Tag Archives: electric

Are there air pollution issues with electric cars in the automotive industry?

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TOxygen smog has been a part of big city life since the Industrial Revolution. Harmful particles can be like pea soup, so thick that they are difficult to see and breathe. But in many cities around the rich world, that dirty oil was banished as car engines became cleaner and factories moved. (Poor cities are still not so lucky.)

Some people believe that the transition to electric vehicles could reverse some of that progress. That means heavier cars and particles created by friction can sacrifice clean air on the altar of zero carbon emissions.

In our EV myth-busting series, the Guardian has examined claims about electric vehicles (EVs), examining issues ranging from carbon emissions and battery fires to the idea of ​​overtaking them with hydrogen. In the latest installment of the series, do electric cars have an air pollution problem?

Claim

Electric cars eliminate engine pollution, but brakes and tires still rely on friction to function. This friction can cause substances to break down and eventually be released into the environment. Some argue that the transition to EVs could increase overall air pollution because they tend to be heavier and have more wear and tear.

In 2022, then British Environment Minister George Eustace said: Said Congress of “skepticism” about improving air quality. “Some say the fact that these vehicles are heavier means they may be less profitable than some are expecting, just from road wear and tear, but it's a bit unclear at this point. ” he said.

The Daily Mail reported that tire pollution is the “dirty secret of electric cars”, while the Sun reported that “super-heavy electric cars actually cause more pollution than petrol or diesel motors” EV drivers are being warned about how to

science

EVs do not directly burn fossil fuels and produce no emissions when produced using only zero-carbon electricity. This means that not only carbon dioxide, but also carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, a mixture of carbon, metals and unburned hydrocarbons are not emitted in urban areas. (Fossil fuel power plants still have problems charging electric cars, but they tend…thors difficult, and there have been relatively few comparative studies to date. This means there is still uncertainty as to whether the extra weight of EV batteries will lead to worse particulate pollution.

The shift to SUVs makes vehicles increasingly taller, wider and heavier, worsening carbon emissions. Photo: Mike Kemp/Photography/Getty Images

German tire maker Continental said vehicle and tire design is more important than driving style or road curves in determining wear (a point echoed by Malden). A Continental spokesperson said: “In principle, electric cars do not generate more particulate matter than comparable internal combustion…ase by a slight decrease in total PM emissions from road traffic in the future.” The study found that heavier electric vehicles experience slightly more road and tire wear than larger electric vehicles. 10pm Particles and smaller objects PM2.5. However, when engine pollution was added, gasoline and diesel cars did slightly worse.

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Source: www.theguardian.com

“China encourages the purchase of its electric cars – should I consider it?” | Driving

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IIt’s the world’s largest car brand by sales of electric vehicles (EVs), but many people may have a hard time recognizing its name. Now Chinese company BYD (which stands for Build the Dream) is on a mission to get more British consumers into the hands of its “affordable” cars.

The company is one of the latest Chinese companies to enter the UK car market, claiming it is price competitive and has launched three cars since entering the UK last year.

But while the average UK driver might not be able to tell any of the Dolphin models apart from an Atto 3 or a Seal, the company is its home country’s biggest EV maker and is now setting its sights on Europe in a big way.

Greg Fairbotham of Zoom EV, which specializes in EV leasing and car sharing, says increased competition will encourage more people to electrify the roads. “And that should be considered a good thing,” he says.

So what should you know about BYD and how does it compare to its competitors?

What is its track record?

For the past decade, the company has been China’s largest EV manufacturer, producing 3.02 million vehicles in 2023. Late last year, it overtook Tesla to become the world’s largest electric car maker.

It’s rapid growth for the Shenzhen-based company, which started making cell phone batteries in 1995 and later branched out into cars. The company has been backed by US investment billionaire Warren Buffett since 2008. The company’s ambitious goals include plans to sell around 800,000 cars a year in Europe by 2030.

it is, observer It said it sold 1,100 cars in the UK between March last year and the end of December. Here are the figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Trades (SMMT): 248 vehicles were sold here last month. The company says it is currently in stock at 24 dealers across the UK.

Perhaps the biggest advantage is that they manufacture their batteries and many other parts in-house.

Recently, parts shortages have been plaguing other manufacturers across the industry, resulting in longer repair times for consumers.

Steve Fowler, Editor auto express says other automakers don’t have the same level of control.

“The problems we’ve had in recent years with shortages of parts like microchips are not a problem for BYD,” he said.

Is that car okay?

Three models are available in the UK: Dolphin (from £30,195), Atto 3 (from £37,695) and Seal (from £45,695). Reviews are generally positive, but there are some concerns. According to Steve Huntingford, What car? the vehicle is “rather than great”.

“The main reason I buy now is because I want something a little different from the norm,” he says. “But while these cars are impressive enough on their own, in each case there are rival models from name brands that offer better performance and are available for the same or less money.”

The small Dolphin hatchback has been compared to the Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa Electric, while the Ato 3 is similar to SUVs such as the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV. Seal, on the other hand, is more like an executive saloon like the Tesla Model 3.

“The Seal – BYD’s best current car, 4 stars What car? Review – Prices start from £45,695. The problem is that he can get a Tesla Model 3, which is actually an even better car in most respects, for £39,990,'' Huntingford says.

However, these prices could potentially fall. autotraders Erin Baker, because the price of the Atto 3 is significantly cheaper in China than in the UK.

“They could get a huge discount from the current price,” she says. “Even if they exported these cars and set up a retail environment to sell them in the UK, they could still make huge profits. They can actively destroy their own cars.”

What about insurance?

These days, electric vehicle drivers are finding it difficult to obtain competitively priced insurance. While drivers across the country typically face increases of more than 50% in their insurance premiums, EV owners often have to deal with even larger increases.

Tesla owners have seen their insurance go up from £1,200 to £5,000 a year. Some companies have seen insurance companies exit the market. Many EVs have expensive features, and the cost of repairing them spills over into insurance premiums.

Zoom EV says Because electric vehicles are relatively new, there isn’t enough data for companies to assess the risks, driving the estimates higher.

Mr Fowler tested how much it would cost to insure a BYD seal on a 55-year-old man in Buckinghamshire who was looking for comprehensive insurance. He was offered his £1,541 as the cheapest option. He says insuring his Skoda and his Yeti in the same conditions would cost around £300.

please be careful of others

BYD is not the first major Chinese car manufacturer to enter the UK market, nor will it be the last. In his first three months of last year, the MG4 was his second best-selling EV after the Tesla Model Y. However, MG is one of the most famous brands in the UK, but since 2007 it has been owned by China’s SAIC.

On the other hand, another Chinese brand is Omoda will be available in the UK in March gasoline cars and electric cars. “This year he has four or five Chinese brands coming to the UK,” Baker says.

The expected boost is so big that analysts at bank UBS believe that by 2030, one in three EVs will be made in China.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Biden administration allocates $623 million to enhance electric vehicle charging infrastructure, White House reports

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President Joe Biden’s administration has announced $623 million in funding to increase electric vehicle charging points in the U.S. amid concerns that the transition to zero-carbon transportation is not keeping pace with goals to tackle the climate crisis.


The money will be distributed as grants to dozens of programs across 22 states, including EV chargers for multifamily housing in New Jersey, fast chargers in Oregon, and hydrogen fuel chargers for cargo trucks in Texas. In total, funds pulled from the bipartisan infrastructure law are expected to add his 7,500 chargers across the United States.

“We’re building the charging network to win the EV race,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

“The electric vehicle revolution is not coming, it is here. I very personally recognize the importance of the fact that America led the world in the automobile revolution. We’re in the middle of a second automotive revolution, and it’s important that America has one again.”

There are about 170,000 electric vehicle chargers in the U.S., a significant increase from a network that was nearly invisible before Biden took office, and the White House is helping the transition away from gasoline and diesel vehicles. The company has set a goal of selling 500,000 chargers.

Biden’s climate change adviser, Ali Zaidi, said that “America is leading the way globally on electric vehicles” and that the U.S. is on track to “meet and exceed” the administration’s charger goals. He said there was. He added: “This expansion will continue over the coming years and decades until we reach net zero in the transport sector.”

Sales of electric vehicles are growing in the United States, with more than 1 million EVs sold for the first time last year, accounting for 9% of all car sales. But that rate of growth has slowed somewhat, with companies like Ford, General Motors and even Tesla scaling back their EV ambitions in recent months.

U.S. motorists are faced with an ever-expanding selection of EVs, but most are still more expensive than their gasoline equivalents, meaning they are out of reach for many buyers. research has discovered The median household income for EV buyers is $186,000.

Research shows that nearly one-third of potential EV buyers discount their purchase due to lack of charging infrastructure, despite accounting for most of the total vehicle trips in the United States. Masu. 3 miles or less. Even if Biden’s goal of 500,000 chargers is met, this is far fewer than is needed to support a gradual transition away from polluting cars. Estimate It is predicted that more than 28 million chargers will be needed by 2030.

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“In the U.S., EV penetration is growing at almost twice the rate of charger installations,” said Brent Gruber, executive director of J.D. Power’s electric vehicle business. said last year. “Construction of new charging stations is not keeping up with demand.”

Earlier this week, the Environmental Protection Agency announced nearly $1 billion in grants to replace diesel-powered school buses with electric and low-emission vehicles. EPA will disburse the funds to 280 school districts serving 7 million children nationwide. Charging infrastructure is also an issue in efforts to phase out diesel buses.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Bird, an electric scooter company, declares bankruptcy

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bird Submitted Under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Codecapping off a turbulent year for the electric scooter company.

in press release Bird confirmed today that it has entered a “financial restructuring process aimed at strengthening its balance sheet” and that the company is continuing business as usual in pursuit of “long-term, sustainable growth.” Announced.

Founded in 2017 by former Lyft and Uber executive Travis VanderZanden, Bird is one of many startups deploying dockless micromobility platforms around the world, helping city dwellers take short-term access to electric scooters and e-bikes. You will be able to pay for access. The company went public in late 2021 through a SPAC merger, but its stock price plummeted permanently in a crowded market built on questionable economics, and its market capitalization was $2 billion at its New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) debut. It has fallen since then. Just up to $70 million 12 months later. The decline prompted the New York Stock Exchange to issue a warning that Bird’s stock price was too low.

Things didn’t improve, the stock price continued to fall, and CEO VanderZanden eventually stepped down in June. Delisted from NYSE During September.

Separately, Bird also announced a series of layoffs shortly after acquiring rival Spin for $19 million.

Bird lands on New York Stock Exchange

Bird lands on New York Stock Exchange image credits:Spencer Pratt/Getty Images

Chapter 11

The Chapter 11 bankruptcy will allow Byrd to restructure its finances without disrupting its day-to-day operations, with existing lenders MidCap Financial, a division of Apollo Global Management, providing $25 million in financing through the bankruptcy process. will be provided.

The ultimate goal is to sell Byrd’s assets, and so-called “horse racing” agreements begin a bidding process aimed at extracting as much value as possible from Byrd, with Byrd’s lenders being Set a baseline bid before starting a deal with a potential suitor. over the next four months.

Interim CEO Michael Wasinusi will continue in his role both before and after the reorganization, the statement said.

“This announcement represents an important milestone in Bird’s transformation, which began with the appointment of new leadership earlier this year,” Washinushi said. “We are making progress towards improving profitability and aim to accelerate that progress by right-sizing our capital structure through this restructuring. We remain focused on our mission to make cities more livable by reducing volume, traffic and carbon emissions.”

It’s also worth noting that Bird’s Canadian and European operations are not included in the bankruptcy filing, and the company says it will “continue to operate as usual.”

This latest news comes just one day after rival MicroMobility.com was delisted from the Nasdaq due to low stock prices, and three years after the company also went public through a SPAC merger. And in Europe, dockless scooter startup Tia recently laid off 22% of its workforce following bankruptcy proceedings for Dutch e-bike startup VanMoof.

Overall, it hasn’t been a great year for the micromobility space.

Source: techcrunch.com

Affordable Electric Vehicles Struggle in 2023

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This year, the rise in popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) has been substantial. This is not good news for anyone. Even if you prefer a sturdy Cybertruck over a smaller vehicle, it is still not an ideal solution. In general, cars are not a sustainable mode of transportation, such as using trains or bicycles. However, due to budget and environmental factors, many people find themselves needing a larger, tank-like truck or SUV. Unfortunately, larger electric vehicles also require more materials and energy, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions during and after production. Despite these drawbacks, automakers continue to build large vehicles because they are popular among buyers. Several vehicles from newer companies and traditional automakers have tried to challenge the concept of “bigger is better” with more compact designs and lower prices. However, they have not been successful. Some examples include the ElectraMeccanica Solo, Sono Sion, and Mazda MX-30, all of which have failed to gain traction in the North American market. Here, we will discuss the struggles of small, affordable EVs in the current market.

Electra Mechanica Solo
The ElectraMeccanica Solo was marketed as a small EV that was legally categorized as a motorcycle. It featured a single seat, a range of 160 miles, and a price tag of $18,500. However, the company recalled all Solos in April due to power outage issues and later decided to focus on four-wheelers. The company is now planning to merge with electric truck maker Tevva and has discontinued production of the Solo.

Honda e
The Honda e debuted in Europe and Japan with a range of 160 miles and a price range of $36,000 to $43,000. Despite its appeal to critics, it failed to attract buyers due to its high price. Honda eventually announced that it would stop producing the small vehicle in January 2024.

Sono Sion
German automaker Sono introduced the Sion, a five-seater hatchback with solar panels. Priced at $25,000, the production was initially planned for 2023. However, the company pivoted to selling to third-party automakers and laid off employees as it shifted its focus to integrating solar technology into other vehicles.

GM, Honda’s affordable EV
General Motors and Honda initially announced plans to jointly develop small, affordable EVs. They aimed to release a sub-$30,000 vehicle for North America by 2027 but later called off the partnership, citing “extensive research and analysis.”

Mazda MX-30 (USA)
The Mazda MX-30, while smaller than the Cybertruck, struggled to gain traction in the United States due to its limited range and availability. Ultimately, Mazda announced that it would discontinue EV sales in the US but continue sales in Japan and the EU.

Revel Moped
Revel, a moped sharing company, faced a decline in users due to fatal accidents, leading them to transition to electric cars instead.

VanMoof
Dutch e-bike startup VanMoof experienced rapid growth but struggled to sustain it, leading to difficulties in fund-raising. It eventually suspended sales and declared bankruptcy.

Lavoie
Electric scooter maker Lavoie acquired VanMoof’s remaining assets after it emerged from bankruptcy.

Despite the struggles of some small EVs, there are still positive developments in the electric vehicle space. Urban bike share programs are on the rise, and electrification is gaining momentum. Companies like Arcimoto and Telo Trucks are making strides in the development of rare three-wheeled EVs and light trucks, respectively. Additionally, the Fiat 500e will be introduced in North America in limited quantities, and GM has decided to continue producing the Bolt EUV.


Source: techcrunch.com

Cruise reduces self-driving workforce by 25%, another electric scooter startup leaves market, and a special year-end message

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The Station is a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things transportation. Just sign up here and click on “The Station” to have our newsletter delivered to your inbox every weekend. Subscribe for free. Welcome to the station. It is the central hub for all past, present, and future means of moving people and goods from point A to point B. Hello! And goodbye! Well, at least until 2024. The station will be closed for a while until the end of this year. I would like to thank everyone who reads our weekly newsletter and sends me suggestions, tips, and criticism. Yes, I appreciate the thoughtful backlash. This year has seen new startups emerge (so many electric boat and RV companies, right?), more EVs on the roads, and numerous commercial milestones achieved in the self-driving vehicle industry. It was a year of lots of movement. Of course, there were dark moments and even shocking moments. Many startups went bankrupt, including a number of mobility SPACs, and layoffs remained widespread into the final months of the year. Two of the most surprising stories involve the self-driving car industry. Argo AI It made a comeback with a new AV startup funded by Softbank, but cruise. Cruise’s story continues to unfold and will likely play out until 2024. Last week was a tough week for Cruise, albeit as expected. As a result, the Cruise board, and by extension the GM board, are doing a housecleaning to restore years of technological advances. As part of that mission, nine top leaders were removed and 900 workers were laid off. We will continue to follow Cruise’s story next year. But that’s not our only focus. The TechCrunch team cares about the future of transportation, from new EV and battery technologies to electric and hydrogen aviation, self-driving cars, micromobility, and in-vehicle technology. It’s not just about highlighting the next new new thing. Instead, we strive to explain why it’s important and who it affects. In other words, we’re the kind of people who take unlikely exits and side streets to explore what others might avoid. Please join us. See you in the new year! Want to contact us with a tip, comment, or complaint? Email Kirsten at kirsten.karasec@techcrunch.com. Send your notes to tips@techcrunch.com. If you wish to remain anonymous, Click here to contact usthis includes SecureDrop (instructions here) and various encrypted messaging apps. micromobin The big talking point in Scooterville was the “seemingly” sudden decision. super pedestrian Just 18 months after raising $125 million, the company is closing its U.S. operations and beginning to consider selling its European operations. I don’t want to say I saw this coming, but given that in late November Superpedestrian began laying off several European executives responsible for global development and operations, Let’s just say I wasn’t shocked by the news. Superpedestrian’s Link scooters are available in about 60 cities in 11 countries, but are scheduled to be withdrawn from most markets by the end of 2023. The startup positioned itself as a partner for safe cities and invested in advanced passenger assistance technology by acquiring Navmatic in July 2021. That’s where Pedestrian Protection was born, Superpedestrian’s GPS-based safety system that could detect and correct unsafe rider behavior in real time. However, the system was competing with other camera-based computer vision systems popularized by Drover AI and Luna. Lime, the only big scooter company likely to survive, introduced its own version of rider-assistance technology on its scooters in July 2022, around the same time that Superpedestrian began cutting jobs. As the balance sheets of public companies Bird and MicroMobility.com (formerly Helbiz) demonstrate, shared micromobility is a difficult business to run properly. Bird has recently been kicked off the stock market, announced several layoffs and is likely close to filing for bankruptcy. MicroMobility.com has undergone not one but two reverse stock splits this year, and its stock price remains depressed. And after several failed acquisition talks, Tier Mobility also announced layoffs in November. Oh, and let’s not forget Boruto’s mysterious disappearance. My question now is who will be next to fly off to the great beyond? — Rebecca Beran This week’s sale We have lots of great deals this week! dimensional energy, a New York-based startup that develops sustainable aviation fuel from carbon dioxide emissions and water, has raised $20 million in a Series A round led by Envisioning Partners. Strategic investors include United Airlines Sustainable Flight Fund, Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, Rock Creek Smart Aviation Futures Fund, DSC Investments, Derek US, and New York Ventures, as well as Elemental Excelerator and Chloe Capital. Existing investors also participated. summer timea Chinese new energy vehicle fleet management company, has completed an $80 million funding round to fuel R&D investment and real-time computational analysis. exponential energyThe Indian EV charging startup has raised $26.4 million in Series B led by Eight Road Ventures and TDK Ventures. This funding will help Exponent expand its 15-minute charging solution to five major cities in India in FY2024 and enter the intercity e-bus segment. The company plans to deploy 1,000 charging stations and equip 25,000 EVs with Exponent by 2025. Ric the mobility-as-a-service startup has raised €1.4 million ($1.53 million) from Habert Dassault Finance, AfriMobility (Akwa Group), angel investors, and banks including Bpifrance, Crédit Mutuel, and Caisse d’Épargne. meta fuela sustainable jet fuel startup, has raised $8 million in a round led by Energy Impact Partners and Contrarian Ventures. Vanmo, a São Paulo-based startup looking to expand electric motorcycle battery swapping in Latin America, has raised $30 million in a Series A round to capitalize on the growing popularity of bikes across the region. The equity and debt round was led by Monasees, with participation from Climate Technology Fund 2150 and Maniv Mobility.

Source: techcrunch.com

Ford reduces production targets for electric F-150 Lightning in response to strong demand

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Ford plans to cut production of all-electric pickup trucks in 2024 to meet consumer demand.

Ford executives said in October on a third-quarter earnings call that they plan to “adjust” all-electric vehicle production and defer about $12 billion in investments as demand for higher-priced premium electric vehicles slows. suggested.

The automaker did not explicitly mention the Lightning in its earnings call, instead pointing to other examples such as production cuts for the Mustang Mach-E and the decision to postpone a second battery plant in Kentucky.

Note to supplier. viewed, First reported by Automotive Newsplans to produce an average of about 1,600 Lightning trucks per week starting in January at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford had planned annual production capacity for the Lightning at 150,000 units per year, or approximately 3,200 units per week. This means that the production target for 2024 will be halved.

A Ford spokeswoman did not confirm the memo. A spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that the company “continues to align Lightning production with customer demand.”

The move is a reversal from January 2022, when Ford was elated with 200,000 truck reservations and announced it would nearly double production capacity to 150,000 a year by mid-2023 in response to customer demand. be. The company idled its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Michigan in early 2023 to perform factory upgrades to accommodate new production capacity.

Despite these improvements, demand for EVs was softening across the industry. EV sales in the U.S. continue to grow, at a pace of over 1 million units per year, a 50% increase over the previous year. Still, that growth has lagged behind the ambitious plans of major automakers, causing many to curb investment, delay factory upgrades and new construction, and cut production capacity.

Source: techcrunch.com