E-Mobility News | May 2022

German-made electric vehicle sales up 92 percent in Q1/22

Sales of electric vehicles made in Germany increased by 92 percent in the first quarter of the year according to a PwC study reports Handelsblatt. This comes on top of an almost year-on-year doubling of global sales of electric vehicles to 1.3 million vehicles in the same period. Much of the increase in sales can be directly attributed to China, where German manufacturers recorded a year-on-year increase of 277 percent taking market share to four percent. One million new vehicles were sold in Europe in the first quarter of the year, with electric vehicles accounting for 43 percent of domestic sales in Germany.

Aachen start-up develops battery data analytics cloud platform

Aachen-based start-up Accure Battery Intelligence has developed a cloud-based data-analytics battery platform that allows business to improve battery safety, reliability and lifetime. The platform makes use of field data to build digital twins of batteries in order to predict future safety, performance and aging. The company claims that its scalable software solution provides a new dimension in interactive data exploration, allowing companies to feed battery data into their own business intelligence solutions. Capnamic Ventures, alongside 42CAP, recently invested EUR 2.3 million in the young company that hopes to refinance itself as a SaaS service through user fees.

Lanxess showcases high-voltage battery housing in Vienna

Specialty chemicals group Lanxess and automotive supplier Kautux Textron have developed a high-voltage housing made of plastic that should make electric vehicles more affordable and safe. The new housing can be produced more easily and cheaply than current aluminum and steel battery housings. Lanxess showcased the new large-format plastic enclosure at this year’s International Vienna Motor Symposium in April. The near-series technology is lighter than conventional housing, allowing increased electric vehicle range and optimized thermal insulation for lithium-ion battery cells – particularly in cold climates. The plastic battery housing could therefore be of significant interest to electric vehicle manufacturers thanks to reduced price and weight as well as increased stability and safety.

Germany to launch “battery pass” for electric vehicles

Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) is supporting the introduction of a new “digital product pass” for electric vehicles. The proposed pass will bundle information on electric battery life cycle in a bid to reduce energy consumption and emission levels. The ministry is supporting the efforts of an industry consortium – including BMW, Volkswagen, BASF, and Umicore – in partnership with research institutions – including Fraunhofer IPK and acatech – with EUR 8 million in funding.

New quick battery tests for used electric vehicle market

Testing companies TÜV, Dekra and GÜT have developed quick tests to determine electric vehicle battery condition in just a few minutes for less than EUR 100. The tests will allow buyers and sellers of used electric vehicles to determine the condition of the most expensive component in an electric vehicle for resale purposes. Munich-based start-up Twaice plans to offer a new technical test procedure for the e-car battery starting this fall together with partner TÜV Rheinland. Competitor GTÜ is collaborating with start-up Aviloo for its test and Dekra has been providing a rapid test procedure since the end of April. The quick testing process will allow to ascertain battery performance levels in times ranging from just 15 minutes to one hour that can be included in normal vehicle roadworthiness tests.

Industry standard sound developed for electric buses

The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) has developed an acoustic industry standard sound for electric buses. The industry association developed a characteristic e-bus sound with partners that can be unmistakably heard outside the vehicle when, for example, approaching and leaving bus stops. European Union legislation requires that electric vehicles be audible for safety reasons. The new standard is the winning entry in a student competition launched in late 2021 in partnership with the FOAM Institute Berlin. The VDV now plans to develop the competition winner further with Lukas Esser, a student at the Berlin University of Arts, before officially presenting it at the VDV electric bus conference and the Elekbu trade fair events in Berlin in July.

Porsche AG invests in new batteries

Sports car manufacturer Porsche AG is raising USD 100 million and leading a Series C funding round worth around USD 400 million to acquire shares in US company Group14 Technologies. The company, a producer of advanced silicon-carbon technology for use in lithium-ion batteries, plans to use the capital to accelerate international production of anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Group14 will supply the Cellforce Group in which Porsche holds a majority stake. As of 2024, the joint venture will produce self-developed high-performance battery cells with silicona nodes for small series production, motor sport and high-performance vehicles. The Cellforce batteries will most likely be used in Porsche electric vehicles with high-performance powertrains. The development ensures that Porsche – through Cellforce – has access to high-quality future technology that will make the next generation of battery cells more efficient than lithium-ion batteries.