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Efficiency record for EV solar cell

Toshiba has developed a transparent solar cell that can be used to boost the charging of EVs (writes Nick Flaherty). The cell uses copper oxide and has an efficiency of 8.4%, the world’s highest level for such as cell. It would sit on top of a flexible silicon solar cell on the roof or trunk […]

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Manual EV gearbox simulator

Toyota has filed a series of patents in the US for simulating a manual gearbox in an EV (writes Nick Flaherty). The set of eight patents would have an impact on the design of the central motor controller, influencing the torque of the motor based on the operation of the accelerator and a ‘pseudo-clutch’ pedal. […]

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Maritime pack protection system

KULR has developed a passive propagation resistant (PPR) system to protect maritime battery packs against the risk of fire (writes Nick Flaherty). The US Coast Guard is launching new safety requirements for passenger vessels, and the PPR developed by KULR provides additional battery safety options for the cargo ships, fishing trawlers and cruise liners. A […]

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EV code looks to set station standard

Pionix in Germany has developed an open source software stack to address the fragmentation of EV charging infrastructure (writes Nick Flaherty). The EVerest software is a minimal Linux system that can run on any device, from chargers using a home socket to public DC charging. It uses a modular, customisable software stack that abstracts the […]

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Fast charge rate beats US targets

Amprius Technologies has demonstrated a charging rate of 6 minutes to 80% from 0% state of charge for its silicon-based batteries (writes Nick Flaherty). This exceeds the targets for 2025 set by the US government for charging a battery cell to 80% in less than 15 minutes. Using silicon nanowires avoids the problems of the […]

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Wireless BMS simplifies pack design

Visteon has launched a wireless BMS and added smart junction box technology to simplify battery pack designs (writes Nick Flaherty). The company has been involved in BMS development since the earliest days of EV production when it supported the 1998 Ford Ranger EV. The wireless BMS uses chips from Analog Devices to eliminate the traditional […]

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Lithium-air pack beats lithium-ion

Researchers in Japan have developed a lithium-air battery that has a far higher energy density than current lithium-ion batteries (writes Nick Flaherty). Lithium-air batteries have the potential to be the ultimate rechargeable packs, as they are lightweight and have high capacity, with theoretical energy densities of 3150 Wh/kg – several times that of the lithium-ion […]

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Conversion service for classic mini

Following a one-off project in 2018, BMW is now offering a service to convert the classic petrol-driven Mini to electric propulsion (writes Nick Flaherty). The original was launched in 1959, created during an oil crisis and based on the idea of saving fuel and transporting four occupants and their luggage in the smallest possible footprint. […]

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HV SiC MOSFET switch ships for EVs

Power Integrations (PI) has launched its first high-voltage switch chips for automotive battery packs that use a SiC MOSFET (writes Nick Flaherty). The package for the InnoSwitch3-AQ integrates a 1700 V SiC MOSFET for 800 and 1000 V battery packs where a 1200 V device would not be able to handle the peak voltage that […]

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Cool SiC inverters move

Researchers at the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have been working with heavy-duty equipment maker John Deere on a new thermal management system for SiC inverters (writes Nick Flaherty). Equipment such as trucks and construction machines account for 39% of greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, so there has been a focus on […]