BMW Group Commits to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

The BMW Group has committed to producing hydrogen fuel cell technology to offer customers emission-free mobility.

“We are convinced that various alternative powertrain systems will exist alongside one another in the future, as there is no single solution that addresses the full spectrum of customers’ mobility requirements worldwide,” says Klaus Fröhlich, member of the board of management at BMW.

“The hydrogen fuel cell technology could quite feasibly become the fourth pillar of our powertrain portfolio in the long term. The upper-end models in our extremely popular X family would make particularly suitable candidates here,” he adds.

Momentum, GreenPower Partner on Wirelessly Charged Electric Buses

Momentum Dynamics and GreenPower Motor Co. have entered a three-year OEM agreement to develop and sell wirelessly charged, purpose-built all-electric transit vehicles.

The first vehicle to integrate Momentum Dynamics’ wireless charging will be GreenPower’s EV Star, a 25-foot mini-shuttle capable of transporting 19 passengers. The EV Star has completed the Federal Transit Administration’s Altoona testing and will satisfy purchasing requirements such as ADA and Buy America Compliance for transit agencies across North America.

The EV Star will fill the transportation industry’s need for paratransit, micro-transit and shuttle bus applications and has a nominal range of 150 miles. By adding automated wireless charging capability, the bus dramatically increases its operational range without the need for operator intervention.

 

Toyota, Hino Partner to Develop Heavy-Duty Fuel-Cell Truck

Toyota Motor Corp. and Hino Motors Ltd. have agreed to jointly develop a heavy-duty fuel-cell truck and to proceed with initiatives toward its practical use through verification tests and other means.

For the electrification of commercial vehicles, the optimum powertrain must be adopted to ensure both outstanding environmental performance and “just-right practicality” as a business vehicle in terms of cruising range, load capacity and other aspects, depending on the usage. Heavy-duty trucks are typically used for highway transportation; therefore, they are required to have sufficient cruising range and load capacity, as well as fast refueling capability. For this reason, fuel cell vehicles that run on hydrogen, with its higher energy density, are considered effective.

The heavy-duty fuel-cell truck in this joint development project is based on Hino Profia and is being developed taking maximum advantage of the technologies both Toyota and Hino have cultivated over the years. The chassis is specially designed with the optimum packaging for a fuel cell vehicle, and steps are being taken through comprehensive weight reduction to ensure a sufficient load capacity.

USPS Contractor Purchases Propane Delivery Trucks

McAbee Trucking, a freight shipping and trucking company based in Blacksburg, S.C., has purchased eight Ford F-750 delivery trucks fueled by propane autogas.

The vehicles are used for contracted parcel delivery routes between USPS locations in North Carolina and South Carolina.

“As a business owner, I continually look for ways to add safety, improve day-to-day operations, advocate for environmental preservation and save money,” says Lisa McAbee, owner of McAbee Trucking. “Our new propane fleet vehicles accomplish all these goals.”

Propane autogas engine technology has progressed to the point where emissions are reduced to near zero. Each of McAbee’s trucks is equipped with a Ford 6.8L V10 engine and ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel system, which is 90% cleaner than the Environmental Protection Agency’s most stringent heavy-duty emission standard.

Propane autogas costs about 40% less than gasoline and 50% less than diesel. Propane fleets report savings of 30% to 50% on filters and fluids due to the clean operation of the fuel.

Daimler Trucks’s E-Mobility Group Begins Electric-Truck Charging Initiative

Daimler Trucks & Buses says it has started the eTruck Charging Initiative through its E-Mobility Group, the goal of which is to establish a charging infrastructure for battery-electric trucks.

Within the framework of the initiative, the E-Mobility Group aims to bring together a variety of interconnected professions – e-truck customers, power grid operators, energy suppliers, charging hardware manufacturers and charging software providers – to promote open dialogue and shared infrastructure solutions for truck customers within the network.

The eTruck Charging Initiative is part of the E-Mobility Group’s holistic approach to provide truck customers with a smooth transition into e-mobility. The close dialogue between the main players is also intended to speed up previously lengthy and complex planning and application processes for network connections. In addition, the participants are also concerned with aspects such as optimized load management of the electricity grid and sustainable electricity supply.

Fuel Fact Check: Propane Autogas School Buses Are Safe

When deciding on safe options for school transportation, some decision-makers don’t consider propane autogas because they are under the impression the fuel is not safe. What they don’t know is propane is one of the safest options available. Not only is it safe for the students who ride propane buses to school, but it is safe for the communities in which the buses drive.

Propane autogas has been used for over a century to power vehicles. According to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, propane is a clean, safe and emissions-reducing alternative fuel. It is a nontoxic, non-carcinogenic and non-corrosive fuel classified as a non-contaminant by the EPA. If released from a vehicle, propane poses no threat to soil or groundwater.

In addition, weather does not impact how propane school buses run. They start up and operate reliably in all weather conditions, from the hottest days to as cold as -40 degrees or more. The ROUSH CleanTech system is also designed with a thermal management feature. If the system is exposed to extreme heat due to the result of an accident or another cause, it adjusts to a vent cycle to manage pressure and prevent tank integrity from being compromised. If you are injured in a car accident because of someone else’s negligence, you can hire an Oak Creek personal injury lawyer to help you get appropriate compensation for the injury. Injured in St. Petersburg, FL? The personal injury lawyers from Kogan & DiSalvo law firm can help. If the car accident led to someone’s death, a wrongful death attorney can help the victim’s family in seeking compensation. If you’re looking for an Arizona fatal car accident lawyer, you may contact a law firm like Big Auto. You can also consult a spinal cord injury lawyer in Ontario who can assist individuals who have suffered severe injuries due to negligence. It’s crucial to have experienced legal representation to navigate the complexities of personal injury claims and ensure that victims receive the justice they deserve.

Envision Issues Patent for Curbside EV Charging Product

Envision Solar International Inc., a producer of infrastructure products for EV charging, says the U.S. Patent and Trademarks Office has issued U.S. Patent No: 10,518,657 covering EV Standard, the company’s renewably-energized streetlamp product.

Envision’s patented EV Standard product is designed to overcome the challenges associated with the provision of on-street EV charging, while also providing an energy-efficient and sustainable-lighting solution. Call InventHelp Invention Company for help in patenting your invention. EV Standard’s products can be deployed without having to invest in expensive, disruptive and time-consuming civil or electrical upgrades because they leverage streetlamps’ pre-existing foundations and connections to the electrical grid, the company says.

Envision’s innovative EV Standard product represents a significant leap forward in the realm of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, particularly for urban environments where space and infrastructure can pose challenges. By utilizing the existing foundations of streetlamps and their connections to the electrical grid, the EV Standard minimizes the need for costly and disruptive civil work.

However, while this technology streamlines the installation process, engaging a qualified electrician near me is still essential to ensure proper integration and functionality. An experienced electrician can assist with the installation, making certain that the connections are safe and compliant with local regulations, ultimately enhancing the overall efficiency of the EV charging infrastructure.

Moreover, the introduction of such a sustainable-lighting solution aligns perfectly with the growing demand for eco-friendly practices in our communities. As municipalities adopt these advancements, electricians will play a crucial role in expanding the EV Standard’s reach, helping to facilitate the transition to greener energy alternatives.

By working alongside local governments and businesses, electricians can help promote the widespread adoption of EV charging stations while ensuring that the electrical systems supporting them are optimized for performance and safety. This collaboration not only fosters a cleaner environment but also positions electricians as vital partners in the evolution of urban infrastructure, ultimately paving the way for a more sustainable future.

The EV Standard product provides efficient street lighting and curbside EV charging by combining solar, wind and utility-generated electricity in a bank of integrated batteries. While most traditional streetlamps do not have sufficient electrical capacity to provide meaningful EV charging, the combination of all three sources of power will do so in a sustainable and economical manner.

“This latest patented product will enable us to fill a significant gap in the current EV charging infrastructure market. As electric vehicles become more widespread the demand for on-street charging will become urgent,” says Desmond Wheatley, CEO of Envision.

Kenworth, Dana Collaborate on Electric Truck Development

Kenworth and Dana Inc. say they are collaborating on electric powertrain development for medium-duty Kenworth battery EVs.

The zero-emissions Kenworth K270E cab-over truck is equipped with a Dana-designed e-powertrain system that is fully integrated and compatible with the Kenworth chassis.  Configured as a direct-drive system, the vehicle utilizes a Spicer Electrified e-propulsion system and a standard Dana drive axle and driveshaft.

Dana also supplies an e-power system, which generates, stores and manages the energy for the vehicle and consists of electrified auxiliary systems, an on-board charger and two battery packs. Dana-developed software and controls enable the diagnostics and telemetry of the complete system.

The electric powertrain will be available with range options between 100 and 200 miles. Using the vehicles’ DC fast-charging system, the high-energy density battery packs can recharge in about an hour, making both the Class 6 Kenworth K270E and Class 7 K370E cab-overs ideal for local pickup and delivery, as well as short regional-haul operations.

“This is an important next step in our evolution of an electric powertrain,” says Kevin Baney, general manager of Kenworth and vice president of PACCAR. “Kenworth plans to produce up to 100 medium-duty cab-over electric trucks in 2020.”

Panasonic, Tropos Motors Reveal Concept Cargo, Firetruck

Panasonic and Tropos Motors have revealed two multi-technology production-ready compact utility commercial vehicles.

These right-sized, fleet truck concepts are powered by Panasonic’s proprietary software and cloud services platform OneConnect.

“The goal is to address the needs of businesses that depend on small commercial vehicles with a practical and efficient solution,” says John Bautista, founder and CEO of Tropos Motors. “With an ability to accommodate both large and purpose-built payloads, our vehicles are created with versatility in mind to fulfill the requirements of any corporate, first-responder, agricultural or last-mile application.”

The first production concept is the Connected Right-Sized Emergency Firetruck. The vehicle is a Tropos Motors’ right-sized firetruck outfitted with a Panasonic TOUGHBOOK FZ-G1 tablet to track and receive emergency information.

Firetrucks can cost as much as $500,000; the Tropos FRV firetruck is one-tenth the cost and has similar capabilities. Due to its smaller height, the firetruck can access tighter spaces and can even fit underneath most parking structure height restrictions.

OpConnect Introduces Plug-N-Play Network Connected Stations

OpConnect, a developer of EV charging technology, says it has shipped its first Plug-N-Play OCPP-enabled EV charging stations.

The company notes that this technology allows stations to be installed and activated by any licensed electrician without commissioning.

“This is an important step in saving installation costs for our customers,” says Dexter Turner, CEO of OpConnect. “No longer will installing networked stations require costly commissioning by the manufacturer or a certified installer. Just like many devices we use every day, when the station is first powered up, it will identify itself on the network, and the customer will be in business.”

This technology reflects OpConnect’s goal to improve customer satisfaction and help reduce the costs associated with EV charging.

“The more cost-saving innovation we can bring to market, the more EV infrastructure we can get deployed, which will help accelerate EV adoption,” adds Turner.

Electric vehicles are becoming more popular with every year that passes, so the demand for electric vehicle charging bays is on the increase. If you need to install specialised electric vehicle charging points on your premises, you will ideally need EV Charging Bay Markings to help identify the areas.