Hyundai Motor introduces electric double-decker bus

In Seoul, Hyundai Motor unveiled an electric double-decker bus—a first of its kind for Hyundai, and part of the company’s effort to help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

The all-new electric double-decker bus is being shown at the ‘Land, Infrastructure and Transport Technology Fair’ held in Korea, co-hosted by Hyundai and the national Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, lasting from 29 to 31 May.

To develop the company’s first electric double-decker bus, Hyundai worked for 18 months on a project supported by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, which began in 2017.

The bus allows up to 70 passengers—11 seats on the first floor and 59 seats on the second floor—1.5 times as many passengers as compared to that of a regular bus. Through the implementation of two fixed-in-space wheelchairs, an automatic sliding ramp and low floor design, the double-decker bus secures added accessibility for disabled and mobility impaired passengers.

As part of the company’s effort to increase efficiency and to reduce vehicle emissions, Hyundai equipped the all-new bus with a 384 kWh water-cooled high-efficiency polymer battery, with a maximum 300 km (186 miles) driving range on a single charge. A full charge can be completed in 72 minutes.

The large electric double-decker bus is 12,990 mm long and 3,995 mm high. It runs on an independent suspension system in the first driving axle for a more comfortable ride, and a 240 kW wheel motor axle combined with a motor in the second axle that minimizes loss of electricity. A rear-wheel steering system works in coherence with the steering system of the first axle, optimizing steering performance.

Various advanced safety features are also equipped on the bus to ensure the safety of the passengers:

• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) helps identify the driver’s intended driving direction and maintain the vehicle in control.
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) uses the car’s front-facing camera to help detect an imminent collision and avoid impact or minimize damage by braking autonomously.
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) helps prevent accidental lane departure by sensing road markings.

LG Chem Signs Deal With Daimler, Becomes World’s Largest EV Battery Supplier

Korea’s LG Chem is now the world’s largest EV battery supplier, having just inked a deal with Daimler to provide batteries for the upcoming Smart ForTwo Electric Drive, which is scheduled for production in 2016. LG Chem also supplies batteries to Volkswagen, Ford, Hyundai, Renault, Audi, Chevrolet, Kia and GM. In all, LG Chem supplies 13 of the world’s top 20 brands.

In a press release accompanying the signing of the new contract, Young Soo Kwon, the President of Energy Solution Company, LG Chem, said, “LG Chem’s battery business and technology have been world-widely acknowledged once again as our products are continuously being installed by major automobile makers from their commodity brands to premium vehicles. LG Chem will continue to lead the EV battery market with differentiated technology to make us stand up as global No.1 battery manufacturer.” The new deal with Daimler supposedly makes LG Chem the largest battery supplier in the world, though I wonder what Panasonic reps might say to that.

Daimler hosted a Supplier Day in Stuttgart in February. LG Chem was the only battery maker invited, which gave its representatives an opportunity to talk shop with other Daimler suppliers from around the world. It will manufacture the battery cells and ship them to Daimler, which will assemble them into battery packs and install them into vehicles.

LG  Chem has had a mixed history in the US. It built a factory in Holland, Michigan, 30 miles from Detroit with the help of $300,000,000 of federal incentives and tax breaks. Initially, the factory was supposed to provide batteries for the Chevy Volt, which went on sale in December of 2010 but production didn’t begin until 2013. Batteries from the Holland factory are scheduled to be part of the redesigned 2016 Volt, which should be in showrooms later this year.

A recent report by B3 Solutions suggests that the market for lithium ion vehicle batteries will grow to more than $18,000,000 a year by 2020. That’s the primary reason why Tesla and Panasonic are investing heavily in the Gigafactory in Nevada, so they can cash in on that burgeoning market. LG Chem is currently the biggest lithium ion manufacturer, but can they hold on to that lead? There are lots of other companies snapping at their heels.

Source: AutoBlog

Kia Soul EV Begins Production In Korea

Production of the Kia Soul EV  begun at Kia’s factory in Gwangju, Korea this week, with the first Kia Soul EV available for sale in North America in the second half of 2014. While Kia has previously offered electric cars – the Venga EV and the Ray EV – to its domestic customers, this will be the first time Kia has sold an EV outside the home country.

Kia’s experience with those home market electric vehicles has led to development of the second generation technology featured in the Soul EV. For instance, the 27 kWh battery in the new model has the highest energy density currently available in any EV, and can get an 80% recharge in just 30 minutes. Kia believes that EVs, rather than plug-in hybrids, are the way to go since most electrics now have enough range to meet the daily driving needs of the majority of customers.

Unfortunately, the 109 horsepower means acceleration from 0 to 60 MPH takes about 12 seconds, which is even longer than the Toyota Prius, and until pricing is announced, it’ll be hard to fairly compare it against cars like the Nissan Leaf. Even so, Kia has set a target of 5000 Soul EV sales this year, implying high hopes for their electric ambitions.

Source: Gas 2.