Danie van der Merwe

Keep Fuel Dollars Local By Switching To EVs - Electricity Is Usually More Locally Produced Than Oil

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 19:42:19 +0200

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

Sometimes, logical considerations are so simple that our natural tendency is to question them. Personal transportation is a good example. We’ve been taught to think of pumping gas and the associated fuel dollars spent as a given, as the cost of having independent mobility freedom. Right? And we accept that, because many parts of the US don’t have regional gas production facilities, it costs us even more than other places to buy gas.

Let’s step back from this norm about fueling dollars and think about it a bit more closely. Wouldn’t it make sense to focus on generating electricity locally, so consumers can shift to electric transportation and save money as they plug in? Wouldn’t EVs that source electricity locally keep transportation expenditures recirculating through local economies?

The answer to those questions is yes. When we drive our EVs in our home regions and draw upon locally-generated electricity, we’re saving a whole bunch of money.

See Keep Fuel Dollars Local By Switching To EVs

#environment #EV #BigOil #localeconomy

Using the example of the southeastern US, a new analysis outlines how electrifying transportation regionally could result in $47 billion in transportation fuel spending retained annually.

environment EV

show all 7 comments

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 19:56:15 +0200

Kazimierz Kurz

kakaz@pluspora.com

So do you produce all of this wires, solar panels, wind turbines etc? Or it is Chinese?

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 20:58:34 +0200 zuletzt bearbeitet: Mon, 30 Aug 2021 20:59:20 +0200

Danie van der Merwe

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

@Kazimierz Kurz no "wires" needed, as most countries already have electrical grids. You'll probably find most countries' nuclear plants and coal generators etc had come from other countries. Big difference with oil, is you are importing it all the time, and then transporting it to the places needed. Solar PV can come from many countries (as do wind generators from the EU and elsewhere) but yes China can be pretty cost-effective, as is India, and they last a good 25 years of use (vs that oil having to come in all the time).

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 21:17:02 +0200

Kazimierz Kurz

kakaz@pluspora.com

In our days you importing everything all the time. So "have it locally" is just empty slogan, especially as for EV vehicles. I am sure USA is much less dependent on oils than on electronics and electric power

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 21:29:04 +0200

Danie van der Merwe

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

@Kazimierz Kurz big difference between bringing in oil all the time year-on-year versus a battery that is used for 8 to 10 years, or solar panels that are used for 20 to 25 years. Maybe the USA is lucky in regard to having enough local oil, but 150+ other countries are not, and the forex that goes into constant oil imports is pretty heavy. We have to import every drop of oil, then refine it, then transport the petrol continuously across our country with diesel trucks to petrol stations.

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 21:33:42 +0200

Kazimierz Kurz

kakaz@pluspora.com

battery that is used for 8 to 10 years

How old is your phone? Did giu saw any battery used for 8 years?

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 21:49:00 +0200

Danie van der Merwe

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

@Kazimierz Kurz no not my phone, the post was about EVs, and those batteries carry a minimum 7 to 8-year warranty (depending on manufacturer). After they get replaced they usually head for a few more years of use at grid storage facilities, and the US now has a company recycling them too when no longer to be used. From https://evcharging.enelx.com/resources/blog/512-electric-car-battery-life you'll see EV batteries could soon be good for a million miles of use.

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 05:46:18 +0200

Kazimierz Kurz

kakaz@pluspora.com

EV batteries could soon be good

Great!

Ample raises $160 million on the promise of EV battery swapping with an adapter plate fitting each OEM's vehicle holding swappable modules

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 21:43:11 +0200

Danie van der Merwe

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

Battery swapping is an ideal solution whilst EV batteries still take some time to charge, but it really needs standardisation to take off. Problem is the race is still on between manufacturers to squeeze in that extra bit of capacity and shave minutes off the charging time. Ample is planning to build a battery that fits into existing vehicles, but where the modules can swap out easily (or even upgraded).

The goal with Ample is to convince automakers to make versions of their electric vehicles that have a sort of adapter plate instead of a full battery pack, while everything else stays the same. Then Ample plugs a bunch of battery modules into that adapter. The modules can then be easily swapped at automated battery swap stations, allowing for a much faster “fill-up” that saves time and money.

"John de Souza: I think in the US, we don’t look enough as to what’s happening around the world". While battery swapping may still seem unfamiliar and possibly unfeasible in the US, it’s taking off in China, where startups like Nio have inspired the government there to basically start demanding a national standard.

See Ample raises $160 million on the promise of battery swapping

#environment #EV #batteries

An idea Tesla and others have tried but abandoned.

environment EV batteries

GAC Aion V 6C Promises 8-Minute Charge Times, 1000-Kilometre Range in their SUV, possible using their new graphene battery

Sun, 22 Aug 2021 21:58:34 +0200

Danie van der Merwe

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

Chinese manufacturer GAC says next month, customers will be able to buy an Aion 6C battery electric SUV that can charge a depleted battery to 80% capacity in a lightning fast 8 minutes. The company claims the car will have a range of 1000 kilometres NEDC, the wildly optimistic standard used in China. EPA range would probably be a little more than half of that, but still — 500+ miles of range and an 8 minute charging time? BOOM! That’s the sound of range anxiety fears exploding.

Naturally, such expeditious charging requires state-of-the-art chargers. For those worried that such rapid charging will degrade the battery, Aion says not to worry. Assuming charging is done at room temperature, it claims the battery should last for up to 1 million kilometres.

The proof of the pudding though will be in the "eating", so we all eagerly await actual road test reviews.

See GAC Aion V 6C Promises 8-Minute Charge Times, 1000 Kilometer Range

#environment #batteries #EV #BEV

GAC claims its new Aion V 6C has exception range and super fast charging times.

EV batteries environment EV batteries

Janus Electric in Australia have pioneered an amazing business to convert diesel trucks to electric, with 3-minute battery swap-outs

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 10:50:23 +0200

Danie van der Merwe

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

A diesel engine on average needs to be reconditioned every 10 years or 1.3 million kilometers. Instead of rebuilding an old diesel, Janus argues that it is cost-effective to replace it with an electric motor. Especially if you factor in the fuel savings (estimated at 50%) and the resale value of the used motor. And it can be done in a week.

Janus has thought through the issues in the trucking industry — time is money. You don’t have to wait for the truck to be charged, with swapping stations placed near trucking rest stops and timed to the drivers’ mandatory fatigue breaks, a battery can be swapped out conveniently. It takes 20 minutes to fuel up a big diesel. But it only takes 3 minutes to swap out the battery.

Which also suggests, because we have "standardised diesel" across truck brands, we should strive for standardised battery packs for the identical reason.

See Truckies Going Electric in Australia

#technology #environment #trucks #EV #australia

Diesel ‘til I Die That might be the clarion call of truckers, but as Dylan said — the times, they are a changin’. Innovative entrepreneurs Bevan Doley and Lex Forsyth of Janus Electric in Australia have pioneered an amazing business to convert diesel trucks to electric and bring many benefits to the blue singlet brigade, […]

environment EV trucks australia

South African electric vehicle dealer Eleksa plans to launch the cheapest electric car in the country yet — the R200,000 CityBug for 15c/km travel costs

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 15:01:05 +0200

Danie van der Merwe

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

That makes it more affordable than the most popular hatchback in the country in June, the VW Polo Vivo, which starts at R222,100.

This 2-door, 4-seat compact hatch is designed for use in urban areas, boasting a top speed of 60km/h (which is not intended for cross-country travelling). It has a lithium battery which can provide a starting range of 100km, upgradeable to 200km.

Eleksa says the CityBug has an extremely low running cost, with a charging cost of 15c per kilometre, which works out to R15.00 for a full charge on the 100km model. With the inland unleaded 93 petrol price of R17.20, that means it will cost about R49 over 100km, more than three times the price of recharging the CityBug.

The point is that it is for really cheap inner-city travelling so for many this may be a second car in the household, and one also needs to remember that servicing is going to be way cheaper than a petrol or diesel powered car.

See New R200,000 electric car coming to South Africa

#environment #southafrica #EV #Eleksa

The Eleksa CityBug is set to launch in South Africa in September 2021, and will be the cheapest electric car in the country.

southafrica EV environment

One of the biggest myths about EVs is busted in new study - Even EVs that plug into dirty grids emit fewer greenhouse gases than gasoline-powered cars

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 13:32:24 +0200

Danie van der Merwe

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

A new study lays to rest the tired argument that electric vehicles aren’t much cleaner than internal combustion vehicles. Over the life cycle of an EV — from digging up the materials needed to build it to eventually laying the car to rest — it will release fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a gas-powered car, the research found. That holds true globally, whether an EV plugs into a grid in Europe with a larger share of renewables, or a grid in India that still relies heavily on coal.

“We have a lot of lobby work from parts of the automotive industry saying that electric vehicles are not that much better if you take into account the electricity production and the battery production. We wanted to look into this and see whether these arguments are true,” says Georg Bieker, a researcher at the nonprofit research group the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) that published the report. The ICCT’s analysis found that those arguments don’t hold true over time.

In the US, an EV produces between 60 to 68 percent fewer emissions. In China, which uses more coal, an EV results in between 37 to 45 percent fewer emissions. In India, it’s between 19 to 34 percent lower.

See One of the biggest myths about EVs is busted in new study

#environment #EV #greenhousegas #missions #myth

New report calls for a global phaseout of gas-guzzling cars.

environment EV myths greenhousegas

Prototype electric fire trucks in use in Berlin, Amsterdam and Dubai

Sun, 11 Jul 2021 11:42:15 +0200

Danie van der Merwe

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

I suppose this was the next logical use case to crack, as these vehicles spend time at the fire station and generally do short trips to fight fires and then return again to the station. It is well worth watching the video included in the article, and if you're not German-speaking, then just turn on auto-translate.

Generally everything is a major plus for these vehicles and the only downside is where they would be used for disasters and require very long usage scenarios. For this, they have included a backup diesel generator. Positive though were an incredibly small turning circle, a crawl sideways movement, much more cab space as well as side panel storage, operations are all inside, much quieter interior, etc.

I'd imagine too if more are purchased that the fire station would possibly also get it's own solar charging.

See Electric Fire Truck? Oh, Yes!

#environment #firetruck #EV #fireengine

It’s great to see new sectors starting to seriously go electric. And we’ve got another one that’s in that camp — fire trucks. Rosenbauer is moving toward production of an electric fire truck named “Revolutionary Technology,” and Volvo Penta has announced that it has now partnered with Rosenbauer to supply the powertrain. “By adapting proven […]

environment EV

Sun, 11 Jul 2021 13:57:56 +0200

Kazimierz Kurz

kakaz@pluspora.com

So we are close to situation no fire service will be available for remote locations

Sun, 11 Jul 2021 16:08:24 +0200

Danie van der Merwe

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

@Kazimierz Kurz yes these are really city use with the backup generator for extended use. But in a couple of years (15+) we're going to find diesel getting hard to source as demand drops. I expect by then though there will be longer range, or swap out battery packs, ot remote recharge units.

Sun, 11 Jul 2021 21:52:46 +0200

Kazimierz Kurz

kakaz@pluspora.com

find diesel getting hard to source as demand drops

Will see

Golden Arrow Bus Services in Cape Town launches first active electric bus in South Africa

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 15:51:13 +0200

Danie van der Merwe

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

Golden Arrow’s remarkable renewable energy journey started in 2017 with the pilot installation of two solar plants of 25kWp each. The results were encouraging and ultimately led to two of its facilities being declared carbon neutral in 2020.

Given the success of projects to date, Golden Arrow decided to take on its next project - testing an electric bus. The Company has partnered with BYD (bus manufacturer) and uYilo (co-funding) to test two 100% electric buses for a 12-month period.

Sufficient testing has now been done to comfortably take the next big step. As of July 2021, the two electric buses have been incorporated into Golden Arrow’s day-to-day operations, carrying passengers between Retreat and Cape Town.

Yes, I know we had electric trolley busses in mid-20th century, but consider this in the modern era as a first.

See Minister Mitchell and Golden Arrow launch first active electric bus in SA - News | Transport and Public Works

#environment #southafrica #capetown #electricbus #EV

Transport and Public Works Minister, Daylin Mitchell And Golden Arrow Bus Services Transport and Public Works Minister, Daylin Mitchell , together with Golden Arrow Bus Services (

environment capetown southafrica electricbusses EV

Battery recycling boosted by dentist-style ultrasonics, if manufacturers can cooperate

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 18:23:24 +0200

Danie van der Merwe

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

Electric vehicles may come with impressive green credentials, at least while they're being driven, but as any laptop owner knows batteries come with a finite lifespan. End-of-life EV batteries may find a second use as backing storage for power grids but there will come a time when they need to be recycled – and the current process is neither clean nor easy.

"This novel procedure is 100 times quicker and greener than conventional battery recycling techniques and leads to a higher purity of recovered materials," claimed Andy Abbott, professor at the University of Leicester. "It essentially works in the same way as a dentist's ultrasonic descaler, breaking down adhesive bonds between the coating layer and the substrate."

"It is likely that the initial use of this technology will feed recycled materials straight back into the battery production line. This is a real step change moment in battery recycling," he added.

As expected though, masses of research is going into more efficient batteries as well as ways to recycle and re-use them, so the overall situation only keeps getting better.

See Battery recycling boosted by dentist-style ultrasonics, if manufacturers can cooperate

#environment #EV #batteries #recycling

New technique quicker and greener, but needs batteries to be designed for dismantling

environment EV batteries environment EV batteries

U.S. Energy Department Releases Request for Information on Electric Vehicle Grid Integration

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 11:12:45 +0200

Danie van der Merwe

gadgeteer@hub.netzgemeinde.eu

Through this RFI, DOE is soliciting input in five categories:
* An evaluation of the use of EVs to maintain the reliability of the electric grid.
* The impact of grid integration on EVs.
* The impacts to the electric grid of increased penetration by EVs.
* Research on the standards needed to integrate EVs with the grid, including communications systems, protocols, and charging stations.
* The cybersecurity challenges and needs associated with electrifying the transportation sector.

A request for information is always the best way to go to first determine what needs to be considered before designing any specifications for later tenders, versus having your specifications shaped by a single dominant player already in the market. Another positive here is that they are clearly also looking to see how EVs can be used as broader grid-storage and grid frequency stabilisation (first and fourth categories point towards this).

See U.S. Energy Department Releases Request for Information on Electric Vehicle Grid Integration

#environment #EV #USA #energy #gridstorage

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), and DOE’s Office of Electricity (OE), have announced a request for information (RFI) seeking feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders on issues related to integrating electric vehicles (EVs) with the grid. Electrification is a key part […]

environment EV USA