Ayvens Mobility Guide, HaPiPro2, Onsemi and more

A recent study named "Ayvens Mobility Guide" by the leasing and service company ALD Automotive and the car leasing and fleet management company LeasePlan provides a global analysis of electrification progress in various countries, showing that maturity of e-mobility is developing at different speeds across European countries. The study has evaluated a total of 47 countries based on three e-mobility maturity levels: Developed, Transitioning, and Emerging. Various key factors were considered, including the number of electric vehicles (battery electric vehicles/BEV and plug-in hybrids/PHEV), charging infrastructure, taxation and regulation, availability of environmentally friendly drives, relevance for sustainability, and total cost of ownership compared to combustion vehicles.

The main findings indicate that 13 European countries fall into the "Developed" category (up from 11 in 2023), which suggests a strong presence of electric vehicles and favorable conditions for further electrification. The most advanced countries in terms of electric vehicle adoption are Norway, the Netherlands, and Finland. The Netherlands is cited as the most mature country in terms of charging infrastructure. Additionally, the study shows that in 20 countries, there are 100 different BEV models available as of now. The operating costs of an electric car are reported to be €0.39 per kilometer compared to €0.40 for an ICV. In 13 European countries (Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Switzerland), the total cost of ownership (TCO) for electric vehicles remains competitive (up from 15 countries in 2023).

The German Federal Network Agency has announced that there are now more than 100,000 publicly accessible AC charging points in Germany. As of March 1, 2024, a total of 128,517 charging points have been registered, providing a charging capacity of 4.52 gigawatts. Most of this increase is coming from AC charging points, which have risen from 98,216 by the end of 2023 to 103,226 in 2024. There was also a slight increase in fast chargers, from 25,233 to 25,291.

Internationally, expansion of charging infrastructure continues to progress. Finnish company Kempower will equip 200 Q8 gas stations and locations of the charging network operator Storm in Belgium with fast charging stations within the next five years. Fastned also announced plans to expand its network in Spain with the construction of two new HPC parks (High Power Charging) near Barcelona.

The HaPiPro2 research project has successfully developed and tested a concept for the flexible and sustainable production of electric motors. Led by the Chair of Production Systematics (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University, industry partners including Ford, Engiro, Thyssenkrupp Systems Engineering, AMS-Anlagenbau, and Berg & Co. Spanntechnik worked on a prototype demonstration line. This line, set up on Ford’s factory grounds in Cologne, Germany, was used to produce various stator variants with consistent process technologies. A significant achievement of the project was the production of hairpin stators for both passenger cars and heavy commercial vehicles such as electric trucks on the same line. The hairpin technology, which is a special wire winding method, increases the fill factor of conductive material in the motor, thereby enhancing power density. This makes the production of e-motor stators more flexible and significantly more efficient.

US semiconductor manufacturer Onsemi has unveiled a new generation of silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors that promise significant improvements in the efficiency and performance of electric motors and other electrical systems. The new EliteSiC M3e-MOSFETs offer the industry's lowest on-resistance with short-circuit capability, which is particularly important for traction inverters in electric vehicles. Traction inverters convert the direct current from the battery into alternating current for the electric motors. With the new SiC semiconductors, these inverters can operate more efficiently, resulting in fewer conversion losses and reduced cooling requirements. Specifically, the 1200V M3e in Onsemi’s power modules enables a 20 percent higher output power in the same package, which can either extend the vehicle’s range or reduce costs through lower material usage.

Hyundai Mobis has developed a new generation of airbags. The "Door-Mounted Curtain Airbag" deploys from bottom to top, while the "Self-Supporting Passenger Airbag" absorbs impact forces without the support of the windshield. This innovation aims to further enhance passenger protection in accidents and is specifically designed for the demands of modern vehicle architectures. The new airbags are intended to provide improved coverage and better protect passengers from impact forces. According to the company, they are currently being tested in various vehicle types and will soon be featured in production vehicles.

GKN Aerospace has launched the H2FlyGHT project to develop a hydrogen-electric propulsion system that sets a benchmark for the next generation of sustainable aircraft. With an investment volume of 44 million pounds (approximately 52.4 million euros), H2FlyGHT is a joint initiative conducted with Parker Meggitt and the Universities of Manchester and Nottingham. The project is supported by the UK government’s Aerospace Technology Institute.

The goal of H2FlyGHT is to demonstrate an integrated propulsion system at the 2-megawatt scale including power generation with fuel cells, cryogenic energy distribution, and advanced cryogenic propulsion systems. To maximize the payload and range potential of emission-free flights, the hydrogen will be transported, handled, and stored as a liquid at extremely low temperatures.

Cadillac has unveiled the concept vehicle Sollei, a luxurious electric convertible that represents the brand’s future. The Sollei aims to combine elegant design with cutting-edge electric mobility technology, featuring a powerful electric motor that promises impressive acceleration and a high range. Meanwhile, Honda has introduced the CR-V e fuel cell vehicle in Japan, which combines hydrogen technology with a plug-in hybrid system. The CR-V e is equipped with a second-generation fuel cell stack that generates 92.2 kW of power. Two hydrogen tanks store compressed hydrogen, allowing for quick refueling in just three minutes. According to Honda, the CR-V can travel up to 621 kilometers with fully charged batteries and fully fueled hydrogen tanks. The plug-in hybrid also features a 17.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged in about 2.5 hours.

US startup Vayu Robotics has introduced the Vayu One, an autonomous delivery robot capable of traveling with up to 30 km/h. The robot is about the size of a cargo bike, moves on four wheels, and can carry a payload of up to 45 kg. Customers can order robot delivery via app, after which it autonomously heads to grocery stores, is loaded by staff, and delivers the groceries to the desired destination. The Vayu One primarily uses bike lanes and crosses pedestrian crosswalks. Upon reaching the destination, it moves onto the sidewalk and automatically drops off the delivery, notifying the customer via app message. The technology is based on an AI model that operates without premapping the environment. According to E-Bike-News.de, an unnamed "major e-commerce player" plans to deploy 2,500 of these robots to enable ultra-fast product deliveries.

Kawasaki has become the first motorcycle manufacturer in the world to publicly test a hydrogen-powered motorcycle, the Ninja H2. This test took place on July 20, 2024, at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan. The prototype is based on a modified 1000cc four-cylinder combustion engine that runs on gaseous hydrogen. Two large pressure tanks behind the rider store the hydrogen, which can be refilled within a few minutes. Kawasaki initiated this project to explore the acceptance and technical feasibility of hydrogen as a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Further tests and developments are planned to improve the efficiency and performance of the technology.

After a long political and legal battle, Serbia has given green light for the controversial lithium project in the Jadar Valley. Mining company Rio Tinto plans to produce up to 58,000 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate per year in the region. This amount is sufficient to manufacture batteries for 1.1 million electric vehicles annually.

Toyota, the official mobility partner of the Olympic Games, plans to deploy a fleet of over 2,650 electrified vehicles at the Summer Olympics starting today, including BEVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and FCEVs. Additionally, there will be 700 electric last-mile mobility solutions, including 250 Accessible People Movers (APM) newly designed for Paris 2024 and manufactured in Europe.

Volkswagen and Xpeng have expanded their technical cooperation agreement for an E/E architecture. Starting in 2026, this architecture will be integrated not only into VW’s China-specific CMP electric vehicle platform but also into all Volkswagen models based on the global MEB platform for the Chinese market. Three so-called "regional controllers" will replace several control units, reducing complexity and costs. The new architecture will also enable a new generation of autonomous driving assistants and "smart cockpit software functions."