The market of electric quadricycles, in particular turmoil, is enriched with a novelty. The new minicar manufactured in China and distributed by Filante Motors for the Italian market is called Swapa ZIP. The two-seater, which has a range of about 100 kilometres and reaches the maximum speed of 45 km/h, is equipped with an asynchronous electric motor and a 6.45 kWh lithium-ion battery, composed by two units weighing 18.5 kg each. The peculiarity resides also in the fact that the two seats are in line: it is, in fact, less than one-metre large and the second passenger is placed behind the Driverâs seat, a new concept.
The company explains that inside Swapa ZIP has a large 12.3â touch display, an integrated 4G connection, the unlock through smartphone and the remote monitoring of the charge condition and of the position. The mass-production will start in April 2024 and the first deliveries are scheduled in August. âThe future of urban mobility will witness a growth of electric minicarsâ popularity, in particular of those classified as quadricycles that can be driven starting from 14 yearsâ, commented Francesco Maria Farina, managing director of Filante Motors.
For the national launch of the new electric Swapa Zip microcar, Filante is searching for a new resource who takes care of communication on the primary social platforms, with a role of Brand Social Ambassador.
A new electric Chinese minicar lands on the Italian market
Electric motor for the waste collection
Some months ago, AS Labruna had presented MOVe, startup in the electrification of mobile vehicles in the off road and automotive sectors consisting of a team of engineers, with behind professional training gained in the railway sector, who since the early Nineties has collaborated with leader European users to satisfy the new motion requirements in the zero-emission modality. The direction was the design and manufacturing of full electric vehicles for the transport of goods and people and precisely a range of innovative electrified solutions has been recently presented by AS Labruna, in collaboration with its Group companies, LF official distributor of Fpt Industrial and precisely MOVe. Its first creation is Metrocab Fresia featuring 15T, fully electric and a completely ecologic generator and a lowered frame, specifically designed for the ecologic waste collection and particularly suitable for the door to door service.
Stellantis boosts the manufacturing of electric motors
Another step in the electrification course of Stellantis consists in the conversion, by 2026, of a factory headquartered in Hungary, in Szentgotthard, to a plant intended for the production of electric modules. The Group will then rely on a new site dedicated to EDM production, which joins the plants in Tremery-Metz, France, and Kokomo, Indiana, USA.
Moreover, in 2024 Mirafiori district, in Italy, will increase the manufacturing of state-of-the-art electrified double-clutch transmissions (eDCT) for Stellantis hybrid and hybrid plug-in vehicles.  «Starting the production of electric drive modules in Szentgotthard speeds up our transition towards electrification. It is an intervention that further approaches us to the target of providing customers with green, safe, and economically affordable mobility», affirms Arnaud Deboeuf, Chief Manufacturing Officer of Stellantis. «The employees of the factory can be proud as their work will be an integral part of our electrified future, a fundamental factor in the offer of electric vehicles by our iconic brands, sector leaders, and increasingly customer-oriented».
The EDM manufactured in Szentgotthard will be used in the vehicles assembled on a new STLA platform dedicated to BEV. The EDM manufacturing will take place in the structures already existing in the factory. The new production activities of electric drive modules by the plant will include the machining of key components, as well as the final assembly and the testing of EDM 3 in 1, the solution that combines in a single unit the electric motor, the reduction group, and the inverter.
In the next 10 years, Stellantis is planning to invest more than 50 billion Euros in electrification, to hit the targets of the strategic Dare Forward 2030 plan.
Hitachi and ABB collaborate for the electrification of a dumper
The collaboration between Hitachi Construction Machinery and the Traction division of ABB was born to create a fully electric dumper at the service of heavy-duty mining operations. Currently, this partnership has reached a crucial phase through the accomplishment of the prototype, already been subjected to the first tests in the factory. It was shipped on January 20th, 2024 to the copper and gold mine at Kansanshi, in Zambia, where the demo and final test phase will be executed at half 2024 at the latest.
The prototype development project started in 2021, with the target of satisfying the growing demand for electric dumpers in the mining sector and sharing in the reduction of greenhouse emissions. Using the innovative battery technology by ABB and DC/DC converters with high energy efficiency, Hitachi Construction Machinery dumpers have been transformed from diesel to fully electric. These dump trucks use a new onboard electric system that draws energy via a pantograph to power the motor directly and to charge a battery energy storage system. Moreover, while driving downhill, the regenerative braking system charges the battery itself, so decreasing the charge power when the truck is connected to the pantograph, allowing the truck to remain in constant operation without charge interruptions, maintaining high productivity, while a sophisticated system of energy and thermal management of the battery maximizes its duration.
Fabiana Cavalcante, Mobile e-Power Manager, ABB Traction, stated: «We are pleased to ascertain that our collaboration with Hitachi Construction Machinery has reached this crucial time. The project not only aids in facing the problems linked with the electrification of these trucks but it also shares in enabling a world with low carbon emissions through the reduction of greenhouse emissions. We cannot wait for the prototype to demonstrate its real capabilities in the copper and gold mine in Zambia».
Development of a sovereign uncrewed aerial system
Rotor Lab, an electric motor manufacturing company, has announced its intention to support companies selected for the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) first innovation challenge.
The challenge, which was announced last year, calls for the development of a sovereign uncrewed aerial system (UAS) and trusted autonomy industrial capability. 11 companies have since been selected by ASCA to submit prototypes by April 2024, alongside a production plan showing how they will meet production requirements over 3 years.
CEO of Rotor Lab, Andrew Simpson, says Rotor Lab will be offering their newest innovation â a small but ultra-powerful and efficient electric motor â to companies taking part in the challenge.
«Rotor Labâs new electric motor, RL22, has been specifically designed to address the unique requirements set forth by ACSA innovation challenge â both in technical and sovereign production considerations. The motor itself encompasses smart integrated features and a sleek design, built using Rotor Labâs proprietary design and production process. This allows us to rapidly produce cost-effective motors at the lowest lead times with a particular focus on safety and powertrain integration».
Andrew Simpson continues «Rotor Lab is based locally in Canberra and all design and production takes place in Australia. We have spent 18 months building out a secure sovereign supply chain for this critical component of a UAS, which is essential for any company wishing to claim sovereign capability for the production of the whole system». He finishes by saying that «RL22 is just one product in Rotor Labâs latest innovative product line which is being developed solely for sub-25kg UAS».
Test benches, integration of sensors into the measuring system
SchabmĂŒller, which manufactures electric motors for mobile machines, has developed with HBK a new concept of a test bench for a new drive type. It combines the advantages of a precise and accurate testing and measuring system in cycles with the pluses of a comfortable development of the test bench. This concept allows easy integration of sensors into the measuring system and checking tests according to the collected data. Due to the formula database, which provides also formulas for the DSP calculation in real-time, the motor developer can create individual calculations quickly and easily â for customizable measuring and test activities.
SchabmĂŒller uses a combination of Genesis HighSpeed data acquisition system by HBK with Perception software, which processes large data volumes quickly and reliably. Using a freely programmable interface, Perception exchanges the measured data with LabView software, which controls the single components of the test bench and automated test processes.
The electrification plan for tourist buses is coming to London
Tootbus tourist bus operator will collaborate with the provider of solutions for electronic fleets VEV, starting from the supply of 100% renewable energy and 10 Tootbus battery chargers for electric buses. VEV will entrust Tootbus with powering its current electric fleet composed of three vehicles and will also install solar energy plants by Tootbus Wandsworth deposit to generate 65,000 kWh. Tootbus will exploit the VEV-IQ platform of smart energy management. VEV’s proprietary system allows fleet operators to monitor the power supply, charge infrastructures, and use vehicles to keep their fleets in motion and maximise energy efficiency.
Gavin Brooking, managing director of Tootbus UK, stated: «The green tourism is at the core of our corporate strategy and represents a huge investment for us. We have acknowledged the massive potential that the shift to a sustainable end-to-end electric fleet might have in helping us hit our targets of emission reduction. With its broad expertise in the sector of smart energy management, VEV is for us the ideal partner with a tailored turn-key solution».
VEV has shared the details of its new partnership with Tootbus, underlining they expect their green energy solutions will help the touristic bus company save 15,567 kg of carbon emissions yearly.
Completed the tests for cold climatic conditions
Everrati Automotive Limited, specializing in the integration of powertrains for electric vehicles (EV), has completed the winter tests of its first Land Rover Series ordered in the United States. In the last months, this first IIA Series has undergone a severe validation programme of all components, focusing on the performances and the reliability of the electric powertrain group at the OEM level. Tests have been carried out at high altitudes and under cold climatic conditions and the Everrati team has guaranteed the high-voltage reliability and tested the charge function.
Everrati integrates its electronic powertrain, designed and developed by the headquarters of Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, England. With a 60kWh battery and 150bhp and 300 Nm from its electric motors, Everratiâs Land Rover Series IIA offers both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive modes and a range of up to 150 miles, almost identical to its combustion-engine past, combined with regenerative braking, AC and DC fast charging capability. The company now offers its Land Rover Series builds both 88â and 109â, and multiple roof configurations.
Justin Lunny, Co-Founder and CEO of Everrati said: «Everratiâs OEM-grade engineering, design, and quality processes continue to raise the bar in the electrified classic sector. Like all our models, the Land Rover Series represents the pinnacle of zero-emission icons. This latest example of our OEM-grade approach underlines how we are going the extra mile in this rapidly growing market. Our redefined Land Rover Series IIA combines a complete restoration with the integration of our proprietary OEM-level electric powertrain, preserving the vehicleâs legacy and enabling it to be enjoyed by generations to come. I canât wait for us to hand over this first US customer commission to its new owner, who can be sure they are receiving the ultimate in redefined icons.»
Siemens takes over Heliox and enhances its charge offer for eBuses and eTrucks
Siemens AG has accomplished the takeover of the Dutch Heliox, which offers fast DC charge solutions, at the service of fleets and passenger eBus and eTruck vehicles. The takeover integrates the current eMobility charge range by Siemens, adding products and solutions that go from 40 kilowatts (kW) to megawatt charge solutions for deposits and charges along the journey. Furthermore, the range of Heliox extends the scope of Siemens market, mainly in Europe and North America, meanwhile improving the capacities in power electronics. The solutions of scalable and parallel mobile charges by Heliox will allow Siemens to supply these markets better.
âWe are witnessing unparalleled growth in the EV charging infrastructure market. DC fast charging solutions for eBus and eTruck fleets are considered the fastest growing segment here. With the acquisition of Heliox, Siemens eMobility is well-positioned to serve our customers worldwideâ, said Matthias Rebellius, CEO of Smart Infrastructure and member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG.