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HummingbirdEV & Keshi Electric Mining EVs
HummingbirdEV, a global provider of advanced commercial vehicle electrification systems, announced that 393 explosion-proof electric mining vehicles powered by its next-generation electric vehicle (EV) technologies under a licensing agreement with Keshi Group, the leading manufacturer and marketer of coal mining auxiliary transport technology and equipment, are currently in operation in various underground mines across China. This deployment milestone is the culmination of a seven-year partnership between HummingbirdEV and Keshi Group to build, certify, and deploy the first electric mining vehicles.
The first-of-their-kind electric mining vehicles have a payload capacity ranging between 16,000lbs to 30,000 lbs. They include HummingbirdEV’s 400v and 800v vehicle system integration platforms, vehicle management unit, battery management system, charging systems, bi-directional inverters, and battery systems accommodating up to 5C charging rates. The hardware parts have completed explosion-proof and safety standard certifications that are required for auxiliary transportation in coal mines. HummingbirdEV’s vertically integrated, software driven, and modular systems enabled Keshi Group to quickly adopt the technologies for different vehicle platforms. The type of vehicles ranges from inspection and command vehicles to passenger and material-hauling trucks, and more. The adaptability of HummingbirdEV’s systems also enabled Keshi Group to reliably manufacture vehicles on the same production lines at a fast pace and competitive cost. Mass production of explosion-proof electric mining vehicles began in 2019.
Star Charge Plant in Columbus Ohio
Star Charge, a global leader in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure with a proven track record of delivering up to 2 million EV chargers in more than 60 countries, is excited to announce the expansion of its manufacturing facility to the USA with the establishment of a new plant in Columbus, Ohio. The decision to set up in Central Ohio is driven by a favorable business environment, reasonable operational costs, a robust supply chain, and attractive government incentives. The plant is set to commence production in the first quarter of 2024.
This factory will see an initial production capacity of over 20,000 chargers annually, incorporating a range of AC, DC, and bi-directional chargers, spanning from 7kW to 480kW, particularly designed to meet the needs of various applications, including residential, school buses, commercial fleets, and public charging stations. The Ohio plant will manufacture NEVI (Next-Generation Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) ready DC fast chargers, including the Titan 150KW and Neptune split system models. Renowned for their over 97% efficiency and intelligent dynamic load management features, these chargers contribute to the operational efficiency of charging stations.
GM Hydrogen Fuel Cell for Komatsu Mining Trust
General Motors and Komatsu will co-develop a hydrogen fuel cell power module for Komatsu’s 930E electric drive mining truck, the world’s best-selling ultra-class haul truck. GM, a leader in hydrogen fuel cell technology, and Komatsu, a global manufacturer of mining and construction equipment, will jointly design and validate the technology.
Lightweight and quick to refuel, hydrogen fuel cells are ideal for electrifying applications traditionally powered by diesel engines. Hydrogen provides an effective method to package large quantities of energy onboard the vehicle, without compromising payload carrying capacity.
Additionally, fuel cells provide an excellent zero tailpipe emissions solution for vehicles with extreme hauling requirements, like the Komatsu 930E mining truck, with its nominal payload of 320 tons. These vehicles typically operate at a single mine throughout their life, which simplifies the challenges of sizing and deploying an effective hydrogen refueling infrastructure to service the vehicle fleet.
“At GM, we believe fuel cells can play an integral role in a zero-emissions future, helping to electrify heavier-duty applications, beyond passenger vehicles,” said Charlie Freese, executive director of GM’s Global HYDROTEC business. “Mining trucks are among the largest, most capable vehicles used in any industry, and we believe hydrogen fuel cells are best suited to deliver zero emissions propulsion to these demanding applications.”
Komatsu’s fuel cell-powered mining trucks will provide an additional pathway for decarbonization beyond battery-trolley or battery-static charging solutions, without the need for additional charging infrastructure within mines.
Komatsu has set a target of reducing its global emissions by 50% by 2030 and a challenge target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The plans for achieving these goals include reducing and eliminating emissions within the company’s product offerings, as well as in the company’s facilities and production of its products. Komatsu also works closely with its customers on reducing and eliminating emissions during product use through optimization programs supported by Komatsu technology and service solutions.
GM’s target is to be fully carbon neutral in both products and operations by 2040.
“Finding new ways to power the equipment our customers need to do the vital work of mining and construction is a critical part of our commitment to supporting a more sustainable future,” said Dan Funcannon, vice president of North America engineering and development for Komatsu. “This is essential work that requires cross-industry collaboration, and we are excited to be working with GM on this important solution for a haulage offering without tailpipe emissions.”
GM and Komatsu intend to test the first prototype HYDROTEC-powered mining vehicle in the mid-2020s at Komatsu’s Arizona Proving Grounds (AZPG) research and development facility. This vehicle will be powered by over 2 megawatts of HYDROTEC power cubes.
GM has been conducting fuel cell research and product development for more than 50 years and is one of the only companies with advanced, homegrown technology platforms for both lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. GM and Komatsu believe these complimentary technologies can help spur the adoption of lower-emission mobility solutions and help other industries beyond passenger vehicles meet their sustainability goals.
Uber Freight Charged by Greelane – Public Charging for HD BEVs
Uber Freight, a leading enterprise technology company powering intelligent logistics, and public electric commercial truck charging network service provider Greenlane, a $650 million joint venture between Daimler Truck North America, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC and BlackRock (through a fund managed by its Climate Infrastructure business), to announced a collaboration aiming to accelerate the development and installation of public charging infrastructure for Heavy Duty Battery Electric Vehicles (HD BEVs). This strategic collaboration will, in turn, accelerate the adoption and deployment of HD BEVs at scale and represents a critical step in determining how HD BEVs can operate and distribute goods as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.
Through this collaboration, Greenlane will leverage insights from Uber Freight’s logistics network, representing $18 billion in active Freight Under Management, to unlock critical learnings regarding the future development and installation of public charging stations on highways in North America. Uber Freight’s vast network data will augment Greenlane’s own data analysis to determine corridors that are prime candidates for early HD BEV deployment, charging infrastructure needs, and the addressability of shipping lanes for electrification. The two organizations will also explore leveraging Uber Freight’s marketplace technology to potentially create in-application charging appointment scheduling, surface Greenlane charging stations, fuel card discounts, and more directly to carriers.
In a recent survey conducted by Uber Freight and FreightWaves, 13% of U.S. shippers indicated that they are currently utilizing electric trucks, while 77% indicated that they are either considering them today or in the future. Moreover, Uber Freight found that shippers are willing to pay an extra $90 per load for green transportation using electric trucks or other renewable fuels.
Even so, a lack of publicly available, nationwide electric charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles persists as a barrier to increased HD BEV deployment by fleets. By combining Uber Freight’s network insights with Greenlane’s goal to build a nationwide charging network for commercial vehicles, the organizations enhance the ability to build public charging stations where they are most needed, which means fleets can confidently begin their transition towards zero emissions. Ultimately, this initiative helps the freight industry accelerate HD BEV adoption by addressing the unique challenges of sustainable logistics.
Greenlane has announced it will build its first charging corridors in Southern California, followed by the Texas Triangle and northeastern United States. In support, Uber Freight is unveiling a new whitepaper that exemplifies the types of data-driven insights Greenlane will consider as it explores where, and when, to install its charging and hydrogen fueling stations. Uber Freight utilized its own network data to better understand where charging stations are needed to meaningfully enable the deployment of HD BEVs and address sustainability challenges within the freight industry. Included in this analysis are findings regarding lane and region prioritization, facility enhancement recommendations for shippers, and more. Click here to download the research.
Nexteer 100 Million EPS
Nexteer Automotive announced its global production milestone of 100 million electric power steering (EPS) systems – a key technology enabling fuel efficiency and advanced safety and performance. Nexteer is a global leader of EPS – serving more than 60 customers around the world.
“Nexteer’s EPS systems provide advanced safety and performance along with precise, predictable feel of the road. In essence, EPS acts as the ‘heart’ of the vehicle’s personality and performance by giving the driver control and feel of the road,” said Robin Milavec, President, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and Executive Board Director, Nexteer Automotive. “As the number one EPS supplier in North America and number three globally, Nexteer’s growth has been fueled by our alignment to key megatrends like electrification and software, as well as our long-standing commitment to relentless innovation and experience as systems integrators.”
Nexteer’s EPS systems are currently featured in eight out of 10 full-size trucks in North America and two out of five small cars in Europe. The company’s EPS systems can be found on vehicles around the world such as the GMC Hummer EV, Ford F150 and F150 Lightning EV, Ford Bronco, RAM 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Peugeot 208, Jeep Avenger, Chevrolet Silverado, Cadillac Escalade, Zeekr 001 EV, BMW 1-Series, BYD Song Pro/Song Plus, GAC Aion S/Y, Chery Tiggo 8 PHEV and more.
About EPS
EPS uses an electric motor to assist driver steering. Hardware and software are developed concurrently and work seamlessly together to connect the driver with the road – accounting for driving dynamics and the operating environment. This “connection to the road” provides the
driver an experience consistent with the vehicle’s brand (such as luxury, sport, etc.), while also giving important safety cues regarding the type of road surface the driver is traveling on (such as icy, gravel, etc.).
EPS is also a key advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) feature enabler. EPS translates data from the vehicle’s electronic control unit (ECU) into precise mechanical steering functions. Many Nexteer EPS-enabled ADAS features are already on the road today such as park assist, lane keeping, lane departure warning, traffic jam assist and more.
Nexteer’s Complete Global EPS Portfolio
Nexteer offers a complete portfolio of EPS systems that can steer vehicles of all sizes – from small cars to heavy-duty trucks and light commercial vehicles. EPS solutions from Nexteer include Steer-by-Wire, Rack-Assist EPS (REPS), Dual Pinion-Assist EPS (DPEPS), Single Pinion-Assist EPS (SPEPS) and Column-Assist EPS (CEPS).
Nexteer also offers High Output, High Availability and Modular options for its EPS systems. High Output EPS increases the steering capabilities to allow heavier vehicles, like EVs, to take advantage of EPS’s advanced safety, comfort and fuel economy benefits. High Availability EPS ensures the steering safety net is always on through intelligently optimized software designed for simultaneous, multi-path processing and hardware redundancies. Modular EPS leverages a cost-effective, modular platform design with flexibility to meet OEMs’ wide-ranging requirements for advanced steering systems.
2023 Nexteer EPS Production Milestones
In addition to surpassing the 100 million EPS systems milestone globally, Nexteer also accomplished several local EPS production milestones, including:
- Saginaw, Mich., USA: 15 million REPS systems
- Querétaro, Mexico: 20 million EPS systems
- Tychy, Poland: 15 million CEPS systems
“Nexteer’s 2023 EPS production milestones are a testament to our team’s commitment to producing high-quality, safety-critical steering systems for our customers around the world,” said Milavec.
UL & Hyundai Mobis MOU
UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science, and Hyundai Mobis North America Electrified Powertrain LLC, an affiliate of Hyundai Mobis, a global auto parts company focusing on autonomous driving, connectivity, and electrification, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the safety and performance of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The relationship sets the stage to help increase confidence that safer, higher-performance EV batteries are entering the supply chain as EV adoption rises globally.
With this MOU, the two companies will collaborate in North America on evaluating EV battery performance, including validating for reliability, performance, and safety parameters, and testing to confirm regulatory compliance. This work will take place primarily at the UL Solutions North America Advanced Battery Laboratory, which is expected to open in mid-2024 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. In addition, Hyundai Mobis North America Electrified Powertrain has pledged to engage with UL Solutions in standards development working groups addressing EV safety and performance.
The number of U.S. electric school buses has more than doubled from March 2022 to June 2023. According to the World Resources Institute, the number of electric school buses operating or delivered in the United States rose from 598 in March 2022 to 1,285 in June 2023. The number of electric school buses that have been ordered or awarded funding nearly tripled in the same period. Forty-nine states had electric school bus commitments as of June 2023. There were nearly 450,000 school buses in the U.S. in 2023.
GreenPower Powers up Factory in WV & Nano Beast Deliveries
GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (NASDAQ: GP) (TSXV: GPV) (“GreenPower”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of purpose-built, all-electric, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus sector, today announced that the company has completed manufacturing of its first four all-electric, purpose-built school buses at its West Virginia facility. The Type A Nano BEAST school buses will roll out of the facility today and be delivered to Cabell County, Clay County, Kanawha County and Monongalia County school districts in West Virginia this week.
“Today marks a significant achievement for all-electric, purpose-built school bus production in the United States,” said GreenPower CEO Fraser Atkinson. “Less than 24 months ago GreenPower joined Governor Jim Justice in announcing our plans to manufacture school buses here in West Virginia to meet the demand for zero-emission school buses on the East Coast. Those plans have come to fruition with the manufacturing of the first four Nano BEAST school buses being completed at the South Charleston facility.”
GreenPower took possession of the 80,000-square-foot facility in August of 2022 and since that time has prepared for the production of both the Type A Nano BEAST and the Type D BEAST all-electric, purpose-built school buses. The Nano BEAST has been in production since June and production of the BEAST will begin Q1 of 2024.
“Setting up a new manufacturing facility for the production of all-electric, purpose-built school buses is not an easy task,” said GreenPower President Brendan Riley. “I am proud of the GreenPower team for reaching this milestone in the progression of our company. A local workforce being trained and educated by both GreenPower’s senior production staff and BridgeValley Community and Technical College has led us to the production of these first buses and will be the foundation for our long-term manufacturing presence here in the Mountain State.”
Atkinson noted that the completion of the first GreenPower all-electric school buses is as a result of an economic partnership with the state of West Virginia. “The state has played a critical role in reaching today’s rollout. From securing the manufacturing facility to the purchase of $15 million in GreenPower school buses, West Virginia has been the kind of partner that helps a company achieve its startup production and financial goals,” he continued.
“West Virginia is in a period of prosperity and growth, and we are fortunate to have GreenPower leading the way in our new energy and technology economy. I, for one, am honored GreenPower selected West Virginia for its eastern US all-electric school bus production facility and look forward to the growth and future success of the company in our state,” said Delegate Roger Hanshaw, Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates. “My goal is that today is only the beginning of what future GreenPower production and employment opportunities will look like in West Virginia.”
Today marks the first manufacturing of the Nano BEAST and Nano BEAST Access option from the South Charleston plant. The Nano BEAST is a Type A all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission school bus with seating for up to 24 students. The Nano BEAST Access option has seating for up to 18 ambulatory passengers and up to 3+ Q’STRAINT wheelchair securements, complemented with a BraunAbility rear curbside lift. Production process are in place at the facility to begin manufacturing of the BEAST, GreenPower’s all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission 40-foot Type D school bus that can seat up to 90 passengers. Featuring a modern monocoque design, the BEAST is the safest, most durable and reliable all-electric school bus available today. Its seamlessly integrated aluminum body and chassis design forms a composite structure which is the GreenPower Truss(T) factor. The newly announced Mega BEAST option with a 387 kWh battery and up to 300 miles of range will also be manufactured in West Virginia.
GreenPower announced the delivery of four all-electric, purpose-built Type A Nano BEAST school buses to Cabell, Clay, Monongalia and Kanawha counties in West Virginia. The deliveries followed the roll out of the first manufactured all-electric school buses from the company’s South Charleston manufacturing facility earlier this week.
Panasonic & Sila
Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., a Panasonic Group Company, and Sila, a next-generation battery materials company, today announced the signing of a commercial agreement for Sila’s high-performance nano-composite silicon anode, Titan SiliconTM. The high energy density battery from Panasonic is expected to enable automakers to deliver unmatched EV performance, dramatically increasing vehicle range and reducing charge times. Sila’s anode materials, to be produced in the company’s plant in Moses Lake, WA, will be optimized for Panasonic’s next-generation lithium-ion batteries.
Panasonic Energy is recognized as the global leader in advancing performance, innovation, and production of automotive batteries. To meet the rapidly growing demand for EVs, the company plans to increase global production capacity of automotive batteries to 200 GWh by FY30/31. The company has also announced its commitment to developing pioneering performance battery technology, by delivering increased volumetric energy density to 1000 Wh/L by FY30/31. By partnering with Sila to optimize the proven performance gains already achieved with Titan Silicon, Panasonic Energy will be able to take a major step toward achieving its goal of 1000 Wh/L.
“By integrating Sila’s groundbreaking battery material with our advanced cell manufacturing capabilities, we believe that we can address the concerns such as range anxiety and charging time and contribute to accelerating the adoption of EVs,” said Shoichiro Watanabe, Executive Vice President of Panasonic Energy.
“Panasonic is the world’s leading battery technology company, aggressively pushing the boundaries for performance and we look forward to optimizing Titan Silicon to help achieve these momentous goals,” said Gene Berdichevsky, Co-founder and CEO, Sila. “This partnership represents a significant milestone for Sila, our customers, and the industry at large, and will be key to accelerating consumer EV adoption.”
Sila was the first to bring next-generation anode materials to market with the launch of Titan Silicon in the WHOOP 4.0 in 2021. In 2022, the company was the first next-generation battery materials company to sign a supply agreement with a global auto manufacturer, Mercedes Benz. And today, Sila partners with the world’s leading cell manufacturer to redefine what’s possible for EV range and charge times.
Sila’s Titan Silicon is the first market-proven graphite anode replacement, engineered for mass scale and high performance, delivering a 20% increase in range today, with a development runway to double those gains. Sila’s nano-composite silicon also improves battery charging time with the aim to drive charge times down to a mere ten minutes. Titan Silicon generates substantially less CO2 per kWh than graphite during production and is U.S. manufactured, enabling automakers to meet requirements for the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits.