Tuesday, December 3, 2024

As the EU imposes tariffs on Chinese EVs, Spain aims to become a “connector country”


New tariffs on EVs made in China have now come into effect in the European Union. The new tariffs, which will be added to existing import duties of 10 percent, are based on the amounts of subsidies that the EU has determined each automaker in China has received. The tariffs range from 7.8 percent for Tesla to 35.3 percent for SAIC, and are to remain in place for 5 years.

The US and Canada have each imposed 100% tariffs on electric vehicles made in China, but European leaders appear to be pursuing a more moderate path, aiming to slow imports of Chinese-made EVs rather than end them altogether.

“Europe doesn’t want to hamper its own electric vehicle green transition by making Chinese cars prohibitively expensive,” Emre Peker, a Director of the Eurasia Group, a private consulting firm, told the New York Times.

The EU’s auto industry employs some 13.8 million people and accounts for 7 percent of the EU’s economic output, according to Times estimates. Chinese-made electric vehicles represent a clear and present economic danger—over the last three years, the market share of Chinese EVs in the EU has grown from 3 percent to over 20 percent, according to the auto industry group ACEA.

The situation is steeped in irony. European OEMs (along with their counterparts in North America and Asia) created the present dilemma by slow-walking electrification over the past two decades, allowing the Chinese to use EVs as a wedge to pry open global auto markets. However, most of the European automakers were opposed to the new tariffs—several EU countries, including Germany, voted against them.

Part of the reason for this is that global automakers have made major investments in China, and fear Chinese trade retaliation. However, some execs seem to understand that tariffs can’t solve the industry’s underlying problem, which is global automakers’ failure to deliver competitive EVs.

“These short-term actions will have negative mid- and long-term implications,” said Carlos Tavares, Chief Executive of Stellantis. “The best way—the only way—to protect ourselves, our industries, our workers, is to compete with the newcomers and raise ourselves to their game.”

“Under a tariffs regime, an industry only loses time,” Arno Antlitz, Volkswagen’s financial chief, told reporters, pointing out that Chinese automakers will soon be producing cars in Europe.

Chery recently signed a deal with the Spanish company Ebro-EV Motors to produce EVs at a former Nissan plant in Barcelona. Leapmotor is already shipping EVs to Europe under a joint venture with Stellantis, and is planning to produce them at factories in Europe. Chinese automakers have also signed agreements to build EV plants in Hungary, Poland and Turkey.

Not all EU countries have signed on to the “Katie, bar the door” strategy. Spain, the union’s fourth-largest economy, was among 12 countries that abstained from voting on the tariffs. Some say Spain aspires to be a “connector country,” giving Chinese automakers indirect access to the European market. Spain’s cultural and economic ties to other Spanish-speaking countries could also enable it to serve as a gateway to Latin America, a region where Chinese EVs are already arriving in large numbers.

Nonaligned countries such as Mexico and Vietnam are increasingly serving as “connector countries” between China and the US, allowing Chinese firms to get their goods into the US while avoiding import duties, the International Monetary Fund’s Gita Gopinath told the Times.

Even as other European countries pursue ways to keep the dragon from the door, Spain has taken measures to encourage more investment. Carlos Cuerpo, Spain’s Economic Minister, recently called China “a key economic partner” for the EU and Spain.

Of course, China’s threat to “The West” is not just an economic one. The country’s support for Russia since the invasion of Ukraine undeniably undermines Europe’s security. “This is not only about commercial interests but also geopolitical interests,” Liana Fix, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, told the Times, warning that Europe risks becoming too dependent on Chinese industry.

Sources: New York Times (EU), New York Times (Spain)



from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/sA8CDFP

Monday, December 2, 2024

Webinar: V2G – Opportunities and challenges for EV integration with the grid 



The power grid is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by decarbonization, decentralization, and digitalization. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology is at the heart of this transformation, holding tremendous promise for enhancing grid stability, lowering energy costs, and integrating renewable energy sources. 
 
However, inverter-based Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) introduce new complexities in testing: The interconnection of everything demands the interconnection testing of everything. 
 
Join this deep-dive session with technical experts to explore how Keysight’s end-to-end V2G testing solution empowers industry leaders to address interoperability, conformance, and security issues.

What you will gain from attending:

  • Keep up with the ever-evolving grid code compliance standards
  • Learn how to leverage emulation to ensure seamless grid integration.
  • Accelerate anti-islanding testing for IEEE 1547.1-2020 / UL 1741 SB compliance
  • Identify key opportunities and challenges of V2G business models through real-world cases

    Whether you’re focused on V2G-enabled electric vehicles (EV) or exploring grid code compliances, this webinar will equip you with essential knowledge and tools to lead in the next era of energy transformation. 

This webinar will be hosted by CHARGED on Wednesday, January 15th, at 11am US EST.

Register now, it’s free!



 



from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/r6PmRn4

ITECH adds new DC electronic load series


Taiwanese firm ITECH Electronic has developed a new series of high-speed, high-power DC electronic loads that provides a high level of power support, fast current dynamic response and low-voltage load carrying capability.

The IT8900G/L series has an ultra-low on-resistance and two operating ranges. It supports three voltage ranges of 150 V, 600 V and 1,200 V. The power of a single unit ranges from 2 kW to 54 kW and supports master-slave parallel connection, expandable up to 600 kW. This expandability and the availability of up to eight operating modes make it suited to the testing needs of EVs and renewable energy installations, as well as complex testing scenarios such as automotive electronics, motor drives, battery management systems and power devices.

The 150 V model has an internal resistance of about 0.7m Ω. The lowest single-unit on-load voltage is < 0.1 V for 60 A input at the low range and 0.75 V for 600 A. It is particularly suitable for testing fuel cells, supercapacitors, solar cells, DC-DC converters and other low-voltage, high-current electronic devices.

The series electronic load features dynamic modes up to 30 kHz. The all-in-one internal structure improves loop response and stability. The current rise/fall speed of the devices is 3-4 times higher than the company’s predecessor models, enabling users to capture the slightest fluctuations in real time when dealing with complex load changes. The low-inductance test line reduces electromagnetic interference during rapid current changes and ensures efficient and accurate signal transmission. The devices can test the transient response of switching power supplies, as well as the instantaneous high-current tolerance of DC-DC converters and batteries.

Source: ITECH Electronic



from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/NfMJAXU

Centennial College adds mandatory EV and hybrid coursework to its 2-year auto tech program


Centennial College’s School of Transportation, which claims to be Canada’s largest on-site transportation training facility, will require students entering the Automotive-Motive Power Technician program to complete EV and hybrid vehicle training, as of the fall 2024 semester.

The Motive Power Technician two-year degree program covers a variety of topics necessary for students seeking a career in an increasingly computerized field. The course of study includes diagnosing, disassembling, analyzing and properly reassembling major automotive systems and components.

The School of Transportation has offered EV and hybrid training for 15 years, Centennial said, and the new requirement is meant to help the school keep up with the increasing demand for technicians with EV training.

“We are ensuring that new electric and hybrid vehicle technology is integrated with traditional vehicle systems in the classroom, just as it has been integrated together inside of today’s cars and trucks,” said Christopher Muir, a Continuing Education Professor in the School of Transportation. “We are building on the foundations of standard automotive training by teaching students how to work on high-voltage systems, covering everything from safety to software.”

Centennial College has a fleet of more than 12 EVs and hybrid vehicles with which students in the two-year Automotive-Motive Power Technician program can gain hands-on experience, including a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt, 2022 Toyota Prius and 2022 Ford F150 Lightning.

In addition to the Motive Power Technician program, Centennial College also offers six separate part-time continuing education courses for licensed technicians, including High Voltage Safety and Hybrid Vehicle Systems, Hybrid and Electrical Vehicle Introductory Overview, Batteries and Charging Systems, Inverters and Regenerative Braking, High Voltage Supporting Systems and Motor Operation and Diagnostics.

Source: Centennial College



from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/POM9Yi5

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Free Poster: The Fundamentals of Power


This free vintage-style poster illustrates the key concepts and equations needed for performing power measurements, including AC and DC measurements, mechanical power, multi-phase wiring diagrams, and an AC measurement conversion table.

*Physical posters will be mailed to US, Canada, and Mexico residents—all others will receive a PDF copy.



from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/7vQOtJA

Littelfuse launches current monitor series for EV charging stations


US industrial technology manufacturing company Littelfuse has introduced its RCMP20 Residual Current Monitor Series for EV charging stations.

The RCMP20 Series is designed to offer high performance and flexibility while supporting higher charging currents than alternative products on the market, according to the company.

The monitors have a large current transformer (CT) aperture, while integrated conductors that have higher cross-sectional areas provide enhanced thermal management, reducing printed circuit board (PCB) temperature. The integrated PCB with optional conductors streamlines installation, reduces the number of components and simplifies assembly, allowing for more compact designs while still meeting safety code requirements.

The modules are designed to resist electromagnetic interference (EMI), minimizing false circuit trips and improving overall charging station reliability.

The RCMP20 Series has vertical and horizontal mounting options and 2-4 integrated conductors, allowing design engineers to optimize the use of space and adapt to various charger configurations.

The RCMP20-03 module is designed to help enhance the safety of portable charging stations by monitoring AC and DC residual currents. When a ground fault, leakage or residual current exceeds the threshold, the RCMP20-03 triggers a circuit shutdown, preventing electrical hazards.

The RCMP20-01 module is specifically designed to detect DC residual currents in permanent charging stations that Type A RCDs overlook. When DC fault currents exceed the threshold, it signals a trip to a connected switching device, ensuring user protection.

Littelfuse also recently expanded its range of Ultra Junction X4-Class 200 V Power MOSFETs for battery storage and power supply applications.

Source: Littelfuse



from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/Hgu6nwk

Archer Aviation to sell up to 100 electric aircraft to Soracle


Electric airplane manufacturer Archer Aviation has signed an agreement with Soracle, a joint venture of Japan Airlines and global general trading company Sumitomo, to sell up to 100 Midnight aircraft, totaling approximately $500 million.

Soracle plans to offer electric air taxi flights in cities with traffic constraints or geographic barriers. Locations could include Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hokkaido, Setouchi and Okinawa. 

The eVTOL Midnight has a top speed of up to 150 mph and is claimed to be, at cruising altitude, 100 times quieter than a helicopter. It is designed to carry up to four passengers with carry-on luggage on back-to-back flights of 20-50 miles with minimal charging time between them.

Archer and Soracle plan to conduct a public flight demonstration of the service at the upcoming World Expo 2025 in Osaka.

“Japan is widely respected for its forward-thinking approach to transportation, and this investment into advanced air mobility is yet another example of that,” said Andrew Cummins, Senior Director of Business Development at Archer.

Source: Archer



from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/eK62E7v

Chevrolet BrightDrop 400 electric vans support Walmart’s InHome delivery service


Walmart, which plans to expand its InHome grocery delivery service to 62 million US households, will deploy Chevrolet BrightDrop 400 vans in Austin, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, northwest Arkansas, Orlando and the San Francisco Bay area by the end of the year.

The BrightDrop 400 is produced at GM’s CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. It features a 360-degree HD Surround Vision camera, blind-zone steering assist, auto-closing doors and low-step ergonomic design.

Walmart drivers participated in a pilot with GM to assess the vehicle in live operations. “During the pilot, we listened closely to our InHome associates’ feedback and were impressed by the vans’ performance in real-world scenarios,” said Warren Moore, VP of Dedicated Delivery at Walmart in the US.

Source: GM



from Charged EVs https://ift.tt/XPShqgz

As the EU imposes tariffs on Chinese EVs, Spain aims to become a “connector country”

New tariffs on EVs made in China have now come into effect in the European Union. The new tariffs, which will be added to existing import d...