[volkman10]

Honda Trademarks “Honda e” For Possible Electric Car Brand.

Honda has recently filed trademark applications (in Switzerland and the European Union) for the name Honda e, in a category reserved for vehicles, according to HybridCars.com.

The new name Honda e suggests that the Japanese manufacturer is preparing a new electric sub-brand or at least it will be the name of a new model

Link

[sgiitk]

One thing which is bugging me is that if relations with China go bad to the point of cutting trade with China, then the price if Lithium will of up, and so will the batteries for EVs. So that may be a point of contention or thought.

Any other sources of Lithium?

[sri_tesla]

Piaggio Vehicles to launch a fully-electric 3-wheeler in India by middle of 2019. The three-wheeler will be developed in house with some components coming from outside suppliers. They will be importing lithium-ion battery cells but other components like engine and battery management system would be fully localised. They plan to expand electric to cargo and big passenger segments as well.

Electric 3-wheelers is great news. Mahindra already release their electric 3-wheelers under Treo brand. Bajaj is expected to launch their electric 3-wheeler this year.

Source:
https://energy.economictimes.indiati...india/68098088

[sgiitk]

I just came across an article- then standard electrode are LFP (LiFePO4) for cathode, and LTO (Li4Ti5O12) for anode. Now they are trying to develop solid electrolytes. At the moment there seems to be no options to Li. It is No.3 on the Periodic table. So is about the smallest (and lightest) atom available.

[sgiitk]

Let me add that why pure Lithium is not preferred. Lithium is highly combustible and will even catch fire by itself. So it is not considered safe for batteries. I have handled Lithium in a Glove Box, where there is no Oxygen in the air.

There is some talk of using pure Li in batteries, but these all developmental units. In real life (even more so in automotives) safety is of utmost concern. So we are likely to stay a few steps more behind the lab.

Also, one reason there is talk of solid electrolytes, is that it does away with the need for membranes. This reduces the bulk of the battery.

Considering it is a very light metal the amount of Li in weight terms will be quite low.

[sri_tesla]

Peugeot has introduced all-electric e-208 today. It will be available for pre-order from next month (March, 2019) and deliveries will start in Q4, 2019 (Europe). Hope to see this in India as Peugeot is re-entering India.

PSA group will also release electric DS3 cross back and Opel Corsa based on the same platform by 2020.

Specs:
50 KWh battery.
340 KMs of range (based on WLTP system).
Can be fast charged to 80% in just 30 minutes.

[volkman10]

In 2018, a total of 1.26 million battery-electric-cars were sold globally. The strong growth was driven by China and #Tesla!

[JS Kwt]

We want to make India number One in EVs, says PM Modi

What will be a feel good factor for the lovers of electric vehicles in India, PM Narendra Modi said “We want to make India number one in electric vehicles.” He made this statement while addressing the Economic Times Global Business Summit.

In a meeting held at Prime Minister Office (PMO) earlier last week, the Union Cabinet presented a well-defined segment wise outlay for localisation the production of battery cells & packs and EV components under Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP), which is prepared in consultation with industry stakeholders and respective ministries/departments, say industry source. According source, the fate of FAME-II will be out in open next week.

The PMP intended to localize the entire EV value chain that will spur its adoption rate, demand and scale in India, he said. The PMP will be implemented over a period of four years in a phase-wise manner.

Starting from financial year (FY) 2020-21 PMP will cover assembling of battery packs along with domestic production of inverter, gearboxes, charging sockets and cables, HV wiring harness, power distribution units (PDU) and on board chargers in the first phase.

In the 2021-2022, it will cover motor, electric AC compressor with controller and DC/DC converter. Manufacturing of critical component like battery management system (BMS), cell, telematics ECU will be done in the third phase during FY 2022-2023 while in the final phase, (FY 2023-2024) heat exchange assembly/chiller and PTC cabin heater will be produced locally.

Full Article

[sri_tesla]

Sign of things to come?

Kia just announced that Soul will be available in Europe as "EV only". It will be available in 2 battery options (39.2 KWh and 64 KWh) with ranges of 277 KMs and 452 KMs respectively. It will make European debut at Geneva motor show next month and sales will start by the end of the year.

Source:
https://www.kiapressoffice.com/en-gb/releases/1049

[sri_tesla]

Originally Posted by sri_tesla

Sign of things to come?

Kia just announced that Soul will be available in Europe as "EV only".

Another major shift towards electrification: Porsche announced that their next gen Macan will be "only full-electric".

Porsche Macan is first released in 2014. It is their best selling model. In 2018, Macan sales accounted for 1/3rd of all Porsche's sales. Next-gen (2nd) Macan will be launched early next decade and it will be their 3rd all-electric model. Porsche will launch its first all-electric model "Taycan" by end of 2019. In 2020, they will launch 2nd all-electric model "Taycan Cross Turismo" derived from Taycan. All Porsche electric vehicles based on Porsche PPE architecture (Premium Platform Electric) developed in collaboration with Audi.

Source:
https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/2019...zig-17067.html

[sgiitk]

Originally Posted by sri_tesla

Kia just announced that Soul will be available in Europe as "EV only". It will be available in 2 battery options (39.2 KWh and 64 KWh) with ranges of 277 KMs and 452 KMs respectively. It will make European debut at Geneva motor show next month and sales will start by the end of the year.

452km (64kWh) range makes it excellent for India. I am sure charging systems on the highways will make their debut soon.

One point, what will be the range with full AC usage. In India that is almost mandatory.

[volkman10]

Honda’s urban EV plans revealed, will likely have an official range of around 200 km, with fast-charging capacity to reach 80% charge in 30 minutes.

The production version of the Honda e prototype electric city car will go on sale in Europe later this year.

The rear-mounted electric motor drives the rear wheels, which employ torque vectoring to give a smoother response and improved handling in tight corners.

Although the e prototype’s range is substantially lower than that offered by rival EVs such as the 282-mile Kia e-Niro or BMW i3, which offers 193 miles, it was necessary to keep the batteries small to fulfill its city-car role.

Link

[sri_tesla]

Volvo (Polestar) revealed their first all-electric model Polestar 2 today. Production will start in China in 2020 and will be launched in United States, Canada, China, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK. All polestar cars will be sold only online. For the first year, only high end variant will be available called "launch edition" at $59,900. After first year, base variant will be sold at $39,900.

Specs:
78 KWh battery,
500 KM range (based on WLTP system),
0-100 km/h in less than 5 seconds,
300 kW (408 hp) and 660 Nm (487 lb-ft),
all-wheel drive dual motor,
11 inch touch screen

Press release:
https://www.polestar.com/press-relea...new-polestar-2

[sri_tesla]

Tesla released $35,000 standard range variant. They also released standard range plus with partial premium interior, brought back the long range RWD variant which was discontinued few months back. With Federal and state incentives final price can be lower than $30,000 for SR variant.

Source:
https://www.tesla.com/blog/35000-tes...-available-now

Long range RWD now has 325 miles range (vs 310 miles earlier) through firmware update. They also releasing firmware update for Performance Model 3 variant which increases top speed to 162 mph (260 kmph) from 155 mph earlier.

Delivery times for US are 2-4 weeks for SR variant while rest will be delivered in less than 2 weeks. European markets will get these in ~6 months while Asia in 6-8 months.

All variant specs and prices:


Interior features: Standard range variant comes with standard interior, standard range plus variant comes with partial premium interior and rest of models comes with premium interior.

[GutsyGibbon]

What is going on in the minds of the US car buyer is unprecedented. There are people who have bought hybrid cars in the last year who are asking me about the Model3. They are kicking themselves, they are considering selling a year old car for a Model3. I never thought I would see a fellow Desi come to this predicament.