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One of the key materials used in electric car batteries is cobalt. But there are growing concerns that the supply of cobalt is getting scarce as more and more automakers begin building electric cars. A new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance says cobalt shortages are expected to happen earlier than previously forecast. This issue possibly brings a big challenge to the rollout of electric vehicles over the next five to seven years. "The long lead time to bring on new mines and the concentration of cobalt reserves in the Democratic Republic of the Congo mean there is a real possibility of supply shocks in the early 2020s," analysts from BNEF wrote. "If capacity does not grow as planned, cobalt prices could continue to spike and there could be a major cobalt shortage. This would have serious implications on the electric vehicle market." The price of cobalt has tripled within the past two years as more automakers begin building electric vehicles. Peter Deneen, the managing director at consultancy EV-Metals Resources Group said in an email that the market price for cobalt has risen in the "prospect of supply constraints". But the price doesn't include the potential risk of political upheaval in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - accounts for more than two-thirds of mined cobalt. Concerns have automakers accelerating development of batteries that have smaller amounts of cobalt. Chinese automaker BYD is expected to introduce batteries that have a nickel-manganese-cobalt ratio of 8:1:1 by the end of this year. BMW is expected to follow in 2021 with a similar ratio. According to BNEF's report, this chemistry will account for 57 percent of EV batteries by 2030. There is also the idea of recycling batteries that could provide 100,000 metric tons of cobalt a year by 2030. But the amount would have to mean all batteries from consumer electronics are recycled. Currently, the recycling rates around between 25 to 50 percent according to the report. Source: Bloomberg via Automotive News (Subscription Required) -
One of the key materials used in electric car batteries is cobalt. But there are growing concerns that the supply of cobalt is getting scarce as more and more automakers begin building electric cars. A new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance says cobalt shortages are expected to happen earlier than previously forecast. This issue possibly brings a big challenge to the rollout of electric vehicles over the next five to seven years. "The long lead time to bring on new mines and the concentration of cobalt reserves in the Democratic Republic of the Congo mean there is a real possibility of supply shocks in the early 2020s," analysts from BNEF wrote. "If capacity does not grow as planned, cobalt prices could continue to spike and there could be a major cobalt shortage. This would have serious implications on the electric vehicle market." The price of cobalt has tripled within the past two years as more automakers begin building electric vehicles. Peter Deneen, the managing director at consultancy EV-Metals Resources Group said in an email that the market price for cobalt has risen in the "prospect of supply constraints". But the price doesn't include the potential risk of political upheaval in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - accounts for more than two-thirds of mined cobalt. Concerns have automakers accelerating development of batteries that have smaller amounts of cobalt. Chinese automaker BYD is expected to introduce batteries that have a nickel-manganese-cobalt ratio of 8:1:1 by the end of this year. BMW is expected to follow in 2021 with a similar ratio. According to BNEF's report, this chemistry will account for 57 percent of EV batteries by 2030. There is also the idea of recycling batteries that could provide 100,000 metric tons of cobalt a year by 2030. But the amount would have to mean all batteries from consumer electronics are recycled. Currently, the recycling rates around between 25 to 50 percent according to the report. Source: Bloomberg via Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article
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G. David Felt Staff Writer Alternative Energy - www.CheersandGears.com Faraday Future Teaser, Pre-order, Reveal and More! Faraday Future emailed out yesterday Dec 6th 2016 confirming that they will at the Jan 5th - 8th CES show in Las Vegas reveal their production ready EV auto. They have also tweeted this and posted to their web site pictures and video's. Interesting is the pictures from Autoblog where you can see their first EV will be more CUV style I think than car. Better yet is that they are clearly using Tesla as a Bench mark.
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G. David Felt Staff Writer Alternative Energy - www.CheersandGears.com News Reports GM to Announce Secondary Use of VOLT Battery's! According to the wall street journal, yesterday GM was set to announce a secondary use for the VOLT batteries. According to the story, the 17 kWh battery that GM builds for the VOLT has a cost between $5,100 to $8,500 dollars. According to GM Media, the First generation batteries are now to be used in a second life from helping to keep the lights on and equipment running in IT data centers to bat houses and Duck nesting box's for endangered species. According to GM, the first generation VOLT battery at the end of it's useful life still actually holds over 80% of it's original storage capacity. As such GM has put together commercial and non-commercial use of these battery systems with and without wind turbines to generate enough power to keep buildings up and running for 4 hrs or when not needed return to the electric grid renewable power. The reuse of the VOLT batteries has allowed the GM Data Center administration building to get the LEED Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council. Full GM Medias Announcement VOLT Battery Backup System
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Volkswagen is turning towards plug-in hybrid technology for the majority of its models till longer range batteries become a reality. This was announced at Volkswagen's annual media conference yesterday by Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn. Why plug-in hybrid tech? Winterkorn explained that plug-in hybrids are the best stop-gap technology with reducing emissions without sacrificing range. Now that doesn't mean Volkswagen isn't stopping work on electric vehicles. The automaker is currently working on electric systems that will have a range of more than 300 miles. One other note; the Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid will be coming to the U.S. next year. This news was relayed to Automotive News by Volkswagen r&d boss Hans-Jakob Neusser. The GTE packs a turbocharged 1.4L and a electric motor to produce a combined 201 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) -
Volkswagen is turning towards plug-in hybrid technology for the majority of its models till longer range batteries become a reality. This was announced at Volkswagen's annual media conference yesterday by Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn. Why plug-in hybrid tech? Winterkorn explained that plug-in hybrids are the best stop-gap technology with reducing emissions without sacrificing range. Now that doesn't mean Volkswagen isn't stopping work on electric vehicles. The automaker is currently working on electric systems that will have a range of more than 300 miles. One other note; the Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid will be coming to the U.S. next year. This news was relayed to Automotive News by Volkswagen r&d boss Hans-Jakob Neusser. The GTE packs a turbocharged 1.4L and a electric motor to produce a combined 201 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article
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Perceptions and Concerns about Diesel, Electric, Hybrids and Plug-in Hybrids. G. David Felt Alternative Energy writer for www.CheersandGears.com In todays auto industry, it is becoming more and more an issue of cost and long life that people will consider moving to new technology. Yes we all have a friend, family member or know of someone that jumps on every new gadget that comes along. Yet, what would it take to have a person change from their traditional petrol auto to a Diesel, Electric, Hybrids or Plug-in Hybrids? Here is just some of what was found by this survey: Shoppers top motivators for moving to they types of autos: Better Fuel Economy 70% Gas savings 56% Cleaner Emissions 37% Greener Environment 28% Federal Tax Credit 24% Price Premium consideration: Willing to pay for Diesel 53% Willing to pay for Hybrids 51% Willing to pay for EVs 41% Willing to pay for Plug-in Hybrids 39% Cost and Perceptions against buying Diesel: Fuel Expense 55% Too Expensive to purchase 45% Noise 32% Environmental destruction 29% Obstacles and reasons against purchasing for Hybrids and Plug-ins Too expensive to purchase Plug-in Hybrid 71% Too expensive to purchase Hybrid 66% Too expensive to purchase EVs 60% High Cost of Maintenance Plug-in & EVs 58% High cost of Maintenance Hybrids 55% Battery Life / Range EVs 67% Battery Life / Range Plug-in Hybrids 64% Battery Life / Range hybrids 52% 59% said EVs would need to get over 150 miles per charge. 56% said Plug-in hybrids would have to get over 80 miles per charge. 40% for Plug-in and 31% for EVs said they would not buy as they do not want to plug in. Toyota was First, followed by Honda and then Ford for who the top 3 alternative energy car companies. For a full review, go to: Source AutoTrader.com http://press.autotrader.com/2013-11-14-AutoTrader-com-Survey-Reveals-Shopper-Perceptions-And-Concerns-Regarding-Diesel-Hybrid-Electric-And-Plug-in-Hybrid-Vehicles
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By William Maley January 24, 2013 Today, BMW and Toyota have signed binding agreements on jointly developing hydrogen fuel cell powertrains, a sports car platform, lightweight materials, and a lithium-air battery. The binding agreements finalize a technology partnership that was announced in December 2011. On the fuel cell front, BMW and Toyota will combine their existing resources and knowledge to develop a complete fuel-cell vehicle system; including a fuel stack, hydrogen tank, motor and battery, by 2020. The two companies will also look into the infrastructure needed for hydrogen. Also planned is research into lithium-air batteries which promise five times the energy density of lithium-ion batteries, and lightweight materials - such as carbon fiber - for car bodies. But the one part of the BMW/Toyota agreement that has everyone buzzing is the joint platform for a sportscar. The new platform will be for a mid-size sportscar. The two will do a feasibility study that will be completed by the end of this year. “It is just over a year since we signed our collaborative MoU, and with each day as our relationship strengthens, we feel acutely that we are making steadfast progress. Now, we are entering the phase that promises the fruit. While placing importance on what we learn from the joint development, we will work hard together in reaching our common goal of making ever-better cars,” said Toyota president Akio Toyoda in a statement. Source: BMW, Toyota William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation Deepen Collaboration by Signing Binding Agreements Fuel Cell System, Sports Vehicle, Lightweight Technology and Lithium-air Battery Collaboration to Commence Munich, Germany - January 24, 2013... BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) are pursuing their successful strategic long-term cooperation in the field of sustainable mobility today by signing binding agreements aimed at long-term collaboration between the two companies for the joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a sports vehicle, and joint research and development of lightweight technologies. These agreements follow a memorandum of understanding signed in June 2012. Furthermore, BMW Group and TMC also today signed a binding agreement to commence collaborative research on lithium-air batteries, a post-lithium-battery solution. This agreement marks the second phase of collaborative research into next-generation lithium-ion battery cells that commenced in March 2012. The main points of the agreements are: 1. Fuel cell system - The companies are convinced that fuel cell technology is one of the solutions necessary to achieve zero emissions. BMW Group and TMC are to share their technologies and to jointly develop a fundamental fuel-cell vehicle system, including not only a fuel cell stack and system, but also a hydrogen tank, motor and battery, aiming for completion in 2020. - The companies are to collaborate in jointly developing codes and standards for the hydrogen infrastructure which are necessary for the popularization of fuel cell vehicles. 2. Sports vehicle - The companies agreed to set-up a feasibility study to define a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports vehicle that is to be completed by the end of 2013. The two companies aim to combine each other’s technology and knowledge at a high level to maximise customer satisfaction. Both companies are to share the vision to further collaborate in the field of sports vehicle development. 3. Lightweight technology The companies are to jointly develop lightweight technologies for vehicle bodies using cutting-edge materials such as reinforced composites, with an eye to utilize these technologies in cooperation on the joint development of a sports-vehicle platform as well as other BMW and TMC vehicles. 4. Post-lithium-battery technology The companies are to begin joint research with a goal to develop a lithium-air battery with energy density greatly exceeding that of current lithium-ion batteries. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG said: “TMC and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of future sustainable mobility. In light of the technological changes ahead, the entire automotive industry faces tremendous challenges, which we also regard as an opportunity. This collaboration is an important building block in keeping both companies on a successful course in the future.” Akio Toyoda, President of TMC said: “It is just over a year since we signed our collaborative MoU, and with each day as our relationship strengthens, we feel acutely that we are making steadfast progress. Now, we are entering the phase that promises the fruit. While placing importance on what we learn from the joint development, we will work hard together in reaching our common goal of making ever-better cars.” BMW Group and TMC first agreed to form a medium-to-long-term collaborative relationship for developing next-generation environment-friendly vehicles and technologies in December 2011, at which time the two companies also signed a contract under which BMW Group is to supply highly efficient diesel engines to Toyota Motor Europe. BMW Group and TMC - as long-term strategic partners - have since continued their joint efforts to realize sustainable mobility for the future. View full article
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By William Maley January 24, 2013 Today, BMW and Toyota have signed binding agreements on jointly developing hydrogen fuel cell powertrains, a sports car platform, lightweight materials, and a lithium-air battery. The binding agreements finalize a technology partnership that was announced in December 2011. On the fuel cell front, BMW and Toyota will combine their existing resources and knowledge to develop a complete fuel-cell vehicle system; including a fuel stack, hydrogen tank, motor and battery, by 2020. The two companies will also look into the infrastructure needed for hydrogen. Also planned is research into lithium-air batteries which promise five times the energy density of lithium-ion batteries, and lightweight materials - such as carbon fiber - for car bodies. But the one part of the BMW/Toyota agreement that has everyone buzzing is the joint platform for a sportscar. The new platform will be for a mid-size sportscar. The two will do a feasibility study that will be completed by the end of this year. “It is just over a year since we signed our collaborative MoU, and with each day as our relationship strengthens, we feel acutely that we are making steadfast progress. Now, we are entering the phase that promises the fruit. While placing importance on what we learn from the joint development, we will work hard together in reaching our common goal of making ever-better cars,” said Toyota president Akio Toyoda in a statement. Source: BMW, Toyota William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation Deepen Collaboration by Signing Binding Agreements Fuel Cell System, Sports Vehicle, Lightweight Technology and Lithium-air Battery Collaboration to Commence Munich, Germany - January 24, 2013... BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) are pursuing their successful strategic long-term cooperation in the field of sustainable mobility today by signing binding agreements aimed at long-term collaboration between the two companies for the joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a sports vehicle, and joint research and development of lightweight technologies. These agreements follow a memorandum of understanding signed in June 2012. Furthermore, BMW Group and TMC also today signed a binding agreement to commence collaborative research on lithium-air batteries, a post-lithium-battery solution. This agreement marks the second phase of collaborative research into next-generation lithium-ion battery cells that commenced in March 2012. The main points of the agreements are: 1. Fuel cell system - The companies are convinced that fuel cell technology is one of the solutions necessary to achieve zero emissions. BMW Group and TMC are to share their technologies and to jointly develop a fundamental fuel-cell vehicle system, including not only a fuel cell stack and system, but also a hydrogen tank, motor and battery, aiming for completion in 2020. - The companies are to collaborate in jointly developing codes and standards for the hydrogen infrastructure which are necessary for the popularization of fuel cell vehicles. 2. Sports vehicle - The companies agreed to set-up a feasibility study to define a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports vehicle that is to be completed by the end of 2013. The two companies aim to combine each other’s technology and knowledge at a high level to maximise customer satisfaction. Both companies are to share the vision to further collaborate in the field of sports vehicle development. 3. Lightweight technology The companies are to jointly develop lightweight technologies for vehicle bodies using cutting-edge materials such as reinforced composites, with an eye to utilize these technologies in cooperation on the joint development of a sports-vehicle platform as well as other BMW and TMC vehicles. 4. Post-lithium-battery technology The companies are to begin joint research with a goal to develop a lithium-air battery with energy density greatly exceeding that of current lithium-ion batteries. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG said: “TMC and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of future sustainable mobility. In light of the technological changes ahead, the entire automotive industry faces tremendous challenges, which we also regard as an opportunity. This collaboration is an important building block in keeping both companies on a successful course in the future.” Akio Toyoda, President of TMC said: “It is just over a year since we signed our collaborative MoU, and with each day as our relationship strengthens, we feel acutely that we are making steadfast progress. Now, we are entering the phase that promises the fruit. While placing importance on what we learn from the joint development, we will work hard together in reaching our common goal of making ever-better cars.” BMW Group and TMC first agreed to form a medium-to-long-term collaborative relationship for developing next-generation environment-friendly vehicles and technologies in December 2011, at which time the two companies also signed a contract under which BMW Group is to supply highly efficient diesel engines to Toyota Motor Europe. BMW Group and TMC - as long-term strategic partners - have since continued their joint efforts to realize sustainable mobility for the future.
