In Mobility News Today: BMW Group, Volkswagen, Porsche, ENEOS, Ample, Hyundai, Boston Dynamics, flex-fuel engines

In news today:

  • BMW begins testing vehicles with a hydrogen fuel cell drive train
  • Volkswagen using innovative 3D printing technology in car production
  • ENEOS and Ample to Launch an EV Battery Swapping Service in Japan
  • Porsche updates infotainment features in PCM 6.0
  • Hyundai Motor Group acquires Boston Dynamics
  • India may make flex-fuel engines mandatory
  • Maharashtra’s new EV policy from April next year 2022

BMW begins testing vehicles with a hydrogen fuel cell drive train

BMW Group continuing its systematic research and development on Hydrogen as fuel for sustainable mobility has announced it is beginning to test near-standard vehicles with a hydrogen fuel cell drive train. The tests are being conducted in everyday conditions on European roads.

The tests involves prototypes of the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT that will examine how effectively the CO2-free drive train, model-specific chassis technology and vehicle electronics systems work together under real-life conditions. The i Hydrogen NEXT is a pure electric vehicle that uses hydrogen as fuel by converting it into electricity in a fuel cell. The recently launched testing programme will pave the way for the Group to present a small-series model with this sustainable drive technology, developed on the basis of the BMW X5, in late 2022.

Volkswagen using innovative 3D printing technology in car production

Volkswagen is using innovative 3D printers in car production. The company is currently the only car maker using this 3D printing technology in the production process.

Whereas conventional 3D printing uses a laser to build a component layer by layer from metallic powder, the binder jetting process uses an adhesive. The resulting metallic component is then heated and shaped. Using the binder jetting component reduces costs and increases productivity – for example, the components weigh only half as much as those made from sheet steel.

Hyundai Motor Group acquires Boston Dynamics

Hyundai Motor Group has announced the completion of the acquisition of Boston Dynamics from SoftBank at $1.1 billion. Boston Dynamics is a leader in developing agile, mobile robots that offer opportunities for rapid growth with the potential to positively impact society by making work safer and more productive. By acquiring Boston Dynamics and securing a leading presence in the field of robotics, the Group has taken another major step toward its strategic transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. To propel this transformation, the Group has also making substantial investments in the development of future technologies, including autonomous driving, artificial intelligence (AI), Urban Air Mobility (UAM), smart factories and robots.

Porsche updates infotainment features in PCM 6.0

Porsche has announced sixth generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with some innovative features. Some of important integrations include Apple Music and Apple Podcasts built, and wireless Apple CarPlay support.  In addition, Android Auto is included for the first time, and the Voice Pilot voice assistant can now understand instructions in natural language. PCM 6.0 also ensures that software updates will be possible using over-the-air technology.

India may make flex-fuel engines mandatory

The Indian government will take a decision over flex-fuel engines very soon in the next 8-10 day, said Nitin Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The government is considering making these engines mandatory for the automobile industry.

A flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV) is an alternative fuel vehicle with an internal combustion engine designed to run on more than one fuel, usually gasoline blended with either ethanol or methanol fuel, and both fuels are stored in the same common tank.

At present petrol costs have reached more than Rs 100 per litre in many parts of the country, so by using ethanol, Indians will save Rs 30-35 per litre as the price of alternative fuel ethanol is Rs 60-62 per litre.

Maharashtra’s new EV policy from April next year 2022

Maharashtra government’s new EV policy is set to be in force from April next year (2022). Some of broad points under the new policy will be to increase share of electric vehicles to at least 10 percent of all new vehicle registrations by the year 2025; and to electrify 25 percent of the current public transport infrastructure, including last-mile connectivity vehicles, by 2025.

(Based on Media Release and News Reports)

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