Nuvera Fuel Cells, a US-based manufacturer of heavy-duty fuel cell systems, is now using BASF’s polyphthalamide (PPA) Ultramid Advanced N to manufacture several components in its latest generation of 45 kW fuel cell engines. The fuel cell engines will be integrated into transit buses and delivery vehicles in China over... Read more →

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is a central element of the digital transformation process at the BMW Group. The BMW Group already uses AI throughout the value chain to generate added value for customers, products, employees and processes. The BMW Group continues to follow global developments in terms of... Read more →

As part of the FC Komp funding project of the German government, which runs until 2021, Pierburg GmbH, a member of the Rheinmetall Group, is currently involved in the development of a highly integrated high-power fuel cell driveline. The automotive supplier is contributing an innovative hydrogen recirculation blower, the development... Read more →

Allison Transmission, the largest global manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions and a supplier of commercial vehicle propulsion solutions, including electric hybrid and fully electric propulsion systems, launched eGen Power, Allison’s new series of fully integrated electric axles. The eGen Power product family, previously referred to as AXE... Read more →

MAHLE Powertrain’s (MPT’s) latest development of its passive MAHLE Jet Ignition (MJI) technology (earlier post) can now be added into existing engine designs with only minimal changes to the final machining process. Continued work throughout the lockdown period means that passive MJI can now be installed as a press-in unit... Read more →

EIT InnoEnergy announced a €4.2-million A+ investment in Elaphe Propulsion Technologies Ltd. (Elaphe), a developer of electric in-wheel-drive technology for electric vehicles. The investment will serve as a springboard to secure further growth. Elaphe’s approach to the in-wheel powertrain system is a fully modular platform, combining the in-wheel powertrain with... Read more →

HUBER+SUHNER, a leading supplier of high voltage connectivity solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), unveiled its RADOX EV-C Multi-Core cable system which has been specifically engineered for use with auxiliary devices within Electric Vehicles (EVs). Designed with the growing trend of electrification in mind, the new EV-C Multi-Core cable system is... Read more →

A recent report from CE Delft, an independent research and consultancy organization, regarding the climate impact of Exhaust Gas Cleaning (EGC) systems for the marine industry. The study compares the results to the use of low-sulfur marine fuels and is made from a well-to-wake perspective in order to achieve an... Read more →

Tula Technology is presenting its diesel Dynamic Skip Fire (dDSF) technology (earlier post) at the 4th Future Diesel Powertrain Summit China 2020 on 24-25 September 2020 in Shanghai, China. In addition to providing an overview of dDSF technology, the presentation will address the Cummins-Tula 15L Heavy-Duty dDSF Project as well... Read more →

Power management company Eaton announced that its Twin Vortices Series (TVS) technology has proven to be an integral component in hydrogen fuel cell modules, which benefit from the precise air flow control offered by the TVS unit to operate at peak efficiency. The TVS fuel cell blower is electrically driven,... Read more →

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has added two test stands to its Exhaust Composition Transient Operation Laboratory — ECTO-Lab. This computer-controlled, multi-fueled burner system simulates engine exhaust conditions to conduct steady-state and transient evaluations, including the ability to age a wide range of emission control systems rapidly. The ECTO-Lab expansion includes... Read more →

By Randal Beattie, President, SAKOR Technologies Inc. Over the past decade, most transportation markets, from automotive, to military, aircraft, and even space systems have seen a tremendous surge of interest in hybrid and electric vehicle technology. To gain the promised efficiency benefits and green profile of these vehicles, it is... Read more →

General Motors announced that it will design, develop and manufacture a family of five interchangeable electric drive units and three motors, known collectively as “Ultium Drive.” GM said that Ultium Drive and its modular architecture will help it transition to a fully electric lineup, and provide significant advantages over GM’s... Read more →

Volvo Cars has introduced a world-first premium air quality technology in its cars, allowing Volvo drivers to breathe clean and healthy air inside their cars and clean the air of their cabin ahead of their journey. The company’s new Advanced Air Cleaner technology comes with a sensor that measures PM2.5... Read more →

Management and technology consultancy BearingPoint and battery analytics software provider TWAICE recently signed a long-term strategic partnership. Clients from the automotive, energy and insurance industry benefit from the combined expertise of the teams along the entire value chain: Users and operators of batteries in the automotive industry can develop new... Read more →

Vitesco Technologies, formerly (until September 2019) the Continental Powertrain Division, has started the market launch of its fully integrated electric axle drives (EMR3) for Dongfeng Passenger Car Corporation. For Vitesco Technologies this launch is yet another market success and milestone, following the start of production of the EMR3 electric drive... Read more →

MAHLE has developed two standardized air filter solutions for fuel cells. With to this new modular approach, MAHLE is able to significantly reduce development times and costs, with developers now having direct access to a fully developed off-the-shelf component instead of having to design individual solutions for each vehicle. The... Read more →

G+L innotec is an R&D service provider and concentrates on the development of the Media Gap Motor (MGM). The MGM is a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) with the special feature of a hermetically sealed system in which the stator inner diameter is oversized in relation to the rotor or... Read more →

Starting in the 2020/21 season, MAHLE will be a technical partner to DS TECHEETAH, the leading team in Formula E. MAHLE will use its many years of expertise in e-mobility to support the racing team while taking advantage of the rigors of the motorsports environment to gain a wealth of... Read more →

Power management company Eaton has introduced InfiniTrac, an electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated, variable-bias limited-slip differential that delivers optimized vehicle performance at any speed and traction condition. InfiniTrac provides a wide range of functionality for passenger vehicles. It operates as an open differential until needed, and then applies the necessary torque... Read more →

BorgWarner is building an Integrated Drive Module (iDM) for Ford’s new all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV. The iDM comes complete with a BorgWarner thermal-management system and gearbox integrated with a motor and power electronics from other suppliers, and showcases the company’s system integration expertise. The iDM comes complete with a BorgWarner... Read more →

Agility Fuel Solution, a leading global provider of clean fuel solutions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, introduced its new third-generation roof-mount compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system for Automated Side Loader, Rear End Loader and Front End Loader refuse collection vehicles. Agility introduced its roof-mount CNG fuel systems for... Read more →

On the heels of the C-V2X direct communications program launch last week in San Diego, Qualcomm announced the launch of a new C-V2X pilot program in Honolulu. Applied Information will exclusively implement C-V2X technologies developed by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., while working with the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and the... Read more →

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) and Germany-based Trailer Dynamics GmbH (Trailer Dynamics) signed a battery supply agreement for a new way to electrify long-haul trucks. According to the agreement, CATL will develop, manufacture, and supply batteries for the Newton eTrailer, which will launch in 2023 to promote sustainable road... Read more →

BluE Nexus Corporation (earlier post) and Toyota Motor Corporation will collaborate to prepare for the accelerated adoption of electrified vehicles by working together to increase their competitiveness in products related to electrification as well as to fortify their sales structure, including their technical support and services, among others, rendered to... Read more →

The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) will receive $2.7 million from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to develop and validate technology that will reduce the cost of manufacturing high-performance carbon fiber by 25% to make composite natural gas or hydrogen fuel tanks to power cars and trucks.... Read more →

Lucid Motors announced DreamDrive, its new advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS). The platform combines what Lucid calls the most comprehensive sensor suite on the market with an advanced driver monitoring system, all standard on the first versions of the Lucid Air EV, scheduled for delivery in early 2021. The DreamDrive technology... Read more →

BMW i Ventures has invested in GenXComm, a company with technology that improves the performance and capacity of communication networks, and which aims to increase significantly the speed of global 5G deployment. GenXComm is ushering in the next revolution of computing and connectivity. Autonomous systems, like self-driving cars, are essentially... Read more →

Hyundai Motor Group announced new technologies to improve the quality of air in vehicles and to create a more pleasant in-vehicle environment for customers. Recognizing the growing concern about air quality, the Group unveiled three new air-conditioning technologies: ‘After-Blow’, ‘Multi-Air Mode’, and ‘Fine Dust Indicator’. The technologies will be introduced... Read more →

Savari and Swift Navigation are partnering to foster and promote technology to improve position accuracy for V2X applications. Using Swift Navigation’s Skylark precise positioning service and Starling positioning engine, Savari’s V2X software stack will benefit from improved positioning accuracy, enhancing the reliability of V2X content. This capability of centimeter-accurate precision... Read more →

The market for software-intensive automotive electronic systems is expected to grow by some 15% annually between now and 2030. Bosch is now establishing a new division, Cross-Domain Computing Solutions. From the start of 2021, existing and new customers will receive electronics systems and the requisite software from a single source:... Read more →

BAE Systems has been awarded a $32-million prototype agreement by the US Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) to integrate a Hybrid Electric Drive (HED) system onto a Bradley Fighting Vehicle—a tracked vehicle. The development program is part of the Army’s effort to increase vehicle efficiency and boost... Read more →

Power management company Eaton said it is a key contributor and supporter of the National Zero-Emission Truck (ZET) Coalition’s newly issued priority federal recommendations. Eaton’s new 4-speed transmission for heavy-duty electric commercial vehicles is the latest addition to its growing eMobility portfolio of electrified vehicle (EV) transmissions. The ZET Coalition,... Read more →

An author partnership from MAHLE Powertrain in the US has been recognized for its work on pre-chamber ignition, presented at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers’ Internal Combustion Engines and Powertrain Systems conference in December 2019. Pre-chamber ignition has been investigated since the early 1900s as a technology which promotes rapid... Read more →

Rheinmetall Automotive AG, part of technology group Rheinmetall AG, has received a major order from an international OEM for electrical vacuum pumps. The order extends to a lifetime volume of €250 million. The components will be manufactured by Pierburg Huayu Pump Technology (PHP), a Shanghai-based joint venture company of Rheinmetall... Read more →

Ford has awarded TomTom a global multi-year deal to provide Ford’s next-generation SYNC with its real-time traffic service. The all-new 2021 Ford F-150 pickup and the soon to be delivered all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV are the first Ford vehicles available with the technology. TomTom Traffic provides accurate, real-time traffic information,... Read more →

The BMW Group has opened the Competence Center for E-Drive Production at its largest European manufacturing location in Dingolfing. Having produced electric powertrain components in Dingolfing since 2013, the BMW Group is now expanding its capacity significantly. Production of the highly integrated BMW e-drive—final assembly Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder and... Read more →

BASF is launching an engineering plastic that is particularly suited for automotive parts that come into contact with hot oil. The new polyethersulfone (PESU) Ultrason E0510 C2TR shows very good tribological properties, high oil resistance and excellent dimensional stability also with broad ranges of temperature fluctuations. The injection-molding grade with... Read more →

Mercedes-AMG is moving ahead with electrification through innovative developments while also benefiting from motorsport know-how. An electric exhaust gas turbocharger, which in future will be used for the first time in a series production model, is already in the final stages of development. Developed in partnership with Garrett Motion, this... Read more →

Henkel introduced Bergquist Gap Filler TGF 7000, its latest thermal interface material (TIM) innovation. The liquid TIM is a major formulation breakthrough, as it effectively marries high thermal conductivity of 7.0 W/mK with a maximum possible speed tested of 18 grams per second, a combination which is currently the only... Read more →

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation provided new details on their enhanced heat pump system, deployed in Hyundai and Kia’s global electric vehicle (EV) line-up to maximize their all-electric driving range in low temperatures. The technology was first introduced in 2014 on the first-generation Kia Soul EV. Hyundai and... Read more →

After more than two years of preparation, Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV) produced Toyota’s first hybrid transaxle in North America this previous week. An initial $113-million investment was announced in late 2017 for TMMWV to yearly produce 120,000 hybrid transaxles, which replaces the conventional transmission in hybrid vehicles. The... Read more →

Currently in final development stages, Nissan’s e-4ORCE all-wheel control technology for electric vehicles (earlier post) strikes a balance between performance and control—delivering excitement at the push of the accelerator while still ensuring comfort for everyone in the car. Managing power output and braking performance for maximum smoothness and stability, e-4ORCE... Read more →

ams, a leading worldwide supplier of high-performance sensor solutions, has introduced new position sensors that lower system cost and enhance electrification of safety-critical vehicle functions such as power steering, active damper control, and braking for safer, smarter, and greener cars. The two new position sensors bring new benefits and a... Read more →

Ricardo Inc., the North American operating arm of UK-based Ricardo plc and specialists in advanced propulsion, software and thermal management, signed an agreement to partner with Iowa-based Excel Engineering, which includes the sale of Ricardo’s Michigan engine testing and prototype facility. The agreement allows Ricardo, with offices in Detroit, Chicago,... Read more →

Agility Fuel Solutions (Agility), a leading global provider of clean fuel solutions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, introduced the new fifth-generation ProRail CNG fuel system. ProRail systems are installed on one or both sides of the vehicle’s frame rail. Gen5 ProRail installed on a Peterbilt 567. Since the ProRail... Read more →

EV platform company p and KYB Corporation (KYB), one of the world’s largest suppliers of suspensions, announced a strategic partnership to develop suspension capabilities for future electric vehicle (EV) platforms. Automotive Tier 1 supplier KYB’s semi-active and active suspension systems will boost REE’s next-generation EV platform, which delivers complete design... Read more →

Southwest Research Institute has launched a new automotive emissions aftertreatment catalyst testing facility, expanding the capacity and capabilities of its Universal Synthetic Gas Reactor (USGR) technology. These systems simulate real-world exhaust gas conditions to characterize catalyst performance quickly and accurately. The Catalyst Technology Center includes two new USGR systems, bringing... Read more →

High-tech mobility innovator Lightyear and Royal DSM will jointly scale the commercialization of Lightyear’s unique solar-powered roof for the electric vehicle market. With this solution, both companies aim to accelerate the global adoption of a broad range of Electric Vehicles (EVs). Specifically, the partnership aims to integrate solar-powered roofs in... Read more →

HUBER+SUHNER, a leading global supplier of electrical and optical connectivity solutions, launched the RADOX HPC500; a new addition to the RADOX high power charging portfolio. It is the world’s first cooled charging cable system that allows continuous charging at 500 Amperes even in high-temperature environments. The HPC500 cable and connecter... Read more →