Date: 10 October 2022 Location: Delft / The Hague region, Netherlands
Focus of the Symposium
The purpose of the E-Mobility Power System Integration Symposium is to discuss the challenges that arise with increased power demand due to electric vehicle charging, and how they can be met by coordinating with renewable power production in the electrical system (hence the combination with the Solar & Wind Integration Workshop). The selection of topics also highlights the need for integrating the required electric vehicle charging infrastructure with the expansion of the distribution and transmission system.
The Symposium offers a prime opportunity to discuss the significant future impact of E-Mobility on power system design and operation. It aims to bring together experts on electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, power system operators, and stakeholders of the renewable energy industry as well as power system regulators and universities.
Topics of the Symposium
Project Experience with EV Grid Integration
Grid Forming Aspects and Experience
Power System Aspects with high shares of EVs
Distribution Grid Issues
Market and Regulatory Aspects
Charging Infrastructure Planning & Smart Charging
High Power Charging
Vehicle to Grid incl. Ancillary Service Participation
Charging Methods + Standardization of Charging Modes / Communication
Communication and Security Aspects
Grid Integration Modelling Aspects
Grid Code Issues and Future Aspects
Decarbonization of Energy Sectors
Electrification of Urban Mobility
Mobility as a Service
AI and Machine Learning for Grid Integration
E-Mobility and Renewable Energy Integration
Contact
For questions regarding your abstract submission, the online registration or general information please contact info@integrationworkshops.org
New production site for all-electric Audi models based on Premium Platform Electric (PPE)
With the foundation of the Audi FAW NEV Company, Audi has set the course for made-in-China production of models based on the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) technology platform for the Chinese market. Work has now begun on the new production site in the northern Chinese metropolis of Changchun. With construction set to finish by the end of 2024, this will be the first automotive plant in China where only all-electric Audi models roll off the line. The factory is designed to produce more than 150,000 vehicles a year. All site processes will be networked, with Audi’s “Mission Zero” environmental program setting the guardrails for sustainable production.
“The start of construction on our new plant in Changchun is an important milestone for Audi in China. With the Audi FAW NEV Company, we are bringing the PPE platform to China and producing market-specific, all-electric models directly on site. This means the cooperation company will play a key role in the ongoing electrification of our model range for the Chinese market,” says Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG and responsible for the China business.
The new plant is being built on an area of around 150 hectares, which will make it slightly larger than the existing Audi plant in Neckarsulm once completed. A total of 20 buildings will be erected on the site by the end of 2022. The technical crews housed at the site will cover the entire value chain needed for automotive manufacturing. In addition to a press shop, body shop, paint shop, and vehicle assembly line, there will also be a battery assembly facility, where Audi will manufacture the high-voltage batteries used in its China-specific PPE models.
Audi chose the new location carefully: The German-Chinese cooperation company will benefit from the ideal infrastructure in Changchun. Changchun is one of the largest automotive regions in China. FAW (First Automobile Works), a long-standing Chinese partner of the company with the four rings, has its headquarters there. Audi has been producing models for the Chinese market in the FAW-Volkswagen plants since 1988. As a result, numerous supplier companies for the new plant are already located in the region.
With the new production site, Audi is also creating around 3,000 new jobs in Changchun. Once the plant is completed, production based on the PPE platform will begin, starting with three models from the Audi A6 e-tron and Audi Q6 e-tron series.
The new site will also serve as the headquarters of the Audi FAW NEV Company, which is responsible for production. The company is the first cooperation company with a majority interest held by Audi in China. Audi is investing around 2.6 billion euros in the overall project, which encompasses both the creation of the company and construction of the production plant.
“We are combining the best of two worlds. We are bringing together AUDI AG’s know-how from over a century of automotive history and the comprehensive expertise of our long-standing Chinese partner FAW in a new, ultramodern company with a production site,” emphasized Helmut Stettner, CEO of the Audi FAW NEV Company. This is also reflected in the numerous smart manufacturing technologies that the two partners are bringing together in the new factory, Stettner added.
Sustainable, networked, efficient: Audi builds smart factory
The new Audi FAW NEV Company site boasts state-of-the-art technologies and solutions. In terms of factory layout and processes, the company is drawing on successful templates from other Audi sites and optimizing them to local conditions. All maintenance, logistics, and production processes are networked under one single IT architecture. And for the first-time outside Europe, Audi is using a fully integrated logistics solution based on SAP S/4HANA. Before the buildings are even standing, digital tools are already in use: 3D scanning is employed to recreate the entire construction site in great detail – another first for the Volkswagen Group. This step enables the planning staff in Ingolstadt to follow the progress of site work closely, despite the great distance, as well as to discuss the next steps with the experts on site.
(Champaign, Illinois) June 28, 2022 – Natrion, a leader in solid state electric vehicle battery technology, today unveiled its first ever solid state pouch cell prototypes as it continues to develop market-leading technology. Marking a new chapter in Natrion’s journey, the company can now provide its prototypes to others in the industry to demonstrate its superior performance and safety and further its progress towards bringing their patented, proprietary solutions to the market.
In 2021, Natrion proved out its superior energy density and durability in its initial results with small-scale cells. Now, the company is on track to deliver similarly powerful results for its larger pouch cells — a technological feat that, if achieved, would represent a monumental advancement in the EV battery industry.
Natrion’s prototypes are being developed in its own in-house facility in Champaign, Illinois, one of only few such facilities in the state. Natrion now has the capability to produce multilayer pouch cells up to 4Ah in size.
Natrion intends to focus its pouch cell development work on using lithium-metal anode with the company’s LISIC solid-state electrolyte technology. With the pouch cells now in production, Natrion will begin providing samples to its prospective industry partners for analysis as it continues those engagements.
The announcement comes on the heels of the company’s major fundraising milestone in which it announced it has raised $2 million in seed funding from investors including Mark Cuban. With the funding, Natrion will continue building out its R&D, facilities and market-leading products.
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About Natrion
Natrion is a solid-state EV battery component maker headquartered in Binghamton, New York with operations in Champaign, Illinois. It was started out of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Indiana University in 2018 by founders Alex Kosyakov and Thomas Rouffiac. Natrion develops solid-state lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery components for electric mobility and defense applications. The company is backed by Mark Cuban, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, Tamarack Global, and others.
The journey continues: the most efficient Mercedes-Benz ever built demonstrates even greater efficiency of 8.3 kWh/100 km and impressive thermal management on another long-distance drive
Stuttgart/Brixworth. The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX beats its own efficiency record in real-world driving with another 1,000 km+ journey on a single battery charge. Following its record-breaking maiden drive from Stuttgart to Cassis (France) in April, the research vehicle set the bar even higher, with a 1,202-kilometre road trip from Stuttgart to Silverstone in the UK. After negotiating an autobahn closure and demanding cross-country diversion near Stuttgart, the VISION EQXX crossed the French border near Strasbourg then cruised across northern France at highway speeds to Calais, where it boarded the Eurotunnel. Continuing its journey in the UK, it took the M25 around London then stopped off at Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix in Brackley. Waiting to greet it there were the Formula 1 and Formula E experts who helped develop its advanced drivetrain. The VISION EQXX then carried on to Silverstone, where it was welcomed by special guest driver Nyck de Vries. The Dutchman, who races for the Mercedes-EQ Formula E team, opted not to go easy on the research vehicle, taking it up to its maximum speed limit of 140 km/h on the iconic British race track. Making the most of the occasion, he completed 11 laps, using the last of the charge on the pit lane. Throughout the road trip, the VISION EQXX took advantage of its innovative thermal management system to achieve an average consumption of 8.3 kWh/100 km in the face of heavy traffic and summer temperatures.
As well as proving the effectiveness of Mercedes-Benz electric efficiency technologies in a wide range of real-life traffic scenarios, the VISION EQXX’s long-distance journeys on public roads provide R&D experts with valuable data for the ongoing development programme.
“The journey continues – even further, even more efficient! Yet again, the VISION EQXX has proven that it can easily cover more than 1,000 km on a single battery charge, this time faced with a whole different set of real-world conditions. As Mercedes-Benz strives to go all-electric by 2030 wherever market conditions allow, it is important to show to the world what can be achieved in real terms through a combination of cutting-edge technology, teamwork and determination,” says Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer responsible for Development and Procurement.
Once is not enough – VISION EQXX proves real-world capability across a wide range of conditions
The proof of success for the VISION EQXX came in April this year. A record-breaking maiden road trip saw it cover 1,008 kilometres from Stuttgart to Cassis on the French Mediterranean coast. With temperatures ranging from a chilly 3 to a more springlike 18 degrees Celsius, it completed that journey with energy consumption of 8.7 kWh/100 km and a remaining range on arrival around 140 kilometres. But once is not enough. To demonstrate true real-world capability and to take the development process to the next level, the engineering team are running a series of road trips to test the technology underpinning the VISION EQXX under different conditions.
Keeping a cool head – innovative and efficient thermal management
This time, the route profile did not come with lower temperatures nor the demanding energy usage and recuperation scenarios presented by the Alps. The main challenges on this trip were summer temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius, paired with increased traffic density around Stuttgart and in the southeast of England. Nevertheless, the VISION EQXX kept a cool head the whole way thanks to its innovative thermal management system.
The exceptional efficiency of the electric drive unit means it generates only minimal waste heat. This helps keep the thermal management system extremely small and lightweight. The carefully engineered interaction of aero-shutters, coolant valves and pumps ensures the electric drive unit maintains the most efficient temperature balance at minimum energy cost. It encompasses a combination of innovative air-flow management and a cooling plate installed in the vehicle floor, enabling it to take advantage of the air flowing along the underside of the VISION EQXX. This is the most aerodynamically efficient way of keeping the electric drive unit cool under normal conditions, allowing an increase in range of around two percent in the most aerodynamic mode.
High ambient temperatures and stop-and-go motorway traffic necessitated cooling of the electric drivetrain and passenger cabin. However, the on-demand cooling system took it all in its stride with no significant impact on range. The multi-source heat pump in the VISION EQXX proved highly efficient at keeping the cabin temperature cool in the warm summer weather. During the 14 hours and 30 minutes of driving time, the air conditioning was operational for just over eight hours, yet had a minimal negative impact on overall energy consumption.
On the home straight to Silverstone, the VISION EQXX paid a visit to the home of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team in Brackley, some 13 kilometres to the southwest, where it received an enthusiastic welcome from the team from Mercedes-AMG HPP and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix who played a pivotal role in its design. Working hand-in-hand with the engineering team in Stuttgart, the Formula 1 and Formula E specialists helped slash system losses in the drivetrain and develop a completely new compact and lightweight battery pack.
After a driver change, it was HPP’s Advanced Technology Director Adam Allsopp who took over at the wheel for the final leg to Silverstone. The significance of the drive to the racing circuit which hosted the very first Formula 1TM Grand Prix in 1950 was not lost on him: “Driving this beacon of the future of electric mobility to the place where the Formula 1 story began, and where we’ve seen and contributed to some iconic Formula 1 races is personally very special. Completing the journey from Stuttgart to Silverstone on a single charge with even greater efficiency really evidences some great progress in accelerating the technologies underpinning our electrification strategy. The contribution made over the years by motorsports at Mercedes-Benz is significant and it makes us very proud,” says Allsopp.
Waiting at the track to greet the VISION EQXX was Mercedes-EQ Formula E racing driver Nyck de Vries. The 27-year-old Dutchman, who scored four Formula E wins in the last two seasons, has plenty of experience at coaxing every last drop of efficiency from an advanced electric drivetrain. However, he didn’t go easy on the VISION EQXX, taking it up to its maximum limited speed of 140 km/h at every opportunity on the fabled tarmac. He took the chequered flag after 11 laps, using up the last of the charge in the pit lane with 1,202 kilometres on the clock. “The VISION EQXX was a true pleasure to drive. I know what this team is capable of, and it was a real honour to drive such an amazing car on such a historic track,” says de Vries, adding with a smile: “And I can tell you that the interior is definitely a lot more luxurious than the cockpit of a Formula E car.”
After weekend trip to Goodwood Festival of Speed, where next on the road trip into the electric future?
Following a brief recharge, the VISION EQXX continued on its way to HPP headquarters in Brixworth 33 kilometres away for an overnight stop, refresh and full recharge in preparation for its next outing this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Appearing at the renowned celebration of historic motorsports alongside other Mercedes icons of the past present and future, the VISION EQXX will also take its turn on the famous hill climb.
With two successful 1,000 km+ road trips under its belt, the VISION EQXX has well and truly justified its claim as the most efficient Mercedes ever built. But the story doesn’t end there. Work continues on the development of many VISION EQXX technologies for application in future series-production vehicles. For the team behind it, gathering invaluable real-life data, the most important question is: Where next?
VISION EQXX: the trip log in figures
Start
Stuttgart Untertürkheim, June 21st, 2022, 08:15 CEST
Arrival
Silverstone, June 22nd, 2022, 18:02 BST
Travel route
Untertürkheim, Reims, Calais, Brackley
Driving distance
1,202 kilometres
Total driving time (over two days)
14 hours and 30 minutes
Average speed
83 km/h
Maximum speed
140 km/h
Average consumption
8.3 kWh per 100 km
VISION EQXX: the most important technical data at a glance
A second life for electric car batteries: The German–Indian start-up Nunam is bringing three electric rickshaws to the roads of India. They are powered by used batteries taken from test vehicles in the Audi e-tron test fleet. The aim of the project is to explore how modules made with high-voltage batteries can be reused after their car life cycle and become a viable second-life use case. The project also aims to strengthen job opportunities for women in India in particular: They will be provided with the e-rickshaws to transport their goods. The non-profit start-up based in Berlin and Bangalore is funded by the Audi Environmental Foundation. Nunam developed the three prototypes in collaboration with the training team at Audi’s Neckarsulm site, which in turn benefits from the intensive intercultural exchange. This is the first joint project between both AUDI AG and the Audi Environmental Foundation in addition to Nunam.
The e-rickshaws powered by second-life batteries are scheduled to hit the roads in India for the first time in a pilot project in early 2023. There they will be made available to a non-profit organization. Women in particular will be able to use the all-electric rickshaws to transport their goods to market for sale, all without the need for intermediaries. The e-rickshaws are powered by used battery modules that spent their first life in an Audi e-tron. “The old batteries are still extremely powerful,” says Nunam cofounder Prodip Chatterjee. “When used appropriately, second-life batteries can have a huge impact, helping people in challenging life situations earn an income and gain economic independence – everything in a sustainable way.”
The start-up’s primary goal is to develop ways to use old batteries as second-life power storage systems, thus both extending their lives and using resources more efficiently.
“Car batteries are designed to last the life of the car. But even after their initial use in a vehicle, they still have a lot of their power,” Chatterjee explains. “For vehicles with lower range and power requirements, as well as lower overall weight, they are extremely promising. In our second-life project, we reuse batteries from electric cars in electric vehicles; you might call it electric mobility ‘lite’. In this way, we’re trying to find out how much power the batteries can still provide in this demanding use case.”
“Reusing e-waste”
“E-rickshaws have an ideal eco-efficiency,” says 31-year-old Chatterjee. With a high-energy-density battery and comparatively low vehicle weight, the electric motor doesn’t have to be particularly powerful, since rickshaw drivers in India travel neither fast nor far. While electrically powered rickshaws are not an uncommon sight on the roads of the subcontinent today, they often run on lead-acid batteries, which have a relatively short service life and are often not disposed of properly.
At the same time, rickshaw drivers charge their vehicles primarily with public grid electricity, which has a high proportion of coal-fired power in India. Nunam has a solution for this as well: The e-rickshaws charge using power from solar charging stations. The solar panels are located on the roofs of the local partner’s premises. During the day, sunlight charges an e-tron battery, which acts a buffer storage unit. And in the evening, the power is passed on to the rickshaws. This approach makes local driving largely carbon-free. The upshot: The electric rickshaws can be used throughout the day – and still be charged with green power during the evening and night. In India, where the sun shines all year round, placing solar panels on the roof is a no-brainer. The charging station was also developed internally.
Nunam continuously monitors the e-rickshaws’ performance and range. The social entrepreneurs make all the e-rickshaw data they collect available to potential imitators on the open-source platform https://circularbattery.org/. In fact, imitation is expressly encouraged. “Initiatives like the one pioneered by Nunam are needed to find new use cases for e-waste. Not only in India, but worldwide. So Nunam shares its knowledge to motivate more initiatives to develop products with second-life components that can drive the eco-social revolution forward,” says Audi Environmental Foundation Director Rüdiger Recknagel. The Foundation has been funding Nunam since 2019.
Moreover, after the battery has spent its first life in an Audi e-tron and its second in an e-rickshaw, it has not necessarily reached the end of the road. In a third step, the batteries’ remaining power might be used for stationary applications such as LED lighting. “We want to get everything possible out of each battery before recycling,” says cofounder Prodip Chatterjee.
In the long term, electric mobility and solar energy can help reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuels such as coal, reduce the huge volume of exhaust emissions on India’s roads, and provide people with a reliable power supply. Rüdiger Recknagel comments: “In many ways, this project is pointing the way forward.”
“Anchoring sustainability in training early on”
In addition to the rickshaws intended for road use in India, the trainees at the Neckarsulm site are developing an additional show rickshaw in cooperation with Nunam. Visitors to the GREENTECH FESTIVAL in Berlin can check it out – and even give it a test drive – from June 22. Under the guidance of Timo Engler, head of automotive engineering / logistics training in Neckarsulm, a twelve-strong team of trainees is playing a key role in development. “The trainees and Nunam are in constant communication with each other – we have a dedicated line between Neckarsulm and Bangalore. In building the show rickshaw, our trainees are focusing on range, charging time, and design – the result is a rickshaw with Audi’s DNA,” says Engler. “To us, it’s important that the trainees are involved in the project from start to finish and are given the freedom to contribute and try out their own ideas. ‘Learning by doing’ is our recipe for success. At the same time, we impart fundamental knowledge in the development of electromobility, resource efficiency, and charging technologies in an almost playful, incidental way. It’s a groundbreaking project because it combines the megatrends of sustainability, electromobility, internationalization, and social responsibility.”
The trainees replaced the combustion engine with an electric one and designed the underfloor to both accommodate the second-life batteries and be splashproof, using as many recyclable materials as possible all the while. Mechatronics technicians, coachbuilders, painters, tool mechanics, IT specialists and automation technicians were all involved in the project. “We are thrilled to be able to offer our trainees the opportunity to participate in an international project through the Foundation’s network. It promotes the intercultural exchange of know-how and technology, from which both sides benefit greatly,” says Rüdiger Recknagel.
YVERDON-LES-BAINS, Switzerland and ANDERSON, Indiana, 28th June 2022 – Leclanché (SIX: LECN) has achieved a significant breakthrough in the safety of its lithium-ion batteries without compromising cell performance.
By adding a special fire-retardant additive to its electrolyte formula composition, Leclanché has lowered the risk of a thermal event by close to 80%. The achievement has been validated by Intertek Germany, a renowned third-party testing lab which conducted a series of industry standard nail penetration tests on Leclanché’s 60Ah cell. Despite the test cells being punctured with the resulting internal short circuit, the cells exhibited a far lower risk of fire than the same cells without the flame retardant additives.
Non-flammable lithium-ion cells have major implications to users in the railroad, truck and bus markets, which are accelerating their investment in hybrid and all-electric powered fleets and who are concerned about the risk of fire with passengers aboard. Lithium-ion battery recalls are an expensive problem, let alone the disruption it causes to operations. Leclanché is one of the world’s leading energy storage solutions companies.
“While the entire battery industry continues to place considerable R&D resources into the development of solid-state batteries, there’s a critical need to enhance the safety of today’s high energy density lithium-ion cell technology. Most efforts, until now, adversely impact the performance or longevity of cells. Leclanché has been able to develop a high performance and high energy density lithium-ion cell exhibiting high safety characteristics without any negative impact on performance or longevity. As technological advancements continue to be developed, this is a crucial improvement in state of the art cell technology, that does not require breakthrough technology that could still be several years away from commercial availability” said Pierre Blanc, chief technology officer, Leclanché.
Non-flammable Electrolytes: The Outgrowth of Leclanché’s Water-based Manufacturing Process
Leclanché battery cells are manufactured by Leclanché in its production facility located in Willstätt, Germany. The cells are made using the Company’s proprietary production process. Electrodes are manufactured in a water-based process that has been validated in commercial production over the last 10 years – rather than by using organic solvents such as NMP – resulting in a significantly reduced environmental impact and a lower carbon footprint. Leclanché’s electrodes produced with the water-based manufacturing steps, show a high stability towards the flame retardant additives contained in the new electrolyte, resulting in the maintenance of cell performance.
According to Anil Srivastava, CEO, Leclanché, “Our breakthrough should encourage manufacturers waiting on the side-lines for next generation solid-state batteries to move forward with their advanced fleet vehicle designs today – safe lithium-ion batteries have arrived and Leclanché has them.”
Tune into this page on 1 March from 9am and join us for our first ever digital Electric Vehicle Conference!
Sponsored by WSP, our EV Conference will explore the actions needed to kickstart an electric vehicle revolution. The panel will feature speeches and panels across a broad range of topics, with confirmed speakers from Green Investment Group, Warwick Manufacturing Group, Royal Mail, DHL, The AA, Logistics UK and many more. You can see the full agenda and list of speakers below.
About this event
Sponsored by WSP, Midlands Connect’s first ever digital Electric Vehicle Conference will take place on 1 March 2022. With an ambitious agenda including content from the full manufacturing process, we will be exploring the actions needed to kickstart an electric vehicle revolution!
*** Join us live as we stream the conference via our website using the link below!***
The panel will feature speeches and panels across a broad range of topics, with confirmed speakers from Green Investment Group, Warwick Manufacturing Group, Royal Mail, DHL, The AA, Logistics UK and many more.
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Agenda
0900 – 0915: Opening Speech, Maria Machancoses, CEO, Midlands Connect
0915 – 0930 | Speech, Richard Bruce, Director of Transport Decarbonisation, Department for Transport
0930-1000: In conversation with the EV experts: WSP and Midlands Connect
1000-1100: Panel 1 Putting our foot on the non-gas: accelerating EV charger roll-out
1100 – 1130: Speech plus Q&A, Matthijs Kok, Developer of Electric Mobility, City of Utrecht
1130-1230: Panel 2 Building back greener: How local government is preparing for an EV revolution
1230-1300: LUNCH
1300 -1400: Panel 3 Supercharging your delivery: Commercial EVs and logistics
1400 – 1415: Speech, Jack Cousens, Head of Roads Policy, The AA
1415 – 1445: In conversation with MPs Matt Western and Ruth Edwards: Driving across party lines – the journey towards our electric future
1445 – 1500 | Speech, David Wong, Policy Leader, SMMT
BI-REX, the Italian Competence Center specialized on Big Data, will host the workshop focused on laser applications in the E-mobility organized by LaserEMobility Section of AITeM – The Italian Manufacturing Association. The academic partners of LaserEMobility, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Politecnico di Milano and Technical University of Munich with the industrial partners IMA Automation Atop, Manz Italia and Raylase propose an event filled with technical discussion, which will be held in phygital mode and will take place on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 March at BI-REX headquarters.
FORMAT OF THE WORKSHOP
The event, which will be held in two days in phygital mode, will take place on Thursday 10th March and Friday 11th March at BI-REX headquarters in Bologna (via Paolo Nanni Costa 14); it will be also broadcasted in web streaming. The workshop is free of charge.
On this two-day event component manufacturers, system integrators and end-users from the e-mobility world get together to present the novel solutions and the future needs of the sector. A round-table discussion along with academia will help to establish a better vision of the future.
The workshop is planned to have discussions channelled towards the main issues of the sector. The round table discussion will put together the key players and academia together to foresee the next challenges.
PARTICIPATION MODALITIES
Participants can choose to attend physically the event or follow it in live streaming: you can make this choice by filling out the form.
The maximum capacity of the room in which the event will take place is 130 people: seat reservations will be based on the chronological order of registration. All those will be unable to physically attend, will be able to follow the event online (we will send the link the day before the start of the workshop).
For any further information, you can send an e-mail to one of the following addresses:
After some three years of development, the time has come: The fully functional prototype of the XBUS – previously known as eBussy – is now entering its next phase. The first series model of the new modular universal vehicle will be rolling off the production line in Itzehoe in mid-2022. The XBUS – Made in Germany with Love. Ingolstadt – The presentation of the series-ready XBUS prototype marks the beginning of a revolution in the future class of lightweight vehicles. “The time is ripe for the XBUS,” says a confident Ralf Haller, founder of ElectricBrands AG. “Looking at the growing congestion on the roads, bigger and bigger cars cannot be the answer. We need smart, versatile, and sustainable concepts that preserve individual mobility and personal lifestyle for all of us – without exhaust emissions, but with comfort, acceptable range and suitable speed. Which is exactly where we’re going with the XBUS.” He started thinking about this kind of concept about three years ago. The ambitious goal: to develop one of the most innovative, sustainable lightweight electric vehicles in the world, a fusion of technology, usability, design – and fun. The convincing result: the XBUS, a modular universal vehicle that meets the criteria of the L7e-B2 light vehicle class. This means: electric drive, net weight under 600 kg, transport for up to 3 people, continuous power 15 kW, peak power 56 kW and a top speed of 100 km/h. The dimensions: 3.96 x 1.64 x 1.96 (off-road: 2.03) and, depending on the module, up to a 1,000 kg payload. The Design: Appealing and Well Thought-Out The XBUS has a friendly face, smooth surfaces and convincingly purist styling. The design was carefully developed by Yaroslav Yakovlev, an automotive designer with Russian roots who lives in Japan. After studying design in St. Petersburg and Milan, his previous positions include roles at Ferrari, Yamaha Motors, Daihatsu and, since 2020, Subaru. “What fascinated me about Ralf Haller’s idea from the beginning is that it’s basically not about a vehicle, but about an entire vehicle concept with almost endless possibilities. So I had to design the base and the modules in a way to always form a harmonious unit. And: everything had to be lightweight. Hence the door handle recesses, hence the optional small rear cameras instead of the usual mirrors. A side effect is the vehicle’s reduced front surface,” explains Yakovlev. Another key point for him was the interior design: “After all, you mostly see your car from the inside. So everything has to be fun to look at. And it has to be practical.” The XBUS is customizable not only thanks to a choice of exterior colors, but also thanks to the panels in contrasting colors or a textured look. Round LED lights at the front and rear give it character while the bumpers are clearly protruding, decoupled from the body and not painted – because design and function go hand in hand on the XBUS making it suitable for everyday use.
Two Chassis Options, Eight Modular Variants The XBUS is a real quick-change artist for trade and commerce – but also a leisure vehicle with long-distance credentials. And it’s all in one – converted in no time. Two chassis options are available: the XBUS City and the XBUS Off-road with more ground clearance. Both options are available as a basic Freedom version or with eight different modules. The highlight here is that the modules can be exchanged in a very short period of time by yourself. The eight different options are created by cleverly combining the available modules. Bus The rear cabin module, allowing a second row of seats behind the first, plus a Trunk Module fuse here to create a classic bus with two side doors and a large tailgate. By folding down the second row of seats and the passenger seat backrest, this variant becomes a bit of a spatial miracle offering over three cubic meters load capacity! Tipper Featuring the flat Center Module, which fills the space behind the driver’s cab and under the loading deck, and the tipper module, this variant is aimed at anyone needing to shift lots of material at work. The Center Module can be used as storage for tools and/or for extra battery packs.
CargoBox The high CargoBox leaves plenty of room for deliveries and is likewise combined with the flat center module. An ideal companion for covering that last mile delivery. This and indeed most XBUS variants provide room for at least two Euro pallets. To kick off series production, the manufacturer will be offering various CargoBox variants. Individual CargoBox concepts can be developed and offered to fleet customers. Universal Shaped like the Bus and with the advantage of two side doors plus a large tailgate, this van is the ideal companion for tradespeople, for example. The smooth surfaces are perfect for company lettering. Inside, there’s plenty of room for tools and materials. Pick Up! With a rear cab and pick-up flaps, the XBUS becomes a double cab with compact loading deck. This is where the flexibility comes into its own: because you can also buy the loading deck of the Pick Up! separately and combine it with an existing Bus. Pick Up If a single row of seats up front is enough for you, you can choose the Pick Up, whose loading deck is fixed and does not overhang at the rear, thus distinguishing it from the Tipper. Here, too, the Trunk Module is included behind the driver’s cab below the loading deck. This serves as an optional battery compartment. Open! The XBUS can also be a convertible! In the Open! variant, the front and rear roof have a cabrio function. The rear window can be removed. Sporty side rails on the Pick Up module promise adventure. All that’s missing are surfboards.
Camper Camping modules 1 and 2 form a small campervan for two people. The pop-up roof offers full standing height. On board are refrigerator, TV, stove, freshwater tank, sink and a nice and spacious sleeping area measuring 210 x 130 cm. Technology, Safety and Sustainability “The XBUS and the path it has taken to enter the market with an innovative and modular lightweight electric vehicle is unique,” says future Chairman of the Supervisory Board Ulrich Walker. “Re-energizing this vehicle class with this product represents a huge opportunity for the mobility of the future. Most manufacturers want bigger, faster, further. We are thinking about tomorrow’s customer and mobility needs and are firmly convinced that sustainable, modular and affordable vehicles will become the trend.” The all-wheel-drive XBUS relies on quality components and engineering Made in Germany. IDEENION Automobil AG, also active in development and prototype construction for other automakers, is in charge of producing the prototype in the Offroad Open! variant. The backbone of each XBUS is made of steel. “It’s important to us the XBUS is safe. That’s why we use steel, and why we use crash elements with a roll cage.” The chassis of the XBUS is designed in such a way that absolute driving stability is maintained even with high payloads. The special challenges of a short wheelbase and rear vehicle overhang have also been taken into account. The four in-hub motors look to 48-volt technology and boast a combined maximum continuous output of 15 kW (20 hp) in line with legislation. However, the torque of over 1,000 Nm combined, plus peak power of 56 kW (76 hp) demonstrate that there is always enough power. Acceleration data are not yet available. “I’m sure customers will also have fun with this,” says Ralf Haller. Above all else, however, his aspiration was to put a sustainable concept on wheels. And he has certainly succeeded. By working with German suppliers, using environmentally friendly production methods and short delivery routes along with cobalt-free batteries, the lightweight XBUS is climate neutral after less than 10,000 kilometers on the road. And when its end does
eventually come, 98% of its individual parts can be reused. “We achieve this by using unmixed materials and components that can generally be fully recycled. The overall concept is designed to be green from start to finish,” explains Haller. The greatest criticism of all electric cars is range. The XBUS convinces here across the board. First and foremost is the low consumption of just 5 to 10 kWh per 100 kilometers. This means the basic version with eight battery packs (10 kWh) is able to achieve a range of 100 to 200 kilometers. That might already be enough for simple city delivery trips. Depending on the module, those opting for the XBUS with roof-integrated solar cells can also extend their range by up to 200 kilometers a day. It is also possible to charge the XBUS at virtually any public charging station or at home. At 220 volts AC, the charging time is three to five hours. With 11 kW Type 2, this charging time is significantly reduced. “But that alone is no doubt not enough for many customers,” Ralf Haller knows. “That’s why we’ve gone one major step further.” The XBUS can be equipped (even retroactively) with additional battery packs. There is room for up to 24 packs in this modular all-rounder. With this; plus the solar power from the roof, the range in urban areas increases to over 600 kilometers. And if you don’t want to lose time recharging on the road, you can swap battery packs at stops along the way. This process takes about as much time as refueling a combustion engine – and you’re ready to go. The Promise: Made in Germany ElectricBrands will begin manufacturing the XBUS in Itzehoe from mid-2022, initially creating up to 1,000 jobs locally as well as in the upstream supply chain and sales. Most of the suppliers – especially for key components – will come from Germany or nearby European countries. Sales & Marketing Concept and Outlook The starting price for the basic version of the XBUS will lie well under 20,000 euros including German VAT. Too much for a lightweight vehicle? CEO Martin Henne, who also keeps a close eye on the costing, says: “I think that the over 9,000 reservations made via our small ElectricBrands website alone and the more than 10,000 advance orders now placed via our 600 service and sales partners send a clear message: Customers are willing to pay an appropriate price for the promised quality and sustainable concept.” Supervisory Board member Tom Anliker with
of marketing and sales adds, “Our omni-channel sales strategy is as modular as the XBUS itself and with our sales partners it is well integrated in the digital ecosystem. Our task now will be to establish the XBUS concept throughout Europe and, going forward, on overseas markets as well. Setting up the battery exchange stations for the battery packs is now at the top of our agenda.” But ElectricBrands founder Ralf Haller is already thinking ahead: “We will continue to refine the XBUS, also equipping it with airbags and listening carefully to customers’ ideas and needs. But other models are already under consideration too.” It will be an exciting, an electrifying future. The XBUS is opening the door to a new era of e-mobility. Because the time is ripe for exactly this concept and the future class of lightweight vehicles.
