#Global All-in-one DC Fast Charging Posts Market Size

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Seven Unbelievable Facts About Audi A 30 | audi a 30

Audi has been affliction the apple with little tidbits and glimpse of its e-tron electric SUV for a while now. The affliction is assuredly over with Audi authoritative the e-tron official and giving up all the accommodation on the blooming ride forth with appraisement information. The e-tron SUV will be accessible globally with $1,000 anxiety underway now (as promised in July) for a mid-2019 delivery. The EV is a five-seat mid-size SUV that sitting durably in the exceptional SUV market.

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E-tron is 193-inches long, 76.3-inches wide, and 65.5-inches aerial with a 115.1-inch wheelbase giving affluence of allowance for bodies and cargo. The absolute baggage accommodation in the block of the e-tron is 28.5 cu ft with the seats up, and up to 57 cu ft with the seats down. LED headlights are standard, and the SUV has administration that is constant with the D articulation offerings from Audi including the A7, A8, and Q8.

Standard auto on the e-tron are 20-inch aerodynamically-optimized units with 255/50 tires engineered for low rolling resistance. Underneath the SUV the underbody is absolutely clad in aluminum plates to assure the high-voltage array and advice lower annoyance to access ability and active range. Audi went so far as to alcove the spiral affiliation credibility to actualize vortices to advice air breeze better. While the SUV is advised with a agog eye appear efficiency, it’s additionally advised for adventurous performance. E-tron will go from 0-60mph in 5.5 abnormal and has a top acceleration of 124mph.

One of the big allowances of electric motors is that torque is accessible as anon as you footfall on the throttle, Audi says best drive torque is accessible in 250 milliseconds. All that ability comes from a brace of asynchronous motors with a adult cooling arrangement meant to accumulate their temperature low, while ability goes to the alley via a single-stage transmission. Back the e-tron is traveling at abstinent speeds, the rear motor is the capital antecedent of power. Back the agent is coasting, the motors accomplish with no alluring annoyance torque.

Audi RS3 Sportback – audi a 7 | audi a 7

Audi’s activity recuperation arrangement can balance up to 30% of the e-tron ambit depending on conditions, terrain, and active style. It recovers activity by benumbed recuperation back the disciplinarian releases the accelerator or by braking recuperation back the brakes are used. In 90% of braking scenarios, the agent is decelerated absolutely by the electric motors. Audi says if the disciplinarian wants, they can apathetic bottomward and advance alone via the accelerator pedal.

Audi uses a four-stage Electronic Stabilization Control with action and offroad modes; the arrangement can additionally be angry off absolutely if desired. The abeyance can acclimatize ride acme by up to 3-inches depending on alley acceleration and active appearance to advance administration and access aerodynamics. E-tron uses a 95-kWh array backpack that is beneath the berth and has 36 corpuscle modules in aboveboard aluminum housings. At launch, anniversary of the corpuscle modules has twelve accessory beef inside. The array arrangement operates at 396 volts and weighs 1,543.2-pounds.

Recharging via both AC and DC application an SAE J1772 bung and Combined Charging Arrangement standards is supported. Owners can allegation from a accepted 12V aperture at home at a amount of 1.2 kW or from a 240V fast charger at 9.6 kW. On a fast DC allegation system, the array can be answerable up to 80% in 30 account application a 150kW charger. A accepted home 9.6 kW AC akin 2 charger will allegation the array overnight. Since the e-tron is an Audi, it comes with all the adorned tech and affluence you apprehend including the MMI Navigation arrangement standard. That arrangement additionally supports LTE Advanced WiFi for passengers. A Disciplinarian Assistance Amalgamation is alternative with adaptive cruise and added features.

Audi A7 Sportback 2011 – 51 image – audi a 7 | audi a 7

Audi is demography anxiety on the e-tron at $1,000 and is currently assured mid-2019 deliveries. The drop is refundable for those who change minds afore delivery. The abject e-tron is the Exceptional Additional assemblage at $74,800 with the afterward equipment:

The $81,800 Prestige copy has all the antecedent accessories additional the following:

The First Copy retails for $86,700 and has the Prestige accessories and the following:

Audi RS 30 Sportback (30) | Audi MediaCenter – audi a 7 | audi a 7

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Jake Bright Contributor

Jake Bright is a writer and author in New York City. He is co-author of The Next Africa.

More posts by this contributor

MallforAfrica and DHL launch MarketPlace Africa global e-commerce site

Nigerian logistics startup Kobo360 accepted into YC, raises $1.2 million

Three e-mobility startups are accelerating into the U.S. motorcycle market.

Italy’s Energica and California based Alta Motors and Zero Motorcycles have revved up promotion, distribution, and sales.

You may see their machines zip by on American roads before the big two-wheel gas powered companies get EVs to showroom floors.

These startups could reboot U.S. motorcycle sales while shifting the global motorcycle industry toward electric.

The market

Since the recession, America’s motorcycle sector has been in the doldrums. New bike sales have dropped roughly 50 percent since 2008—with sharp declines in ownership by everyone under 40. [Chart: MOTOSALES] Most of the market is now aging baby-boomers, whose “Live to Ride” days are winding down.

Two bright spots in the space are women and resales. Females are one of the few growing U.S. ownership market segments. And per an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study, total motorcycles on the road actually increased from 2008 to 2017, though nearly 75 percent of registrations are for bikes over 7 years old.

So Americans are buying motorcycles, but for some reason not choosing new ones.

On the e-moto front, two-wheel gas manufacturers have mostly stagnated around EV concepts. None of the big names—Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, BMW—offer a production electric street motorcycle in the U.S.

Harley Davidson jolted the industry in February by committing to produce an EV for sale by August 2019.

On U.S. e-motorcycle sales, Global Market Insights (GMI) recently tallied 2017 combined American e-scooter and moto sales at 245K units worth $155M. Following worldwide trends, GMI projects that to grow to 598K and $304M by 2024, with the share of U.S. e-motorcycles to scooters increasing.

The startups and motorcycles

Alta, Energica, and Zero have niche markets for their unique tech and design.

Italy’s Energica is targeting the high performance, higher priced superbike segment. On disrupting existing market leaders such as Ducati or Kawasaki, “Of course we want to do that,” CEO Livia Cevolini told me.

Energica offers three models in the U.S.: the EVA ($26,240), EVA ESSEESSE9 ($24,940) and top line 145 horsepower, 150mph EGO ($26,460).

All three share innovative features, including a patented cooling system to optimize performance of their motors and high energy lithium polymer batteries.

08-01-2017 Torino, calcio campionato serie a Tim, gara Juventus-Bologna, nella foto: .photo damiano fiorntini

Energica’s proprietary Vehicle Control Unit syncs to a digital dash and MYEnergica app. The VCU regulates everything from power output and preset riding modes to ABS and regenerative braking.

As a member of the ChargePoint EV network, Energica integrates the group’s 20 minute DC Fast Charging tech “because if want to ride Saturday with your sport bike friends nobody is going to wait 2 hours for you to charge,” said U.S. CEO Stefano Benatti.

He explained the company is expanding its American dealer network from San Francisco, to Chicago, Florida, and New York. Energica is also entering racing. Its EGO motorcycle was named the class bike for FIM’s 2019 Moto-e World Cup.

Brisbane, California based Alta Motors focuses primarily on producing electric powered off-road machines. Four of Alta’s five models—including the three that are street legal—are specialized for dirt riding. The MX and Redshift MXR motorcycles are full on motocross racers.

The startup has raised $45M and counts Tesla co-founders Marc Tarpenning and Martin Eberhard among its investors.

From a design perspective Alta’s two-wheelers are distinctly minimalist and produce significant power to weight. “We pioneered a new approach to building 18650 based packs,” Chief Product Officer Marc Fenigstein told TechCrunch—referring to the lithium-ion battery cells used by Tesla.

Alta recently launched its second generation—waterproof, 350 volt, 66 pound—battery. “That pack gives us unique…range per pound­­ for a battery pack and unique economics, not just for the world of electric motorcycles…but pretty much everything smaller than a passenger car,” he said.

Fenigstein estimated “the premium off-road motorcycle market is bigger than people think, at [roughly] $2BN.” He would not divulge Alta Motors revenue or sales figures.

Shortly after their EV commitment, Harley Davidson took an (undisclosed) equity stake in Alta, along with a board seat, and entered into a co-development partnership.

Alta’s CEO revealed Harley’s recent EV announcement “isn’t the program we’re working on”, but confirmed the Alta-HD partnership “should result in a motorcycle.”

Of the three startups, Scotts Valley, California based Zero Motorcycles has the widest market and model breadth. The company has six base models, three with dual sport capabilities, distribution in 30 countries, and had sales of $90M in 2017 (according to GMI—Zero wouldn’t confirm revenue data).

“We’re the number one full sized electric motorcycle manufacturer in the world. We sell more every year than all our competitors combined,” CEO Sam Pascheltold TechCrunch—though Zero did not provide exact figures.

Like Alta, Zero manufactures its EVs in the USA. The startup’s ZForce battery connects to an internal magnet driven motor. Both are governed by a proprietary Main Bike Board (MBB) processor “the brain…that houses all of our algorithms,” said Zero’s VP for Product Development Brian Wisman.

“The specific energy that’s achieved on Zero’s lithium ion batteries is far greater than anything achieved by automotive EVs right now,” he said.

Zero motorcycles connect via Bluetooth to an app that allows riders to monitor and adjust performance from devices. The company’s EV’s can be fast charged from charging stations or by plugging into the same home outlet that powers your toaster.

In addition to citizen motorcyclists, Zero has started specialized fleet sales to the U.S. military and police departments.

The ride

I got a chance to test models from all three companies. The most significant distinctions between their e-motos and gas two-wheelers are power delivery and no shifting.

Zero, Alta, and Energica’s machines are fully automatic—no clutch or gears.

Simply flick the on switch and twist the throttle to go. When you do an immediate and uninterrupted stream of voltage powered torque launches you forward. The wind is louder than the motor—though each e-motorcycle has a distinct sound—and when you stop there’s silence.

Energica’s big battery acceleration is akin to striking a lightning bolt to the pavement. Alta’s lightweight RedShift MXR is quick, nimble, and flight capable on a motocross track. And Zero’s SR feels distinctly balanced across power, performance, and rideability. I didn’t find myself misting gas motorcycles at any point of the tests.

The biz play

Energica, Alta, and Zero face their own steep climbs to profitability—and the e-moto space has already seen two flops in Mission Motorcycles’ collapse and Brammo sputtering out.

“We do have a burn rate. Like any sub-scale EV manufacturer such as Tesla, we are pre-profit,” said Zero CEO Sam Paschel. “The way to win is scale.”

And while these electric startups probably can’t revive new U.S. motorcycles sales to seven-figures annually—that would take 12 years of five percent growth—they could play a role in transforming the global motorcycle industry.

As their models close gaps on price, performance, weight, recharge times, and ride distance—Zero, Alta, and Energica could shift the market from gas to electric.

Their tech appeal and simplicity to ride could bring more first-time and younger riders into motorcycling, including women.

This — and Harley’s EV production commitment — could pressure the likes of Honda, Yamaha, and Ducati to produce electric motorcycles sooner.

These factors (and regulatory tailwinds) could thrust Alta, Zero, and Energica into an active space for partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions. Their compact, lightweight technology has application for other non-auto, non-motorcycle e-mobility solutions.

Growing competitive pressure and a shift in two-wheel consumer preferences could also make Energica, Zero, and Alta acquisition targets for mainline motorcycle manufacturers.

That’s a lot of speculation, but the big gas manufacturers are apparently watching. “Since Harley’s EV announcement, three of the big motorcycle companies bought one of our bikes,” an exec from one of the startups told me on background.

“We’d like to think they’re just curious to ride our e-motos, but more than likely it’s to break them down and study the tech,” the exec said.

via TechCrunch

[thehowtostuff-blog]

Jake Bright Contributor

Jake Bright is a writer and author in New York City. He is co-author of The Next Africa.

More posts by this contributor

Nigerian logistics startup Kobo360 accepted into YC, raises $1.2 million

Breaking down France’s new $76M Africa startup fund

Three e-mobility startups are accelerating into the U.S. motorcycle market.

Italy’s Energica and California based Alta Motors and Zero Motorcycles have revved up promotion, distribution, and sales.

You may see their machines zip by on American roads before the big two-wheel gas powered companies get EVs to showroom floors.

These startups could reboot U.S. motorcycle sales while shifting the global motorcycle industry toward electric.

The market

Since the recession, America’s motorcycle sector has been in the doldrums. New bike sales have dropped roughly 50 percent since 2008—with sharp declines in ownership by everyone under 40. [Chart: MOTOSALES] Most of the market is now aging baby-boomers, whose “Live to Ride” days are winding down.

Two bright spots in the space are women and resales. Females are one of the few growing U.S. ownership market segments. And per an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study, total motorcycles on the road actually increased from 2008 to 2017, though nearly 75 percent of registrations are for bikes over 7 years old.

So Americans are buying motorcycles, but for some reason not choosing new ones.

On the e-moto front, two-wheel gas manufacturers have mostly stagnated around EV concepts. None of the big names—Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, BMW—offer a production electric street motorcycle in the U.S.

Harley Davidson jolted the industry in February by committing to produce an EV for sale by August 2019.

On U.S. e-motorcycle sales, Global Market Insights (GMI) recently tallied 2017 combined American e-scooter and moto sales at 245K units worth $155M. Following worldwide trends, GMI projects that to grow to 598K and $304M by 2024, with the share of U.S. e-motorcycles to scooters increasing.

The startups and motorcycles

Alta, Energica, and Zero have niche markets for their unique tech and design.

Italy’s Energica is targeting the high performance, higher priced superbike segment. On disrupting existing market leaders such as Ducati or Kawasaki, “Of course we want to do that,” CEO Livia Cevolini told me.

Energica offers three models in the U.S.: the EVA ($26,240), EVA ESSEESSE9 ($24,940) and top line 145 horsepower, 150mph EGO ($26,460).

All three share innovative features, including a patented cooling system to optimize performance of their motors and high energy lithium polymer batteries.

08-01-2017 Torino, calcio campionato serie a Tim, gara Juventus-Bologna, nella foto: .photo damiano fiorntini

Energica’s proprietary Vehicle Control Unit syncs to a digital dash and MYEnergica app. The VCU regulates everything from power output and preset riding modes to ABS and regenerative braking.

As a member of the ChargePoint EV network, Energica integrates the group’s 20 minute DC Fast Charging tech “because if want to ride Saturday with your sport bike friends nobody is going to wait 2 hours for you to charge,” said U.S. CEO Stefano Benatti.

He explained the company is expanding its American dealer network from San Francisco, to Chicago, Florida, and New York. Energica is also entering racing. Its EGO motorcycle was named the class bike for FIM’s 2019 Moto-e World Cup.

Brisbane, California based Alta Motors focuses primarily on producing electric powered off-road machines. Four of Alta’s five models—including the three that are street legal—are specialized for dirt riding. The MX and Redshift MXR motorcycles are full on motocross racers.

The startup has raised $45M and counts Tesla co-founders Marc Tarpenning and Martin Eberhard among its investors.

From a design perspective Alta’s two-wheelers are distinctly minimalist and produce significant power to weight. “We pioneered a new approach to building 18650 based packs,” Chief Product Officer Marc Fenigstein told TechCrunch—referring to the lithium-ion battery cells used by Tesla.

Alta recently launched its second generation—waterproof, 350 volt, 66 pound—battery. “That pack gives us unique…range per pound­­ for a battery pack and unique economics, not just for the world of electric motorcycles…but pretty much everything smaller than a passenger car,” he said.

Fenigstein estimated “the premium off-road motorcycle market is bigger than people think, at [roughly] $2BN.” He would not divulge Alta Motors revenue or sales figures.

Shortly after their EV commitment, Harley Davidson took an (undisclosed) equity stake in Alta, along with a board seat, and entered into a co-development partnership.

Alta’s CEO revealed Harley’s recent EV announcement “isn’t the program we’re working on”, but confirmed the Alta-HD partnership “should result in a motorcycle.”

Of the three startups, Scotts Valley, California based Zero Motorcycles has the widest market and model breadth. The company has six base models, three with dual sport capabilities, distribution in 30 countries, and had sales of $90M in 2017 (according to GMI—Zero wouldn’t confirm revenue data).

“We’re the number one full sized electric motorcycle manufacturer in the world. We sell more every year than all our competitors combined,” CEO Sam Pascheltold TechCrunch—though Zero did not provide exact figures.

Like Alta, Zero manufactures its EVs in the USA. The startup’s ZForce battery connects to an internal magnet driven motor. Both are governed by a proprietary Main Bike Board (MBB) processor “the brain…that houses all of our algorithms,” said Zero’s VP for Product Development Brian Wisman.

“The specific energy that’s achieved on Zero’s lithium ion batteries is far greater than anything achieved by automotive EVs right now,” he said.

Zero motorcycles connect via Bluetooth to an app that allows riders to monitor and adjust performance from devices. The company’s EV’s can be fast charged from charging stations or by plugging into the same home outlet that powers your toaster.

In addition to citizen motorcyclists, Zero has started specialized fleet sales to the U.S. military and police departments.

The ride

I got a chance to test models from all three companies. The most significant distinctions between their e-motos and gas two-wheelers are power delivery and no shifting.

Zero, Alta, and Energica’s machines are fully automatic—no clutch or gears.

Simply flick the on switch and twist the throttle to go. When you do an immediate and uninterrupted stream of voltage powered torque launches you forward. The wind is louder than the motor—though each e-motorcycle has a distinct sound—and when you stop there’s silence.

Energica’s big battery acceleration is akin to striking a lightning bolt to the pavement. Alta’s lightweight RedShift MXR is quick, nimble, and flight capable on a motocross track. And Zero’s SR feels distinctly balanced across power, performance, and rideability. I didn’t find myself misting gas motorcycles at any point of the tests.

The biz play

Energica, Alta, and Zero face their own steep climbs to profitability—and the e-moto space has already seen two flops in Mission Motorcycles’ collapse and Brammo sputtering out.

“We do have a burn rate. Like any sub-scale EV manufacturer such as Tesla, we are pre-profit,” said Zero CEO Sam Paschel. “The way to win is scale.”

And while these electric startups probably can’t revive new U.S. motorcycles sales to seven-figures annually—that would take 12 years of five percent growth—they could play a role in transforming the global motorcycle industry.

As their models close gaps on price, performance, weight, recharge times, and ride distance—Zero, Alta, and Energica could shift the market from gas to electric.

Their tech appeal and simplicity to ride could bring more first-time and younger riders into motorcycling, including women.

This — and Harley’s EV production commitment — could pressure the likes of Honda, Yamaha, and Ducati to produce electric motorcycles sooner.

These factors (and regulatory tailwinds) could thrust Alta, Zero, and Energica into an active space for partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions. Their compact, lightweight technology has application for other non-auto, non-motorcycle e-mobility solutions.

Growing competitive pressure and a shift in two-wheel consumer preferences could also make Energica, Zero, and Alta acquisition targets for mainline motorcycle manufacturers.

That’s a lot of speculation, but the big gas manufacturers are apparently watching. “Since Harley’s EV announcement, three of the big motorcycle companies bought one of our bikes,” an exec from one of the startups told me on background.

“We’d like to think they’re just curious to ride our e-motos, but more than likely it’s to break them down and study the tech,” the exec said.

from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/2zQhMkH

[mobileedge]

Esports Popularity: It’s a Game Changer

New Post has been published on http://www.mobileedge.com/blog/2018/06/27/esports-popularity-its-a-game-changer/

Esports Popularity: It’s a Game Changer

While the debate continues as to why attendance and viewership for National Football League and Major League Baseball has been dropping the past few years, one thing for sure is that the popularity of eSports is exploding.

In its 2018 Global eSports Market Report, industry research group Newzoo reports that:

In the coming year, the global eSports economy will grow to $905.6 million, up 38% YoY.

The global eSports audience will reach 380 million this year, made up of 165 million eSports enthusiasts and 215 million occasional viewers.

The Rise of eSports

According to the global public relations website, the Holmes Report, the eSports industry is growing exponentially, with media rights, advertising, merchandise sales, sponsorship opportunities, and revenue streams all increasing by double digits each year—and they see no end in sight.

In a series of articles posted on its website, Foley.com, a global law firm that focuses on trending markets across numerous industries, cited the ongoing development of high school and college eSports programs and leagues as a sign of eSports entering the mainstream in a big way. In addition, a number of stadiums, arenas, and other buildings—from Hong Kong to Arlington, Texas—are being built to support and facilitate eSports programs and events. (Case in point: Blizzard Entertainment opened a dedicated eSports stadium in Burbank CA. It’s called Blizzard Arena and is located at the former studio of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.)

  Consumer awareness of eSports is expected to continue to grow rapidly. A 2016 Nielsen study revealed that nearly 1 out of every 6 Americans over the age of 13 are active eSports fans, while Newzoo estimates that 1.3 billion people worldwide are at least aware of eSports. For comparison’s sake, consider how that latter figure rivals World Cup viewership (1 billion viewers) and dwarfs Super Bowl viewership (160 million).

More and more celebrities, professional athletes, sports team owners, and business leaders are expected to enter the eSports space as sponsors and investors. For example, in July 2017, New England Patriot’s owner Robert Kraft, chairman, and CEO of the Kraft Group, commenting on his recent investment of a reported $20 million in an eSports league run by Blizzard (of Starcraft, Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch fame), said: “We really believe this (eSports) is the future” because of the way, “millennials consume sports on their mobile devices.”

Viewing opportunities for worldwide audiences to watch eSports on television or stream it online continue to grow. Just recently, ESPN+, the Disney-owned sports programmer’s subscription service, announced that it is carrying Riot Games’ League of Legends live esports tournaments and events, which will continue to be distributed on Amazon-owned Twitch and other platforms. According to Riot Games, the 2017 League of Legends World Championship held in China drew a record peak of 80 million unique viewers for a single match, and a combined 1.2 billion hours of content watched during the event.

eSports is a Game Changer

Mobile Edge recognizes that the growth of esports is a game changer—not only for the athletes who participate, but for fans, schools, franchises, the entertainment industry, and investors big and small. We pride ourselves on continuously innovating new designs and new products that offer cutting edge mobility solutions for a wide range of gaming and esports needs.

CORE Gaming Products

Named the 2017 VIP Award Winner in TWICE Magazine’s PC Accessories category, the CORE Gaming Backpack is functional, stylish, innovative, and popular with gamers, techies, travelers, students, road warriors, and busy professionals.

The full-featured CORE Gaming Backpack offers the ultimate in transport, protection, storage, and easy access to gaming gear, accessories, and other cool tech.

Sized to hold all popular models of gaming laptops (up to 17″ – 18″)

Three large storage sections pre-wired for a power bank or external battery

Four side accessory pockets for cables, phones, or oversized water bottles or snacks

Built-in external USB charge port

Checkpoint-friendly design to speed through TSA checkpoints

Constructed of durable ballistic nylon with tailored contrast stitching

Lifetime warranty

Gamers and their followers may be particularly interested in the Core Gaming Backpack with Velcro panel, which features a Velcro panel on which athletes and fans can affix patches and emblems of their favorite teams.

Gamers also need power and performance on the go, and Mobile Edge’s CORE product line offers two options to meet the mobile power supply needs of users.

CORE Power AC USB (27,000mAh Portable Laptop Charger)

The compact and versatile CORE Power AC, with its massive battery capacity, provides extreme power and performance for even your most power-hungry devices! It features a universal AC outlet that delivers an incredible 85 watts of power. With 27,000mAh, you can plug in and power laptops and personal electronics, as well as USB devices.

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New Post has been published on https://brandbaskets.in/ev-company-news-for-the-month-of-may-2018/

EV Company News For The Month Of May 2018

Welcome to the May 2018 edition of Electric Vehicle [EV] company news. April global electric car sales were up an amazing 93% year on year. Meanwhile May saw several huge announcements including the Volkswagen 40b Euro battery deal, the China ban on “new” fossil-fuel vehicle plants beginning most likely from start 2019, and the Zunum Aero plans to deliver its first hybrid-electric plane in 2022. Added to this Bloomberg massively upgraded their EV forecasts. Fundamentals behind the EV sector have had a massive boost in “magnificent May”.

Global electric car sales as of end April 2018

Global electric car sales finished April 2018 with 128,000 sales for the month, up 93% on April 2017, with 1.4% market share. Year to date sales are up 68% on last year.

Of note, 61% of all global electric car sales so far in 2018 were pure electric.

China electric car sales were 71,000 in April 2018, up 129% on April 2017. Electric car market share in China for April 2018 was 3.7%.

Current subsidies in China were reduced by 20% in 2017 and will be reduced by 40% in 2019 and 100% by 2021. China’s Zero Emission Vehicle [ZEV] credit system was announced on September 28, 2017, and will begin in 2019 with 10% of credits (12% in 2020) required from new energy vehicles [NEVs]. That translates to 4-5% of EV sales as market share for 2019. We are also expecting an announcement at some stage as to when China will ban ICE vehicles, noting BYD Chairman Wang thinks by 2030.

Europe electric car sales were over 28,000 in April 2018, 62% higher than in April 2017. Europe electric car market share was 2.2% in April 2018. Norway still leads the world with an incredible 43% market share of electric cars sold in April.

US electric car sales were over 20,000 for April 2018, 47% higher than April 2017. US electric car market share so far for 2018 is 1.4%.

Note: The above sales include light commercial vehicles.

Note: An acknowledgement to Jose Pontes of EV Sales and EV Volumes for his excellent work compiling all the electric car sales quoted above and below.

Global electric car sales by manufacturer for April 2018

Source: EVSales

Annual global electric vehicle sales forecast to hit 24.4 million by 2030 (note this was recently increased to 30m by 2030)

Source

EV market news for May 2018

A good article I missed in March from Autocar.Uk reported: “100 new EV chargers switched on in London with focus on electrified taxis. One hundred new electric vehicle chargers have been switched on across London in a bid to support the capital’s growing fleet of plug-in vehicles, in particular the new electrified black cabs. Last week, a group of MPs recommended bringing the UK’s new petrol and diesel car ban to 2030, an advance of a decade on previous plans, and today’s London announcement echoes the findings of their report.”

In May I came across the following 2018 report from Bloomberg Energy Finance on the EV sector stating:

“Our latest forecast shows sales of electric vehicles (EVs) increasing from a record 1.1 million worldwide in 2017, to 11 million in 2025 and then surging to 30 million in 2030 as they become cheaper to make than internal combustion engine [ICE] cars. China will lead this transition, with sales there accounting for almost 50% of the global EV market in 2025.”

The report also states: “In 2040, some 60 million EVs are projected to be sold, equivalent to 55% of the global light-duty vehicle market.”

My summary of the latest Bloomberg forecasts

By year

% electric car penetration of new car sales

Number of new electric car sales pa (millions) Increase on 2017 sales 2017 actual 1.4%

BNEF – 1.1

(EV sales – 1.2)

2025 11 10 x 2030 28% 30 27x 2040 55% 60 54x

2017 —> 2025 – EV sales forecast to increase 10 fold.

2017 —> 2030 – EV sales forecast to increase 27 fold.

2017 –> 2040 – EV sales forecast to increase 54 fold.

Source

On May 3 Bloomberg reported: “As Musk berates analysts, VW unleashes massive counterpunch. A few hours after Elon Musk berated analysts for what he perceived as unimaginative questions, Volkswagen AG said it was writing a check for batteries that almost match Tesla Inc.’s entire market value. VW has awarded 40 billion euros ($48 billion) in contracts to battery producers, double from just a few weeks ago. The deals take the German manufacturer within striking distance of its target to lock down 50 billion euros in supplies. By 2025, VW plans to sell as many as 3 million all-electric cars per year, Chief Executive Officer Herbert Diess told investors Thursday at the annual shareholder meeting in Berlin. The battery investment by VW — the world’s largest carmaker with Porsche, Audi and Bentley under its umbrella — was prompted in part by the manufacturer’s own missteps. European diesel sales have fallen off rapidly since VW admitted cheating on emissions tests in 2015, forcing carmakers in the market to accelerate their rollout of electrified vehicles in order to meet coming EU carbon-dioxide limits on engines.”

On May 3 ACEA reported: “Fuel types of new cars: diesel -17%; petrol +14.6%; electric +47% in first quarter of 2018.” The stats apply to the EU.

On May 8 Money.cnn reported: “More Americans say they’ll buy an electric car. One in five Americans say they are likely to buy an electric car for their next new vehicle, according to a survey from AAA. That’s up from 15% who said they were likely to buy an electric car last year.”

On May 8 CNN reported, “Italy’s electric highway is the answer to driver’s ‘range anxiety’. Enel wants to eliminate this — the population’s “range anxiety” — by building an electric highway from Italian northern metropolis Milan all the way to the country’s capital, Rome. Along this route, drivers have the opportunity to recharge their batteries every 60 minute.“

On May 14 EnergiNews reported: “Electrified road technology could cut EV battery size, range anxiety. Researchers are testing out an electric road in Sweden. According to project backers, Vattenfall and Elways, the 2 Kilometre long roadway is showing promise and, if successful, could help cut the cost of electric vehicles. The $USD5.82 million electric road project is called eRoadArlanda. The tests are being carried out for one year, in varying road conditions, by a modified electric truck that carries cargo from Stockholm’s Arlanda international airport to Postnord’s nearby logistics hub. An electrified rail is embedded in the tarmac of the roadway and charges the truck automatically as it travels the road. A movable arm attached to the truck detects the location of the rail in the road and charging stops when the truck is passing or stopping.”

On May 21 Bloomberg reported, “E-Buses to surge even faster than EVs as conventional vehicles fade. The electrification of road transport will move into top gear in the second half of the 2020s, thanks to tumbling battery costs and larger-scale manufacturing, with sales of electric cars racing to 28%, and those of electric buses to 84%, of their respective global markets by 2030.”

On May 21 Bloomberg reported, “Gas guzzlers set to fade as China sparks surge for electric cars.” An excellent video is included, with some great charts with one shown below.

Car companies commitments to going electric from 2018 to 2025

Source

On May 21 Bloomberg reported, “Boeing-backed startup lands JetSuite for electric plane’s debut. Boeing Co.-backed startup Zunum Aero plans to deliver its first hybrid-electric plane in 2022 to JetSuite Inc., setting the stage for a new era in regional flying. JetSuite, a small charter airline with plans to expand a commercial operation nationally, eventually will receive as many as 100 aircraft that seat up to 12 passengers each, Zunum co-founder Matt Knapp said in a statement Monday. JetBlue Airways Corp. has invested in Zunum and JetSuite. The charter operator is also backed by Qatar Airways. The new aircraft will eliminate the roar of combustion-based engines, powered instead by twin propulsors attached to the rear of its frame. The ducted, or covered, fans will be driven by electric motors. A conventional fuel-powered motor will serve as a back-up system at the outset. Battery packs, rather than fuel, will be housed in the aircraft’s wings. Zunum expects the technology to advance rapidly given the investment pouring into electric cars and aircraft. Competitors such as Europe’s Airbus SE and a partnership that includes EasyJet Plc, the U.S. military and NASA are pursuing similar concepts. The ZA10 will have a range of 700 miles when introduced in 2022. The larger ZA50 is targeted for the mid-2020s and will be able to fly 1,000 miles.”

Boeing Co. backed startup Zunum Aero plans to deliver its first hybrid-electric plane in 2022 to JetSuite Inc.

Source

On May 23 Electrek reported: “A plan for a network of EV charging stations connected to 2GW of battery power moves forward in the UK. A massive new plan to deploy DC fast-charging stations powered by grid-scale batteries throughout the UK to create a network with a 2 GW capacity – the world’s biggest – moves forward with backing from the National Grid. The plan was put forward by the startup Power Pivot. They envision the installation of 50MW battery systems at 45 sites where they also plan to install up to 100 150kW to 350kW electric vehicle charging stations. By combining the stations with energy storage, it should enable them to maintain a relatively low electricity rate to charge the electric vehicles.”

On May 24 Transport Network reported: “A new entrant to the electric vehicle charging market has announced plans for a £1.6bn investment programme to build rapid charging facilities across the country. Pivot Power is hoping to build a world-first 2GW network of grid-scale batteries and rapid electric vehicle (NYSE:EV) charging stations across the UK. It plans to build battery parks of several acres that connect directly to the national grid along the strategic road network and major roads. Each park would have around 20-25 large batteries, which will be fenced in and housed within shipping crates. CEO Matt Allen said: ‘We want to future-proof the UK’s energy system and accelerate the electric vehicle revolution, helping the UK to clean up its air and meet climate targets. Big problems require big solutions, and we are moving fast to put in place a unique network to support a clean, affordable, secure energy system and embrace the low-carbon economy.”

On May 27 Bloomberg reported, “EU Regulator calls the end of diesel in several years. Industry Commissioner Bienkowska puts faith in electric cars. VW scandal changed society’s attitudes, she tells Bloomberg.”

On May 28 China Economic Review announced, “China bans new fossil-fuel vehicle plants. A package of new rules for China’s auto industry will place a ban on setting-up plants that produce fossil-fuel driven cars, in addition to lifting the caps on foreign ownership announced in April. The proposed list, issued by the country’s top economic planner the National Development and Reform Commission would essentially overhaul the existing development policy for the industry in place since 2004. The new rules could come into effect as early as the end of the year, sources told Caixin.“

EV company news for May 2018

BYD Co. (OTCPK:BYDDY), (OTCPK:OTCPK:BYDDF) HK:1211

BYD regained the number 1 ranking globally with 10% global market share, and is ranked number 1 in China with 21% market share.

On May 10 BYD announced, “BYD and Arsenal FC team up – shared sustainable vision at the heart of EV link. BYD is now the official Global Car and Bus Partner to the world famous Arsenal Football Club following an agreement signed in London this week. The Partnership will focus on BYD’s strength as a leader in electric vehicles.”

On May 10 BYD announced, “BYD to provide LAX with U.S. largest airfield fleet of all-electric buses. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has announced the purchase of 20 units of BYD battery-electric buses for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the largest fleet of its kind in the United States. The new fleet, which will replace all of its diesel-operated buses, will be used for airfield passenger transportation.”

On May 24 Bloomberg reported, “Buffett-Backed BYD to build Brazil monorail in overseas push. BYD Co. won its biggest overseas order for monorail systems in an affirmation of efforts by the Chinese electric-vehicle maker to revive profit growth. The company signed a 2.5 billion-Brazilian real ($689 million) order this week to build a light transit system in Salvador, Brazil, Stella Li, a senior vice president at BYD, said in a telephone interview Thursday. The Shenzhen-based firm is also in discussions for as many as eight monorail deals in the Americas, including the U.S., and expects to nail at least two this year, Li said.”

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA)

Tesla is currently ranked the number 2 globally with 9% global market share. Tesla is the number 1 electric car seller in the US with 32% market share.

On May 25 Automotive News China reported, “Tesla Inc. slashed up to $14,000 off the price of the Model X in China after Beijing announced a major cut in tariffs on imported automobiles, a potential sales boost for the U.S. electric-vehicle maker as the world’s largest auto market pivots toward EVs. The price of a top-of-the range Model X will be cut to 1.3 million yuan ($203,830) but that remains well above the $140,000 price tag, before incentives, for the priciest version in the United States — Tesla’s Model X P100D.”

On May 27 Teslarati reported, “Tesla Model 3 surpasses 600-mile mark in hyper-mile Guinness attempt.”

On May 28 Teslarati reported, “Tesla reportedly flies in 6 planes’ worth of robots in latest Model 3 push.”

On May 29 Green Car Reports reported, “Tesla nearing limit of $7,500 federal tax credits, which will boost effective prices this fall.”

On May 30 Teslarati reported, “Tesla Model 3 gets Consumer Reports recommendation after Over The Air [OTA] brake update.”

BMW (OTCPK:BMWYY)

BMW is currently ranked the number 3 global electric car manufacturer with 8% global market share. BMW is number 1 in Europe with 16% market share.

On May 28th Electrek reported, “BMW announces ‘major increase in capacity’ at battery factory to support new iX3 electric SUV. BMW announced today a new expansion that should result in a ‘major increase in capacity’ at its battery factory in China. This will support the production of the new BMW iX3 electric SUV that they unveiled earlier this year. Last year, BMW launched its new battery factory in China under its ‘BMW Brilliance Automotive’ Joint Venture (BBA). Last week, BMW said that it will increase ‘BMW i’ electric vehicle production by 54% at its Leipzig factory. They plan for the capacity to increase to 520,000 units per year as soon as next year and much of the new capacity is going to be electric vehicles in order to comply with China’s ZEV mandate.”

On May 30 Green Car Reports reported, “BMW 530e will be first “plug-in” car with wireless charging this summer. The wireless inductive charging unit works similarly to a Qi charging pad for cell phones or to an electric toothbrush. It charges at 3.2 kW, BMW says, enough to charge the car’s 9.2-kwh battery pack in less than four hours. The EPA rates the 530e at 16 miles of electric range on a charge. Drivers can also plug in the 530e using a standard connector, though charging isn’t any faster.”

Beijing Automotive Group Co. (BAIC) (OTC:BCCMY, HK:1958), Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. [SAIC] (CH:600104) (SAIC includes Roewe, MG, Baojun, Maxus)

BAIC is currently ranked the global number 4 with 7% market share. BAIC is the number 2 selling electric car manufacturer in China with 15% market share. SAIC is number 3 in China with 14% market share.

On May 17 Just Auto reported: “New plant to make Mercedes EVs in China in 2019. China’s Beijing Automotive Group Company this week signed an agreement with Beijing Shunyi district authorities for the construction of new facilities for the production of Mercedes-Benz new energy vehicles from next year. Beijing Automotive Group Company has a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz, called Beijing Benz Automotive Company, which will operate the new plant. A total of CNY11.9bn (US$1.88bn) will be spent on the new facilities and upgrades to existing facilities, which will be built at BAIC’s existing production site in Shunyi district. The new investment will create the capacity to produce an initial 150,000 electric vehicles per year, worth CNY50bn, with production scheduled to start at the end of 2019. Capacity will be expanded to 300,000 vehicles at a later stage based on demand.”

Renault (OTC:RNSDF) / Nissan (OTCPK:NSANY) / Mitsubishi (OTCPK:MSBHY, OTCPK:MMTOF)

Nissan is currently ranked number 5 for global electric car sales with 7% market share, and Renault is ranked global number 9 with 4% market share. Nissan is ranked 3 in Europe and Renault is ranked 4.

On May 7 Bloomberg reported: “More EU diesel exits to follow Nissan, Toyota. Nissan Motor Co.’s decision to quit sales of diesel cars in Europe, where demand has slumped since Volkswagen’s emissions cheating, is set to see more automakers join in. Japan’s second-largest carmaker will phase out diesel versions of passenger cars when the models are revamped as focus shifts to electrified variants, to concentrate on sales of electrified vehicles instead, Nissan said earlier Monday. Together with Toyota Motor Corp., which announced they’d leave the technology behind in March, the pair had market share of 8.6 percent in the region during the first quarter.”

On May 9 Green Car Reports reported, “Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn stated, “188 miles is enough for electric cars; now prices must be cut. We have seen that consumers do not talk anymore about range or autonomy as long as you guarantee more than 300 kilometers (188 miles). You could not have guessed this through studies. You had to have 500,000 (electric) cars on the ground to understand that consumers do not put autonomy on top of their concerns any more when you cross 300 km.”

On May 25 Green Car Reports reported: “Blown away? Nissan Leaf convertible concept makes debut in Japan. Nissan showed the Leaf open car on Friday to draw attention at a forum in Tokyo to discuss the creation of a zero emissions society. The Leaf, which was updated for 2017, was the first modern electric car from a mainstream automaker to go on sale in 2011.”

Volkswagen Group (OTCPK:VLKAY) / Audi (OTCPK:AUDVF) / Porsche (OTCPK:POAHF)

Volkswagen is currently ranked the number 6 top-selling global electric car manufacturer with 6% market share. In Europe Volkswagen is the number 2 electric car seller with a 14% market share.

On May 3 Fortune reported: “VW just ordered $48 billion in electric car batteries. That’s about what Tesla is worth right now. Volkswagen AG said it was writing a check for batteries that almost match Tesla’s entire market value. VW has awarded battery-purchasing contracts worth 40 billion euros ($48 billion), double from just a few weeks ago. The deals take the German manufacturer within striking distance of a sought-for 50 billion-euro total. By 2025, VW plans to sell as many as 3 million all-electric cars per year, Chief Executive Officer Herbert Diess told investors Thursday at the annual shareholder meeting in Berlin. “By 2020 we will offer our customers more than 25 new electric models and more than 20 plug-in hybrids,” Diess said. “In just a few years’ time, then, across all brands and regions, we aim to put the world’s largest fleet of electric vehicles on the road.” All I can say is WOW!!!

Bloomberg quoted in May: “VW’s Audi brand, the group’s largest earnings contributor, will start production of its first all-electric SUV at the end of August, followed by the four-door coupe Mission E from sister brand Porsche next year.”

On May 29 Electrek reported, “VW sees electric vehicle demand in Europe and China help beat their 1 million EV/year goal. Strong regulations to encourage electric vehicle adoption in Europe and China are expected to have a major impact on the auto industry in the next few years. The German automaker is planning several new vehicles starting with the mass-market I.D. electric car in 2020.”

Toyota (NYSE:TM)

Toyota is currently ranked the number 8 in the global electric car manufacturer’s sales ranking, with 4% global market share.

On May 22 Automotive News China reported, “Toyota plans to roll into EV market in GAC Motor vehicle. Toyota Motor Corp. is taking an unprecedented route to meet China’s stringent green car quotas: Its showrooms will sell an electric vehicle without the Japanese company’s distinctive triple-oval logo. According to two company executives familiar with the matter, Toyota plans to start selling the GAC Toyota ix4 by the end of the year. The vehicle is a battery-powered compact crossover based on GAC’s Trumpchi GS4, and has been in development for two years. Instead, it will feature the label of GAC Motor, Toyota’s Chinese partner, and will be built around GAC’s lower-cost technology.”

General Motors/Chevrolet (NYSE:GM)

GM/Chevrolet is currently ranked the number 11 global electric car manufacturer. They are the number 2 ranked electric car seller in the US with 14% market share.

On May 3 General Motors announced: “Advanced software design technology leads GM into next generation of vehicle lightweighting. General Motors is using new, advanced software design technology to introduce the next generation of vehicle lightweighting. The technology is key to developing efficient and lighter alternative propulsion and zero emission vehicles. GM is the first automaker in North America to use new generative design software technology from Bay Area-based software company Autodesk.”

On May 8 3blmedia reported: “Keeping our commitment to an all-electric future.” CEO Mary Barra stated –

General Motors remains steadfast in its vision of an all-electric future. We are well on our way to introducing 20 new all-electric vehicle models globally by 2023.

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd (OTCPK:GELYY, HK:0175), Volvo Group (OTCPK:VOLVY), Kandi Technologies Group (NASDAQ:KNDI), Proton, Lotus

On May 16 Automotive News China reported: “Volvo to dump diesel from next S60 sedan. Volvo will not offer a diesel in its new S60 sedan, which will debut this spring and will be built at the automaker’s new U.S. plant. The new S60 will be available at launch with a range of four-cylinder gasoline engines as well as two versions of its gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain, the company said Wednesday.”

On May 18 Automotive News China reported: “Volvo focused on electrification, automation, regardless of IPO, chief says. China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, the owner of Volvo Cars, has hired three investment banks for an initial public offering this year that could value the Swedish carmaker in a broad range of $16 billion to $30 billion, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters last week.”

Daimler-Mercedes (OTCPK:DDAIF, OTCPK:DDAIY) (Smart)

On April 30 Wired reported, “Mercedes-Benz’s plan for surviving the auto revolution. Between electrification, autonomy, car sharing, and ride hailing, the car industry is undergoing a monumental, unprecedented shift. Of course the phasing-out of traditional cars is already taking place: the announcement of the Paris government to ban first diesels and then combustion-engine cars. And many major cities are going to go 100 percent electric. Truly self-driving cars will be applied in the first step in mobility services, like MyTaxi, Uber, Lyft, etc, for one simple reason: The sensor technology and computing power will be quite expensive. Private customers will have to wait until it gets cheaper, because the first step will be far too expensive. This development is definitely coming, but it won’t come overnight. So one part of your fleet will be self-driving cars, but there will still be a huge portion of human drivers in Uber and MyTaxi. By 2022 we will come out with 10 battery-electric vehicles, and we will cover all the segments, starting from the smart going up to the big large sedans, and also the large SUV. And the all-electric GLC is going to be launched later this year, sometime after summer. And the self-driving car, which of course will be electric. It’s coming in the next decade. It’s all on its way.”

Daimler-Mercedes Smart electric car

Source

On May 2 Reuters reported, “Daimler to buy electric car battery cells from China’s CATL.”

On May 10 Electric Vehicles News reported, “Mercedes-Benz EQC: Development and testing details. 2019 will see the launch of the EQC – the first all-electric Mercedes-Benz model from the new product and technology brand EQ. Between January and March, prototypes of the new model series completed tough winter testing in northern Sweden.”

Ford (NYSE:F)

On May 6 CarBuzz reported: “Ford Mustang is going electric. “Making a full commitment to new propulsion choices, including adding hybrid-electric powertrains to high-volume, profitable vehicles like the F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Escape and Bronco,” Ford said as part of its earnings report. “The company’s battery electric vehicle rollout starts in 2020 with a performance utility, and it will bring 16 battery-electric vehicles to market by 2022.”

On May 23 Green Car Reports reported: “300-mile Ford Mach 1 electric SUV may be based on Escape. At the product briefing, Ford said the Mach 1-or whatever it will be called-will deliver impressive on-road performance and high-speed off-road capability inspired by the company’s F-150 Raptor when it rolls out in 2020.”

Fiat Chrysler (NYSE:FCAU)

On May 30 AutoBlog reported: “For his last act, Marchionne will outline an EV/hybrid roadmap this week.”

Honda (HMC, OTCPK:HNDAF)

On May 7 in an article in Motor1.com they reported: “Every new Honda sold in Europe will be electrified from now on, with a plan to have two-third of new car sales in Europe either fully electric or hybrid by 2025, and globally by 2030.”

On May 25 Automotive News China reported, “Honda preps small EV with batteries from Chinese supplier. Honda Motor Co. plans to develop a micro electric vehicle with batteries supplied by Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Japan’s Nikkei news agency reported. The EV will be adapted from the Honda Fit small car. It will be powered by Contemporary Amperex Technology’s battery pack with a range up to 3 kilometers on one charge. The electric car will be priced around 2 million Japanese yen (11,643 yuan). Honda expects annual sales of the EV to top 100,000 after launching sales in China and other markets in the first half of 2020, according to Nikkei.”

Kia (OTC:KIMTF)

On May 3 CarScoops reported, “Kia Niro EV revealed, can travel up to 236 miles on a single charge. Kia has introduced the all-new Niro EV at the International Electric Vehicle Expo in South Korea. The model will be offered with two different batteries including a 64 kWh unit which will enable the model to travel 380 km (236 miles) on a single. The company will also offer a 39.2 kWh battery pack which will provide a range in excess of 240 km (149 miles).”

Kia Niro EV

Source

On May 4 Green Car Reports reported, “Kia Niro electric car debuts in Korea. Kia displayed a new Niro EV electric car concept at the Consumer Electronics Show last January, and the production car just made an appearance in South Korea at the Fifth International Electric Vehicle Expo.

According to a report in Inside EVs, which first carried the story, the Niro EV will share its 64-kwh battery with sister-company Hyundai’s upcoming Kona Electric. That will give it a range of 236 miles when it comes to the U.S. A smaller 39.2-kWh battery will be available overseas, which should give the car 149-mile range. Kia will not confirm whether the Niro EV is coming to the U.S.”

Tata Motors (TTM) group (Jaguar, Land Rover)

On May 31 Business Today India reported, “Tata Motors to deploy 1,000 electric vehicles in Maharashtra. India’s largest automobile manufacturer Tata Motors on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding [MoU] with the state government of Maharashtra to deploy 1,000 electric vehicles [EVs], comprising both passenger and commercial vehicles, in the state. Tata Motors will also facilitate setting up charging stations in the state that would be facilitated by group firm Tata Power.”

Great Wall Motors

On May 29 Automotive News China reported, “Great Wall to launch first product under EV brand in 3rd quarter, report says. The EV is the Ora iQ, an electric compact crossover, Beijing-based auto website Cheshi reported last week, citing Great Wall’s vice president for business planning, Samuel Chen. Great Wall introduced the Ora EV brand along with the Ora iQ at the Beijing auto show in April. The EV is 4,445 mm long, 1,735 mm wide and 1,567 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,615 mm. In the first four months of the year, Great Wall delivered 338,420 crossovers, SUVs, pickups and sedans, an increase of 3.4 percent from the same period last year.”

Byton (private)

On May 18 Automotive News China reported, “FAW to invest $260 million in EV startup Byton. State-owned carmaker FAW Group has agreed to invest around $260 million in China-backed electric vehicle startup Byton as part of an ongoing series-B funding round, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The deal was signed over the weekend in Nanjing where Byton is building its headquarters and production facilities as well as a technology center, they said. Byton is looking to raise a total of about $500 million in the round. Byton last year raised $240 million in a round of funding from investors including Chinese retailer Suning and Fullshare Holdings.”

Autonomous Driving/Connectivity/Onboard entertainment/Ride sharing

For autonomous vehicles currently Alphabet Inc. (GOOG, GOOGL) and General Motors are leaders. Tesla, Baidu (BIDU), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Daimler, Aptiv (APTV), Ford, Volkswagen, Renault Nissan, and BMW are also doing well.

On the software side Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) is the leader, with Intel (INTC) and Qualcomm also involved in this area.

For connectivity (“smart car”) Tesla has the Model 3’s equipped with Wifi. Alibaba (BABA) has teamed up with SAIC to make an “internet car”, as well as supplying its AI and car systems to Daimler, Audi and Volvo.

For onboard entertainment Apple is doing well with Apple Play, as is Google with Android Auto.

For ride sharing – Currently all of these app companies (Uber, Lyft, Didi Chuxing, Grab Taxi, Ola, Gett, Mytaxi, and DriveNow) are private companies, and are not accessible to most investors.

On May 14 Reuters reported: “Tencent gets self-driving car test license from China’s Shenzhen city – report. China’s southern city of Shenzhen gave the green light to tech giant Tencent Holdings to test its self-driving car on some public roads as the country seeks to bolster its position in the global race for autonomous vehicle technology.”

On May 24 Green Car Reports reported: “The Apple car to finally hit the road, only it’s a VW Bus. After years of trials aimed at remaking driving in the mold of the iPhone, Apple is finally building some self-driving electric cars to test on roads in the San Francisco Bay Area-and they’re Volkswagen buses.”

On May 31 Forbes reported, “GM’s self-driving fleet gets $2.25 billion capital infusion from SoftBank ahead of 2019 launch.”

On May 31 Reuters reported, “Mapbox partners with Microsoft (MSFT), Intel (INTC) to provide self-driving car maps.”

Investors may also like to read my articles “Companies to benefit from the future smart car boom”, and “How To Benefit From The Autonomous Vehicles Trend Starting As Soon As 2019.”

Other EV companies

Other EV companies I am following include Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. (private), Didi Chuxing, Faraday Future, Fisker (private), GreenPower Motor Company Inc. [TSXV:GPV] (OTCQX:GPVRF), Groupe PSA (owner of Peugeot), Hyundai (OTC:HYMTF), Honda (HMC, OTCPK:HNDAF), Lamborghini, Lucid Motors (formerly Atieva) (private), Mahindra & Mahindra (OTC:MAHDY), Mazda (OTCPK:MZDAY), Nio (formerly NextEV), Rivian (private), Subaru (OTCPK:FUJHY), WM Motor, Xiaopeng Motors, and Zhi Dou (private).

The list of countries and cities banning (or soon to ban) petrol and diesel vehicles include at least – UK (2040, may soon be changed to 2030), China, Germany, France (2040), Netherlands (2030), London, Paris (2030), Stuttgart, Mexico City, Madrid, and Athens. Added to this are countries pushing hard to become 100% EV – Norway and India.

Investors can also read my latest article “The EV Boom Just Keeps Getting Bigger.”

Conclusion

April 2018 global electric car sales rose an amazing 93% YoY, with China rising an incredible 129%. Electric car market share for April reached 2.2% in Europe, 3.7% in China, and 1.4% in the USA.

My highlights for the month were:

In the EU – “Fuel types of new cars: diesel -17%; petrol +14.6%; electric +47% in first quarter of 2018.”

Bloomberg’s latest forecast – Electric car sales to reach 30m by 2030 (28%), 60m by 2040 (55% market share).

Bloomberg’s latest forecast – Electric car sales forecast to increase 10 fold by 2025, 27 fold by 2030, and 54 fold by 2040.

Bloomberg’s latest forecast – By 2030 electric buses will make up 84% of all new bus sales.

China bans new fossil-fuel vehicle plants probably beginning in 2019.

Honda, Nissan and Toyota will all stop making diesel cars for Europe, and focus on electric instead.

VW has awarded 40 billion euros ($48 billion) in contracts to battery producers.

GM CEO Mary Barra – “General Motors remains steadfast in its vision of an all-electric future. We are well on our way to introducing 20 new all-electric vehicle models globally by 2023.”

What a magnificent May – It does not come much better than that!

As usual, all comments are welcome.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon as personal financial advice.

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I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Editor’s Note: This article covers one or more stocks trading at less than $1 per share and/or with less than a $100 million market cap. Please be aware of the risks associated with these stocks.

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[eddiejpoplar]

Did GM Just Confirm the Corvette E-Ray, or a Cadillac Sports Car?

An “expressive luxury low-roof” battery electric-powered model that’s part of General Motors’ plan for at least 20 new EVs by 2023 caps a roundup of cars, trucks, and SUVs that CEO Mary Barra presented in rough, undetailed form, to Barclay’s Global Automotive Conference, Wednesday.

Is it a Chevrolet Corvette e-Ray? A high-end Cadillac electric sports car?

Barra offered no such details. Her presentation was designed to prove to investors that GM has a future worthy of the market cap that has graced profit-free Tesla for several years.

In her presentation, she sought to convince investment analysts that the world’s third-largest automaker, and one of its oldest, is at the forefront of EVs, autonomous vehicles, and car sharing.

Barra’s presentation chart-set includes a rendering of one of two crossover/utility vehicles appearing in showrooms by calendar year 2020. We think the rendering looks like a tall-ish Chevy CUV version of the current Chevrolet Bolt.

Seeking Alpha’s Anton Wahlman think it looks like a Buick EV CUV. In either case, it’s clear that the two EV CUVs due by ’20 will include one Chevy and one Buick, the latter a prime candidate for production in China.

“Due to regulations and the nature of the Chinese market, the size of the Chinese market, we believe that it will become the world’s largest new energy vehicle market,” Barra told the analysts. “We are uniquely positioned as the number-two market share leader in China.”

After the two Chevy Bolt-based CUVs, GM will introduce the new, more flexible EV platform in 2021. So an e-Ray Corvette would not be based on the same platform as the midengine C8 Corvette expected to premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this coming January.

Since we don’t know whether a sports car configuration of the Gen II EV platform will have enough connection with the C8 platform, badging the “expressive luxury low-roof” car a Cadillac is an intriguing alternative.

The other models launching between 2021 and ’23 on the new EV platform, according to Barra’s presentation are:

Five-passenger luxury SUV (which means Cadillac).

Five-passenger compact SUV (Chevrolet).

“Shared” autonomous vehicle, likely a small shuttle-bus (GMC or Chevy).

Functional light-commercial vehicle, an urban delivery van (GMC and/or Chevy).

“Efficient” low-roof car (could be a Chevy, but we’d put our money on Buick or Cadillac).

Small SUV (Chevy, possibly Buick).

Compact CUV (Chevy, possibly Buick).

Luxury-compact CUV (Cadillac).

Seven-passenger, large SUV (Chevy and/or Buick).

Seven-passenger, luxury SUV (Cadillac).

The new EV platform is designed to be profitable, Barra told the analysts.

“We have seen the costs of building, owning and operating an EV come down as battery technology has improved, and we’re driving cost efficiencies,” Barra said. “We believe we are leading the industry… and we’ve achieved this because we have a strategic investment in battery cell development. We also own the intellectual property not only for our battery chemistry, but also for our electric motors. And then we have a very important strategic relationship with LG as well as relationships with other battery cell manufacturers.”

She added, “we’re also improving our DC fast-charging capabilities.”

When an analyst asked whether GM expects to still be selling gasoline-powered cars by 2030, Barra responded, “We’re going to be driven by the customer… we do believe in an all-EV future but… we also are seeing internal combustion engines become more and more efficient… .”

Barra tied EV development with autonomous vehicle development, and credited GM’s acquisition of Cruise Automation for accelerating its self-driving vehicle technology. GM is building AV prototype Chevy Bolts on the Bolt’s assembly line for testing in the real world.

GM and Cruise Automation has “already deployed our third iteration of autonomous test vehicles,” Barra said. “And that’s in 14 months, so I think it really represents the speed at which we’re developing, deploying, and improving our autonomous vehicles. We believe this third generation will meet the redundancy and safety requirements necessary to operate without a driver, and we’re the only, to our knowledge, AV participants testing in complex environments like San Francisco, soon to be New York, in addition to the work we’re doing in Detroit and Arizona.”

Barra’s presentation to Barclay’s came one day before Tesla unveils its semi-truck prototype in Los Angeles. CEO Elon Musk, whose Tesla Model 3 has experienced serious production launch glitches, promises the electric semi “will blow your mind clear out of your skull.”

(Hat tip to Anton Wahlman.)

The post Did GM Just Confirm the Corvette E-Ray, or a Cadillac Sports Car? appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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[jonathanbelloblog]

Did GM Just Confirm the Corvette E-Ray, or a Cadillac Sports Car?

An “expressive luxury low-roof” battery electric-powered model that’s part of General Motors’ plan for at least 20 new EVs by 2023 caps a roundup of cars, trucks, and SUVs that CEO Mary Barra presented in rough, undetailed form, to Barclay’s Global Automotive Conference, Wednesday.

Is it a Chevrolet Corvette e-Ray? A high-end Cadillac electric sports car?

Barra offered no such details. Her presentation was designed to prove to investors that GM has a future worthy of the market cap that has graced profit-free Tesla for several years.

In her presentation, she sought to convince investment analysts that the world’s third-largest automaker, and one of its oldest, is at the forefront of EVs, autonomous vehicles, and car sharing.

Barra’s presentation chart-set includes a rendering of one of two crossover/utility vehicles appearing in showrooms by calendar year 2020. We think the rendering looks like a tall-ish Chevy CUV version of the current Chevrolet Bolt.

Seeking Alpha’s Anton Wahlman think it looks like a Buick EV CUV. In either case, it’s clear that the two EV CUVs due by ’20 will include one Chevy and one Buick, the latter a prime candidate for production in China.

“Due to regulations and the nature of the Chinese market, the size of the Chinese market, we believe that it will become the world’s largest new energy vehicle market,” Barra told the analysts. “We are uniquely positioned as the number-two market share leader in China.”

After the two Chevy Bolt-based CUVs, GM will introduce the new, more flexible EV platform in 2021. So an e-Ray Corvette would not be based on the same platform as the midengine C8 Corvette expected to premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this coming January.

Since we don’t know whether a sports car configuration of the Gen II EV platform will have enough connection with the C8 platform, badging the “expressive luxury low-roof” car a Cadillac is an intriguing alternative.

The other models launching between 2021 and ’23 on the new EV platform, according to Barra’s presentation are:

Five-passenger luxury SUV (which means Cadillac).

Five-passenger compact SUV (Chevrolet).

“Shared” autonomous vehicle, likely a small shuttle-bus (GMC or Chevy).

Functional light-commercial vehicle, an urban delivery van (GMC and/or Chevy).

“Efficient” low-roof car (could be a Chevy, but we’d put our money on Buick or Cadillac).

Small SUV (Chevy, possibly Buick).

Compact CUV (Chevy, possibly Buick).

Luxury-compact CUV (Cadillac).

Seven-passenger, large SUV (Chevy and/or Buick).

Seven-passenger, luxury SUV (Cadillac).

The new EV platform is designed to be profitable, Barra told the analysts.

“We have seen the costs of building, owning and operating an EV come down as battery technology has improved, and we’re driving cost efficiencies,” Barra said. “We believe we are leading the industry… and we’ve achieved this because we have a strategic investment in battery cell development. We also own the intellectual property not only for our battery chemistry, but also for our electric motors. And then we have a very important strategic relationship with LG as well as relationships with other battery cell manufacturers.”

She added, “we’re also improving our DC fast-charging capabilities.”

When an analyst asked whether GM expects to still be selling gasoline-powered cars by 2030, Barra responded, “We’re going to be driven by the customer… we do believe in an all-EV future but… we also are seeing internal combustion engines become more and more efficient… .”

Barra tied EV development with autonomous vehicle development, and credited GM’s acquisition of Cruise Automation for accelerating its self-driving vehicle technology. GM is building AV prototype Chevy Bolts on the Bolt’s assembly line for testing in the real world.

GM and Cruise Automation has “already deployed our third iteration of autonomous test vehicles,” Barra said. “And that’s in 14 months, so I think it really represents the speed at which we’re developing, deploying, and improving our autonomous vehicles. We believe this third generation will meet the redundancy and safety requirements necessary to operate without a driver, and we’re the only, to our knowledge, AV participants testing in complex environments like San Francisco, soon to be New York, in addition to the work we’re doing in Detroit and Arizona.”

Barra’s presentation to Barclay’s came one day before Tesla unveils its semi-truck prototype in Los Angeles. CEO Elon Musk, whose Tesla Model 3 has experienced serious production launch glitches, promises the electric semi “will blow your mind clear out of your skull.”

(Hat tip to Anton Wahlman.)

The post Did GM Just Confirm the Corvette E-Ray, or a Cadillac Sports Car? appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

from Performance Junk Blogger Feed 4 http://ift.tt/2z9aCak via IFTTT

[jesusvasser]

Did GM Just Confirm the Corvette E-Ray, or a Cadillac Sports Car?

An “expressive luxury low-roof” battery electric-powered model that’s part of General Motors’ plan for at least 20 new EVs by 2023 caps a roundup of cars, trucks, and SUVs that CEO Mary Barra presented in rough, undetailed form, to Barclay’s Global Automotive Conference, Wednesday.

Is it a Chevrolet Corvette e-Ray? A high-end Cadillac electric sports car?

Barra offered no such details. Her presentation was designed to prove to investors that GM has a future worthy of the market cap that has graced profit-free Tesla for several years.

In her presentation, she sought to convince investment analysts that the world’s third-largest automaker, and one of its oldest, is at the forefront of EVs, autonomous vehicles, and car sharing.

Barra’s presentation chart-set includes a rendering of one of two crossover/utility vehicles appearing in showrooms by calendar year 2020. We think the rendering looks like a tall-ish Chevy CUV version of the current Chevrolet Bolt.

Seeking Alpha’s Anton Wahlman think it looks like a Buick EV CUV. In either case, it’s clear that the two EV CUVs due by ’20 will include one Chevy and one Buick, the latter a prime candidate for production in China.

“Due to regulations and the nature of the Chinese market, the size of the Chinese market, we believe that it will become the world’s largest new energy vehicle market,” Barra told the analysts. “We are uniquely positioned as the number-two market share leader in China.”

After the two Chevy Bolt-based CUVs, GM will introduce the new, more flexible EV platform in 2021. So an e-Ray Corvette would not be based on the same platform as the midengine C8 Corvette expected to premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this coming January.

Since we don’t know whether a sports car configuration of the Gen II EV platform will have enough connection with the C8 platform, badging the “expressive luxury low-roof” car a Cadillac is an intriguing alternative.

The other models launching between 2021 and ’23 on the new EV platform, according to Barra’s presentation are:

Five-passenger luxury SUV (which means Cadillac).

Five-passenger compact SUV (Chevrolet).

“Shared” autonomous vehicle, likely a small shuttle-bus (GMC or Chevy).

Functional light-commercial vehicle, an urban delivery van (GMC and/or Chevy).

“Efficient” low-roof car (could be a Chevy, but we’d put our money on Buick or Cadillac).

Small SUV (Chevy, possibly Buick).

Compact CUV (Chevy, possibly Buick).

Luxury-compact CUV (Cadillac).

Seven-passenger, large SUV (Chevy and/or Buick).

Seven-passenger, luxury SUV (Cadillac).

The new EV platform is designed to be profitable, Barra told the analysts.

“We have seen the costs of building, owning and operating an EV come down as battery technology has improved, and we’re driving cost efficiencies,” Barra said. “We believe we are leading the industry… and we’ve achieved this because we have a strategic investment in battery cell development. We also own the intellectual property not only for our battery chemistry, but also for our electric motors. And then we have a very important strategic relationship with LG as well as relationships with other battery cell manufacturers.”

She added, “we’re also improving our DC fast-charging capabilities.”

When an analyst asked whether GM expects to still be selling gasoline-powered cars by 2030, Barra responded, “We’re going to be driven by the customer… we do believe in an all-EV future but… we also are seeing internal combustion engines become more and more efficient… .”

Barra tied EV development with autonomous vehicle development, and credited GM’s acquisition of Cruise Automation for accelerating its self-driving vehicle technology. GM is building AV prototype Chevy Bolts on the Bolt’s assembly line for testing in the real world.

GM and Cruise Automation has “already deployed our third iteration of autonomous test vehicles,” Barra said. “And that’s in 14 months, so I think it really represents the speed at which we’re developing, deploying, and improving our autonomous vehicles. We believe this third generation will meet the redundancy and safety requirements necessary to operate without a driver, and we’re the only, to our knowledge, AV participants testing in complex environments like San Francisco, soon to be New York, in addition to the work we’re doing in Detroit and Arizona.”

Barra’s presentation to Barclay’s came one day before Tesla unveils its semi-truck prototype in Los Angeles. CEO Elon Musk, whose Tesla Model 3 has experienced serious production launch glitches, promises the electric semi “will blow your mind clear out of your skull.”

(Hat tip to Anton Wahlman.)

The post Did GM Just Confirm the Corvette E-Ray, or a Cadillac Sports Car? appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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[mobileedge]

Esports Popularity: It’s a Game Changer

New Post has been published on http://www.mobileedge.com/blog/2018/06/27/esports-popularity-its-a-game-changer/

Esports Popularity: It’s a Game Changer

While the debate continues as to why attendance and viewership for National Football League and Major League Baseball has been dropping the past few years, one thing for sure is that the popularity of eSports is exploding.

In its 2018 Global eSports Market Report, industry research group Newzoo reports that:

In the coming year, the global eSports economy will grow to $905.6 million, up 38% YoY.

The global eSports audience will reach 380 million this year, made up of 165 million eSports enthusiasts and 215 million occasional viewers.

The Rise of eSports

According to the global public relations website, the Holmes Report, the eSports industry is growing exponentially, with media rights, advertising, merchandise sales, sponsorship opportunities, and revenue streams all increasing by double digits each year—and they see no end in sight.

In a series of articles posted on its website, Foley.com, a global law firm that focuses on trending markets across numerous industries, cited the ongoing development of high school and college eSports programs and leagues as a sign of eSports entering the mainstream in a big way. In addition, a number of stadiums, arenas, and other buildings—from Hong Kong to Arlington, Texas—are being built to support and facilitate eSports programs and events. (Case in point: Blizzard Entertainment opened a dedicated eSports stadium in Burbank CA. It’s called Blizzard Arena and is located at the former studio of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.)

  Consumer awareness of eSports is expected to continue to grow rapidly. A 2016 Nielsen study revealed that nearly 1 out of every 6 Americans over the age of 13 are active eSports fans, while Newzoo estimates that 1.3 billion people worldwide are at least aware of eSports. For comparison’s sake, consider how that latter figure rivals World Cup viewership (1 billion viewers) and dwarfs Super Bowl viewership (160 million).

More and more celebrities, professional athletes, sports team owners, and business leaders are expected to enter the eSports space as sponsors and investors. For example, in July 2017, New England Patriot’s owner Robert Kraft, chairman, and CEO of the Kraft Group, commenting on his recent investment of a reported $20 million in an eSports league run by Blizzard (of Starcraft, Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch fame), said: “We really believe this (eSports) is the future” because of the way, “millennials consume sports on their mobile devices.”

Viewing opportunities for worldwide audiences to watch eSports on television or stream it online continue to grow. Just recently, ESPN+, the Disney-owned sports programmer’s subscription service, announced that it is carrying Riot Games’ League of Legends live esports tournaments and events, which will continue to be distributed on Amazon-owned Twitch and other platforms. According to Riot Games, the 2017 League of Legends World Championship held in China drew a record peak of 80 million unique viewers for a single match, and a combined 1.2 billion hours of content watched during the event.

eSports is a Game Changer

Mobile Edge recognizes that the growth of esports is a game changer—not only for the athletes who participate, but for fans, schools, franchises, the entertainment industry, and investors big and small. We pride ourselves on continuously innovating new designs and new products that offer cutting edge mobility solutions for a wide range of gaming and esports needs.

CORE Gaming Products

Named the 2017 VIP Award Winner in TWICE Magazine’s PC Accessories category, the CORE Gaming Backpack is functional, stylish, innovative, and popular with gamers, techies, travelers, students, road warriors, and busy professionals.

The full-featured CORE Gaming Backpack offers the ultimate in transport, protection, storage, and easy access to gaming gear, accessories, and other cool tech.

Sized to hold all popular models of gaming laptops (up to 17″ – 18″)

Three large storage sections pre-wired for a power bank or external battery

Four side accessory pockets for cables, phones, or oversized water bottles or snacks

Built-in external USB charge port

Checkpoint-friendly design to speed through TSA checkpoints

Constructed of durable ballistic nylon with tailored contrast stitching

Lifetime warranty

Gamers and their followers may be particularly interested in the Core Gaming Backpack with Velcro panel, which features a Velcro panel on which athletes and fans can affix patches and emblems of their favorite teams.

Gamers also need power and performance on the go, and Mobile Edge’s CORE product line offers two options to meet the mobile power supply needs of users.

CORE Power AC USB (27,000mAh Portable Laptop Charger)

The compact and versatile CORE Power AC, with its massive battery capacity, provides extreme power and performance for even your most power-hungry devices! It features a universal AC outlet that delivers an incredible 85 watts of power. With 27,000mAh, you can plug in and power laptops and personal electronics, as well as USB devices.

Features: Universal AC outlet, 3 High-Speed USB ports, High-Power USB-C port, Quick Charge 3.0 technology, Rapid DC input, Fast recharging, Sleek & ultra-portable design, Airplane friendly, International wall socket adapters (AU/US/UK/EU) included

CORE Power (26,800mAh Portable USB Battery/Charger)

Perfect for business professionals, travelers, students, and other commuters, the CORE Power battery/charger easily slips into a briefcase, handbag, backpack, or carry-on for reliable universal portable power at your fingertips. Works with smartphones, tablets, cameras, speakers, drones, Bluetooth headsets, wearables, and other USB devices.

Features: Ultra-high battery capacity, Charges most smartphones 8 to 12 times or tablets 2 to 3 times, Quick Charge 3.0 technology, Displays real-time information about battery and connected devices, Airplane friendly

Check out the CORE Gaming Backpack and other CORE accessories at Mobile Edge.

Take 20% Off

For the next 10 days, enter Promo code ESPT18 when you check out from Mobile Edge’s online store and get 20% off your purchase of a CORE Gaming Backpack or a CORE power accessory, with free shipping on orders of more than $75.