Propulsion

Ford’s Maverick compact pickup and Bronco off-roader show off the automaker’s engineering capabilities across two widely different light-vehicle segments.

Blink and Wallbox introduce new chargers for home and commercial use at CES, WirelessCar wants to alleviate range anxiety, while upstarts REE and Lightning show off commercial BEV platforms.

In a world full of BEVs offering 3-4 miles per kWh, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX registers a stunning 6.2 miles per kWh, giving the vehicle more than 600 miles of range from a sub-100-kWh battery.

Improving the efficiency of electric motors is the core technology under development by Exro Technologies. The company’s Coil Driver employs a patented system of motor management that can eliminate the need for multiple motors to power everything from electric bicycles to medium-duty trucks.  

Toyota ups its BEV lineup but still is keeping ICEs around, while a Canadian recycler is expanding a facility and paper batteries that biodegrade in a month are developed.

As the automotive industry hurtles toward an electrified future, the internal-combustion engine remains a significant part of the mix. Our industry survey indicates a handful of technologies are expected to improve ICE efficiency in the coming decade, with advanced combustion concepts leading the way.

Analysts say suppliers are ramping up battery capacity and making other strategic investments as demand for battery-electric vehicles hits new highs in 2021.

The European/American automaker announces it will partner with two titans of Li-ion cell-making for batteries for North American-built BEVs.

Hydrogen Day (Oct. 8 = 1.008, the atomic weight of hydrogen) always produces news on the fuel-cell vehicle front. But great expectations for a hydrogen-powered future are being tempered by reality.

The move to eliminate expensive, rare-earth magnets from automotive traction motors is driving a wave of innovation in induction-motor technology.

General Motors has big BEV plans, aiming for 1 million sales globally by 2025. Tim Grewe is one of the execs leading the charge, and looking for ways to create stronger, lighter pack designs.

Experts discuss whether limiting tailpipe emissions or mandating ZEV volumes is the most effective way to meet the Biden Admin.’s goal of selling 50% electric vehicles by 2030.