Polish new-car registrations increased for the 10th consecutive month in March, providing another sign that Europe’s car market is picking up after a six-year slump.
BMW starts series production of electric scooters in Berlin
BMW’s plant in Berlin has begun series production of the battery-electric BMW C evolution maxi-scooter.
The C evolution is powered by a drivetrain swing arm with liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous motor via a toothed belt and ring gearing. The rated power output is 11 kW (15 hp), with a peak output of 35 kW (47 hp). This enables the C evolution to achieve a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph, electronically limited) and gives it better acceleration than some maxi-scooters powered by engines with displacements of 600 cc or more.
The 8 kWh air-cooled lithium-ion high-voltage battery allows the two-wheeler to cover a range of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) before it needs to be charged from any domestic mains supply. When plugged in to a standard 220V domestic socket with a 12A charge current, recharging fully from empty takes around 4 hours (with 220V / 16A = 3 h).
The Li-ion storage modules are the same as those in the BMW i3, which will be supplied from the BMW plant in Dingolfing. Three of these modules, each containing 12 battery cells are packaged in an aluminum die-cast housing. During installation of the high-voltage battery, the Berlin plant benefited from the experience of colleagues in the BMW Dingolfing and Leipzig, where the BMW i3 comes off the line. This includes the high safety standards in dealing with the high-voltage technology.
Volvo Car Torslanda celebrates 50 years of success
1964 was a milestone for Sweden’s automotive industry. That was the year Volvo Cars opened its gates at the Torslanda plant, marking the biggest industrial investment in Sweden’s history.
Hyundai to provide 75 ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles to HyFive project
Hyundai plans to deliver 75 units of its hydrogen-powered ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle as part of the largest ever pan-European fuel-cell passenger car project. The Hydrogen For Innovative Vehicles (HyFIVE) project, funded by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, will see deliveries made in Bolzano, Copenhagen, Innsbruck, London, Munich and Stuttgart.
average fuel economy of new vehicles sold in US in March was 25.4 mpg
The average fuel economy (window-sticker value) of new vehicles sold in the US in March was 25.4 mpg (9.26 l/100km)—a 0.3 mpg improvement from the revised value for February and the best mark yet, according to the monthly report from University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) researchers Dr. Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle.
