X-Trail is the last Suv presented by Nissan, in the four-wheel drive version it is pioneer in being equipped with the exclusive e-4ORCE and e-Power systems.
The new Nissan e-4ORCE technology is the evolution of the four-wheel drive on electric and electrified vehicles. The name allows guessing what are the novelties hidden behind this change of pace: a fully electric traction, 4 for the wheels that are moved by the two electric motors.
Nissan engineers have focused on three aspects: the joint operation of motors, frame control technologies and, last but not least, the study of case movements (roll, yaw and pitch) to minimize them in comparison with a conventional thermal vehicle.
The 4ORCE system is composed by two electric motors, one for each axis. The motor on the front axle can develop 150 kW (204 HP), the one on the rear axle 100 kW (136 HP), for 157 kW (213 HP) overall. They are managed by a sophisticated control unit able to adjust driving force and braking action on each single wheel.
Moreover, the motor allows the Suv to shift from 0 to 100 km/h in 7 seconds and, compared to a mechanical 4Ă—4 system, the drive regulation on the 4 wheels is 10,000-time higher, as well as reaction times.
The torque is constantly distributed on the two axles and having mounted two equivalent electric motors in terms of weight allows a mass distribution that approaches 50:50, synonym of more frame stability and better handiness.
Four-wheel drive for Nissan X-Trail electric SUV
Hybrid-electric propulsion for civil aviation
Headquartered close to Turin, Avio Aero is part of GE Aerospace and works at the design, production and maintenance of components and systems for the civil and military aeronautics. Recently, the company has announced the release of AMBER, a new technological demonstrator for the hybrid-electric propulsion, for which the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking of the European Union has allocated about 34 million Euros.
The target is developing, integrating and validating the necessary key technologies for the development of a hybrid-electric motor architecture powered by hydrogen fuel cells in the class of one megawatt. AMBER will study the integration of hybrid-electric components with fuel cells and with Catalyst, the innovative turboprop engine by Avio Aero, to carry out tests on bench at half of this decade.
Giorgio Abrate, Engineering Vice President of Avio Aero declared: “We are proud of announcing the release of AMBER technological demonstrator, which will allow highlighting the performances of an innovative hybrid-electric propulsion system that joins a turboprop motor and an electric one powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The development of this demonstrator confirms our commitment to designing, developing and testing innovative technologies to shape a more and more sustainable flight future. This ambitious project will be enabled by the collaboration with Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. The choice of Clean Aviation of introducing AMBER among the funded proposals confirms its technological and strategic value to achieve the European Union’s ambitious target of reaching net zero emissions in the airplane transport within 2050”.
The partnership of Clean Aviation with sector industries has the goal of speeding up the introduction of key technologies, such as electrification, to reach such targets and to support the European Union’s efforts in decarbonization ambit.
AMBER Consortium is made up by 21 European partners overall, including some universities and research centres that are members of the collaboration network of Avio Aero, European Technology Development Clusters (E-TDCs). The other European sites of GE Aerospace that will be involved – such as those in the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Turkey and United Kingdom – will contribute in the research about the motor, the propeller and the electric propulsion system.
Avio Aero participates also at HERA project, coordinated by Leonardo, aimed at defining a concept of suitable regional aircraft for the hybrid-electric propulsion.
Geely’s new city e-car is intriguing
30After Tesla, the Wuling Mini EV car is the best-selling electric car in the world in 2022.
A result that acts as a beacon for the market, which pays increasing attention to the proposal of small e-cars especially suiting urban environments.
In this scenario, was born the Geometry Panda Mini by the Chinese Geely multinational manufacturer.
The tender bear, symbol of the Chinese culture, is then the inspiration of this car, recently exhibited in a mall in Hangzhou. What are the main characteristics? The car is 3.07-metre long, 1.52 m width, 1.60 m high and has a wheelbase of just 2.02 m. The powertrain is composed by a single electric front motor featuring 41 HP, which allows an autonomy of about 150 km.
The price is very interesting: the price list indicates from 5,000 to 7,000 Euros.
The full electric bowrider with outboard motor
The company Four Winns, renowned for the production of high-end bowriders and deck boats, has recently announced the enlargement of its offer, approaching electric.
It is the Four Winns H2e, built in collaboration with Vision Marine Technologies and able to reach about 35 knots.
The 180E outboard electric motor by Vision Marine Technologies has record power and grants a fast acceleration thanks to peak power of 230 HP.
The system is powered by two high-voltage battery packages with 700-V density, equipped with fully integrated on-board powerful battery charger, which can be connected with whatever shore supply system. The novelty is therefore a quick recharge wherever you go on a cruise.
Alexandre Mongeon, CEO Vision Marine Technologies, explained: “Boaters are more aware than ever of their environmental footprints and are looking for sustainable solutions to reducing carbon emissions while still being able to enjoy the passions they love so much, and we are excited to share our vision and passion with the world. Vision Marine Technologies’ revolutionary electric outboard has undergone extensive testing, both on and off the water, to make it the best-designed and best-supported product on the market.
Here are also the words by Nick Harvey, FOUR WINNS Brand Director: “Just imagine jumping aboard your H2e, fully-charged and ready to go, from your trailer or private dock. No noise, no exhaust, no refueling, no hassle… just a rewarding day on the water”.
The e-bike by Fllow enters the market
The available electric vehicles on the market are increasing and motorbikes are included in this constant race, too. They have in fact opened the bookings for FUELL Fllow, electric motorbike presented in 2019, the first electric motorbike implemented by the motorbike brand created by Erik Buell committed to electric mobility. He, former Harley-Davidson engineer, is already the brain of the e-bike Flluid. The membership forecast in this photo is 3,000 units. Let us go into detail: the electric Fllow motorbike, which weighs 180 kg, is equipped with a proprietary electric motor, housed in the rear wheel hub, and it is available in 11 kW or 35 kW power. Its maximum speed is 140 km/h, it accelerates from 0 to 100 hour in 3.5 seconds. The 10-kWh battery has been designed as structural element of the frame and the recharge is possible with times of respectively 8 hours, 90 minutes and 30 minutes.
Electric Porsche Macan? The 2024-promise
There is a range of models to be shifted towards electric and Porsche Macan will be the next project to be born. The term is fixed in 2024, new debut date after new emerged delays connected with the software component have postponed the outset initially scheduled in 2023.
There are already some anticipations about powertrain performances: electric motors framed in an 800-volt project architecture and optimized to grant better power density. Actually, with the same absorption motors deliver higher torque.
Porsche will introduce silicon carbide semiconductors for the electric Macan and the magnet arrangement itself will be different. They research higher efficiency that will arrive at the wheel also from the separation of the front electric motor on the traction line, when unnecessary.
The two motors have maximum 611 horsepower and 1000 Nm of torque and energy will come from a 100-kWh battery, rechargeable up to 270 kW in direct current.
In the photo Dr. Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board Research and Development of Porsche AG, prototypes of the all-electric Macan, Weissach.
If Abarth becomes electric, too …
When real icons announce the switch to electric, there is no room for abouts about the collective motion in course. They have recently presented the Abarth Nuova 500e Scorpionissima, limited edition that joins unmistakable style and electric power. 1949 units are available, with exclusive graphics and a numbered authenticity certificate. Its performances can make it arrive in 7 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h due to the 155 HP supplied by the electric motor, powered by a 42-kWh battery. The manufacturer has explained that, by recharging it, just five minutes wiIl be sufficient to achieve an autonomy of 40 km in half an hour, to recharge it up to 80%.
It seems that soon other electric Abarths will join the range to make one of the major sports brands of Stellantis galaxy more appealing.
Moreover, it seems that more powerful 500e are coming and therefore Fiat and Abarth are working at new powertrains to achieve an Abarth exceeding 155 HP and 235 Nm.
What about the roar of the motor that has always characterized Abarths? The unmistakable “voice” of 1.4 turbo-petrol is artificially reproduced by a suitable sound generator.
Achievements, ZF produces 2 million electric motors
Manufacturing anniversaries should never be underestimated. Already in 2008, the company was pioneer in Europe to bring out an electric motor for a premium mild hybrid. Meanwhile, ZF has not only expanded its product portfolio with technological innovations but has also strongly supported the trend towards electrifying passenger car drives – to cut down climate-damaging CO2 emissions. Especially in recent years, this went hand in hand with massive production capacity increases. ZF has adapted to the increasing number of call-offs and the high demand for electric mobility.
Stephan von Schuckmann, member of the ZF Board of Management and responsible for Electrified Powertrain Technology said “Our production anniversary is backed by long-term entrepreneurial decisions and innovative engineering spirit”.
ZF electric motors cover a broad range of applications from mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids to purely electric drive systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The performance range is 50 kW to 550 kW, with torques of 75 Nm to 1,500 Nm.
ZF supplies its customers with electric motors as components but also has the expertise to integrate electric motors into vehicle drives and supply whole systems, respectively.
ZF offers complete axle and central drives including self-developed and -produced power electronics and reduction gear units for purely electric drives in passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
In view of globally increasing volumes and the high demand for electric powertrain technology, the next production milestone will be reached soon. “Our order books are well filled, the next two million units of electric motors will probably be produced in less than two years,” says Hintringer.
BYD is conquering the Scandinavian eBus market
For routes in Nedre Glomma region, the major public transport player in Norway, Nobina Fleet Norge AS, has ordered 64 BYD eBuses with state-of-the-art technology of BYD iron-phosphate batteries, developed to increase safety, improve performances and extend the drive autonomy. This important job order – which includes 40 units of BYD low-floor eBuses of 12 metres and 24 featuring 15 metres – is very significant, a neat step forward whose concretization will take place in the second 2023-quarter and which raises the performance bar in bus ambit, too.
A technical gem? The Thermal Management System of BYD batteries, able to improve the reliability under extreme climatic conditions, makes BYD eBuses an optimal solution in Norway.
However, it is not a novelty: Nobina has over 300 full-electric BYD buses in operation in its fleets, or under job order fulfilment, which operate in Sweden, Norway and Finland. Currently, over 650 BYD eBuses are in operation, or are getting operational, in Nordic Countries; until now, they have travelled 55 million kilometres overall, decreasing CO2 emissions by over 59,000 tons.
In Murano the test of Yamaha’s Harmo outboard electric system
Beauty, endless charm of Venice and the whole power of electric propulsion. This is the frame of the test recently carried out at Murano island thanks to Capoforte SQ204i boat on which the electric Harmo thruster has been mounted. It is an integrated electric system equipped with a brand-new steering control, which offers a smart end-to-end technological solution consisting of an electric propulsion unit, a remote control and a joystick.
The target of this test, according to the motor’s and boat’s characteristics, was trying a different navigation from conventional one, where it is not speed that matters but the connection with the surrounding environment.
The place, with its narrow channels, was in fact the perfect background to put to test the operation of the electric motor and of the joystick, which facilitates the displacement management.
Alessandro Russo, Marine division manager of Yamaha Motor explained: «The choice of testing Yamaha Harmo on Capoforte SQ204i in Venice is not fortuitous. The boat has been precisely conceived for use in a river or lagoon city, where the preservation of the environment and of the artistic and cultural heritage is fundamental. Moreover, we will go back to Venice at the next edition of the Boat Show that, like Yamaha, pays utmost attention to the environment and becomes promoter of the electric propulsion for the territory protection».