Drew Dowdell
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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell
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That’s a side effect, but no. It’s harder to do both engine and vehicle platform at the same time than it is to have them alternate in cadence. but that’s kinda true of all major projects with large separate components.
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Ultium is a sound concept but GM's execution has been terrible. I would equate it to Alfa's rollout of the Giorgio platform that went horribly, but if you think about it, it has parallels. Have you not noticed that no manufacturer, not GM, not Toyota, not VW, ever rolls out a truly all-new car? When a new platform comes out, they usually carry over powertrains or pluck a newer powertrain that has been running in some other vehicle for a few years. Then, once they're 2 years in, there is an engine'/transmission update. You used to be able to set your watch to the "All new Camry with same engine" / 2 years later / "Camry gets all new engine" / 3 years later / "All new Camry with the same engine" cadence. The reason for that is that it is incredibly difficult to set up a whole vehicle platform AND engine / transmission platform all at the same time. The latest "all-new" CR-V came out in 2022, but the engine platform dates back to 2014 when it debuted in a mid-cycle refresh of an overseas market Honda Fit. And that is why the Alfa Romeo Giorgio platform had so many issues at the beginning. The Giorgio, which debuted under the Giulia and later the Stelvio, was the first truly "all-new" vehicle we've had in decades. It was a new platform, on a new production line, with a new engine. The only off-the-shelf component in that car was the ZF 8-speed automatic. These days, Giorgio seems to be doing just fine as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L Now take that task and multiply it by 10. Not only did GM build a new platform, they built a new powertrain, and a new battery pack, and then they had to build the plants to build that battery pack, which they'd never done before. They called in LG for help, but it is still a massive undertaking. The early Teslas were utter rubbish (some would argue they aren't much better today). Worse than anything GM is experiencing at the moment. GM, for all its faults, at least had the wisdom to stop production so the issues could be addressed instead of pushing out sub-par beta-test products like Tesla did. Keep in mind that the earliest Tesla Model-Ses are now 12 years old, one year OLDER than my Avalanche. I've been in a battery presentation for Ultium, and I do believe that GM is on the right track. Their modular design makes it easy to future-proof the design for new chemistries as they become available. They'll get there, they're further ahead on the curve than Tesla was 12 years ago simply because, unlike Tesla, they can make a door that shuts properly.
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Owners of Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning vehicles have nearly doubled their charging location options overnight with 15,000+ new chargers added to the Ford BlueOval Charge Network. Last May, Ford announced they signed an agreement with Tesla for Ford EVs to gain access to Tesla Supercharger locations. Currently, the access is limited to just the two retail EVs that Ford sells and not the commercially oriented Ford e-Transit van. A Ford representative indicated that a future announcement for e-Transit drivers could be coming. In addition to access to the Tesla network, Ford will begin transitioning its EVs to use the new Tesla-designed NACS plug that is backward compatible with the existing Tesla design. Ford vehicles already built and sold with the CCS plug are eligible for a complimentary NACS to CCS adapter from Ford. Owners may register their VIN to receive their adapter in the Ford Pass app or at ford.com/FastChargingAdapter. Owners are allowed one free adapter per VIN. Charging a Mustang Mach-E or F-150 Lightning takes just two steps. Plug the adapter into the vehicle and plug the Supercharger cable into the plug in a simple Plug-to-Charge process. Drivers are charged for their session directly through the BlueOval network with whatever payment method is already set up. While 15,000+ Tesla Superchargers are available for Ford drivers' use, not every Tesla charger is compatible. Tesla Superchargers that have peak rates of 250+ kilowatts (kW) and an all-black charge cord and handle are compatible with Ford EVs. L2 Destination chargers and 150kW stations with a silver collar on the charge plug are not compatible. View full article
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Owners of Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning vehicles have nearly doubled their charging location options overnight with 15,000+ new chargers added to the Ford BlueOval Charge Network. Last May, Ford announced they signed an agreement with Tesla for Ford EVs to gain access to Tesla Supercharger locations. Currently, the access is limited to just the two retail EVs that Ford sells and not the commercially oriented Ford e-Transit van. A Ford representative indicated that a future announcement for e-Transit drivers could be coming. In addition to access to the Tesla network, Ford will begin transitioning its EVs to use the new Tesla-designed NACS plug that is backward compatible with the existing Tesla design. Ford vehicles already built and sold with the CCS plug are eligible for a complimentary NACS to CCS adapter from Ford. Owners may register their VIN to receive their adapter in the Ford Pass app or at ford.com/FastChargingAdapter. Owners are allowed one free adapter per VIN. Charging a Mustang Mach-E or F-150 Lightning takes just two steps. Plug the adapter into the vehicle and plug the Supercharger cable into the plug in a simple Plug-to-Charge process. Drivers are charged for their session directly through the BlueOval network with whatever payment method is already set up. While 15,000+ Tesla Superchargers are available for Ford drivers' use, not every Tesla charger is compatible. Tesla Superchargers that have peak rates of 250+ kilowatts (kW) and an all-black charge cord and handle are compatible with Ford EVs. L2 Destination chargers and 150kW stations with a silver collar on the charge plug are not compatible. -
Right on all points, though Honda is working on a version of this for semi-trucks. The only reason companies are pursuing this right now is because there are federal research grants for it. It may be a waste of money if a hydrogen vehicle is the goal, but it should provide some R&D dollars for all of the components south of the fuel-cell stack..... which is all usable in EVs. The speed at which Honda could swap out the H2 containment and the fuel-cell stack to replace it with some batteries with real range is probably measured in weeks if it wasn't designed with that in mind in the first place. Tada! CR-V EV!- 6 replies
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There is one very important distinction with the battery; this is the first Hydrogen Fuel Cell that offers regenerative braking.
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Hydrogen Meets Plug-In in the CR-V Honda unveiled the first hydrogen fuel-cell plug-in vehicle today on their website. The 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV has a total EPA-rated range of 270 miles and a battery-operated range of 29 miles. Only available in front-wheel drive, the powertrain offers 174 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. Honda has reworked the suspension setup with tuned dampers and springs. The fuel-cell stack has an estimated 92.2 kW production capacity feeding from 4.3 kg of stored hydrogen. Drivers can charge the battery with Level-2 charging or visit a hydrogen filling station for fast fill-ups. Well-Equipped Touring Trim Only Offered only in a well-equipped Touring trim, the CR-V e:FCEV receives unique styling to identify it as a fuel-cell model and includes a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless phone charging, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, power-adjustable heated front seats, heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, handsfree access power tailgate, parking sensors and sustainable materials including bio-based leather seat upholstery. The 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV also offers a 1,500-watt, 110-volt power supply to power small appliances, power tools, and camping equipment. Honda will only offer the 2025 CR-V e:FCEV as a lease for drivers in Southern California beginning later in 2025. Check out the 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV photo gallery for a closer look. View full article
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Honda's Hydrogen Gamble: The 2025 CR-V e:FCEV Plug-In Fuel Cell
Drew Dowdell posted an article in Honda
Hydrogen Meets Plug-In in the CR-V Honda unveiled the first hydrogen fuel-cell plug-in vehicle today on their website. The 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV has a total EPA-rated range of 270 miles and a battery-operated range of 29 miles. Only available in front-wheel drive, the powertrain offers 174 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. Honda has reworked the suspension setup with tuned dampers and springs. The fuel-cell stack has an estimated 92.2 kW production capacity feeding from 4.3 kg of stored hydrogen. Drivers can charge the battery with Level-2 charging or visit a hydrogen filling station for fast fill-ups. Well-Equipped Touring Trim Only Offered only in a well-equipped Touring trim, the CR-V e:FCEV receives unique styling to identify it as a fuel-cell model and includes a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless phone charging, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, power-adjustable heated front seats, heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, handsfree access power tailgate, parking sensors and sustainable materials including bio-based leather seat upholstery. The 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV also offers a 1,500-watt, 110-volt power supply to power small appliances, power tools, and camping equipment. Honda will only offer the 2025 CR-V e:FCEV as a lease for drivers in Southern California beginning later in 2025. Check out the 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV photo gallery for a closer look. -
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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15 2025 Honda CR-V eFCEV Powering Portable Air Conditioner.jpg
Drew Dowdell posted a gallery image in Gallery
From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
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From the album: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV
