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Japan Post is not a newcomer to the notion of using electric vehicles (EVs) to save money as well as the environment. Mitsubishi supplied the Japan Post with electric vehicles (EVs) roughly 11 years ago — 5,000 Minicab-MiEVs, the Minicab EV’s precursor. Now, a fresh Mitsubishi Motors order has been placed for 3,000 Minicab EVs, which are light commercial electric vehicles. Delivery is scheduled to start in the fall.
In addition, new Volkswagen ID.7 models are now available in the UK; bp is expanding its ultrafast charging network in the US; BMW has announced strong EV sales growth. Read on below for more cleantech news from the past week.
Electric Vehicles
Long-distance Volkswagen ID.7 Pro S models now on sale in the UK
A new version of the Volkswagen ID.7 has a WLTP pure electric range of 437 miles for the fastback version and 425 miles for the Tourer version. The Pro S Match models can also be charged at up to 200 kW DC, meaning a top-up from 10 to 80 percent of battery capacity can take as little as 26 minutes.
“Long-distance electric-only journeys are becoming easier with the introduction of the Volkswagen ID.7 Pro S Match and ID.7 Tourer Pro S Match. The addition of ‘Pro S’ to existing Volkswagen ID.7 models introduces a bigger battery and faster charging. The new ID.7 Pro S Match models have an 86 kWh battery, compared with the 77 kWh battery in the ID.7 Match versions.
“Both new models have all the same levels of luxury and equipment that existing ID.7 drivers enjoy, including a head-up display; Volkswagen’s latest MIB4 infotainment software with 15-inch screen; sophisticated IQ.LIGHT Matrix headlights; three-zone air conditioning with smart vents; comfortable ergoActive heated front seats with massage functions; and privacy glass in the rear. They also offer the same cavernous boot space, with up to 1,586 and 1,714 litres of storage respectively in the fastback and Tourer (loaded to roofline with the rear seats down).
“The ID.7 Pro S Match and ID.7 Tourer Pro S Match can be ordered now from Volkswagen Retailers, priced £55,450 and £56,140 (on-the-road recommended retail price inc. VAT).”
Renault Trucks, Jumbo, and SVZ test electric prototype ‘Oxygen’ dedicated to urban logistics
Over in Europe, Renault has had an active week and looks to have made significant advances toward accessibility and growth with its electric force. Its pop-up store is providing an electrifying test drive opportunity until July 28 at London’s Westfield Shopping Centre.
Those interested in taking a test drive can book their slot in advance here. Once they have completed their test drive, they will then receive up to six hours of free parking at the venue. The pure-electric Renault 5 is also on public display for one of the first times in the UK.
However, it is Renault Trucks that are expanding Renault’s market share; supermarket chain Jumbo recognized this and seized the opportunity to work together.
Renault Trucks is continuing its research and development work with its laboratory truck, Oxygen. After an initial test phase still ongoing in Lyon and Paris, the manufacturer is entering a new stage with a second version of this electric truck dedicated to urban logistics. And as a result, testing of a variant featuring a refrigerated box, created in collaboration with the grocery chain Jumbo & SVZ, and with assistance from Renault Trucks’ Dutch affiliate, will begin in Amsterdam in October 2024.
“Thanks to the launch of its electric heavy-duty truck, which marks a real step forward in inter-regional distribution, the French manufacturer has decided to switch to Renault Trucks E-Tech T 4×2 tractors for the axles supply to the Bourg-en-Bresse plant.
“In practical terms, two partner hauliers have been chosen to carry out this task over the next six years, namely the Dupessey & Co Group and Transports Chazot.
“Five electric trucks, each loaded with 22 tonnes of equipment, will make two round trips a day (360 km) to deliver the axles, manufactured at the Lyon site, to the Bourg-en-Bresse plant, where the heavy-duty trucks are assembled.”
Renault has also announced its membership in the New Energies Coalition for Transport and Logistics. Initiated by the CMA CGM Group in 2019, the New Energies Coalition brings together the world’s leading international logistics chains operators. Together, they are committed to developing energy and technology solutions for reducing the sector’s impact on climate change. Renault Group Supply Chain is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 30% by 2030, compared to 2019.
Maeving RM1S electric motorcycle launches in the US
“The British electric motorcycle manufacturer Maeving has established itself as the premier choice for those looking for beautiful bikes geared towards urban riding, with their first model — the RM1 — quickly becoming the best-selling electric motorcycle in the UK, and one of the best-reviewed worldwide.
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- Britain’s best-selling electric motorcycle, the Maeving RM1S, is now available in California, with additional states to follow
- Timeless British design meets modern technology
- Excellent urban capabilities now bolstered by highway-capable speeds
- Premium practicality with battery charging available on/off the bike (with removable batteries)
“Their latest model, the all-electric Maeving RM1S, is now available in the US market. Costing $8,995 and initially launched in California with additional states to follow, the British-built machine (designed by a team of former Triumph engineers) blends classic motorcycle design with the performance and ease of modern EV.”
Audi is considering the early end of production of the Audi Q8 e-tron
“Audi is witnessing a global decline in customer orders in the electric luxury class segment. This affects the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron models, which roll off the production line in Brussels. Audi is therefore considering the early end of production at the Brussels site. The Board of Management of Audi Brussels has informed the Company Council of their intention to carry out a restructuring of the site. By stating this intention, the information and consultation process begins in accordance with Belgian law. In this process, the plant management discusses solutions for the site together with the responsible social partners. This may also include a cessation of operations if no alternative is found.”
The BMW brand posted sales of 179,557 fully electric vehicles in the first half of 2024, representing a 34.1% increase in BEV sales year on year. BMW BEVs thus accounted for 16.4% of BMW brand sales.
As announced at the Ministry of Transport’s Committee of Supply 2021, all new diesel car and taxi registrations will cease from 2025. This supports Singapore’s vision for all vehicles to run on cleaner energy by 2040.
EV Charging
“Today, bp (NYSE: BP) announced a deal for bp’s global EV charging business, bp pulse, to install and operate EV charging Gigahubs on 75 sites with Simon (Simon Property Group, NYSE: SPG), a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations.
“This deal will deliver over 900 ultra-fast charging bays that support nearly every make and model of EVs on the market today across all locations, with the first locations opening to the public in early 2026.”
V2VNY a workplace charging project
“Companies are invited to take part in a trial of new, next-generation vehicle to grid (V2G) electric vehicle (EV) workplace charging technology which offers the opportunity to lower carbon emissions and reduce energy costs.
“Trial participants will be provided with a free V2G EV charger which can be kept after the end of the project. V2G technology enables EVs to be charged at times when electricity costs are low, and then put energy back into the grid, or into a building or even another EV, when electricity costs are higher.”
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- Businesses invited to take part in trial of next-generation vehicle-to-grid EV charging.
- Free charger for fleet/workplace EV charging trial.
- Opportunity to lower carbon emissions and reduce energy costs
- Project is part of the V2X Innovation Programme, delivered by Innovate UK
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- New competence centre for development of innovative, high-performance battery cells and new manufacturing processes
- Ola Källenius: “Our goal is to reduce battery costs by more than 30 percent in the coming years”
- In 2024, Mercedes-Benz will invest 14 billion euros in research and development and in its plants — a significant proportion will be channeled into the development of batteries and electric drive systems
- New “Industrial Cell Lab” covers the entire product and process chain of cell development and production, and enables the development of expertise for an economical manufacturing process
- Investments in the three-digit million range strengthen Stuttgart-Untertürkheim as a high-tech location for drive technologies
- Sustainable building concept: recycled concrete, green roof including photovoltaics
PUMA named among “World’s Most Sustainable Companies” by TIME
“Sports Company PUMA has been named in the ‘World’s Most Sustainable Companies’ ranking by US news magazine TIME and Statista, which takes into account a company’s most important environmental data as well as its transparency and the assessment by external organizations. ‘We will take this as an incentive to work even harder and continue to reduce our environmental footprint.’”
“Ford today received a revised incentive offer from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Michigan Strategic Fund for BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall, Michigan, to match the reduced scope of the project announced last November.
“The agency also revised its incentive offer for another job-creation and investment initiative spanning several Ford facilities in Michigan. The company announced this project in June 2022 and later revised its plans with a new third crew at Michigan Assembly Plant, including some employees from the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center.
“When complete, the two projects will have created or retained upwards of 5,000 Ford jobs in Michigan. Several thousand of those jobs have already been added or retained since 2022, bringing Ford’s total to more than 44,000 employees in the state.”
Avangrid installs first solar panels at Powell Creek Project in Ohio
Powell Creek will be a 202 MWdc solar farm in Putnam County, Ohio, with ability to generate enough energy to power 30,000 homes a year.
Avangrid announces agreement for sale of Kitty Hawk north offshore lease area to Dominion Energy
40,000 acre lease area could support 800 MW of offshore wind generation energy. Transaction value of approximately $160 million expected to close in fourth quarter of 2024.
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