EVPlus - February 2018
News
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Look out! That bus has no driver
Added by admin 14/02/18
The Advertiser, February 14th, 2018
 The
future is here - a free driverless shuttle bus will begin taking
passengers on trips along the Glenelg foreshore within months.
More coming soon...
- Story and image courtesy:
The Advertiser (Adelaide)
First full prototype of pedal-electric
Podbike unveiled in Norway
Added by admin 13/02/18
Ben Coxworth, February 8th, 2018
 It
was last November that we first heard about the Podbike, a
dual-motor chainless velomobile being developed by Norwegian firm
Elpedal. At the time, it only existed as a rolling chassis – all
of the images of the complete vehicle were computer renderings.
Recently, however, the first complete prototype was presented at
an event in Sandnes, Norway.
To recap our previous coverage, the Podbike is a four-wheeled
human/electric-powered vehicle that does have pedals, but they're
linked directly to a generator. As the rider pedals, the power
that they generate is electrically transferred to a couple of hub
motors – one in each of the rear wheels. A removable battery pack
adds some additional power, making an electronically-limited top
speed of 25 km/h (16 mph) possible.
Battery range sits at an estimated 60 km (37 miles) – or longer,
if extra batteries are added in parallel. In its final commercial
form, the vehicle should weigh about 40 to 50 kg (88 to 110 lb)
with a single battery.
Known as the T0, the prototype that was unveiled on Jan. 26th is
the first in a batch of 12 test vehicles (called the 0-series)
that are planned to be built within the next three to four
months. Ten of those will be taking to Norwegian roads, being
evaluated by test riders who will pass their observations along
to the development team.
The official European launch of the 0-series will take place on
April 28th, at Germany's Spezi specialty bike show.
Plans still call for a consumer model to be available in Norway
by early 2019, with availability elsewhere in Europe starting in
2020. Pricing is estimated at NOK 50,000 (about US$6,327) in
Norway – including VAT and local sales tax –and about €4,500
($5,515) plus tax and shipping in other European markets. There
are currently no plans for a North American release, as American
legislation limits e-bikes to having no more than three wheels.
More (photos)...
- Story and image courtesy:
New Atlas
- PodBike
website
Electric ferry proving the goods
Added by admin 12/02/18
Posted by Geoff Dobson on February 7th, 2018
Norway’s
first all-electric ferry has reportedly cut emissions by 95% and
costs by 80% compared to its fossil fuel counterparts.
The results are bringing in customers.
The ferry “Ampere” started in May 2015, aiming to reduce carbon
dioxide and mono-nitrogen oxides as well as noise, electrek
reports.
The partnership between ferry operator and shipping firm Norled
AS, Fjellstrand Shipyard, Siemens AS, and Corvus Energy saw the
latter two develop the electric powertrain and 1mWh battery
system.
Another called “Elektra” also went into operation.
The ferry results were announced at the Nordic EV summit in Oslo
on February 1-2, where Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Authority (EECA) transport general manager Liz Yeaman of New
Zealand was among the speakers.
A further 53 orders for electric ships have been received by
shipbuilder Fjellstrand.
CleanTechnica reports Dutch company Port Liner will be
introducing an autonomous electric barge for the European market
from August.
Port Liner chief executive officer Ton van Meegen tells The
Loadstar shipping industry trade journal that five autonomous
electric barges will begin operating between the De Kempen
intermodal terminal in the south of the Netherlands and Antwerp
starting in August. They have been designed to fit beneath the
many bridges there and are expected to remove 23,000 mostly
diesel trucks from area roads.
Larger barges which can carry up to 280 containers are expected
to enter service between Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Rotterdam later
this year.
- Story and image courtesy:
EVTalk
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