Electric cars?

Smurf1976 said:

The technical ease of doing it depends on circumstances but if it's overhead mains, and there's low voltage (230/400V) on that pole then it's dead simple.

Not so simple if it's underground mains and the pole is just a streetlight. It may or may not have constant supply, different authorities did that in different ways, and even if it does capacity may not be adequate.

Also very problematic if it's overhead mains but only HV (High Voltage - generally 11,000V or above) is on that pole.

So overall a lot could be done yes but not all.

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bp boosts EV charging network with $100 million order of Tesla ultra-fast chargers​

Deal with bp pulse marks first time Tesla’s ultra-fast chargers will be purchased for deployment on an independent EV charging network.

Agreement forms part of bp’s plans to invest up to $1 billion in EV charging across the US by 2030.

bp pulse, bp’s EV charging business, has already installed more than 27,000 charge points and aims to roll out more than 100,000 globally by 2030.

As early as 2024, Tesla chargers will be installed across the bp pulse network, including at key bp, Amoco, ampm; and Thorntons-branded sites, TravelCenters of America locations and at bp pulse’s large-scale Gigahub™ charging sites, near airports and in major metropolitan areas across the US.

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New law opens the door for Tesla Semi electric truck in Australia​

One hurdle preventing the electric Tesla Semi prime mover from being sold locally has now been removed, but will it need to overcome more rules before it's offered in Australia?

A new law allowing wider trucks onto Australian roads could open the door for the electric Tesla Semi prime mover to be sold here eventually.

Earlier this month, the Australian Government announced it was increasing the maximum width of trucks to 2.55 metres – an increase of 50mm – provided they are fitted with advanced safety systems including blind-spot reduction technology, electronic stability control, advanced emergency braking, and lane departure warning.

While it's understood Volvo was instrumental in pushing through the changes, publicly lobbying the government – and ensuring production of its FH electric prime mover could begin at its Queensland factory – Tesla also made submissions to the National Transport Commission about the rules around truck widths.

"The clearest immediate barrier from Tesla’s perspective is Australia’s 2500mm width limit in ADR 43/04," Tesla Australia's Public Policy Manager Sam McLean wrote in December 2020.

"The Commission will be aware that given Australia’s small size in comparison to global markets, inconsistencies like this between Australian regulations and larger markets will delay or preclude vehicles coming to local markets.

"Currently, Australia will likely miss out on the first generation of electric heavy vehicles such as the Tesla Semi because of this."

However, while the hurdle for the Tesla Semi's width has now been removed, it's not clear whether the truck's centrally-mounted driver's seat would comply with Australian Design Rules – the regulations that dictate vehicle design and compliance.

But not all road safety experts agree that allowing wider trucks is the best decision.

View 6 images


"It's smart to get electric vehicles on the roads, but the road system has to be upgraded accordingly – sooner or later, Australia needs to go to a standardised road width," road safety expert and director of advanced driver-training company Driving Solutions, James Stewart, told Drive in June 2023.

"The biggest issue is the size of the road. When you're talking motorways, you can get away with it (the proposed regulation changes) fairly easily, but when you start looking at most of the rural roads in Australia, they're not built for that size," he said at the time.

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Very different thinking underneath for LandCruiser Se​

The LandCruiser Se is based on a car-like monocoque architecture rather than the truck-like ladder frame structure that has underpinned every LandCruiser to date.

It’s a massive change for the car marketed as “king off the road”.



Toyota LandCruiser Se concept rides on car-like architecture rather than the traditional LandCruiser ladder frame

The car itself – which is claimed to have three rows of seats – is sizeable, too.

At 5150mm long and 1990mm wide it’s 70mm longer and 10mm wider than the 300 Series LandCruiser, albeit significantly lower and with what appears to be a whole lot less ground clearance.

And, interestingly, in showing the LandCruiser Se at the 2023 Tokyo motor show, Toyota didn’t spruik the off-road ability of a model that could help define the future of the brand.

Rather than dust trails, rocks and mud, the images for the LandCruiser Se were in distinctly suburban environments and a photo studio.

That doesn’t mean the all-electric Toyota LandCruiser won’t be able to go off-road. There’s no way Toyota would attach the LandCruiser name to anything that couldn’t tackle the world’s toughest terrain.

And it’ll do it in the sort of silence a LandCruiser has never got close to.



Toyota LandCruiser Se concept shows what an electric LandCruiser could look like

The company says the LandCruiser Se has battery electric vehicle (BEV) quietness that “helps create a comfortable cabin space when driving in urban areas and other on-road situations”.

LandCruiser Se to be more capable thanks to EV smarts​

The EV underpinnings promise to make the EV LandCruiser even more capable.

Having a heavy battery pack low in the floor of the car should lower the centre of gravity, in turn improving on-road stability and allowing it to traverse steeper angles without fear of tipping over.

Traction control systems with electric motors should also perform far better than they do with a petrol or diesel engine.



Toyota LandCruiser Se could be more capable than the ICE models due to EV smarts

That’s because instead of having to regulate fuel flow and/or apply the brakes – all of which takes time – cutting the electricity to one or more of the electric motors can be done instantly.

Torque of the bush​

And, of course, electric motors are brilliant at producing a lot of torque and being able to modulate it very accurately.

It would mean that an EV 4WD could almost certainly do without a dual-range transfer case, which is typically used in slow speed settings to provide extremely low gearing.

Electric off-road vehicles should also have far better cornering control than an ICE alternative.

Whereas the likes of Toyota and Land Rover have previously turned to tricky differentials (which allow speed differences between wheels) and electronic controls, the dual electric motor system (or even a quad motor setup, with one motor for each wheel) can allow things such as tank turns, whereby the car can spin on its own axis.



Potent torque promises to transform the way an electric Toyota LandCruiser drives

All of which is a major advantage when manoeuvring around obstacles and tight tracks.

Throw in some of the latest software control and adjustability – most of it easier to tweak and tune with an EV – and it promises to create a formidable off-roader.

LandCruiser Se could do without many 4WD accessories​

A production version of the LandCruiser Se will also do without accessories such as a snorkel, something traditionally added to allow the engine to suck in fresh air when driving through water.

Yes, engineers will have to ensure the battery pack and any electrical components are sealed and shielded from water, but once that has been achieved there are very obvious benefits.

Having a steady supply of power also opens a multitude of options for powering accessories utilising a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function. Rather than installing additional hardware and electricity management systems for auxiliary power, the LandCruiser Se could theoretically tap into the existing architecture for all those additional power needs – be it camping gear or keeping gadgets topped up.



Toyota LandCruiser Se concept shows what an electric LandCruiser could look like

Another accessory that may find life tough is the winch that is often used for recovery. Winches use an electric motor with very low gearing to drag the car out of a bog.

But given an off-road EV is likely to have at least two electric motors on board there’s the potential to utilise those to aid with recovery and extraction.

Another advantage of an electric LandCruiser is being able to charge itself in remote areas using solar panels. Sure, it would be an extremely slow charge – you’d be lucky to add a couple of kilometres of range per hour of charging – but the reality is you can do it and potentially crawl your way back to a faster charge.

But… an EV LandCruiser is many years away​

Of course much of what we’re talking about here is us dreaming rather than anything about to roll up in a dealership.

It appears a production EV LandCruiser is a lot closer to the end of the decade, with many years of development until it’s ready.

But it’s indicative of what is possible once engineers turn their mind to leveraging the benefits of electric propulsion for one of the world’s most accomplished and respected off-roaders.

Toyota EPU points to electric Hilux​

An electric Toyota Hilux is also on the card, as showcased by the EPU concept.

Toyota EPU concept is an electric four-door ute

It’s a (very) long four-door that also utilises a more car-like monocoque construction, which is again indicative of how differently Toyota is treating its upcoming EV offerings.

Toyota says: “At just over 5 meters long with a double cab design, the EPU’s monocoque structure also allows for a versatile deck space that caters to a broader range of user applications.”

As with the LandCruiser Se, a production version of the EPU promises to step up the off-road nous while making for a much easier and more comfortable car to live with day to day.



Toyota EPU concept shows what an electric Hilux of the future could look like
But, again, a production version is likely many years away.

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moXJO said:

There is a noticeable negative shift around evs at the moment.

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JohnDe said:

Australians are holding out.

EVs are an increasingly popular choice for consumers and business, but in Australia their take-up has been relatively slow.​

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in Australia, EV take up has been slow to take off. In 2022, global sales of new EVs made up around 14 per cent of the new car market. But here at home, the figure was less than 4 per cent.​

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Sales figures have improved in the first half of 2023 to more than 8 per cent, but that’s still a long way behind the rest of the world.​

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South Australians will be able to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle and take it for a spin around Adelaide, as part of the RAA electric vehicle (EV) Drive Experience at this year’s Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC).

For the first time, there will be 10 different EV brands available for event goers to book and test drive, including models from BYD, BMW, Porsche, MG, Ford, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia.

The event comes following recent data analysed by RAA showed EV car sales in South Australia represent 6.1% of all new cars being sold.

The RAA EV Drive Experience will provide South Australians with an opportunity to get behind the wheel of an EV and learn about the technology driving the future of sustainable transport in South Australia.

At the RAA marquee there will be a team of experts on hand to talk to event goers about EV charging at home and out on the road, and how to prepare for an electric future with advice on installing solar and battery solutions for your home.

Other event highlights will include talks from a range of climate, energy, and EV experts in the Cruiser Pavilion along with food trucks and entertainment.


RAA Chief Executive Officer Nick Reade said the RAA Drive Experience is the perfect opportunity for people to test drive an EV and become more familiar with the vehicles that are shaping the future of our transport.

“The BWSC is the ultimate proving ground for EVs and charging technology, and by working together we can help give people a first-hand look at this burgeoning technology,” Mr Reade said.

“With EV sales doubling year on year, RAA is proud to be building South Australia’s first border-to-border EV charging network,

“Already reaching its 50 per cent milestone, the RAA Charge network has provided almost 3,000 charging sessions since March this year.

“Once complete, the network will span across 140 locations – helping solve range anxiety for EV drivers and ensuring the charging infrastructure is keeping in pace with the growing number of EVs on our roads.”

The rollout of RAA Charge network, South Australia’s first border-to-border EV charging network – now more than 50% complete – is also playing a pivotal role in addressing range anxiety and barriers to purchasing an EV.

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge Village in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga will open on Thursday, 26 October, with the RAA EV Drive Experience taking place from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 October.

South Australians can sign up for their fully charged drive experience from today by visiting RAA EV Drive Experience – Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2023 | Humanitix

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mullokintyre said:

The Roy Hill mine in the pilbarra has taken delivery of Australias fitst all elctric battery powered locomotive
View attachment 165113
Its interesting that this first step was not taken by twiggy or BHP, or Rio, or any of the big green virtue signallers.
Roy Hill mine, is owned by Hancock prospecting, the flagship of the often hated Gina Reinhardt.
She does things, does not talk too much like some others.
Mick

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sptrawler said:

Apparently Tritium electric car charging network is in a bit of financial bother.
Could be another manufacturer on the way overseas, or it could be another company trying to get on the public teat, time will tell.

Tritium asks Qld government for up to $90m bailout

Brisbane fast-charging company Tritium said it was hard to secure Australian capital to help the company through its financial troubles.

www.afr.com

Embattled Brisbane fast-charging company Tritium has asked the Queensland government for an equity injection of up to $90 million as it tries to deal with its dire liquidity issues.

While the company has warned it may be forced to close its Australian factory and move its headquarters overseas to ensure its financial survival, it is understood the request to the Palaszczuk government is unlikely to be successful.

Tritium chief executive Jane Hunter said she had been in discussions with all tiers of government to try to help the company, which listed on the Nasdaq in the United States in 2021 with a “double unicorn” $2 billion valuation but now has a market capitalisation of $US38 million ($59 million).

“It’s been extremely difficult in Australia to secure sources of capital,” Ms Hunter told The Australian Financial Review.

“To keep sovereign manufacturing capability, Australia will have to put money and legislation into it because just like [funding under America’s Inflation Reduction Act], that’s the only reason people are into factories over there.”
Ms Hunter said the Albanese government’s $3 billion National Reconstruction Fund that will start next year will be too late for Tritium, which has been issued a show-cause notice about its underperformance on the American bourse.

“We’ve had discussions with all levels of government. Unfortunately, the National Reconstruction Fund won’t be ready for us to access it. It will be too late for us,” she said.

“I think there’s a possibility that the CEFC [Clean Energy Finance Corporation] could come in, but we have to have a foundation investor and they have to be Australian.”

A spokesman for federal Industry Minister Ed Husic would not comment.

Tritium DCFC: Another Charging Station Disaster (NASDAQ:DCFC)

Tritium DCFC has fallen substantially due to business model reporting negative gross margins. Read why investors should avoid DCFC stock.

seekingalpha.com

Tritium forecasts a long-term margin in the mid-30% range. The company is more focused on selling the charging station hardware for the fast-charging segment while competitors are generally more focused on other business models built off the charging station, questioning how much the company can charge in the future.

The new Tennessee facility allows Tritium to more than double capacity this year to 11K DCFC unit capacity. The company expects to have annual capacity surge to 35K by the end of 2023.

Tritium has a strong customer base with BP ordering 1,000 chargers and Shell having a large contract with the company. The charging station company just started FY23 and analysts forecast revenues reaching $132 million this year and jumping to $283 million next year.

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mullokintyre said:

My experience so far with Tritium chargers is that the hardware is highly problematic.
It seems that if a charger is out of action, it is likely to be a Tritium charger.
ASEA BB chargers are so far ahead of them its not funny.
Mick

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mullokintyre said:

My experience so far with Tritium chargers is that the hardware is highly problematic.
It seems that if a charger is out of action, it is likely to be a Tritium charger.
ASEA BB chargers are so far ahead of them its not funny.
Mick

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