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Five-seat taxi’s two world firsts

The world’s first five-seat, battery powered electric aircraft has taken its maiden flight (writes Nick Flaherty). A full-scale, full-weight prototype developed by Lilium, in Munich, Germany, has 36 all-electric ducted fan engines that allow it to take off and land vertically, and transition to and from horizontal flight. It has two fixed wings, one main wing at the...

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Bidirectional EV charger

Powertrain manufacturer TM4 has developed a compact bidirectional charger that provides battery charging functionality as well as auxiliary power supply during vehicle operation – using the same power electronic modules to supply a configurable voltage and frequency output to auxiliary devices (writes Lawrence Butcher). In charger mode, the TM4 BCI20 converts AC to DC to charge the electric vehicle’s battery. When a vehicle is in use, the unit becomes a...

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EV ‘fuel economy’ tested

The Automobile Association of America (AAA) has conducted primary research into understanding the effects of ambient temperatures on the range and equivalent fuel economy of five battery electric vehicles (writes Nick Flaherty). Testing was carried out at 20 F (-7 C), 75 F (24 C) and 95 F (35 C). For these temperatures, the effect of various HVAC systems on the battery range and equivalent fuel economy was...

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Top spot for anode material

Paraclete Energy, which makes high capacity, surface-modified silicon nanoparticles for use in battery applications, recently released its SMSilicon/3590, the highest capacity, cycle-stable, validated anode material yet brought to market. It is aimed at anode material companies as a graphite precursor, and lithium-ion battery manufacturers who want to...

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‘Hairpin’ ambition for motors

Researchers in Germany are developing new automated production techniques for electric motors for cars, whether they are powered by batteries or fuel cells (writes Nick Flaherty). The €1.2 million Plant Engineering for the Production of Stators by Hairpin Technology project brings together teams from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Fraunhofer Project Group for...

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Silicon anode breakthrough

Battery manufacturer Amprius claims it has perfected the application of silicon for lithium-ion anodes (writes Lawrence Butcher). Based on its proprietary silicon nanowire technology, it says it has demonstrated breakthrough performance in energy density and cycle life. Silicon anodes have much higher...

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Hybrid drive combo

KEB Automation has launched a modular, scalable combined drive and controller system for hybrid and electric vehicles (writes Lawrence Butcher). The Combivert T6 APD (Auxiliary Power Drives) can interface with any main power source, be that a diesel generator, fuel cells, battery packs or ...

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New-gen composites on show

Lightweight materials are a key element of the integrated engineering approach needed for EV vehicle development, as engineers strive to reduce vehicle weight in order to increase the effectiveness of the battery energy available (writes Lawrence Butcher). A new generation of materials developed by UK-based Alvant provide an interesting option for engineers...

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Bell flags up electric air cab

Bell Helicopter, part of Textron, has unveiled its design for an air taxi using a hybrid electric propulsion unit (writes Nick Flaherty). The Nexus, launched at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in January, uses six, 8 ft diameter ‘e-propellers’ that can be directed vertically or horizontally. It is based on Bell’s experience with...

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R-R saves battery life at sea

In the course of developing electric propulsion systems for a range of marine vehicles, Rolls-Royce has produced a new lithium-ion energy storage system called SAVe Energy (writes Rory Jackson). It was in development for 18 months before commencing certification by...