Independent electric transport news covering aviation, maritime, buses, trucks, rail and working machinery.
Airbus is integrating the elements of a hybrid-electric non-propulsive energy architecture as part of the LEIA project. The architecture is described as ready for ground testing.
BMW’s all-electric iX5 has been spotted in testing ahead of its upcoming US launch, showing the new Double-X lighting signature. The sighting gives a real-world look at the design change, but does not include launch timing or technical details.
BETA Technologies completed five days of electric aircraft operations in Utah to assess whether the aircraft could transport time-sensitive medical cargo. The trial is relevant to potential urgent logistics use, but the source does not say a commercial service has started.
Perkins said it will field test a new fuel-configurable hybridized industrial open power unit. The development indicates further work on industrial power systems that can use hydrogen and other fuels.
Toyota has opened the Toyota Battery Center of North America in Saline, Michigan. The facility is intended to evaluate and develop batteries for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen and battery-electric vehicles.
Hyster is introducing a hydrogen-powered ReachStacker at Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals for practical testing. The setup also includes a modular hydrogen refueling station and a dedicated training centre.
Honda and its partners Taisei and Taisei Rotec plan to develop an inductive charging system that can charge a battery while a vehicle is moving. First demonstrations are expected to begin next year, including on public roads, which would test the concept in real-world conditions.
A disguised Hyundai SUV has been spotted testing, offering an early look at a smaller electric model. The report says it may be the IONIQ 4, or possibly the IONIQ 1, but that has not been confirmed.
Perkins is installing its 1206 hydrogen hybrid industrial open power unit in a Terex Ecotec TDS 820 shredder for field testing. The test is meant to evaluate the fuel-flexible hybrid system developed under Project Coeus with Equipmake.
Toyota USA has opened a battery development centre in Saline, Michigan. The centre is intended to strengthen battery testing and evaluation for electric-vehicle batteries within Toyota’s Multi-Path Strategy.
MAN has begun testing an automated electric bus in Munich city traffic. The trial is intended to check whether a full-size bus can operate in mixed conditions.
TA Instruments, a division of Waters Corporation, has published a battery testing selection guide that pairs analytical techniques with specific battery components. The guide includes rheology for electrode slurries.
Union Pacific has started testing battery-electric locomotives in Southern California, with two of four Wabtec FLXdrive units delivered. The trial is intended to evaluate emerging technologies in operational railway conditions.
HEVO said it will work with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and BMW in a technology evaluation program for next-generation wireless charging. The effort is intended to help assess compatibility through bench testing and engineering support.
Mercedes-Benz said it will test ProLogium’s Gen4 battery cells for future EVs. The work is intended to assess safety, energy density, fast charging, performance and scalability.
BYD said it is testing a flagship sedan with coach doors and what it called “unprecedented disruptive technology.” The car is reportedly expected to use BYD’s solid-state batteries, which would make it the first EV to do so.