Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.

EV News

Volvo says this is the world’s first vehicle made from fossil-free steel

Volvo unveils world’s first vehicle made from fossil-free steel, a load carrier made from steel produced through a novel process involving green hydrogen.

1 min

Batteries

Chinese battery giant CATL plans $A6.7 billion battery recycling plant

CATL to invest around RMB 32 billion ($A6.7 billion) in a battery material recycling facility in the central Chinese province of Hubei.

1 min

Embattled Evergrande’s auto arm vows to make first EV by early 2022

Auto arm of embattled Chinese property developer Evergrande promises the first electric model of its Hengchi brand will be produced in 2022.

2 min

How Volvo plans to manage electric bus battery lifecycle, and send power back to grid

Volvo is looking to use electric bus batteries as stationary storage and to send power back to the grid.

2 min

Taiwan’s Gogoro launches battery swapping stations in mainland China

Taiwan based e-mobility company launches battery swapping system into mainland China in a partnership with two of China’s leading vehicle makers.

2 min

CEFC backs Australian “Bladevolt” technology to electrify mine vehicles

Federal government's green bank backs Australian heavy-vehicle battery manufacturer 3ME Technology to electrify mining operations.

2 min

California to ban petrol garden equipment like lawn mowers and leaf blowers

California to ban sales of highly polluting petrol and diesel garden equipment such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers.

Source: German e-mobility specialist Quantron announced this week that it will launch its own vehicle, a 12-metre low-floor bus available in both battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell variants that will be priced on par with conventional diesel buses. A high-tech spinoff from Haller NFZ Group, which was founded all the way back in 1882, Quantron has been a leading system provider of clean battery and hydrogen-powered e-mobility for commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses, and vans. With a long history of providing electric mobility services such as electrification of used and existing vehicles, creating individual concepts including the appropriate charging infrastructure, and providing rental, financing, and leasing offers and driver training, Quantron is now branching out to launch its own Quantron vehicle. Image: https://cdn.pressebox.de/r/81bb10d0a174b0c8/attachments/12/51/48/thumbnail_1251481_720x460.jpg The Quantron 12-metre low-floor bus will be offered in close cooperation with the company’s investor and strategic partner Ev Dynamics, a European-Asian consortium of companies specialising in electric and hydrogen-based mobility. The city bus will be offered as both a battery electric vehicle (BEV) variant – which is expected to be available for order by the end of the year – as well as a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) variant which will be available in the Northern Hemisphere’s Spring of 2022. Importantly, the BEV variant will be priced similarly to that of conventional diesel buses, making them highly attractive as replacements for ageing and end-of-life buses. Image: https://cdn.pressebox.de/r/f224a0209cf27823/attachments/12/51/48/thumbnail_1251482_720x460.jpg With a fully electric drive, the new Quantron city bus will be capable of maximum output of 250kW and boast an electric ranging from 160- to 280-kilometres. Charging power is up to 80kW with a battery capacity of up to 422kWh and can be charged via a European standard CCS 2 plug within 3 to 6 hours, depending on the size of the battery. This means that the Quantron city bus will be perfect for use in cities across the world, able to charge overnight and be ready for general commuter transport. With passenger capacity of between 71 and 95 passengers, the bus is able to produce maximum torque of 3,400Nm and will offer four battery capacities – 242kWh, 281kWh, 363kWh, and the aforementioned 422kWh. Image supplied

2 min

Electric Transport

Quantron launches 12-metre electric bus priced on par with diesels

Quantron offers 12-metre low-floor bus available in both battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell variants that will be priced on par with diesel buses.