In this issue: Ford to expand Michigan plant for electric F-150, Europe sets more stringent carbon reduction goals for 2030, Daimler previews long-haul hydrogen truck, and more.
Tesla clarion call for nickel spurs Here To Serve work program
Ryebrook, New York-based Here To Serve Holding Corp is trying to answer Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s call for sustainable nickel via its Gowan property in northeast Ontario, Canada, the company said in a press release.
The company’s subsidiary Fortune Nickel and Gold Inc will “expeditiously” begin a work program on the property as a result of Tesla’s “call for Canadian nickel miners to produce nickel sustainably and receive large supply contracts.” The call was made during the company’s second-quarter conference call.
The work program will involve drone flyover mapping and a re-assay of the deposit’s nickel, platinum, palladium, copper, and gold potential.
An electromagnetic loop survey will also be conducted. Fortune notes that its Gowan property is just 10 miles away from a major discovery by Canada Nickel.
“The Fortune property sample in an RCD (residual-current device) hole contained 3.5% nickel, 1.3% copper plus precious metals over 27 feet vertically in 1975 and management believes the Gowan property is an extension of an anomaly that is of the same trend that is rich in nickel,” Fortune said.
Ford breaks ground on $700 million Michigan expansion for electric F-150
Big Three auto producer Ford has broken ground on a $700 million expansion of its Rouge Complex in Michigan to produce its new F-150 line, including an all-electric version slated for a mid-2022 launch, Power Materials reports.
The expansion will result in the creation of 300 jobs at the facility, which will also produce hybrids in addition to electric vehicles, according to a company release.
“We are proud to once again build and innovate for the future here at the Rouge with the debut of our all-new F-150 and the construction of a modern new manufacturing center to build the first-ever all-electric F-150,” said executive chairman Bill Ford, executive chairman. “This year’s COVID-19 crisis made it clear why it is so important for companies like Ford to help keep our US manufacturing base strong and help our country get back to work.”
AMTE, InfraNomics explore lithium battery production in Western Australia
Battery cell producer AMTE Power and InfraNomics have inked a memorandum of understanding to research possible commercial lithium-ion cell manufacturing in Western Australia, Power Materials learns from a company release.
“The rollout of energy storage is part of the global solar and wind-led low-carbon energy transition, and Australia's transition to renewable energy is continuing to pick up pace,” AMTE said. “Solar prices have fallen by approximately 90%, batteries by 87% and wind by 67% over the past 10 years, making the increased adoption of renewable energy and associated batteries increasingly attractive.”
The prospective project will be 100% industry financed and done in collaboration with the Lithium Valley industry organization of Kwinana, with support from the Western Australia state and Australian federal governments.
Enel X, Uber partner to promote JuiceEco program
San Carlos, California-based Enel X is partnering with rideshare company Uber to incentivize adoption of its so-called JuiceEco renewable charging option, Power Materials understands.
JuiceEco provides Green-e certified renewable energy certificates (REC) “to match the consumption of any EV anywhere in the US with carbon-free electricity,” the company said in a statement.
Uber drivers will qualify to receive a 15,000 mile free JuiceEco package.
“JuiceEco provides EV drivers with a choice for their JuiceBox charging station’s electricity source. This product is based on the proven concept that RECs provide a simple, traceable and effective way to support new, renewable energy generation while allowing EV drivers to support the positive environmental benefits of 100% clean energy,” said Enel X head of e-mobility Giovanni Bertolino. “We’re pleased to partner with Uber and offer drivers across the US JuiceEco, as we work together to make our communities more sustainable.”
Uber recently announced that it will only offer electric rides by 2030.
Ballard to license fuel cell stacks to Audi
Ballard Power Systems and Audi have signed an agreement permitting the auto producer to use Ballard’s FCgen-HPS fuel cell stacks for commercial trucks and passenger cars, according to a company release.
Financial terms for the non-binding memorandum of understanding were not released. The companies expect to sign a more detailed agreement later this year.
“While governments across the planet are increasingly declaring green hydrogen to play a major role in the path towards net zero carbon, there is also a growing recognition that zero-emission fuel cell systems are well suited to decarbonize a range of motive applications that have historically been difficult to abate,” says Ballard CEO Randy MacEwen. “This is true for buses, commercial trucks, trains, and marine vessels where there is a requirement for heavy payload, extended range and rapid refueling. These use cases typically feature return-to-base depot refueling, which reduces the challenge of scaling hydrogen refueling infrastructure.”
African mining group calls for innovation, “green metals” examination
Innovative supply chain solutions and economies of scale must be developed to take advantage of the push for so-called “green metals” in the battery supply chain, according to Investing in African Mining Indaba.
The group hosted a webinar September 9 featuring representatives from Anglo American Platinum, Aberdeen Standard Investments, BMO Capital Markets and the World Economic Forum, Power Materials learns from an e-mailed release.
“The rise of green metals has been of increasing interest for the industry in the last few years, with growth opportunity but also controversy from various jurisdictions on the sourcing of such metals raising the question of whether ‘green’ is a fair moniker,” says Mining Indaba. “It cannot be disputed, however, that with the 4th Industrial Revolution and the global push for energy transition upon us, the need for battery materials is becoming stronger than ever. Pressure is rising from investors, regulators and social activists. It is now apparent from Wednesday’s Mining Indaba webinar that innovation and scaling-up is a must to move forward within the battery metals sector, incorporating several discussion points around how investors questions have changed over time, building efficiency into the operating business model, and pertinently what the longer-term impacts of COVID-19 will be on industry supply and demand, if any.”
Mining Indaba’s next agenda conference is slated for February 1-4.
European Commission announces sweeping environmental push, touts hydrogen and EV potential
The European Commission is raising its 2030 emission reduction target from 40% to 55%, which will be accomplished by emphasizing the use of hydrogen and stressing the adoption of electric vehicles, Power Materials understands.
In a state of the union speech delivered September 16 in Brussels, President Ursula von der Leyen said she has a mandate and a responsibility to push an increasingly carbon-neutral Europe.
“I recognize that this increase from 40% to 55% is too much for some, and not enough for others. But our impact assessment clearly shows that our economy and industry can manage this. And they want it too. Just yesterday, 170 business leaders and investors – from SMEs to some of the world's biggest companies - wrote to me calling on Europe to set a target of at least 55%,” President von der Leyen said.
She added that a holistic approach - tackling “everything from hazardous chemicals to deforestation to pollution” - will have as its cornerstone a 37% cut of the NextGenerationEU recovery funding slated explicitly for European Green Deal projects.
“We are world leaders in green finance and the largest issuer of green bonds worldwide. We are leading the way in developing a reliable EU Green Bond Standard. And I can today announce that we will set a target of 30% of NextGenerationEU's 750 billion euro to be raised through green bonds,” President von der Leyen said. “Secondly, NextGenerationEU should invest in lighthouse European projects with the biggest impact: hydrogen, renovation and one million electric charging points. Allow me to explain how this could work: Two weeks ago in Sweden, a unique fossil-free steel pilot began test operations. It will replace coal with hydrogen to produce clean steel. This shows the potential of hydrogen to support our industry with a new, clean, licence to operate. I want NextGenerationEU to create new European Hydrogen Valleys to modernize our industries, power our vehicles and bring new life to rural areas.”
Enevate hits 300-patent milestone
Silicon lithium-ion battery researcher Enevate has reached a company milestone of 300 patents, Power Materials learns from a company release.
Enevate claims that its portfolio of patents is the largest globally among start-ups concerned with next-gen silicon lithium-ion cells.
“Enevate has been intensely focused on developing innovative battery technology in the global race to provide auto and battery makers with low-cost manufacturing solutions that will enable the kind of fast-charging capability demanded by consumers and accelerate the worldwide adoption of EVs,” said Enevate founder Dr. Benjamin Park. “The progress we’ve made on the technical front is reflected in the growth and scope of our patent portfolio. Enevate is committed to protecting our technology through a robust, worldwide patent program in support of the company’s licensing and technology transfer efforts.”
Enevate’s investors include Alliance Centures, LG Chem, Samsung, Tsing Capital, Presidio Ventures, and Lenovo.
Daimler introduces long-haul fuel cell, battery truck prototypes
Daimler Trucks has fleshed out its renewable long-haul vehicle strategy, the cornerstone of which is a 1,000-kilometer per tank hydrogen Mercedes-Benz GenH2.
According to a company statement, the GenH2 fuel-cell truck will begin customer trials in 2023, with series production to begin after 2025.
“Thanks to the use of liquid instead of gaseous hydrogen with its higher energy density, the vehicle’s performance is planned to equal that of a comparable conventional diesel truck,” Daimler Trucks said.
Additionally, Daimler Trucks plans to bring a battery-powered long-haul truck - the Mercedes-Benz eActros Longhaul - into series production in 2024. The eActros will have a range of 500 kilometers per charge.
“Daimler Trucks is pursuing similar vehicle schedules for the North American and Japanese markets as it is for Europe,” the company said. “By the year 2022, Daimler Trucks’ portfolio in its main sales regions – Europe, the USA and Japan – is to include series-produced vehicles with battery-electric drive. The company also has the ambition to offer only new vehicles that are CO2-neutral in driving operation (“from tank to wheel”) in Europe, North America and Japan by 2039.”
GM to rely on in-house “Ultium Drive” for EV suite
US auto producer GM is founding its own in-house drive-train line to drive its fleet’s conversion to electric power, Power Materials understands from a company release.
The so-called “Ultium Drive” platform will include five interchangeable drive units, three motors, and Ultium battery cells.
GM claims its electric vehicles using Ultium systems will be “more responsible than its internal combustion equivalents with precision torque control of its motors for smooth performance.”
“As with other propulsion systems that are complex, capital intensive and contain a great deal of intellectual property, we’re always better off making them ourselves,” said GM executive chief engineer for global electrical propulsion Adam Kwiatkowski. “GM’s full lineup of EVs should benefit from the simultaneous engineering of Ultium Drive. Our commitment to increased vertical integration is expected to bring additional cost efficiency to the performance equation.”
Kia pivots toward EV leadership with slate of planned launches
South Korean automaker Kia plans to launch seven new electric vehicle lines by 2027, accelerating the company’s ambition to “establish a leadership position in the global EV market by responding to fast-growing global consumer demand for EVs,” Power Materials gleans from a company release.
“Kia has sold more than 100,000 BEVs (battery electric vehicles) worldwide since the introduction of our first mass-produced BEV in 2011, the Kia Ray EV, " said CEO Ho Sung Song. "Since then, we have started to introduce a range of new BEVs for global markets and announced plans to accelerate this process in the years ahead. By refocusing our business on electrification, we are aiming for BEVs to account for 25% of our total worldwide sales by 2029.”
The company’s so-called “Plan S” strategy will begin with the launch of its first EV, code-named CV, in 2021. At least seven vehicles - and possibly as many as 11 - will then be brought online by the 2027 timeframe.
“The CV model, due to launch in 2021, will encapsulate the brand’s attitude towards innovation and change, presenting a new design direction that signifies Kia’s transition to an EV-focused business strategy,” the company said. “Kia's new design philosophy embraces progress, diversity and a rich composition of contrasting elements.”
Volkswagen calls for EV charging infrastructure, elevated carbon pricing to meet new European Commission emission goals
Volkswagen AG CEO Herbert Diess agrees with the European Commission’s new, aggressive emissions reduction program in broad strokes, but he believes concrete political action will be necessary to achieve results.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her state of the union address that emissions will now be cut by 55% - rather than the previous 40% - by 2030. This will partially be achieved by a focus on hydrogen and electric vehicles.
“Volkswagen AG clearly committed to the Paris climate goals and the EU Green Deal, and wants to be carbon neutral on the balance sheet by 2050,” said Diess on LinkedIn. “Achieving the even tougher climate targets is possible in principle – but a broad social consensus is needed for faster sustainable conversion.”
Diess added that the “accelerated social change” has to be born by politicians, as well as companies.
“In order to achieve its objectives, only an accelerated electrification is conceivable for the transport sector. Important: The electricity must be generated almost entirely from renewable energies by 2030,” Diess said. “Charging infrastructure must be comprehensive and electric driving must be worthwhile for citizens. A significant carbon pricing is a suitable instrument for accelerating the conversion – with a Europe-wide minimum price of 60 euros per tonne of CO2 from 2023.”