In this Article
VinFast Begins Work on Triangle Factory
VinFast announced it has officially broken ground at its electric vehicle manufacturing site, located within the Triangle Innovation Point in Chatham County, North Carolina. The groundbreaking ceremony, which took place today at the site, marked a significant milestone toward VinFast’s global expansion and the company’s supply chain development in North America.
VinFast’s US factory project is the first electric vehicle manufacturing facility in North Carolina, as well as the largest economic development initiative in the state’s history.
Stellantis & Samsung to Make Batteries in Kokomo
,tellantis N.V. and Samsung SDI announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a second battery manufacturing facility in the United States, under the existing StarPlus Energy joint venture. Targeted to start production in 2027, the plant aims to have an initial annual production capacity of 34 gigawatt-hours (GWh).
In May 2022, Stellantis and Samsung SDI announced their commitment to build a first battery manufacturing facility in Kokomo, Indiana. Targeted to launch in the first quarter of 2025, the plant will have an annual production of 33 GWh, up from the initial target of 23 GWh.
“This new facility will contribute to reaching our aggressive target to offer at least 25 new battery-electric vehicles for the North American market by the end of the decade,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “We are continuing to add more capacity in the United States together with our great partner Samsung SDI and laying the next steps to reaching our carbon neutrality commitment by 2038.”
“By establishing the joint venture with Stellantis last year, we laid a solid groundwork for marking our presence in North America,” remarked Samsung SDI President and CEO Yoon-ho Choi. “The second plant will accelerate our market penetration into the U.S. and help Stellantis push forward the U.S. transition to an era of electric vehicles by supplying the products featuring the highest levels of safety and quality.”
As part of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, Stellantis announced plans of reaching 100% of passenger-car battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales mix in Europe and 50% of passenger car and light-duty truck BEV sales mix in the United States by 2030. To achieve these sales targets, the company is securing approximately 400 GWh of battery capacity. Stellantis is on track to become a carbon net zero corporation by 2038, all scopes included, with single-digit percentage compensation of remaining emissions.
The location of the new facility is currently under review and further details will be shared at a later date.
The transaction is subject to the execution of definitive documentation.
Phonenix PO for 13 E-Trucks for LAX NAFG
Phoenix Motor Inc. (Nasdaq: PEV) (“Company” or “Phoenix”), a leader in manufacturing of all-electric, medium-duty vehicles, announced a purchase order for thirteen all electric, zero-emission trucks to be deployed for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). The order was executed through National Auto Fleet Group (NAFG) and will include various battery configurations and Phoenix’s inverter package which offer AC power for tools, compressors and other auxiliary loads, powered straight from the high voltage DC batteries.
The 13 trucks will be built on the Ford E-450 chassis powered by Phoenix’s electric drive system and will serve LAWA’s maintenance department. The all electric, zero-emission trucks are funded, in part, by the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) program.
“By investing in the vehicles needed to support a fully electrified fleet, LAWA remains on the leading edge of sustainability and is laying the groundwork to achieve carbon neutrality from airport operations by 2045,” said Michael Christensen, Chief Operations and Maintenance Officer, LAWA. “This purchase helps to reduce our environmental impact, while also demonstrating our commitment to innovation and the future of transportation.”
The Phoenix vehicles will be equipped with 90-kWh and 140-kWh battery packs offering up to 115 and 150-mile ranges, respectively, and can be fully charged in a little over an hour with a 100-kW Level III charger. The trucks, compared to their equivalent fossil fueled alternatives, can reduce atmospheric emissions by ~61 tons per vehicle annually per vehicle, reduce maintenance costs by 75% and lower fuel costs by 80%.
“We are proud to be deploying yet another project at Los Angeles International Airport. With this order, LAWA is setting a new standard and making a bold statement to begin electrifying their maintenance fleet,” Phoenix’s CEO Denton Peng said. “Zero Emission is a reality we create everyday here at Phoenix Motorcars, and LAWA’s commitment to cleaning the air quality in Los Angeles is a testament to its responsibility and forward thinking.”
Phoenix has been the leader in medium duty electrification for over a decade. With 4 million all-electric miles driven on its zero emission drive systems, Phoenix has unparalleled experience and expertise helping public and private fleets successfully deploy and adopt electric vehicles into their fleets, cleaning the air quality and providing clean, quiet and safe zero emission transportation and mobility for their companies and communities.
“Phoenix Motorcars is proud of our commitment to sust
Enevate Partners with JR ES
Enevate, a U.S.-based, pioneering battery innovation company featuring extreme fast charge and high energy density battery technologies for electric vehicles (EVs) and other markets, and Korea’s JR Energy Solution (JR ES), a leader in the design of high-performance lithium-ion battery electrodes and cells, announced a joint plan to build a battery cell electrode manufacturing facility in the United States.
JR ES is a leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance lithium-ion battery electrodes with a unique electrode and battery cell foundry model, enabling lithium-ion cell manufacturers and other partners to produce tailor-made electrodes and cell solutions. JR ES has announced the initial groundbreaking for its first production facility in South Korea, which is planned to start initial production from Q4 of 2023.
Last month, Enevate announced that it had licensed its industry leading silicon-dominant XFC-Energy® battery technology to JR ES for future products and applications. This collaboration will now be expanded to include the joint construction of a battery cell electrode manufacturing facility in the U.S. Enevate and JR ES have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to work together on establishing a US manufacturing facility and have begun the process of identifying potential locations.
The facility will produce tailor-made lithium-ion battery cell electrodes, including anodes and cathodes, which will accelerate the market penetration of Enevate’s revolutionary battery fast charge technology for existing and new Enevate customers. The facility will also provide various electrode solutions for other customers including, but not limited to, graphite, silicon, LFP, NMC, NCMA and NCA, for different battery cell form factors such as pouch or cylindrical cells.
Customers will have the opportunity to develop electrodes and battery cells utilizing Enevate’s unique silicon-dominant XFC-Energy® anode battery technology, which delivers up to 10 times faster charging than conventional lithium-ion batteries with high energy densities and significantly improved cold-temperature performance for future applications such as electric two/three-wheelers or electric vehicles.
Moreover, the battery cell electrode foundry facility will enable customers to outsource parts of their production; speed up their development process; or order tailor-made electrodes to qualify their materials or production equipment, while having the benefit of receiving ultra-high-quality electrodes produced on state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment at mass production speed.
Enevate and JR ES are committed to providing commercial-scale domestic manufacturing capabilities to enable faster adoption of Enevate’s technology as well as to support sustainability, resilience, and equity in the U.S. Both companies are strongly focused on eliminating supply chain constraints to support the global energy industry and specially to assist the world in meeting its future climate goals.
“This collaboration with JR Energy Solution is great news for the whole battery industry in the U.S.,” said Enevate CEO Bob Kruse. “It will allow customers to get access to Enevate’s industry-leading silicon-dominant battery technology and to tap into JR ES’s knowledge and expertise in electrode and battery cell manufacturing.
“Moreover, it will enable customers to accelerate their development process or to outsource parts of their production capacity. I am convinced that this facility will play a key role in helping the U.S. battery industry to get even more competitive,” Kruse said.
The two companies said they are currently in the evaluation process for different potential locations for their joint production facility. The facility is currently planned to reach up to 6 GWh of annual paired electrode capacity (6 GWh anode + 6 GWh cathode) in different building stages.
“This is a huge milestone for JR ES to bring our unique expertise in electrode development and manufacturing to the U.S.,” said JR Energy Solution CEO Duke Oh. “It will also allow us to expand our electrode foundry model to the U.S. and to serve U.S.- based customers even better. We are thrilled to work together with Enevate as our partner and to have access to its revolutionary battery technology, which will be a key value proposition for many customers going forward.”
The ever-increasing demand for battery cell electrode production coupled with the need for high-speed innovation and development will make this joint manufacturing facility a very attractive solution for many battery manufacturers, OEMs, startups or material and equipment suppliers with a constant need for high quality battery cell electrodes. In addition, having access to the scaled-up production of Enevate’s fast charge technology will allow many customers to improve their products and applications going forward and to advance the U.S. battery industry even further.
Lectron Intros Level 1 & Level 2 EV Chargers
Lectron, a leading provider of home and portable electric vehicle (“EV”) charging solutions, introduces two new portable chargers: the Lectron Level 1 EV Charger and the Level 2 EV Charger. Addressing the surge in electric vehicle ownership and tackling limited infrastructure challenges, Lectron provides reliable and affordable products that meet the growing demand for EV charging.
“At Lectron, we are committed to delivering the highest quality charging solutions,” emphasizes Christopher Maiwald, Lectron Founder and CEO. “Our new chargers not only tackle range anxiety but also prioritize safety and affordability. We provide exceptional value and uncompromising quality for all EV owners.”
Through world-class manufacturing and relentless innovation, Lectron continues to offer the most affordable and safest high-performance portable EV chargers on the market.
Lectron Level 1 EV Charger: Simplifying Daily Commutes with Ease and Efficiency
The Lectron Level 1 EV Charger offers convenient and easy charging for daily commutes. With a charging speed of up to 1.65 kW and 15 Amps of current, it provides consistent and reliable charging. Designed with a NEMA 5-15 plug, it easily connects to standard 110V outlets. The portable and user-friendly design makes it perfect for on-the-go charging.
Lectron Level 2 EV Charger: Affordable and Lightning-Fast Charging
The Level 2 EV Charger accelerates the EV charging experience, providing an average of 32 miles of driving range per hour of charge*. Equipped with a charging speed of up to 9.6 kW and 40 Amps of current, the Level 2 charger delivers rapid and consistent charging power at the push of a button for EV owners with access to a NEMA 14-50 outlet. An ideal choice for EV owners who prioritize high-powered charging in their home garage.
Discover the Key Benefits of Lectron Level 1 and Level 2 Chargers:
Maximum Safety and Energy Efficiency
UL2594 compliant and ETL listed, ensuring user protection from overvoltage, overcurrent, and overheating. Lectron Level 1 and Level 2 chargers meet the highest industry standards for safety and energy efficiency, holding certifications from FCC and Energy Star.
Wide Compatibility and Seamless Connectivity
Effortlessly connect and charge with confidence and peace of mind. Lectron Level 1 and 2 chargers provide compatibility with all electric vehicles.
Built to last
IP65 weather resistance for optimal performance in challenging conditions, including dust and water protection. Tested for 10,000+ insertions and IK10 impact-testing provides enhanced durability.
Sleek and Compact Design
The chargers provide effortless portability and convenient storage for on-the-go charging. The user-friendly design allows for quick setup and hassle-free operation, making charging a breeze.
The new Lectron Level 1 and Level 2 EV Chargers are
Solar in TX from Vitesco & Big Sun Solar
The major solar project is being developed in Central Texas as a partnership between global automotive supplier Vitesco Technologies, San Antonio-based Big Sun Solar and the Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative (GVEC) and is believed to be one of the first three-party power purchase agreements in Texas.
Groundbreaking for the project began in late July and is expected to be completed and commissioned by the end of the 2023.
The solar project will be built on 12 acres adjacent to the Vitesco Technologies manufacturing facility in Seguin supporting the company’s role as a leading international supplier of modern drive systems and electrification solutions for sustainable mobility. Through the power purchase agreement, Big Sun Solar will build, own, and operate the solar project, and Vitesco Technologies will purchase from GVEC the electricity generated to offset its energy consumption.
The 2.6MWdc project will generate roughly 4,800 megawatt hours per year through 4,800 solar panels, which use trackers to follow the sun’s changing position throughout the day. That will meet about 13 percent of Vitesco Technologies’ annual energy consumption at the Seguin facility. This is enough energy to power 330 Texas homes (avg. 1,800 square feet) per year and to reduce emissions equivalent to removing nearly 600 cars from the road for a year.
“The Seguin facility is one of our largest manufacturing plants in the world and a key contributor to Vitesco Technologies’ ability to serve U.S. and global automakers with powertrain technology,” said Scott Williams, head of Operations for Vitesco Technologies North America. “Our collaboration with Big Sun Solar has led to a significant leap forward in allowing us to also meet our corporate environmental and sustainability targets. We believe sustainability to be an essential success factor for our future.”
By 2030, Vitesco Technologies wants to achieve climate neutrality for its entire production and internal business activities. The company has also set itself the ambitious goal of making its entire value chain climate neutral by 2040 at the latest. This also includes all business activities outside the company’s own processes – from the extraction of raw materials to the use of products.
“Converting the transportation sector to climate neutral solutions is daunting but also achievable. We’re proud and excited to work with companies such as Vitesco Technologies who are taking the lead,” said Big Sun Solar CEO Robert Miggins.
GVEC General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Darren Schauer commented, “GVEC is pleased to be a part of this inaugural collaboration with Vitesco Technologies and Big Sun Technologies. As a cooperative serving one of the largest manufacturing clusters in South Texas, we are committed to working with our commercial and industrial customers on creative solutions to meet their sustainability goals. This flexibility helps attract and retain prominent businesses such as Vitesco Technologies in our service area. We are proud to support this endeavor recognizing it will spur jobs, the local economy, and community resources well into the future.”
Vitesco Technologies, which has been an important part of Seguin’s economy for more than 50 years, manufactures state-of-the-art powertrain technologies for sustainable mobility. Its 1,700 employees represent roughly 5 percent of the Seguin population. This project marks the global company’s largest solar project in North America having initiated similar programs near its manufacturing locations in Mexico earlier this year.
Asahi Kasei Pre-Doped LiCs
Asahi Kasei has begun licensing of technology for the design and manufacture of lithium-ion capacitors (LiCs) based on its proprietary lithium pre-doping technology1.
The novel proprietary doping method enables LiCs to be manufactured at lower cost with generally available materials and equipment which are used for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries (LiBs), while enabling the design and manufacture of LiCs with increased capacity and improved input/output performance.
The licensing includes not only Asahi Kasei’s intellectual property related to LiC technology, but also technical expertise such as cell design and manufacturing with pilot equipment. By licensing its technology, Asahi Kasei expects to support licensees around the world to significantly reduce LiC development times and achieve low-cost LiC manufacture utilizing existing equipment.
Demand for energy storage devices is forecasted to continue rising due to the spread of electric mobility and increased use of renewable energy. The LiC is a next-generation energy storage device that uses the same material as an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) for the cathode and the same material used as an LiB for the anode. As LiCs have higher input/output characteristics than LiBs, they are suited to fields where instantaneous power is needed, and can be quickly recharged. Also featuring long cycle life and high safety, LiCs are expected to be used in mobility applications such as electric trams and buses which charge at each stop instead of using power from overhead lines.
In the growing field of energy storage systems (ESS) for renewable energy such as solar and wind, it is possible to extend the service life of LiBs by using LiCs in conjunction to reduce the LiB charge/discharge load. This is expected to reduce both running costs and environmental impact through less frequent replacement of LiBs, generating less waste.
The conventional LiC manufacturing process requires expensive materials for pre-doping, such as perforated foil and lithium metal foil. Furthermore, as lithium metal is highly reactive and hazardous, additional costs are incurred to maintain a safe working environment.
Asahi Kasei developed a low-cost pre-doping method using inexpensive lithium carbonate as the source of lithium ions, eliminating the need for expensive materials such as perforated foil and lithium metal foil. With this novel doping method, lithium carbonate is included in the cathode and pre-doping is performed at initial charging, when nearly all of the lithium carbonate decomposes and lithium ions transfer to the anode. This not only allows the manufacture of LiCs using materials and equipment similar to those used in the manufacture of LiBs, but also enables capacity and input/output performance to be raised by a factor of 1.3 or more (compared to Asahi Kasei’s conventional LiCs).
Asahi Kasei has already licensed this technology, and will continue offering it to other licensees in order to support further adoption and application development of the LiC as a next-generation energy storage device which contributes to the world’s sustainability.
1 Lithium ions are pre-doped in the anode, keeping the anode potential lower than the electrolytic solution potential, allowing a larger energy density due to improved withstand voltage and increased capacitance of the capacitor itself compared to conventional EDLC.
ZEISS ScanBox for eMotors
CAPTURE 3D, a ZEISS company and the leading provider of innovative 3D digitizing solutions in the U.S., announced the ZEISS ScanBox for eMotors— an automated 3D scanning solution for the fast and accurate inspection of complete electric motor hairpin-stator assemblies and multiple or individual hairpins. With an integrated ZEISS ATOS Q-EV blue light 3D scanning sensor, the ZEISS ScanBox for eMotors quickly captures high-resolution 3D measurement data from an electric motor hairpin assembly for rapid, reliable, and efficient dimensional inspection.
In the effort towards decarbonization within the automotive industry, ensuring effective quality assurance of these components is critical to performance and sustainability. Hairpin-stator assemblies from an electric motor consist of more than 100 integrated hairpins that must be inspected accurately to ensure maximum efficiency and functionality. These copper hairpins are shiny, coated, and flexible, causing deformation and presenting challenges for dimensional inspection. As a non-contact solution, ZEISS ScanBox for eMotors solves these combined challenges by quickly capturing complete, accurate measurement data from the assembly for alignment, GD&T, crown, twist, and radial analysis to support better decision-making and cost savings.
Fast and User-Friendly Automated 3D Inspection of Stators and Hairpins
From data acquisition to inspection and reporting, the ZEISS Quality Suite is the all-in-one software that operates the ZEISS ScanBox for eMotors. Users automatically program the solution with the Virtual Measuring Room (VMR) within the ZEISS Quality Suite. The VMR simulates the measuring environment, and the built-in Smart Teach function automatically determines the optimal sensor positions to execute the measurement plan. To increase repeatability, users can evaluate and compare all positions to previously imported CAD data or an offline reference model. Users activate the ZEISS ScanBox for eMotors by inserting the component, selecting the measuring program from the user-friendly Kiosk Interface, and pressing the start button.
Full-Surface Digitalization for a Geometric Digital Twin
The ZEISS ScanBox for eMotors collects millions of XYZ coordinates from electric motor stators and single or multiple hairpins without any prior surface treatment. The software uses that data to generate a complete geometric digital twin. This detailed 3D model enables the rapid and precise evaluation of the complex geometric elements that comprise these electric motor components by aligning with the nominal data from the CAD model using a common feature, such as the inner cylinder of the sheet metal package, a face, notch, or connecting hole. In addition to identifying deviations and defects, this nominal-actual comparison also reveals insights regarding process stability.
Iveco to Produce Heavy-Duty BEVs & E-Trucks
Iveco has announced that it will produce and market its Heavy-Duty Battery Electric Vehicles and the Heavy-Duty Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles under the Iveco brand. This follows last June’s communication by Iveco Group of the acquisition of the full and sole ownership of the German company resulting from the former joint venture Nikola Iveco Europe.
The Iveco HD BEV and FCEV feature an electric axle co-designed and produced by FPT Industrial, Iveco’s sister brand within Iveco Group specialized in powertrain, batteries supplied by Proterra, and fuel cell technology and key components by Bosch. These born-electric vehicles are based on the IVECO S-Way truck platform, which has been specifically redesigned to be capable of supporting both fuel cell and battery propulsion technology, thanks to a modular architecture.
The Iveco HD BEV has a range of up to 500 km. It features a total battery capacity of 738 kWh (9 packs) with charging power up to 350 kW, which enables hub-to-hub delivery missions, a wide range of regional applications, and even missions requiring extended mileage with charging opportunity during mandated driver stops. The Artic 4×2 configuration will be the first to enter the European market in the last quarter of 2023.
The Iveco HD FCEV boasts a range of up to 800 km. With a fast-refuelling time of under 20 minutes, it is the perfect solution for the long-haul mission in heavy commercial transportation. It can accommodate 70 kg of H2 usable energy at 700-bar pressure. Thanks to its higher mileage compared to an electric vehicle, it will be a real game changer in zero tailpipe emissions long-haulage missions. The first units of the Iveco HD FCEV will be delivered in France, Switzerland and Germany at end of 2023, as planned in the H2Haul European project co-financed by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership aimed at accelerating the deployment of hydrogen solutions in the commercial transport industry and enabling the large-scale fuel cell truck market in the coming years.
Both vehicles are produced in the manufacturing facility in Ulm, Iveco Group’s multi-brand site based in Germany. Vehicles will be marketed and assisted by the extensive Iveco dealer network which counts 254 dealers around Europe.