Audi, Uber, BYD, RWTH Aachen, ADAC, EKPO and more

The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has expressed its support for increased use of hydrogen in the transport sector. In a statement regarding the federal government's recently adopted hydrogen import strategy, Hildegard Müller, President of the VDA, said: "Germany needs hydrogen: for the transformation of industry, the defossilization of road transport, and overall to achieve climate protection goals. According to the National Hydrogen Strategy, we rely on hydrogen imports for 50 to 70 percent of our needs. That’s why today’s adoption of the hydrogen import strategy is crucial – and long overdue. It’s been a year since the update to the National Hydrogen Strategy, including the identification of necessary demands. Now, it's even more urgent to quickly implement the import strategy. Companies need planning security for their corresponding investments.

Turkey is planning a major investment initiative to establish itself as a key player in the electric mobility and battery technology sectors. A $5 billion package is aimed at increasing the country’s electric vehicle production to one million units per year. Additionally, a $4.5 billion package is planned to build up a battery industry with a production capacity of 80 gigawatt-hours by 2030. Further investments will target sectors like solar cells, chips, and wind energy.

Audi has unveiled its new model, the A6 e-tron, which aims to electrify the business class. Built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), the A6 e-tron will be the first "flat-floor concept" of the platform, featuring a battery with a gross energy content of 100 kWh and a net of 94.9 kWh. The battery can charge at up to 270 kW, resulting in charging times of just 21 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent. In just 10 minutes, the A6 e-tron can recharge enough for 310 kilometers. The vehicle will also support Plug&Charge and "bank charging" at 400-volt charging stations. An 11 kW charger will be standard for AC charging, with an optional 22 kW version coming later.

The A6 e-tron will be available with two powertrains: The A6 e-tron Performance will feature a 270 kW rear-wheel-drive system, while the 370 kW S6 e-tron will have all-wheel drive. With its large battery, the rear-wheel-drive Performance model can achieve up to 750 kilometers of range, while the A6 Avant e-tron Performance is rated at 720 kilometers. The sporty all-wheel-drive S6 model offers 670 and 640 kilometers of range, respectively, according to WLTP standards. For comparison, the Q6 e-tron Performance (with 240 kW rear-wheel drive) can go up to 641 kilometers, and the 380 kW SQ6 e-tron quattro is rated at 598 kilometers. Audi reports a drag coefficient of 0.21 for the Sportback sedan and 0.24 for the Avant. According to the company, the Sportback is expected to be nothing less than the best Audi ever made and the best vehicle in the entire VW Group.

Uber and BYD have reached a deal to integrate 100,000 electric vehicles into Uber's fleet. This partnership will offer Uber drivers special terms for purchasing or leasing BYD vehicles. Drivers who choose a BYD electric vehicle will benefit from competitive pricing and financing options. Models like the Atto 3, Seal, and Seal U are some of the vehicles included in this deal. Initially, the partnership will focus on Europe and Latin America but is expected to expand to markets in the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition to favorable vehicle terms, Uber drivers will receive support through charging discounts, vehicle maintenance, insurance, and additional financing and leasing options. Another aspect of the partnership involves collaboration on the development of BYD vehicles equipped for autonomous driving, which will be used on the Uber platform.

RWTH Aachen, in collaboration with industry partners, has launched two new research projects aimed at developing battery enclosures for electric vehicles. These projects are focused on improving the design and safety of battery enclosures to meet the demands of future battery technologies.

The first project, "Emerging Battery Storage Technologies," will explore the requirements for battery enclosures in the context of new cell technologies. It aims to develop design concepts and conduct a cost-benefit analysis to identify the best materials and construction methods for battery enclosures.

The second project, "Thermal Propagation in BEV Battery Casings," will focus on predicting and simulating the stresses that can occur during a thermal runaway event in a battery. The goal is to enhance the safety of battery enclosures while reducing the costs associated with testing campaigns.

The ADAC has opened a new eMobility climate chamber in Landsberg am Lech, designed to conduct extensive testing under extreme climate conditions. The chamber can simulate temperatures ranging from -20 to +40 degrees Celsius and is equipped with an all-wheel-drive roller test bench and a 300 kW fast charger. This setup allows for testing the driving and charging behavior of electric vehicles under various climate conditions.

The first test in the new climate chamber simulated a typical extreme situation: traffic jams in hot weather. A Tesla Model Y was tested under intense sunlight to observe how the vehicle and its air conditioning system perform in such conditions. The test showed that the air conditioning system consistently required about 1.5 kW to maintain an interior temperature below 25 degrees Celsius despite the extreme outdoor conditions. The total energy consumption was around 12 kWh.

As part of the "Climate Impulse" project, a hydrogen-powered aircraft is set to complete a non-stop round-the-world flight in 2028. The aircraft will be powered by two electric motors, each generating 200 kW, supplied by fuel cell stacks from EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, as recently announced. These stacks are noted for their compact design, high efficiency, and power, which are crucial to the success of the project.

The aircraft is expected to cover approximately 40,000 kilometers in nine days, with green hydrogen stored in liquid form in special tanks. These tanks must maintain the hydrogen at -253°C throughout the flight, posing significant technological challenges.

The project was initiated by environmental pioneer Bertrand Piccard, who famously circumnavigated the globe non-stop in a balloon in 1999. Piccard will pilot the aircraft alongside his French partner Raphaël Dinelli.

Smartphone manufacturer Meizu has announced plans to launch its first electric vehicle later this year. The "DreamCar MX" is being developed in collaboration with its parent company Geely, which also owns brands like Volvo and Polestar. The vehicle will be built on Geely's SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform and is expected to feature a smart operating system that seamlessly integrates with Meizu's smartphone ecosystem.

Fiat has given its compact electric car, the Topolino, a stylish makeover, turning it into a luxurious beach cruiser. Italian coachbuilder Castagna Milano has unveiled two versions of the Fiat Topolino. The "Super Mighty" model will come without doors or a fixed roof, making it an ideal vehicle for sunny coastal roads. High-end materials like yacht-inspired wood accents give the vehicle an elegant touch. For rainy days, Castagna plans to offer a removable fabric roof.

A second variant, the "Longtail," will feature an extended cargo area and additional storage space, also with a maritime design. Both versions will be equipped with a 5.5 kWh battery powering a 6 kW electric motor, offering a range of up to 75 kilometers.

Barcelona recently opened the first of seven planned fast charging locations that use an innovative energy source: the recovered braking energy from subway trains. The charging stations, installed at the Bellvitge subway station, offer charging capacities of up to 50 kW and can charge three vehicles simultaneously. The energy for the charging stations is partially sourced from the energy recovered during subway braking and is supplemented by photovoltaic panels installed on all available rooftops at the station.

Berlin-based company MDMA Solutions has introduced its new cargo bike brand "Super Bicycles." The "Super Mighty" model is a compact cargo bike designed to be versatile and easy to ride. The start-up aims to reach new customer segments that have had little exposure to cargo bikes. The focus is on aesthetics, versatility, and affordability. MDMA Solutions also plans to support companies in the two-wheel and mobility sectors, whether with financing issues or finding suitable producers and suppliers.

Dutch airline KLM is also pursuing a more sustainable future and has announced plans to conduct short-haul flights with a hydrogen fuel cell aircraft by 2026. In collaboration with the US company ZeroAvia, KLM is developing an aircraft powered by an emissions-free PEM fuel cell and electric propulsion system. The prototype is designed for use in regional aircraft with up to 80 passengers and could be deployed on routes like Amsterdam to Düsseldorf.

However, the transition to hydrogen-powered aircraft presents logistical challenges, particularly ensuring a steady supply of hydrogen at airports. ZeroAvia is therefore working closely with partners like Shell to develop this infrastructure.

The Mainz-based start-up Bike Evolution is on a mission to revolutionize the cycling industry with innovative designs and technologies. The company develops and manufactures cutting-edge accessories for mountain bikers and e-mountain bikers, aiming to enhance comfort and performance on two wheels. One standout product is the "Bikevlip," a compact mountain bike repair stand that’s suitable for both on-the-go and home use.

In addition to its accessory offerings, Bike Evolution plans to launch a search engine for mountain bike riders that provides detailed ergonomic information about bikes and directs users to retailers. This initiative is designed to give smaller bike shops and manufacturers greater online visibility and help them benefit from growing demand.

Swiss manufacturer Villiger Dynamic has developed a new e-bike drive system that boasts several innovative features. The dual mid-motor not only maintains a consistent cadence but also offers energy recovery during braking and downhill riding. The motor combines two electric motors with a continuously variable transmission that adjusts the gear ratio in less than 0.5 seconds. With a peak output of 880 watts and a maximum torque of 100 Nm, this drive system promises a new riding experience.

Another unique feature of the system is its stall control, which prevents the bike from rolling backward on inclines and makes starting easier.

Japanese automaker Mitsubishi has joined the alliance with fellow Japanese manufacturers Nissan and Honda, aiming to accelerate the development of software for electric vehicles.

Chinese electric car manufacturer Xpeng has ambitious plans for the future of mobility. CEO He Xiaopeng announced in a LinkedIn post that the company intends to launch a robotaxi by 2026.