Ford will stop producing its best-selling Fiesta model as soon as next week as it transitions to an all-electric future. In order to create Ford’s new electric Explorer SUV at its Cologne, Germany, plant, the compact car will be decommissioned.
On July 7, 2023, the last Fiesta model will leave the factory for the European market. The Fiesta generation is coming to an end in favour of an electric future after 47 years and eight generations.
The step was taken after the American manufacturer declared it would transition to an entirely electric brand in Europe by 2030 and offer nine EV models by 2024. Ford and Volkswagen partnered together in 2020 to speed up electric vehicle (EV) production in the area with intentions to use VW’s MEB platform to introduce its own line of electric vehicles.
Executives at Toyota Motor seem more assured than before in their capacity to produce and market millions of electric vehicles.
Hiroki Nakajima, chief technology officer of Toyota, said during a daylong series of technology briefings last week at Toyota’s research facility that’s close to Mount Fuji, that consumers switching from hybrids to fully electric vehicles are giving the world’s largest automaker a good indication of where the market will be in three years.
Toyota will meet its objective to sell 1.5 million battery-electric vehicles by 2026, he assured, adding that “development and production will be ready when there is demand for 1.5 million units.”
Car manufacturers are now moving towards a “greener” future by producing electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce global CO2 emissions. However, if you look beyond what comes out of the vehicle’s exhaust system, there is a bigger picture to consider, as explained by Rowan Atkinson.
Some may already know that Atkinson is a gearhead with a degree in electrical and electronic engineering, along with a subsequent master’s degree in control systems. He has owned multiple classic and legendary cars such as the BMW 328, McLaren F1, 2002 Acura NSX-T, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1977), and more. Initially, he had a love for EVs when he purchased his first electric hybrid 18 years ago and his first pure electric car nine years ago. However, he believes that EVs, while wonderful mechanisms, lack soul—a sentiment we wholeheartedly agree with.
In order to accommodate more users of electric vehicles, Ipoh City Council (MBI) has installed a number of EV charging stations throughout the city.
Additionally, the action is in accordance with the Federal Government’s desire for more individuals to choose environmentally efficient vehicles. The D.R. Seenivasagam Park, Sultan Abdul Aziz Recreational Park, the Ipoh Tourist Information Centre, and the MBI headquarters were the four areas where the charging stations had been installed.
Ipoh Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin claims that there are no charges for drivers who use these four places to charge their electric vehicles. Even though there aren’t many electric cars in the city now, the charging stations are still necessary. Because there are so few electric cars on Ipoh’s roads, these charging stations are currently under utilised.
Being able to develop electric vehicles (EVs) is a vital expertise for carmakers as the industry speeds towards electrification of its products. However, just as vehicles with internal combustion engines are useless without liquid fuel, EVs will not run without electricity. The electricity can come from various sources – even the sun – but what’s more important is being able to store the energy.
That’s where batteries come in and currently, there is much focus on the development of batteries for EVs, with the technology advancing very quickly. As we have seen with the shortage of microprocessors disrupting vehicle production globally, a shortage of batteries would also mean EVs cannot leave the factory, even if the vehicle is completed.
For this reason, the major carmakers have looked for ways to secure supply of batteries for coming years as demand for EVs increases rapidly. The biggest companies have established their own subsidiaries to develop and manufacture batteries, setting up factories around the world to ensure that different regions are covered.
In order for electric vehicles (EVs) to be more readily adopted, not only do they need to cost less but the issue of the charging network has to be addressed. The liquid fuel network around the planet where you can find somewhere to refuel – in the desert or in the jungle – is the product of 100 years of development but charging stations are very recent. In fact, it’s only during this decade that the charging network has accelerated as more EVs began appearing on roads.
Ideally, governments should build the infrastructure but it is a costly exercise, so they are leaving it to the industry players to make the investments. On their part, governments typically offer incentives (like tax exemptions) to buyers to reduce the cost of purchasing an EV. So it is up to the carmakers to either build a network themselves or partner companies in the power supply business.
At CES 2023, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will launch a high-power charging network in key markets that include North America, Europe and China, starting with the USA and Canada this year. The aim is to have the full network in place before the end of the decade, when Mercedes-Benz intends to go all-electric wherever market conditions allow.
Automotive brands from China are not new to the Malaysian market and were already selling their products 20 years ago, mainly in the commercial vehicle sector. In recent years, perhaps encouraged by the partnership Geely was able to form with DRB-HICOM in Proton, more brands are making their appearance.
Among them will be BYD Automobile (BYD stands for ‘Build Your Dreams’), which will be distributed by Sime Darby Motors (SDM) Malaysia. The two companies have formalized the partnership with the signing of a Distribution Agreement which also involves PT. BYD MOTOR INDONESIA.
With the government encouraging the switch to electric vehicles (EVs), we will be seeing more of these zero emission vehicles in use nationwide. As such, there will be a growing need for qualified personnel in the aftersales industry. However, because of the different nature of EVs, new skills are necessary as skills and experience with combustion engines are not so suitable.
As such, BMW Group Malaysia is cultivating highly skilled experts in the field through its internationally recognised BMW High Voltage Expert Certification programme. Conducted at the BMW Group Regional Training Centre in Malaysia, the programme offers training for the servicing and repair of the most advanced BMW i vehicles worldwide.
To qualify as a BMW High Voltage Expert, the prospect must already be an existing BMW High Voltage Technician, who must first undergo a pre-selection process which includes a knowledge assessment and an interview. The prospect would also need to obtain first aid certification and undergo a full body check-up. Next, they are put through 15 days of intensive training, with the requirement of passing 2 theory exams and four practical exams to proceed to the next stage. This is followed by a final theory exam and practical demonstration under live high voltage to secure the certification which is completed in another 10 days.
More than just selling EVs
BMW Group Malaysia’s initiative in this area is to be expected as the company has been selling an increasing number of EVs and electrified vehicles. And it has not only been selling them but also ensuring that proper supporting services are available for owners.
In addition to creating a bigger EV landscape in Malaysia, BMW Group Malaysia is also working with partners to broaden the charging network. To ensure a fair and standardised experience for all EV owners in Malaysia, BMW Group Malaysia has released an official pricing structure for BMW i Charging facilities across the country.
Supporting the electric future
“At the BMW Group, we have always believed that the future is Electric. Since BMW Group Malaysia first introduced BMW i to the country back in 2015, we have envisioned a Malaysia where electric mobility is fully embraced and have been working hard to that end. We understood the obstacles faced by Malaysians in adopting EVs, such as range anxiety, which we have been alleviating by rolling out EV infrastructure across the country. At the same time, service and repair are also important points of consideration, ensuring that BMW i owners have greater peace of mind when it comes to the ownership of their BMW electric vehicles,” said Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.
For BMW Group Malaysia, the BMW High Voltage Expert Certification is an important pillar in supporting the development of a mature ecosystem in Malaysia where EVs can thrive. As more BMW i vehicles are being introduced on Malaysian roads, greater accessibility to BMW certified experts ensures that the Premium Electric Ownership Experience is met at the highest standards for all owners of BMW i vehicles.
The auto industry is rapidly ‘electrifying’ its products as part of its efforts to address climate change. While it has been producing and selling more and more electric vehicles (EVs), the network of recharging stations has not grown as quickly in some countries. In Malaysia, for example, the number of recharging stations can still be said to be limited and far apart.
Premium Charging Hub concept
In order to support their customers’ needs, some carmakers have worked with other companies to build up the networks. One approach that has proven to be successful is in Germany where Audi introduced a pilot charging hub last December. The concept, said to be a first in the world, is aimed at providing EV owners a recharging facility if they don’t have any charging opportunities at home. That’s a situation that is evident in urban areas with multi-storey housing and no place for installation of wallboxes.
“We want to use it to test flexible and premium-oriented quick-charging infrastructure in urban space,” says Ralph Hollmig, Audi’s charging hub project manager. “We’re going where our customers don’t necessarily wake up in the morning with a fully charged electric car and, at the same time, thinking about increasing charging demand in the future.”
Self-sustaining power supply
Cubes are the foundation of the Audi charging hub. The flexible container cubes can be assembled and disassembled again in existing areas in a few days. The cubes provide two fast-charging stations for each unit and can be combined in various constellations. Used and processed lithium-ion batteries packs function as energy storage systems. These are known as ‘second-life’ batteries taken from dismantled development vehicles previously used by the carmaker.
The approach reduces costs and resources, and makes complex infrastructure with high-voltage power lines and expensive transformers unnecessary. This means that there are also less procedures that would need to be obtained from authorities for laying cables to draw electricity from the power grid.
This system brings sustainable quick-charging infrastructure where the electricity grid is not enough. Up to six EVs can charge at one time at high speed. With a green power contract in place, the Audi charging hub only uses energy from sustainable resources, while solar panels on the roof provide up to 30 kW of additional green energy.
Positive feedback to pilot hub
The first such charging hub was installed in Nuremberg and feedback after 6 months has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Audi. It is evident that EV owners like the idea enough that repeat visitors accounted for some 60% of charging sessions.
Additionally, there is a lounge integrated in the facility with a terrace above the charging cubes. The comfortable lounge has catering as well. Vehicle owners can work and relax while waiting for their vehicles to be recharged. The status of the recharging can be followed on a large screen in the lounge. Frequent use was also made of additional services such as the exchange station for micromobility batteries and a grocery delivery service.
More charging hubs to be set up
Based on the insights gained in Nuremberg and the positive customer feedback, Audi is opening another version of the modular Audi charging hub system in Zurich in the second half of this year. This will have 4 roofed charging points at 2 power cubes The tighter space requirements tailored to suit urban locations are the perfect fit for Zurich’s banking and insurance district.
Additional advantages include short prep times for planning and implementation as well as a lack of any need for civil engineering work. An essential component of the adaptable, compact concept is the reworked swivel arm that ensures barrier-free charging of all the cars across the entire width of the individual charging points with up to 320 kW of power.
Two 55-inch screens draw customers’ attention to the broad services available at the hub. Besides food and fitness offerings as well as shopping, there are also e-bike sharing facilities nearby. More compact than the site in Nuremberg, the Audi charging hub in Zurich is also based on the same modular design that enables the construction of a variously sized charging hub with or without a lounge. “The system’s modular design lets us react flexibly to on-site conditions,” explained Hollmig.
After Zurich, Audi is planning additional charging hub sites in Berlin and Salzburg later in the year. These three sites are expected to help meet the increased charging demands in urban spaces starting in 2023. Additional sites are planned to open in other cities Germany in 2023 and mid-2024.
