National leadership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers (IBEW)
CEO of the National Electrical Contractors Association
Local elected officials
Other dignitaries
The latest addition to WattEV’s charging network, the Bakersfield depot, stands as the largest in California and is strategically located in the heart of Southern California’s bustling freight corridors. Offering seamless and eco-friendly logistics solutions, this depot is not only grid-powered but also harnesses solar energy, emphasizing sustainability in every charge. It complements our existing sites, including the key San Bernardino location in the Inland Empire and our specialized facility catering to drayage operators at the Port of Long Beach. Trust WattEV to provide comprehensive support for your fleet’s electrification with our expanding network of innovative charging depots.
PTC’s ability to push the boundaries of performance with its product lifecycle management solutions has helped create one of the world’s biggest breakthroughs in motorsport micro mobility.
The Reading-based digital transformation specialist’s Windchill PLM has been a key tool in the development of eSkootr S1-X by YCOM, a revolutionary electric racing scooter that is capable of 62mph.
Offering designers and engineers the ability to work with real-time data regardless of where they are in the world was key to overcoming several practical issues and ensured it took just six months from initial design into production and then a championship racing debut.
Dario Scalzotto, who managed the eSkootr S1-X project on behalf of YCOM, commented:
“PLM is essential to manage any project in a structured way, and Windchill demonstrated all its key features in helping us manage this project.
“We were faced with a blank sheet of paper, where everything had to be written from scratch. Developing something that would take shape little by little – driven by feedback that would come from the vehicle testers – was on the one hand exciting, on the other hand very challenging.”
He continued: “Arriving at what would eventually become the Bill of Material (BOM) list for the production vehicle was critical and Windchill was instrumental in this.”
PTC’s Windchill solution showed great flexibility in its integration, interfacing with some third-party software, particularly a CAD system and ERP software that YCOM already had in the company, in a smooth and transparent way.
This even allowed for the possibility of exchanging 3D multipart Bills of Materials and product documentation with them in a way that could be customised according to specific needs.
Having the right PLM in place also proved to be the ideal corporate tool for YCOM, providing experience, know-how and technologies that enable not only faster and more effective achievement of the goals established with the customer, but also comprehensive and documented management of parts, assemblies, and products throughout the lifecycle.
“YCOM always seeks the highest performance, using the motorsport approach as a solid base to accelerate the development of mobility projects – a sensible notion when you consider how competition vehicles often offer the space to be a great laboratory in terms of values and innovation,” added Elliot Clarke, UKi Director at PTC.
“We are proud to have supported YCOM in its daily work and contributed to the global innovator pushing the boundaries of innovation when bringing motorsport and micro mobility together.”
In just six months, YCOM was able to go from idea, to prototype, to production of several dozen vehicles ready for real track testing, simulating full races and fully hitting the very tight time requirements of the project.
At the same time, it succeeded in giving a completely innovative twist to people’s views on what a scooter could do, bringing the spirit of competition to meeting the values of sustainability.
About PTC (NASDAQ: PTC)
With its software solutions, PTC enables manufacturing companies around the world to experience “double-digit” growth by accelerating product and service innovation, improving operational efficiency, and increasing workforce productivity.
In collaboration with its extensive partner network, in order to best support customers’ digital transformation journeys PTC offers maximum flexibility of choice about how to use its technology: traditional ‘on premises’, cloud and pure SaaS. At PTC we don’t just imagine a better world, we make it possible.
A Black Country electrical specialist has signed a major deal with Britain’s only manufacturer of hand-built EV cars.
Teepee Electrical, which has factories in Aldridge and Bloxwich, has extended its working relationship with RBW Electric Cars to become its official harness and wiring loom partner and a critical member of its Midlands dominated supply chain.
The deal will see it supply up to 40 different systems – featuring both low voltage complex wiring harnesses and HV cable assemblies – and 700 plus wires for each classic car built at the state-of-the-art production facility opened in Lichfield last year.
Engineers from the two companies have worked together to reverse engineer prototype systems and create detailed harness drawings, reducing manufacturing costs and developing components that are now ready for series production.
This has given RBW Electric Cars the confidence to scale up, with 334 of its unique Roadster and GT models already sold to global customers and dealers who want the refinement and features of a classic British hand-built car with all the modern comforts and a fully electric drivetrain.
Steve Clarke, Managing Director of Teepee Electrical, commented: “We are very proud of our British manufacturing roots, so it is a big honour to be named as an official partner for this exciting project.”
“There is nothing like RBW and it is very pleasing to see how founder Peter Swain and his team are so committed to designing and manufacturing the cars in the West Midlands, the original heart of the UK’s automotive sector.”
He continued: “We’ve worked closely to develop our manufacturing outputs on the complex cable assemblies and wiring looms that play a such a critical part in the electric drivetrain of the vehicles. With volumes expected to rise to hundreds of cars per year, this represents a great opportunity for us to grow too.”
RBW Electric Cars was inspired by Peter’s love of classic British cars and, following a chance conversation with his wife in 2017, the entrepreneur decided to see if he could find a way of putting electric drivetrains into these much-loved models.
He raised £5m from friends to fund his vision and, more recently, a £10m private equity injection has helped create a body and white plant and a brand-new factory on Britannia Way in Lichfield.
A European patent was secured in 2019 which was a big moment for the business, and this was followed by the start of production, a test drive by Top Gear’s James May and delivery of the first car to a UK client in January 2022.
“The interest in what we are doing is huge, with 334 cars already sold and our showrooms in Bermuda, Hong Kong and in London proving extremely popular. We’ve captured the imagination and now we need to deliver, which is why getting our supply chain right is so important,” added Peter Swain, who named the company after his daughters Rose, Becky and racing driver son Wesley.
“Teepee Electrical is the perfect example. We don’t want traditional automotive supplier relationships based purely on cost and constant demands. Instead, we prefer to develop long-term partnerships where we benefit from outstanding engineering expertise and there are mutual benefits throughout.”
He continued: “Steve and his team have already solved a lot of cable assembly and wiring harness issues for us, and we are delighted with the agility it has shown in meeting stringent deadlines.
“There is also a willingness to make things work and sometime go above and beyond to reach the desired outcome. This is very much a UK manufacturing success story, and we want Teepee, and others like them, to be part of writing the next chapter.”
RBW is currently putting the finishing touches to the launch of its first international operation in the US, which will act as a second manufacturing plant to support the anticipated rise in volumes.
The facility, which is in the heart of Virgina, could also house a dedicated wiring harness and cable assembly cell for Teepee Electrical.
Steve concluded: “We’ve been looking at the opportunity very closely and it does look like something we could and should do.
“This is a very exciting development for our business and gives us the chance to become a truly global expert in the supply of complex harnesses and wiring looms, creating more new jobs as we continue to harness the future!”
SUPERNATURAL AMPLIFICATION – Ride like a pro, everywhere you go. With 90 Nm of torque and a 710 watt battery, no electric bike in its category has more power. That means you can easily cruise and stay there as long as it takes. Doesn’t matter if your kids’ school is the top of Alpe d’Huez, all that power combined with the legendary smooth delivery from the Turbo e-bike system means you can load them up and effortlessly climb.
PURPOSEFUL PERFORMANCE – Nimble on any road, with any load. Porto inspires confidence in the rider from day one. Low standover means starting, stopping, and hopping on and off the bike, even when loaded, is a breeze, just like the ride. It may be long, and often loaded down with people and gear, but it rides just like a normal bike (or better). By implementing a long tail for cargo, rather than a large front load basket, you can park it like a normal bike too.
We believe Porto brings the safest and most stable ride, regardless of load (up to 200kg! – includes weight of bike and rider) on the market to riders at any skill level. And like any premium transportation, Porto seamlessly adjusts to you, so riders from 155cm to 195cm get the same confident, comfortable ride.
FAMILY-FIRST FUNCTION – We thought of everything, so you can do anything. Porto is no stripped down cargo hauler… It comes loaded with an included front rack and long tail rear rack, ready for child seats, passenger seats, panniers, and countless other accessories. It’s built with your family in mind, designed for a stable and nimble ride when you’re carrying what’s most precious, without sacrificing an ounce of style. Every cargo e-bike can carry people, but Porto is built to carry people. When it’s your family on the back, the difference matters.
90Nm of Torque.
710 watt battery for up to 5 hours ride time.
Electric assisted speed limit of 25kph, speed is subject to country regulations.
Premium adjustability for a comfortable ride for every rider between 155cm and 195cm.
Long Tail for passengers, gear, and whatever else you can think of.
Included front and rear racks that are MIK compatible.
System Lock for theft deterrent and Garmin Radar to notify you of cars about to pass.
TCU on the bars, endlessly customizable with the Specialized App.
Included custom Porto Frame Bag.
There are almost 300 tax-incentive and purchase-premium options offered by the European Cyclist Federation for the purchase of electric bikes. Riders are encouraged to research these options.
Volvo receives order for 100 electric trucks from DFDS
Volvo Trucks has received an order for 100 electric trucks from logistics company DFDS. With this latest order, DFDS has almost doubled its Volvo electric truck fleet to 225 trucks in total – the largest company fleet of heavy electric trucks in Europe.
DFDS, one of the largest shipping and logistics companies in Northern Europe, is seeing a growing demand for transport solutions with lower environmental impact. The company has now placed another order for 100 electric trucks from Volvo. Previously, DFDS has purchased a total of 125 heavy electric trucks from Volvo.
95 Volvo electric trucks are currently operational in Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Belgium and the Netherlands with the remaining 30 due to be delivered during 2024. Thanks to its growing electric truck fleet, DFDS had reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 1,516 tonnes by the end of 2023.*
“I am very proud to continue our close partnership with DFDS. This order for an additional 100 Volvo electric trucks is proof of their trust in our company. The big increase of DFDS’ electric truck fleet shows that zero-emissions transport is a viable solution here and now”, says Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks.
The new electric trucks will be deployed in nine markets across Europe, including UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden. The trucks will be of the updated and more energy-efficient models of Volvo FH Electric and FM Electric.
DFDS currently has the largest fleet of heavy-duty electric trucks in Europe and is well underway to reach its target of having at least 25 percent of the truck fleet electrified by 2030.
“We want to drive the transition to more sustainable road transport. Our expanding fleet of electric trucks will not only contribute to reducing the climate impact of our operations. It will also enable DFDS to support more companies that are looking to decarbonise their supply chains. The 100 new electric trucks underline our commitment to pushing the development forward”, says Niklas Anderson, EVP, Logistic Division at DFDS.
Some of the new electric trucks will be used to transport goods to and from the Volvo Trucks assembly plant in Gothenburg.
Since 2019, Volvo Trucks has sold electric trucks to customers in 45 countries on six continents. Volvo currently offers the industry´s broadest product line-up with eight electric models, catering to a very wide variety of transport assignments in and between cities.
2023 ended with electric vehicle (EV) repairable claims frequency at 1.97% in the United States and 2.86% in Canada. That represents an increase of more than 40% in both regions over the previous year. When compared to 2020, the frequency of claims for repairable EVs has more than tripled. Last year, Tesla’s share of total U.S. new vehicle sales reached a record high of 4.2%. However, lower priced EV alternatives like the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq and Volkswagen ID.4 experienced tremendous growth in 2023 (194%, 144% and 139% respectively) versus the previous 12 months—and, with the addition of other new EV models, will challenge Tesla’s market dominance.
In terms of claims severity, EVs continued to exceed automobiles with an internal combustion engine (ICE). Last year in the U.S., average repairable severity was $6,018 for all EVs and $4,696 for ICE alternatives, a difference of $1,322. However, year over year, severity was actually down slightly by about 5% for EVs while it increased by 3% for ICE-powered automobiles. In Canada, it was a similar story with average repairable severity of $6,795 (CAD) for all EVs and $5,122 (CAD) for ICE vehicles. However, unlike the U.S., those numbers rose by approximately 8% in both categories from 2022 to 2023.
In 2024, sales of new EVs are expected to increase, along with demand for electrified alternatives—resulting in more of these vehicles on the road and potentially in repair facilities. Kelley Blue Book reported that nearly 1.2 million EVs were sold in the U.S. in 2023—representing 8.1% of the gross new vehicle sales volume with an anticipated U.S. market share of 10% in 2024. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are approximately 2.5 million EVs registered in the country, accounting for just about 1% of the overall vehicle population. Across the border, one in 10 Canadians own an EV. While some note a decline in Canadian consumer interest, it is still expected that more than 10% of gross new vehicle sales in Canada will be for EVs—with the country outpacing U.S. EV sales on a percentage basis.
EVs epitomize vehicle complexity with their reliance on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and lightweight materials. For example, EV repair estimates are approximately 50% more likely to include some kind of operation associated with the sensors than those for 2020 model year and newer ICE automobiles based on 2023 data—increasing the likelihood that ADAS calibrations are required to safely return the vehicle to the road and damaged parts must be replaced versus repaired. In EVs, major component sheet metal replacement parts are identified as lightweight materials—those other than mild steel including aluminum, carbon fiber and composites—26.87% of the time compared to 23.42% for ICE vehicles. EV manufacturers rely on a mixed materials construction strategy to help offset battery weight, increase range and improve overall performance—requiring the use of these lightweight parts, which can affect repairability and costs. The fact that electrified automobiles are heavier, on average, than their ICE counterparts may be one of the factors to blame for a higher frequency of EV air bag deployments (3.62%) last year compared to ICE alternatives (2.45%). Collision repairs that involve an air bag deployment are typically three times more expensive than those without one—adding to the repair cost differential between EVs and ICE vehicles.
Volkswagen is expanding its range of sporty GTX models. As a double world premiere, the new ID.3 GTX and ID.7 GTX Tourer models are now the first to make their debut. The two highly dynamic Volkswagen models will be launched soon with an individual exterior design, including their own front and rear light signatures, sporty design details in the interior and powerful performance drives. The sportiest models from the all-electric ID. product line have already borne the GTX label since 2021 – based on the dynamic Volkswagen models with the designations GTI, GTD or GTE.
GTX success story. The sporty and dynamic GTX models offer a completely unique and particularly fascinating type of electric mobility. The fact that every fifth newly registered ID.4 and ID.5 in Europe is already a GTX model shows just how popular this is with customers. Volkswagen has now transferred the successful driving dynamics to the ID.3 GTX and ID.7 GTX Tourer – with an individual technical setup in each case.
The character of the ID.3 GTX. Volkswagen will launch the rear-wheel drive ID.3 GTX in two variants. The top-of-the-line model is the ID.3 GTX Performance01 – a snappy, compact sports car. Kai Grünitz, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Development, says: “With its spontaneous and superior power delivery, the new ID.3 GTX Performance is for me the electric counterpart to our sporty compact icon, the Golf GTI Clubsport04. Of course, an electric drive and a turbocharged petrol engine each have their own unique character. Yet the ID.3 GTX Performance and the Golf GTI Clubsport share the same fascinating lightness when they accelerate.” Grünitz continues: “With the ID.3 GTX, Volkswagen is transferring the almost 50-year tradition of its compact GT models into the world of electric mobility. Driving pleasure is guaranteed.”
ID.7 Tourer Pro – combined power consumption 16.8–14.5 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions 0 g/km; CO2 class: A.
The design and equipment of the ID.3 GTX. The ID.3 GTX stands out from all other models in the product line thanks to its individualised exterior design. The GTX-specific front bumper features a new independent black air intake in a diamond-style design and has new daytime running lights on the left and right. The black elements of the body have a high-gloss finish. This additionally applies to the newly designed side sills and the new lower area of the rear end with diffuser. Also new are the 20-inch Skagen alloy wheels fitted as standard. A host of GTX-specific features customise the vehicle interior. With their ergonomic design, premium sports seats (in fabric and leatherette) equipped as standard underline the sporty character of the most powerful ID.3 models. Another classic GTX design element: red decorative stitching on the seats and multifunction steering wheel. The high-quality cockpit surface is also GTX-specific. The more powerful ID.3 GTX Performance comes with DCC adaptive chassis control.
The character of the ID.7 GTX Tourer. Pre-sales of the new ID.7 Tourer05 started only last week – and now the new ID.7 GTX Tourer is already making its debut as the most powerful model in the product line. Like the ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX, it has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system that can drive the front axle in parallel with the rear axle. Kai Grünitz: “The ID.7 GTX Tourer paves the way for a new type of sporty mobility by combining the spaciousness of a large estate with the performance of a sports car. What is fascinating here is the instantaneous punch with which the electric motors provide their maximum output and torque in fractions of a second.”
The design and equipment of the ID.7 GTX Tourer. The front of the ID.7 GTX Tourer is distinguished from the other models in the product line by a distinctive bumper with honeycomb grille and GTX-specific light graphics including illuminated badges. As with the ID.3 GTX, all black elements have a high-gloss finish. This additionally applies to the side sills and the lower area of the rear bumper in GTX design. As on the ID.3 GTX, 20-inch Skagen alloy wheels are fitted as standard on the ID.7 GTX Tourer. The interior is refined by features such as individualised seats (heated in the front) with perforated GTX lettering in the backrests, red piping on the seats, red seams on the dash panel and door trims as well as a GTX-specific multifunction steering wheel with red decorative stitching. The luggage compartment capacity of up to 1,714 litres is just as large as for the rear-wheel drive variants.
Electricity consumption combined: 17,4 – 15,7 kWh/100 km according to WLTP CO2 emissions combined according to WLTP: 0 g/km CO2 Class: A Electric range according to WLTP: 462 – 423 km
MINI Countryman SE ALL4
Electricity consumption combined: 18,5 – 16,8 kWh/100 km according to WLTP CO2 emissions combined according to WLTP: 0 g/km CO2 Class: A Electric range according to WLTP: 432 – 399 km
Electrification continues at BMW Group Plant Leipzig: Four months after launching production of the combustion-engined MINI Countryman, the all-electric version is now rolling off the lines at Leipzig as well. After phasing out production of the BMW i3, the birthplace of electric mobility at the BMW Group has welcomed another fully electric car to its range. It now manufactures four models with three drive types by two brands, all on a single production line: the BMW 1 Series, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (including the plug-in hybrid version), the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and the MINI Countryman in both its fully electric and combustion-powered versions.
The MINI Countryman Electric represents a major step in the MINI brand’s transition to full electrification by 2030 and combines an electrified go-kart feel with zero local emissions mobility. It comes in two fully electric variants: the Countryman E (150 kW, 204 hp | electricity consumption 17.4 – 15.7 kWh/100 km | CO2 emissions 0 g/km) and the more powerful all-wheel Countryman SE ALL4 (230 kW, 313 hp | electricity consumption 18.5 – 16.8 kWh/100 km | CO2 emissions 0 g/km).
Consistent plant upgrades and flexible production system
To enable production of up to 350,000 units a year – 100,000 more than previously – Plant Leipzig has been continuously upgraded since 2018, with extensive additions and upgrades to the bodyshop, paintshop, assembly and logistics. “Our cars and components are very much in demand. In recent years the BMW Group has invested around 1.6 billion euros in the Leipzig site to produce additional vehicles and electric components, and now we’re increasing vehicle volumes too – which is great news for our plant,” said Petra Peterhänsel, Plant Director.
The main driver behind the volume increase is the MINI Countryman. During the course of 2024, output will rise to almost 500 units a day – on top of the 800 or so BMW vehicles the plant is producing. What’s more, thanks to its flexible production system, Plant Leipzig is in a position to respond quickly to customer demand, for example by increasing the share of fully electric vehicles.
Flexible assembly structures also meant the MINI Countryman Electric could be integrated seamlessly into production. The situation is similar with the different drive units, which are all produced on one and the same line in aggregate assembly and prepared for what’s known as “marriage” with the body. The e-drives, transmissions and control electronics (collectively known as the highly integrated electric drive topology, or HEAT) for the two all-electric models are connected directly in the plant. A new production line was required only for the control electronics.
More staff and nightshifts for increased production volume
Higher production volume means secure employment and up to 900 additional employees in vehicle production alone. By the end of 2024, Plant Leipzig will employ around 7,000 BMW staff. Working hours will need to be adjusted in all technologies, with nightshifts in assembly starting for the first time in September of this year and cars being produced round the clock in three shifts.
“Plant Leipzig first went on stream in 2005 with about 2,600 employees in production. 19 years later there are over 7,000. Over the years, the plant has grown steadily and considerably. The start of nightshifts in assembly represents another important milestone in the success story of our plant and is a clear show of confidence by our company in our site here in Leipzig,” emphasised Works Council Chairman Jens Köhler.
Made at Plant Leipzig: high-voltage batteries for the MINI Countryman Electric
With the production launch of the MINI Countryman Electric, all three stages of the Gen 5 high-voltage battery production process are now represented at BMW Group Plant Leipzig: cell coating, module production and battery assembly. Operations in all three are currently ramping up, with five cell-coating, three module-production and two high-voltage battery-production lines now in place.
“We are in the middle of the transformation to e-mobility,” said Markus Fallböhmer, Head of Battery Production at the BMW Group. “Starting this year, Plant Leipzig will carry out every stage of our in-house high-voltage battery production process. It’s our next great step forwards.”
Plant Leipzig’s e-component production capacity has been increasing since 2021. It will now manufacture not just the high-voltage batteries for the MINI Countryman Electric but also e-components for the BMW iX1, BMW iX2, BMW i4, BMW i5 and BMW iX made at other sites. The e-component production unit at Leipzig currently employs some 1,000 people.
To enable production of high-voltage batteries, spaces previously used for the BMW i3 and BMW i8 have been converted and new buildings added. One of them is a new hall with a footprint of about 61,000 m2. This houses two lines capable of producing up to 300,000 high-voltage batteries a year. The BMW Group has invested over 900 million euros in e-component production at Plant Leipzig to date.
Resource-saving painting processes
At launch, the fully electric MINI Countryman comes in three additional body colours: British Racing Green, Chili Red and Blazing Blue – and with MINI’s trademark contrast roof, if desired. This is painted using a new overspray-free method that saves resources and is currently being readied for series operation. The term “overspray” refers to the mist of excess paint particles that forms when bodies are painted the conventional way. With the new technique, this mist no longer occurs. This makes it easier to paint in multiple colours as the laborious process of masking is no longer required. Overspray-free painting also helps save CO2 emissions, as exhaust from the cabin requires less cleansing. In addition, it requires considerably less conditioned air, i.e. air that is brought to the exact temperature and humidity required for painting. As a result, less energy is needed to temper air and treat exhaust.
The burner technology used to dry the paint on contrast roofs was also converted for the start of MINI Countryman production and now consists of a bivalent system. The fuel-flexible burners can run on hydrogen (H2) as well as gas (methane, CH4) and even switch between the two while in operation. Five such bivalent hydrogen-capable burners are used to produce the contrast roofs for the MINI Countryman.
Further burners in the paintshop will also gradually switch to bivalent operations, with the next six hydrogen-capable burners just installed. This makes Leipzig a pioneer in the automotive industry and takes it ever closer to lower CO2 emissions. “Our vision at Plant Leipzig is to decarbonise production as far as possible by replacing fossil fuels with green hydrogen,” said Petra Peterhänsel, explaining the long-term focus of the facility. This will require sufficient green hydrogen from a grid. A regional hydrogen grid is currently in planning, with Plant Leipzig set to benefit.
Power consumption combined in WLTP cycle: 18.9 - 15.9 kWh/100 km
Electric range in WLTP cycle: 497 – 582 km
The BMW Group presents a fusion of art and innovation at the Frieze Los Angeles art fair in the form of the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA. The one-of-a-kind vehicle combines colour-change technology developed by BMW with the artistic language of South African artist Esther Mahlangu. The designer piece, with sections of attached film that can be electronically animated, embodies the latest development in colour-change technology for vehicle surfaces in cooperation with E Ink. The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA celebrates its world premiere at the fair opening on 29 February. The contemporary tribute recalls the BMW Art Car designed by Mahlangu in 1991. “The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA honours the history of the BMW brand and continues the story of our global cultural engagement in a unique way. It combines art and design through progressive technology. Here, technology itself becomes art,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design.
In 1991, Mahlangu designed the 12th BMW Art Car, based on a BMW 525i – becoming the first woman and first African artist to do so. “Her art inspired me years ago, back when the concept of colour change on a car was just an idea in my head,” says Stella Clarke, Research Engineer Open Innovations at the BMW Group. „Now, being able to realise this idea, and work with Esther Mahlangu, is absolutely surreal.” The 88-year-old artist’s signature colours and geometric patterns are perfect for bringing the innovative Flow technology to life in the BMW i5. The versatility of the electrophoretic colour changes makes the fully-electric sedan a dynamic work of art. “It is fascinating to me to see how modern technology can expand my art and make it accessible to a completely new audience,” says Mahlangu.
The BMW Group presents a fusion of art and innovation at the Frieze Los Angeles art fair in the form of the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA. The one-of-a-kind vehicle combines colour-change technology developed by BMW with the artistic language of South African artist Esther Mahlangu.
Mahlangu’s art meets cutting-edge technology. In the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, which is named after Mahlangu’s first son, sections of film that can be electronically animated are applied, with two strips each across the roof, bonnet and rear section, as well as the vehicle’s sides. Like an e-book reader, there are several million microcapsules in each E Ink film. The structure and arrangement of the colour particles they contain can be changed by applying an electric voltage. This allows the typical colours and patterns of Mahlangu’s art to be generated in constantly changing compositions.
The animations are also accompanied by an equally extraordinary sound, specially composed by Renzo Vitale, the BMW Group’s Creative Director, Sound, for the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA. To combine the soundscape of the BMW brand with that of the South African Ndebele culture, Vitale used sequences from Mahlangu’s voice, as well as the sound of the feather brushes she used for painting. These were combined with sounds produced by the colour pencils employed in the BMW design studio and the acoustic signal heard as feedback when operating the BMW i5’s touch display. This created a sound mix that starts off softly at the beginning of each colour change and increases in intensity as the animation progresses.
To accurately recreate every detail of the complex ornamentation, the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA has been fitted with 1,349 sections of film, each of which can be individually controlled. The laser cutting process used to trim the film and the electronic control design were developed in partnership with E Ink. The adaptation of the technology for curved surfaces, as well as the programmed animations, are all BMW Group in-house developments.
Overall, colour-change technology is developing rapidly. The BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink presented in 2022 had the ability to switch from white to black at the push of a button. This was followed just one year later by the first multi-coloured implementation. The 240 sections of film applied to BMW i Vision Dee were able to display up to 32 colours. This latest phase of development now enables even more colours and patterns. At the same time, the sections of the film are more robust – which could make potential future series production easier. However, for the time being, the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA will remain one of a kind.
Tribute to a pioneering artist and her work. As a globally respected artist, Esther Mahlangu is known for her Ndebele paintings, whose ornamentation originally symbolised major events or festive occasions. Mahlangu separated the designs from their original meaning and transferred them for the first time to canvas, carpets and everyday objects, thus preserving them for the future. The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA is now reinterpreting this artistic language.
In presenting this designer car at Frieze Los Angeles, BMW continues its long-standing cooperation with the renowned art fair. At the same time, the BMW Art Car that formed the basis for this tribute will also be on display in South Africa for the first time in over 30 years as part of the exhibition hosted by the Iziko Museums of South Africa and the BMW Group in Cape Town “Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting”: Esther Mahlangu. A Retrospective. The exhibition, which runs until 11 August 2024, honours the life’s work of one of South Africa’s most influential artists and cultural ambassadors.
In Los Angeles, BMW will once again be presenting Frieze Music in collaboration with Frieze. Since 2019, the joint initiative between the two partners has brought together a large group of musicians at the intersection of music and art. The event’s return to Los Angeles will be celebrated on 29 February with a live performance by Sudan Archives at the Hammer Museum.
CO2 EMISSIONS & CONSUMPTION.
BMW i5 eDrive40: Power consumption combined in WLTP cycle: 18.9 – 15.9 kWh/100 km Electric range in WLTP cycle: 497 – 582 km
Battle Motors, a leader in electric vehicle innovation, is excited to extend an invitation to attendees to test drive their groundbreaking Battle Motors LNT (Low Narrow Tilt) EV Tractor at Work Truck Week 2024. This hands-on experience is part of the highly anticipated Ride + Drive event, taking place on Wednesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Indianapolis.
Test Drive Invitation: Battle Motors cordially invites dealers and customers to experience the efficiency, power, and innovation of the Battle Motors EV Tractor firsthand. Participants will have the unique opportunity to test drive this electric marvel, complete with a CTOS Load King 402 DFP Folding Trailer, to understand its capabilities in a real-world setting.
The Battle Motors EV City Tractor is a revolution in urban transportation, designed for urban and regional municipal services. The Battle Motors Tractor is a significant achievement reflecting the dedication to meeting stringent environmental standards and our commitment to playing a leading role in the transition towards a more sustainable transportation sector. The Truck to be test driven features:
Unmatched Maneuverability: A compact design and short wheelbase for superior handling and a tight turning radius.
Extended Range & Rapid Charging: A 120-mile range with fast charging capabilities.
Eco-Friendly Design: Minimal noise and carbon emissions, ideal for noise-sensitive areas.
Enhanced Safety & Comfort: A low cab forward design for better visibility and easier access.
“This Ride + Drive event is a fantastic opportunity for our customers to get behind the wheel of the Battle Motors EV Tractor,” says Stan Mikalonis, CRO at Battle Motors. “We believe that experiencing our EV Tractor in action will showcase its potential to revolutionize the work truck industry.”
Load King’s model 402 DFP folding trailer features a robust 25 Ton capacity (12 ft), 48 ft overall length, and 10’1” spread axle. This cutting-edge trailer is equipped with air ride suspension and height control, alongside a self-contained pony motor, reinforcing Load King’s legacy since 1956 as the pioneer of the E-Z Fold Mechanical Folding Gooseneck Trailer. With over 5,500 units in the field, Load King continues to set the industry standard as the premier builder of the most durable and sought-after Folding Gooseneck Trailers, maintaining its commitment to excellence and innovation more than five decades on.
Work Truck Week, the premier event for the work truck industry, has been a hub of innovation and collaboration for over 20 years. Here, industry professionals come together to highlight the latest in truck technology, share expertise, and shape the future of the sector.
Committed to innovation and sustainability, Battle Motors is at the forefront of electric vehicle technology. Our mission is to drive the transformation of urban and regional transportation with efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles.
Do not miss this chance to be among the first to test drive the Battle Motors EV Tractor at Work Truck Week 2024. This event will provide a glimpse into the future of sustainable urban transportation and the role of electric vehicles in reshaping our cities.
