The California Energy Commission has given provisional approval to help fund the Project Portal hydrogen project at the LA and Long Beach terminals While Tesla works quietly on its electric Semi, down the coast Toyota has its plans for a hydrogen-powered version for drayage operations. Dubbed Project Portal, Toyota is …
Read More »First shipment leaves Panasonic’s Dalian factory
Production of prismatic li-ion cells is now underway at Panasonic’s Dalian facility, as the company looks to support output from its US and Chinese sites Panasonic has begun production of prismatic li-ion batteries in earnest at its new factory in Dalian, China, with the first shipment of cells having left …
Read More »Japan H2 Mobility to build 80 H2 stations by 2022
11 Japanese companies have joined forces to help accelerate the deployment of hydrogen (H2) stations for fuel cell vehicles (FCV) in Japan, pledging to build 80 H2 stations by 2022 Eleven companies have announced the joint establishment of “Japan H2 Mobility” (JHyM), aimed at eoxnaidng the provision and development of …
Read More »Toyota develops new motor magnet using less neodymium
Toyota aims to reduce the use of expensive and potentially unsustainable rare-earth materials in its motors, and finds success with a new neodymium magnet design It’s not just lithium supplies that are crucial to EV development. Rare-earth minerals like neodymium and dysprosium are required for motors and other key components, …
Read More »Suzuki’s Indian unit to make affordable EV
Maruti Suzuki managing director discusses plan develop affordable compact EV in India – outside of the company’s existing partnership with Toyota India’s largest automaker Maruti Suzuki will start making an affordable electric vehicle (EV) by 2020, reports newspaper the Economic Times. The EV will be based initially on technology from Japan’s …
Read More »Toyota aims for 5.5 million EV sales by 2030
Every Lexus and Toyota model to have an electrified or all-electric option by around 2025 Following several years of an at best lukewarm strategy on battery EVs, Toyota has been on something of an offensive of late. In addition to its fuel cell-powered Project Portal truck, last week the company …
Read More »Toyota, Panasonic team up on prismatic batteries
The two Japanese firms have announced an agreement to conduct a feasibility study on prismatic battery technology for automotive use While Tesla routinely makes headlines for its ingenuity in battery pack assembly and EV manufacture, lesser mention is sometimes given to the Panasonic cells that power them. In the case …
Read More »BMW looks worldwide for Mini EV partners
BMW looks across the world for Mini EV partners, with hints that the whole brand could be electrified in future BMW AG is reportedly in talks with other car manufacturers “around the world” to try to find partners to lower the cost of making its Mini cars electric. A member …
Read More »Toyota to build Tri-Gen plant for power, hydrogen in Long Beach
Combined electricity and hydrogen Tri-Gen plant will supply Project Portal truck and Mirai FCEVs with fuel Undeterred in its commitment to hydrogen technology, Toyota recently announced that it had begun trialling Project Portal – a class 8 truck powered by a hydrogen fuel cell – at the Port of Los …
Read More »“Expensive” battery EVs not a fit for Toyota, says chairman
Current battery technology and expense means EVs are not ready for mass production, Toyota’s chairman said in an interview Electric cars are not yet ready for the mainstream, the chairman of Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp told Der Spiegel. “Battery-powered cars with a long range are very expensive and it takes …
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