300,000 units a year due to the introduction of the XC90 which will also be offered as plug-in hybrid and fully electric at some point (we reported). Furthermore, Volvo introduced the V60 PHEV as sporty R-design version to be launched in August this year.
wsj.com, volvocars.com (production), greencarcongress.com (R-design)
Subaru might bring back electric: Due to tightening rules for carbon emissions in the USA as of 2018, Subaru is considering to bring back plug-ins. If the models will be fully electric or hybrid has not been specified so far.
leftlanenews.com, just-auto.com
Cash on the hood: Toyota’s RAV4 EV is having a hard time in California to compete with lower priced or better EVs. To meet its sales target of 2,600 units, the Japanese have come up with a special deal. Until 5th May, lease drivers will get incentives of up to 16,500 dollars. Buyers however, only get 2,500 dollars.
greencarreports.com, transportevolved.com
Tesla is hiring workers for a new site in Lathrop, California. The carmaker has been granted building permits to modify a former Chrysler facility it has leased. So far Tesla is not giving any details on what this site will be for but is currently looking for 32 professionals.
bloomberg.com
Electric Yamahas: Presented in Tokyo as concepts, Yamaha now wants to build its PES1 and PED1. Production is set to start in 2016 but no details on the specifications have yet emerged.
visordown.com, autoblog.com
Moonlight charging: Rawlemon from Barcelona, Spain, has designed a round, compact concentrator for sun and even moon rays. While the ‘Beta.ey’ is currently a small scale phone charger, it could soon be used to charge EVs. The crowdfunding campaign only ends in a week but has already collected more than the initial 124,000 dollars.
indiegogo.com (Campaign), periscopepost.com
New testing centre: Drive System Design (DSD) has opened a new testing facility for transmissions and drivetrains in Southam, UK. The new centre comes with workshops and equipment to test mechanical parts but also features two environmental chambers.
theengineer.co.uk
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Details about Motiv.e: At the Tokyo Motor Show 2013, Yamaha presented an electric city car concept. Its motor is a design by Zytek, a subsidiary of Continental, and weighs only 13 kilos while providing up to 25 kW. The lightweight Motiv.e is said to have a range of up to 100 kilometres.
greencarcongress.com
Print an electric car: This September, Local Motors will present the first 3-D printed production EV at IMTS in Chicago. Its first customer is the Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and the electric car will be “manufactured” at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
hybridcars.com