Automotive news

Automotive

New motor drive design reduces heat, wear in high-power systems

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory's (ORNL) National Transportation Research Center have developed a novel electric motor drive design that meets the performance demands of aircraft, ...

Engineering

New autonomous monitor prevents drone crashes in real time

A University of Houston engineer has built a new safety monitoring system for the operation of quadrotor drones that can keep them on course and out of danger in real time.

Energy & Green Tech

Electric car analysis reveals moral case for accelerating green transition

Recently, it has been argued that a rapid transition is unjust—particularly because of concerns about mining critical minerals, including for EVs. Specific concerns have been raised about deaths among artisanal and small-scale ...

Automotive

India takes down battery apps after stalled e-rickshaw rides

Indian officials said Friday they had taken down two smartphone apps following reports that some e-rickshaws could be remotely shut down, exploiting a security gap in the budget vehicles.

Energy & Green Tech

Smarter diagnostics could extend the lives of silicon EV batteries

Electric vehicle batteries could last twice as long, preventing costly replacement, with a new approach to heating and cooling the batteries, according to a study led by University of Michigan Engineering. The system is designed ...

Hardware

Plane battery fire tests back 100 Wh limit for carry-on devices

Lithium-ion batteries in personal electronic devices (PEDs) such as laptops, smartphones, powerbanks and electronic cigarettes can pose a serious safety risk in air travel. Damaged or overheated batteries can combust or explode. ...

Automotive

Chevrolet Bolt vs. Nissan Leaf, a $30,000 EV comparison

Many new electric vehicles are prohibitively expensive for car shoppers. But there are a few relatively low-cost options that provide plenty of usable range and utility. One great example is the Nissan Leaf. Originally debuting ...

Energy & Green Tech

Mapping trade-offs to help build better EV batteries

Working with car companies, battery developers and policymakers, University of Michigan researchers have developed a framework to help stakeholders navigate toward a future with better, more affordable and more sustainable ...

Automotive

Volkswagen to develop own assisted driving chip in China

Germany's Volkswagen said on Wednesday it would develop an in-house assisted driving chip for its business in China as it seeks to recover from sagging sales in the world's largest auto market.

Energy & Green Tech

Electric vehicles could strain Quebec's power grid

Electrification of vehicles is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but in Quebec the increasing weight of the battery-powered vehicles could cause electricity demand to rise well beyond projections.

Software

Q&A: Virtual tire development improved by modeling software

Before a car rolls off the production line, manufacturers run virtual tests on it. Simulating tires is particularly challenging since they are subject to extreme stress when driving over potholes and bumps. This is where ...

Automotive

Nation's largest fleet of police Cybertrucks to patrol Las Vegas

The nation's largest police fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks is set to begin patrolling the streets of Las Vegas in November thanks to a donation from a U.S. tech billionaire, raising concerns about the blurring of lines between ...

Automotive

NASA takes one step closer to launching quiet supersonic jets

A supersonic jet plane designed to make very little noise took flight for the first time this week, cruising over the southern California desert just after sunrise in what could be the first step toward much faster commercial ...

Engineering

Alloys that 'remember' their shape can prevent railroad damage

In railroad tracks, rail ties hold the rails in place and ensure that their separation does not change. Modern concrete ties warp and crack through repeated use, leading to safety concerns including derailment if not regularly ...