Fisker Inc. is entering into agreements with Magna International Inc. that provide the framework for strategic platform sharing and manufacturing cooperation for the Fisker Ocean SUV. Using the Fisker-Flexible Platform Adaptive Design (FF-PAD), Fisker’s design, engineering, and software teams will integrate Magna electric vehicle architecture with Ocean’s award-winning exterior design. The new FM29 lightweight aluminum-intensive […]
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Cover Automakers are moving deeper into the development of electric vehicles. For example, for the first time ever Ford introduced a one-off Mustang Cobra Jet factory drag racer with all-electric propulsion in order to demonstrate the capabilities of electric powertrains. This is one of several models the company has developed with electric and hybrid electric […]
Lotus Cars is partnering with Brunel University London and Sarginsons Industries to develop Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture (LEVA). The aim of the project is to accelerate innovation in the development of lightweight structures for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), acting as a showcase for new, cutting-edge chassis and powertrain concepts. “This is great news for our industry and its […]
Complimenting our September 2019 International Patent Calendar (which focused mostly on methods of anodizing aluminum), this month’s collection of patents focuses on special applications of anodized aluminum surfaces. The uniqueness of anodized aluminum oxide coatings in terms of their chemical, physical, and mechanical properties has resulted in many innovations in various industrial and scientific fields, […]
Last week Nissan released its new Rogue, their best-selling vehicle. The 2021 model features more aluminum throughout the body than previous iterations. Its hood, fenders, and doors are all made of aluminum. According to Nissan, some aluminum exists on the current-generation Rogue. “The new model just has an increase,” said Jeff Wandell, electric vehicle and […]
Xpeng Motors launched production at the Zhaoqing Xpeng Motors Intelligent Industrial Park, its new wholly owned factory in Zhaoqing, Guangdong province, China. The factory will manufacture the company’s super-long range, electric sports sedan Xpeng P7, which is constructed with a a steel-aluminum hybrid frame. Electric Sports Sedan The P7 is an electric sports sedan capable of providing high-performance, a super-long […]
Hydro and Northvolt, a leading European battery manufacturer based in Sweden, formed a 50/50 joint venture, called Hydro Volt AS, which will focus on enabling the recycling of battery materials and aluminum from electric vehicles (EVs). A typical EV battery pack may contain more than 25% aluminum, totaling about 70-100 kg aluminum per pack. “We […]
Tesla, Inc. submitted a patent application, titled “System and Method for Facilitating Pulsed Spray Quench of Extruded Objects.” The patent application describes a quenching process that aims to increase the strength, rigidity, and energy absorption of 6000 series extruded aluminum components. During the extrusion process, the microstructure of the aluminum can have a significant impact on […]
EDAG Group in Germany, together with eight project partners, has developed an aluminum alloy for the 3D printing of automotive components. The alloy was designed to provide higher strength and elongation at the breaking point — which is especially important in the event of a crash. Additive production has huge potential for revolutionizing the production of automotive […]
