Solid-state battery tech: What’s close to commercialization, and what’s still years away?


With a fresh round of funding, Wildcat Discovery Technologies is busy expanding its facilities, building up its battery team and doubling down on promising solid-state research projects. We asked the energy storage experts to help clear up the hype around solid-state batteries. Whenever Charged needs to better understand the complexities of the latest and greatest battery… Read more »

EV motor shaft bearings: One of the few moving parts


CoorsTek argues that ceramic bearings are the best fit for EVs The less moving parts in a machine, the better. That’s one often-heard argument for the superiority of electric powertrains over internal combustion engines (ICEs), in which the number of moving components is dramatic. Sure, EVs have a lot of electrons moving this way and… Read more »

Cable sizing and selection for EV systems


Why Champlain Cable backs irradiation cross-linking for high-voltage EV cable insulation When you think of what makes up an EV, cables and wires probably aren’t the first components that come to mind. But these conduits comprise the electrical cardiovascular system that makes a vehicle function – from the battery to the motor and all the… Read more »

AC Fast Charging: The right fit for medium-duty EVs


What’s the largest mass transit system in the United States? Is it the public transit network? Nope. Commercial airlines? Guess again. Passenger rail? Not even close. Here’s a hint: the vehicles are colored yellow. Give up? It’s school buses, and in terms of sheer numbers this fleet is 2.5 times larger than all other forms… Read more »

Pre-Switch promises to add 5-12% more EV range by eliminating switching loses


How would you like it if your EV could go ten percent farther with the same size battery? You’d love it, of course, and so would every EV manufacturer out there. Range is one of the most important parameters in the EV industry, as many potential EV drivers are apprehensive about lower range ratings. Manufacturers… Read more »

Easelink wants to set a new standard for automatic EV charging where conductive efficiency meets inductive convenience


On average, you park your EV once every nine miles. Imagine if every one of those times, your car could quickly recharge without any intervention on your part. This is the vision of Easelink, an EV charging company based in Graz, Austria. Easelink wants to put its Matrix Charging technology in parking spots far and… Read more »

Battery testing start-up Novonix has spun off PUREgraphite to manufacture anode material in the US


Batteries are ubiquitous in our modern lives. Take a look around you and count how many items need be plugged in and recharged. If you’re at your desk, the answer might be four or five. If you’re out for a run, perhaps two or three. If you’re in a garage, there may only be one,… Read more »

Battery testing start-up Novonix has spun off PUREgraphite to manufacture anode material in the US


Batteries are ubiquitous in our modern lives. Take a look around you and count how many items need be plugged in and recharged. If you’re at your desk, the answer might be four or five. If you’re out for a run, perhaps two or three. If you’re in a garage, there may only be one,… Read more »

Cree joins Volkswagen’s FAST program to provide silicon carbide


Automotive manufacturer Volkswagen Group has selected Cree as the exclusive provider of silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors for its Future Automotive Supply Tracks (FAST) program. Founded in 2015, FAST aims to optimize the collaboration between Volkswagen and its suppliers. According to Cree, the use of SiC semiconductors makes EVs more efficient, allowing for reduced costs, quicker… Read more »

The Wallbox Copper proves EV chargers can be beautiful too


The Spanish charging station company Wallbox is growing quickly and winning awards. The Red Dot Product Design award is given every year to consumer products with exceptional design, from luxury watches to elegant furniture to stunning sports cars. You might not expect an EV charger to share that stage, but among the 2019 Red Dot… Read more »