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Interface for standard EV chargers

Delta-Q Technologies has launched a standards-based vehicle charge interface module (VCIM) for AC charging stations (writes Nick Flaherty). The hardware works with Delta-Q’s recently released stackable charging system (SCS) to include compatibility with standard EV supply equipment (EVSE). The module manages the AC current limits in the EVSE and communicates that data to the ‘master’ charger of the...

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E-bike from Nepal uses Ion cloud

Battery management technology developer Ion Energy is working with Yatri Motorcycles in Nepal on an electric motorbike design (writes Nick Flaherty). The bike, called Project Zero, is built from carbon fibre and uses a 30 kW motor running off a 6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that provides a range of 230 km (150 miles) from...

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Schottky diodes start to motor

Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) operating at 200 V and with low leakage current are being increasingly used for hybrid and full electric powertrains and inverters (writes Nick Flaherty). There is currently a strong effort towards mechanical integration in 48 V hybrid drive systems, by combining the motor and peripheral circuits...

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Fifth-gen cell voltage monitors

Smart Test Solutions has launched its fifth generation of cell voltage monitoring (CVM) systems for fuel cells, batteries and electrolysis for hydrogen generation (writes Nick Flaherty). This latest version has an extended temperature range of up to 105 C, up from the previous 85 C. The power supply range has also been extended. Instead of using a 5 V supply...

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Gear IC has traction

Allegro Microsystems has launched the industry’s first gear-tooth sensor IC to provide incremental position data for traction motors (writes Nick Flaherty). The ATS17501 provides high-speed switching up to 40 kHz to directly measure rotating ferrous gears up to 30,000 rpm, and provides an incremental encoded output...

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Wheel motor test platform

Nissan has developed a test vehicle to evaluate the use of electric motors on each wheel (writes Nick Flaherty). It is based on the Leaf e+ platform, with front and rear motors and what Nissan calls a new chassis control system. New control technology being developed by the company integrates its electric propulsion and four-wheeldrive control technologies...

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Going everywhere for testing

BorgWarner has converted an Aerial Nomad all-terrain vehicle to all electric operation to test its electric motor technologies and other electric components from suppliers at the system level (writes Nick Flaherty). It is the first high-voltage, all-electric demonstration vehicle to be developed by the company’s Corporate Advanced Engineering group. The new technologies in the test platform include traction inverters...

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Cloud control for e-bus systems

Siemens has launched a cloud-oriented charging system for commercial vehicles that supports power levels from 50 to 600 kW (writes Nick Flaherty). The Sicharge UC family is intended for charging electric buses and utility vehicles at the depot and en route using charging plugs and offboard or onboard pantographs. The 1000 V system works with applications...

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No contact with CAN monitor

Hioki has extended its non-contact voltage test technology to allow developers to monitor CAN bus networks (writes Nick Flaherty). The SP7001/7002 CAN sensors can detect the CAN fl exible data (CAN FD) rate that supports higher rates than the earlier CAN standard, as well as CAN...

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Onboard charger gives it 300%

Finepower has developed an onboard charger based on gallium nitride which, at 3 kW/litre, exceeds the power density of conventional chargers by 300% (writes Nick Flaherty). The water-cooled charger measures 210 x 50 x 60 mm without the housing, and converts input voltages from 85 to 264 V AC, with a maximum power of...