EV Archives

Soundwaves from the Polestar 2 turned into music

Electronic music has been around for some 50 years and with the arrival of the computer age, digital music began to spread widely. Now Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car brand, has teamed up with a robotics engineer and musician, Moritz Simon Geist, to create a whole new type of music for the digital age.

Challenging conventions
“The car industry is traditionally a closed one. We believe in looking outside of the sector and are intrigued by people and companies that go their own way,” said Head of Brand and Marketing at Polestar, Asa Borg. “Polestar aims to challenge the conventions of the automotive industry; Moritz aims to challenge the way we perceive sound and make music – a like mind with a different and interesting perspective.”

Moritz has made a name for himself by building robots that create music from unlikely sources, and now the Polestar 2 is such a source. Robots made from parts of the car, as well as samples of both audible car sounds and the electrical systems inside the car are used.

Robots collect sound samples
Moritz first built robots from parts of the car. Each robot extracted a sound sample using the various elements inside that component, either from a physical noise or from the system’s changing electromagnetic field.

The samples were used to create beats which Moritz wove into an original composition, playing the car like an instrument. The package of sound samples has also been made available on Polestar.com so that anyone can play with the beats online and create their own soundtrack from the sounds of Polestar 2, allowing fans to explore the car in a new, creative way.

Available for listening online
Many of the sounds that created the song are specific to the nature of electric cars. With a premium Harman Kardon audio system and significantly lower levels of noise and vibration compared to traditional cars, the Polestar 2 is a perfect audio listening booth. But you don’t need a Polestar 2 to listen as the composition has been released online. It is available for streaming here at no charge.

“In my work, I am genuinely interested in finding new ways to combine state-of-the-art technological tools with art and music. For me, art is a sand-box experiment for testing out and bringing new perspectives to technological novelties, before they are adapted by a broader audience. This can be AI-algorithms, robotics – or electric vehicles, which are playing an increasing role in our transition to a more sustainable future,” said Moritz.

Polestar enjoys the explorative concept of unexpected collaborations with kindred spirits in different fields. Polestar seeks groundbreakers, culture-changers and challengers – people who are reshaping society and pushing boundaries within art, tech and innovation. Moritz added an emotional element to an otherwise sterile area of the car.

“We’re used to listening to music in cars. Thanks to Moritz and his squad of robots, we can now listen to cars in music,” concluded Borg.

Mercedes-EQ team ends Formula E involvement with double championship win at Berlin EPrix

With 13 drivers in contention heading into the 2021 Berlin E-Prix, which was Round 15 of the seventh season of Formula E run between 2020 and 2021, the scene was set for a frenetic finale. Four of the drivers had a chance at the title so qualifying performance was closely watched.

Conditions varied throughout Group Qualifying, making it anybody’s game. Jaguar Racing’s Mitch Evans soared to Super Pole from Group 1, then produced another strong lap despite ‘rising tensions’ as the championship picture became a little clearer. Jake Dennis (BMW i Andretti Motorsport) was left best of the rest of those right at the sharp end in the battle for the Drivers’ crown but found himself outside of the Super Pole cut-off.

The Brit took a workable ninth, ahead of current standings leader Nyck de Vries (Mercedes-EQ) on 13th and Edo Mortara at 11^th, with reigning champion Antonio Felix da Costa (DS TECHEETAH) down in 15^th on the starting grid. Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler), who missed out on Super Pole by only 0.120 seconds, qualified 17th.

Vandoorne’s lap was clean and clinical, with the Belgian happy to recover from some procedural mistakes in qualifying. Rowland joined the Belgian on the front row, just ahead of Evans, while Mahindra Racing’s Alex Sims produced a storming lap, steering his M7Electro to fourth with an ultra-precise lap.

The final race
Right off the line, there was drama and heartbreak as Evans – perhaps the favourite given his strong qualifying performance – and that the rest of the contenders sat outside the top 10 – failed to get away. The pack behind was forced into avoiding action but Mortara couldn’t swerve clear of the stricken Jaguar and a violent crash saw the pair out of the running but unhurt.

That left Jake Dennis (BMW i Andretti Motorsport) – now seventh – seemingly in prime position with standings leader de Vries (Mercedes-EQ) down the order. Even before the field had made the first corner after a spell under the red flag while that start line accident was cleared, another title contender as the Brit locked up into Turn 1 and hit the wall.

The pendulum swung again, with de Vries sitting pretty and Mercedes-EQ looking strong to take Teams’ honours with Vandoorne leading the pack away. Through the first round of ATTACK MODE activations, Nato made it count and flew clear having passed Vandoorne on Lap 10 – the Belgian’s late deployment of the 35 kW boost leaving him shuffled down the top six.

The scrap for points was tough, and Mercedes’ haul, with de Vries also in the points and on the way to eighth, was enough to seal the Teams’ title as it stood. A 3-wide clash with the Porsches heading into the closing stages almost saw both de Vries and Vandoorne in contact but the pair steered clear, avoiding the sort of controversy we have been seeing in F1.

Nato leapt away and left the rest to it, despite an interruption via a second appearance for the MINI Electric Pacesetter as Antonio Felix da Costa was squeezed by Lucas di Grassi at the hairpin – confirming beyond doubt that the Portuguese would have to relinquish his crown. The Venturi racer drove on to a composed victory, with Rowland picking his way through to second while Vandoorne came home third.

Andre Lotterer crossed the finish line fourth ahead of Mahindra Racing’s Alex Sims, Pascal Wehrlein and a resurgent Sam Bird who has fought from 22nd to seventh doing his valiant best for Jaguar’s World Championship chances.

With that, de Vries take home the first Formula E Drivers’ World Championship – this being the first one because the all-electric series has now been given World Championship status by the FIA. Combined with teammate Vandoorne’s podium, that also meant Mercedes-EQ sealed the Teams’ World Championship ahead of Jaguar Racing and DS TECHEETAH.

Last season for Mercedes, Audi and BMW
While it was already announced that Audi would stop involvement in Formula E at the end of this season, there was also news that the Mercedes-EQ team would not continue into the Gen3 era. The team has had only two seasons in Formula E but apparently, the big bosses in Stuttgart have made the decision. Also ending direct factory involvement after this season is BMW which had entered with Andretti Motorsport. However, BMW’s powertrain will continue to be used by the team in its Gen3 racing car in the next season.

Production-spec Pininfarina Battista hypercar cruises on roads of California

Joining the exotic and very expensive supercars and concept cars like the Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider and Audi Skysphere in the Monterey Car Week in California is the first production-spec Pininfarina Battista. Laying claim as the world’s first pure-electric hyper GT, the Battista first road outing on California’s roads marks the beginning of a new chapter in the story of the company (owned by the Mahindra Group since 2015).

Customers in the USA have a first chance to view the car which is finished in Black on exposed signature carbonfibre bodywork. The exposed bodywork and precision polished Impulso forged aluminium alloy wheels are complemented by an exquisitely tailored interior featuring optional Pilota seats finished in sustainable black leather and quilted Iconica Blu Alcantara upholstery, with Iconica Blu contrast stitching, complemented by the Interior Jewellery Pack finished in brushed aluminium anodised in black.

The Battista is claimed to be the most powerful car ever designed and built in Italy, with the promise of delivering a level of performance that is unachievable today in any road-legal sportscar using internal combustion engine technology. It will be quicker than a current Formula 1 car with a claimed 0 – 100 km/h time of less than 2 seconds, and with 1,900 ps/2,300 Nm output from 4 electric motors. Operating with zero emissions, the Battista’s 120 kWh battery pack is expected to provide a range of over 500 kms when fully charged.

The sound of the Battista
The physical presence of the hypercar also allows the Battista to be heard for the first time. It has a unique soundscape tuned to create an emotional reaction for occupants and onlookers. Following Automobili Pininfarina’s ‘Pure Sound’ philosophy, the soundscape has a core frequency of 54 Hz, an organic frequency that is a multiple of 432 Hz – known as ‘Verdi’s A,’ conceived by famous Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi.

According to music theory, 432 Hz is mathematically consistent with the universe. Music tuned to 432 Hz is said to be a pure sound while providing greater clarity, and is easier on the ears. From this starting point, the frequency will rise in multiples of 54 Hz with new sound layers added as the speed of the car increases. The seamlessly responsive acoustics will reflect the pure-electric performance of Battista combining rich bass tones to create a signature sound.

Commenting on the distinctive aural signature, Rene Wollmann, Product Platform Director Sports Cars at Automobili Pininfarina, said: “Every driver has an emotional bond with a car and the sound of Battista will nurture this connection, not by replicating a familiar car sound, but with one that radiates the beauty of Battista’s design both inside and out. This way, the Battista will not only impress with its aesthetic appeal and performance, but also on a new emotional level enhanced through the sound. We look forward to the input we will receive from clients in the US as we fine-tune Battista’s sonic experience.”

Connected – from anywhere in the world
A special provision made in the car is to be able to access online services consistently and reliably when crossing different countries. Automobili Pininfarina and Deutsche Telekom have come up with a way for Battista owners to do so in more than 50 countries worldwide – a first in the world of hypercars.

Every one of the 150 Battistas (to cost no less than US$2.5 million or around RM10.3 million) will come with an embedded SIM card and roaming technology for optimised connectivity worldwide. Using these components, Deutsche Telekom’s roaming partner network and roaming traffic steering logic enables the vehicle to search for the strongest network, so owners don’t find themselves in communication blackspots even as they cross international borders.

This superior connectivity also means greater convenience for owners to receive Over-The-Air (OTA) updates, the latest thing in the industry. By sending software updates online, the vehicle’s systems or devices will always be up-to-date and perform at their best. The system will be able to remotely update 26 individual electronic control modules in the Battista across functions covering the powertrain, safety and driving dynamics systems, vehicle control, infotainment as well as digital services.

The more exclusive Anniversario edition
As for the even more exclusive Battista Anniversario, the bodywork will have one of the most complex paint finishes in the world, with the process of creating akin to a great artist completing an Old Master painting. Skilled artisans will take several weeks to paint each car, building up the finish layer-by-layer and colour-by-colour – all by hand. The body is disassembled and reassembled three times so pinstripes in the three separate colours can be hand-painted directly onto the body.

2020 Battista Anniversario — *Battista Anniversario*

The Battista Anniversario is also equipped with the ‘Furiosa’ package, comprising a revised carbonfibre front splitter, side blades and rear diffuser. Exclusively on the Anniversario, these parts are finished in a two-tone combination of exposed signature carbonfibre and carbonfibre tinted in Iconica Blu with pin stripes in Bianco Sestriere.

Besides the exclusive livery, a bespoke rear wing, rear aero fins and other bespoke details are unique to the Battista Anniversario. The aerodynamic enhancements enabled by the Furiosa exterior changes deliver increased downforce and greater stability at higher cornering speeds and a more dynamic balance to the car.

*Pininfarina has a long history of designed exotic supercars. The Ferrari F40 was one of them.*

Audi unveils the Skysphere roadster concept

Going fully electric is like starting all over again in designing cars. Many of the constraints developed over the years by the conventional combustion engine and drivetrain no longer need to influence the design, and new approaches can be taken. There are also new technologies and materials to use, providing greater efficiency, safety and comfort.

Audi, like other carmakers who are rapidly electrifying their range, has been developing new models for this new ‘electric age’. With its products catering to the upper end of the market, the focus is on luxury models and the company has a new family of concept vehicles to show the world how its future designs will be.

The three Audi concept cars are the Skysphere, Grandsphere, and Urbansphere, and the common use of ‘sphere’ in their names refers to the space surrounding the passengers. Thus, much attention has been given to interior design.

The Skysphere is the first one to be revealed and its unveiling took place this Friday at Audi’s new design studio in California, where it was conceived and designed. The concept car will also be on display from this Friday at the Monterey Car Week in the same American state.

A roadster with variable length
The Skysphere has the form of a roadster and offers two different driving experiences: a grand touring experience and a sports experience. This makes use of a technical detail – the variable wheelbase. Electric motors and a sophisticated mechanism with body and frame components that slide into one another make it possible to vary the wheelbase itself and the exterior length of the car by 250 mm. At the same time, the ground clearance is adjustable by 10 mm to enhance comfort and driving dynamics.

With the touch of button, the driver can choose either the 4.94-metre long e-roadster in ‘Sports’ mode with a reduced wheelbase, or be chauffeured around in a 5.19-metre GT in the autonomous ‘Grand Touring’ driving mode. In both modes, the open top maximises the sense of freedom.

Lightweight strategy keeps weight to 1,800 kgs
Under the long bonnet are the electric systems and components, with most of the mass situated between the front axle and the windscreen line. An electric motor is positioned on the rear axle, delivering 465 kW (632 ps)/750 Nm to enable acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h in a projected 4 seconds. An aggressive lightweight strategy helps keep the overall weight of the large car to around 1,800 kgs, with 60% on the rear end.

The Skysphere’s battery modules are primarily positioned behind the cabin – an ideal configuration for the centre of gravity and agility. Additional modules can be found between the seats in the center tunnel of the interior – another position chosen in favour of vehicle dynamics. The battery’s capacity is expected to be more than 80 kWh, giving a range of more than 500 kms using the most economical mode.

Steer-by-wire
The steering system is steer-by-wire and controls both the front and the rear wheels. Because the system is not mechanically connected to the front axle, the driver can select different steering ratios and steering settings, all at the touch of a button. This allows the steering to be adjusted from extremely direct to comfortable, while high self-aligning forces can be changed to minimal self-aligning forces when parking, for example. The rear-axle steering and adaptive wheelbase also contribute to the car’s small turning radius.

The latest evolutionary stage of Audi’s adaptive air suspension has been implemented in the concept car and features 3 independent air chambers to provide a comfortable base suspension. Individual chambers can be deactivated for a more sporty ride with fast acceleration. The result is that the characteristic curve of the spring becomes more progressive, reducing roll and pitch to a minimum. Lowering the body by 10 mm reduces aerodynamic drag – particularly relevant when driving long distances.

Two dashboard layouts
Within the Skysphere, control elements such as the steering wheel and pedals can be swiveled into an ‘invisible’ position and thereby completely absent from the interior. This adds to the spacious environment inspired in many areas by the Art Deco universe. The comfortable seats boast the visual elegance of designer furnishings, yet fulfill the functions of a car seat in driving mode without any compromises. They are upholstered in sustainably produced microfibre fabric and, thanks to their variable position in the interior, offer the kind of freedom to move and legroom that can otherwise only be experienced when flying first class on an airplane.

Should the driver be in control, then the interior transforms into an ergonomically perfect driving machine cockpit. Together with the chassis and body, the instrument panel and the monitor panel on the centre console also move to the rear. Large touch monitors are used to manage the car and infotainment systems. In Grand Touring mode, this can be used to display content from the Internet, video conferences, or streamed movies.

A few weeks later, the second concept car, the Grandsphere, will be presented at the 2021 IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany. In the first half of 2022, the Urbansphere will follow as the third concept car, perhaps at an event in China.

A Ferrari automotive legend reborn – in 3/4 scale

The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa of the 1950s and 1960s is one of the all-time great Ferraris, distinguished by its lengthy list of honours on racetracks. The car claimed some 18 victories in its history, and 3 championship titles. It is also the only Ferrari to have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans 4 times (1958, 1960, 1961 and 1962).

Naturally, it is an extreme valuable vintage Ferrari and the surviving units are cherished by collectors around the world. To acquire one – if the owner would part with it – would cost a great deal of money, but for around £78,765 (about RM461,000), it will be possible to have a replica in the home. Even then, only 299 units will be available.

The replica is as genuine as it gets with Ferrari itself being involved in the special project to produce a scaled-down version of the 1957 250 Testa Rossa. Working in collaboration with The Little Car Company (which has produced small replicas of Bugatti and Aston Martin models), Ferrari’s Styling Centre oversaw the proportions and liveries, while the chassis and other components were created using original design drawings held by Ferrari’s Classiche department.

Electric motor instead of V12 engine
Unlike the original car which had a powerful 3-litre V12 engine, the Testa Rossa J, as it is known, is powered by an electric engine. It is not homologated for road use so it can’t be driven on public roads, but it is likely that many of the people who buy it for their children will have very large compounds anyway.

The Testa Rossa J meticulously reproduces the lines of the 250 Testa Rossa in the original Scaglietti-designed barchetta version, nicknamed ‘pontoon fender’. The bodywork is constructed from hand-beaten aluminium, the same process that was employed in the original cars. The paint is the same as that applied to Ferrari’s present cars, as is the insignia on the front.

To accurately recreate the intricate chassis of the 250 Testa Rossa, the original paper drawings from the Ferrari Classiche Department were scanned and digitally recreated. The junior car retains the same steering and suspension geometry, giving it authentic handling to match its original appearance.

Attention to detail, like very Ferrari
The same meticulous detail is found in the interior. Ferrari’s stylists designed a single seat that accommodates an adult and a teen, faithfully incorporating the piping motif of the original and using the same high quality leather upholstery found in today’s Ferraris. The steering wheel is made by Nardi, the same specialist company that supplied the 1957 model, and features Ferrari’s smallest-ever quick-release system to facilitate driver entry.

The classic dials have been remastered and repurposed for their new role in an electric car, but retain the original design and fonts. The oil and water gauges now monitor the battery and motor temperatures, while the fuel gauge is now the battery gauge and the tachometer has become a speedometer. There is even a power gauge which also shows the level of regenerative braking being deployed.

As a nod to the current generation of road cars, the pedals are from the F8 Tributo. The tyres are supplied by Pirelli, fitted to the handmade 12-inch wire wheels. Suspension is taken care of with Bilstein coil-over dampers and custom springs which were fine-tuned and signed off by Ferrari’s test drivers after being run on the company’s own track.

Performance and safety
The 3 batteries powering the electric engine are positioned at the front of the car and provide approximately 90 kms range, depending on driving style. A charging point is installed where the fuel cap previously resided.

Ferrari Testa Rossa J — Those who buy a Testa Rossa J may own the original car too – and have a home like this with spacious grounds and long driveways. So the fact that the Testa Rossa J cannot be registered for use on public roads will not be an issue.

The ‘Manettino’ dial gives the choice of 4 driving modes for different skill levels, with different maximum speeds and controlled acceleration. The Sport and Race modes are sportier, with instantly responsive acceleration and a maximum speed of 45 km/h.

Though not permissible for use on public roads, safety has still been seriously considered throughout the car’s development. The metal side panels are reinforced and an optional roll-bar can be anchored to the chassis. Brembo disc brakes replace the original drum system, complemented by a hydraulic handbrake.

Customization too
In the same way that a Ferrari customer can customise his or her care, the Testa Rossa J also has a wide range of personalization and colour combinations. These can be chosen using the online car configurator which has 14 historical liveries, 53 bodywork colours and additional personalized racing liveries, all authentically in keeping with Ferrari style.

Electrogenic gives the iconic Citroen DS a new 21st century ‘heart’

The Citroen DS is one of the legendary design icons of 20^th century automobiles. Its sharp futuristic design was unlike other cars that were on sale in 1955, the year it was launched at the Paris Motor Show. Besides the design – which had children referring to its as the ‘spaceship car’ – it was also technologically innovative with its novel hydro-pneumatic suspension system. The system not only had self-levellng capability but the driver could also vary the ground clearance. It was also the first production car with modern disc brakes.

Between 1955 and 1975, some 1.5 million units were produced by Citroen and many naturally remain as collectors’ items today. Now, for those owners of this classic model who wish to transform it into a zero emissions car, Electrogenic is offering to convert the powertrain to a fully electric type.

First conversion of a DS
The UK-based company is believed to be the first one to professionally convert a DS in this manner. Electrogenic removed the car’s original 2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine and replaced it with a ‘Hyper9’ brushless electric motor. This produces 120 bhp and 235 Nm of instant torque, certainly more than the original combustion engine. Power is delivered to the front wheels through the car’s existing manual gearbox.

Housed within the still beautiful sedan body is a 48.5 kWh battery, offering a real-world range of approximately 225 kms when fully charged. Using a 29 kW charger, recharging time is said to take around two hours. Both the battery size and charger type can be tailored to suit the type of driving an owner will use it for. An optional ‘range extender’ battery provides customers the choice to extend the range of the car to over 320 kms.

Hydro-pneumatic suspension retained
One of the defining features of the DS was its hydro-pneumatic suspension system, which provided the car’s famously plush ride quality. Rather than using the original noisy mechanical pump, Electrogenic has created a silent electric pump which delivers a more sophisticated ride than the original.

The bodywork (a 1971 model) has not been touched, a principle followed by Electrogenic to maintain the beauty of the original car when converting classics to electric power. Only the absence of exhaust pipes and a subtle new ‘DS EV electronique’ decal on the boot provide visual clues to the car’s 21^st century powertrain.

“Repowering classic cars with all-electric drive brings a number of benefits, from ease of use to reliability and performance gains. But with our conversions, the aim is always to enhance the original characteristics of the car. In this respect, the Citroen DS was ideally suited to an electric conversion – the silent powertrain adds to the serene driving experience and fits perfectly with the character of the car,” said Steve Drummond, Director and co-founder of Electrogenic, which has been in business for four years.

More experience in conversion gained
“As with all first-time conversions, the DS presented us with unique challenges. In this case adapting the hydro-pneumatic suspension to run without the combustion engine. The old pump was so noisy that it detracted from the silent drive of the car, but our new electric pump solved the issue completely. As with every conversion, the DS has added further to our knowledge of converting beautiful classics,” added Ian Newstead, another Director and co-founder of the company.

Volkswagen provides first look at its first e-SUV coupe – the ID.5 GTX

Volkswagen has revealed another member of its all-electric ID family and this one’s a SUV coupe. The idea of a coupe-like SUV was introduced by BMW with its X6 in 2008 (although some feel the honour should go to the SsangYong Actyon of 2005) and has provided those who like coupes with something that can also double as a SUV.

Debut in concept form first
Volkswagen’s version will be the ID.5 GTX which will make its international exhibition debut next month – as a disguised concept – at the IAA Munich Motor Show. ‘GTX’ represents the Volkswagen brand’s new athleticism, continuing the tradition of the GTI, GTD and GTE models and transferring it to the world of electric mobility.

It will be the second model in the GTX line, joining the ID.4 GTX, and will give the company’s ACCELERATE strategy another boost. The goal is to increase the share of all-electric cars in Europe to 70% of Volkswagen‘s sales by 2030, on the way to becoming net carbon neutral by 2050.

Two motors for all-wheel drive
Full technical details are not available yet and for now, the company is only providing an overview. As with all the electric models, its first SUV coupe will sit on the Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform. It will have 2 electric motors – one on each axle – to give all-wheel drive. The motors will receive energy from a large lithium-ion battery pack between the axles. The projected range with a fully charged pack is expected to be up to 497 kms.

The sporty profile of the ID.5 GTX has short overhangs and big wheels. At the front are the IQ.Light LED matrix headlights which generate an intelligently controlled high beam. The light strip that tapers towards the Volkswagen logo has been combined with three powerful, illuminated honeycomb elements on both the driver and passenger side. They complement the signature of the low beam and convey the athletic character even while stationary.

The flat sloping A pillars positioned right near the front give the roofline an elegant flow. It stretches low over the body and tapers out in an integrated rear spoiler. At the rear, horizontal lines accentuate the width, with the light strip attracting the most attention. The LED rear lights have a 3D design that provides a visual signature for the model.

ID.6 – largest model on MEB platform
The roll-out of ID models is not sequential (by the numbers) and an ID.6 has also been revealed for the Chinese market. This is a 7-seater SUV (shown below) based on the ID. Roomzz concept. It will be the largest model using the MEB platform with an overall length of 4880 mm.

*ID.6 for the Chinese market is the largest model using the MEB platform for electric vehicles.*

Huawei and GAC to jointly develop fully electric SUV for launch at the end of 2023

Huawei, a manufacturer well known for its smartphones and portable electronic devices, is teaming up with the GAC Group to develop a smart SUV. While this will be the first jointly developed product, the two companies already have had a strategic cooperation agreement signed in 2017. This is for working together in the fields of intelligent connected electric vehicle technology.

Additionally, in September 2020, the two companies signed an agreement to further deepen cooperation, with a focus on computing and communication architecture in accordance with the development trend towards software-heavy vehicles.

This latest strategic cooperation will see a new generation of intelligent vehicles (likely to be up to 8 models) and digital platforms. The smart SUV, to enter the market by the end of 2023, and multiple other future models will utilize GAC’s GEP.30 chassis platform and Huawei’s CCA (Computing and Communication Architecture), as well as carrying Huawei’s full stack of intelligent vehicle solutions.

Initial development has commenced on the model which will be a medium to large fully electric SUV. The company says it will be ‘futuristic, powerful and efficient, with Level 4 autonomous capability’. The new model will be part of GAC’s entirely electrified line-up of vehicles by 2025.

*GAC not only has R&D centres in America but has also displayed its models and concept cars at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.*

Over the last few years, GAC has been successful in its vehicle electrification program as well as various areas of new energy technology, essential for the market in China. The GAC Group has established R&D centres around the world and has allocated billions of yuan in funding.

The joint venture between GAC and Huawei is timely as the global market for electric vehicles is growing. Data predicts that the EV global market will expand almost 5 times between 2016 and 2027, an annual increase of 20%.

The GAC Group has a history going back to 1955 but it only began to develop rapidly from the 1990s, as with most of the domestic carmakers in China. It produces passenger as well as commercial vehicles, most of which are adapted from models of foreign partners such as Honda, Fiat, Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Toyota/Hino.

When will the Malaysian government start to get serious about moving the industry to electric vehicles?

Malaysia has long had national automotive policies which are intended to provide a ‘roadmap’ for the development and growth of the auto industry. Updated periodically, it is supposed to give a ‘roadmap’ for companies, especially carmakers, to plan ahead. Investments are often planned many years in advance so policies must be sufficiently long and more importantly, consistent.

In recent times, interest has been on how the government intends to phase in electric vehicles (EVs), in line with the global trend. With Europe, China and Japan putting pressure on electrification, some manufacturers have already declared that they will not only step up development of electrified models but will also stop selling vehicles with combustion engines by the end of this decade.

‘EV roadmaps’ already out in neighbouring countries
Neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia have already provided their ‘roadmaps’ to the industry. The policies announced have provided sufficient information for the carmakers to plan their investments which will be considerable.

Malaysia has said it has an EV policy and will announce it in due course, so the industry waits. A clear policy coupled with incentives will certainly attract investments to supercharge EV adoption by the masses, according to industry players speaking at Maybank Kim Eng’s ‘The Rise of ASEAN EV’ webinar recently.

Clear timeliness will bring investments
Having clear timelines for EV adoption and phasing out of internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), incentives for EVs and also introducing disincentives for ICEVs will increase the demand for EVs. Investments will follow suit, including those for building the charging infrastructure and stability of power supply.

Car companies like Edaran Tan Chong Motor have used their own money to try to create more awareness of EVs. In 2012, when the government allowed short-term duty-exemption on electrifed vehicles, the company introduced the LEAF EV. But without incentives to offset the high prices of the EVs, there was little interest when the exemption ended.

Citing Norway’s experience, Eirik Barclay, Group Executive Vice-President, New Ventures and Technology, Yinson Holdings, said that there was never a subsidy for EVs. Instead, the government increased taxes on ICEVs and fuel. This also meant that the government did not lose revenue. He believes that these measures, and the removal of fuel subsidies, will result in consumers choosing EVs over ICEVs due to cost of ownership.

Comprehensive charging infrastructure needed
Range anxiety remains a concern among consumers, this referring to the distance that can be travelled on a fully charged battery pack before it needs to be recharged. However, studies have found that most do not usually drive more than 100 kms on a typical day and most of today’s mass-produced EVs can already provide that range and more. This concern can be mitigated with a charging infrastructure that is well planned and comprehensive.

*A comprehensive and widespread network of charging stations is necessary to make Malaysian comfortable owning electric vehicles.*

Lee Yuen How, Director, EV Connection Sdn Bhd said that all stakeholders such as automakers, oil and gas companies, utility companies, chargepoint operators, and the government should work together to build the infrastructure.

“If you leave it to the private sector, they will only build the charging infrastructure where there are high concentrations of EV users, leaving the semi-urban and rural areas to become an ‘EV-charging desert’. Therefore, the government plays an important role in ensuring investment across all areas,” he added.

Responsibility for used batteries
Jinsi Lee, Founder & CEO of Oyika, advocates a separation between the battery pack and the electric vehicle for environmental and regulatory benefits. “The party that sells the vehicle must be responsible for the battery across its entire lifecycle, instead of transferring ownership to the vehicle buyer. The seller will be required to take the battery pack back, recycle it and reuse it as second-life storage, decommission it and so on,” he said.

“From a consumer’s point of view, if the battery pack is leased, then one can buy a second-hand EV and still get the latest battery technology. We are doing this for motorbikes and I don’t see why we can’t do it for vans, trucks and cars,” he added.

Maybank Kim Eng Research predicts that sales of EVs will reach parity with ICEVs by 2030, driven by the global carbon neutrality agenda and millennial consumer preferences, among others. Malaysia and the Philippines are the slow ones in the EV race in ASEAN. Malaysia’s Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint is an important catalyst; however more focus should be on battery EVs (running only on electricity) instead of plug-in or hybrid EVs to be fully on the carbon neutrality agenda.

During the webinar, it was also suggested that ASEAN should look at China and pure-EV companies for partnerships and investment, and pursue green technology such as hydrogen at the same time.

The National Vaccination Program in Malaysia is free of charge.

Formula E/ Round 13 – Mahindra Racing’s Alex Lynn wins on home ground

It’s always a thrill for the home crowd when the winner is from the same country and British driver Alex Lynn sparked celebrations in the Mahindra Racing garage as he won the Heineken London E-Prix Round 13. Behind him were Mercedes-EQ’s Nyck de Vries and Mitch Evans (Jaguar Racing) who joined him on the podium.

Lynn had navigated a frenetic encounter that had it all, and the decisive moment of the race took place with the pack released from a spell under the Safety Car (a MINI Electric Pacesetter) on Lap 13. Down at the double hairpin, Oliver Rowland (Nissan e.dams) made a move for the lead with a surprise lunge on Stoffel Vandoorne (Mercedes-EQ) who had started from pole position.

A bump in the braking zone left the Nissan driver a passenger as he speared into the side of the Belgian’s Mercedes. The pair were left all tangled up, allowing de Vries to pick up the pieces and pinch second – and then first when Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler) leapt for ATTACK MODE.

With the track cleared, the Mercedes’ seized the initiative. Vandoorne led Rowland and de Vries away, and the latter was able to jump by the Nissan in the middle of the Silver Arrow sandwich to take second – thanks to that extra lap of ATTACK MODE relative to Rowland.

Another appearance for the Safety Car followed on Lap 11, with da Costa in the wall at Turn 1 after contact with Porsche’s Andre Lotterer. The Mercedes duo at the head of the pack did manage to sneak in their second ATTACK MODE activations just prior, crucially before Rowland this time.

Heading into the final quarter hour, di Grassi had made the most of that 35kW boost to slip by de Vries into Turn 1. On the next circuit, Lynn followed with what would ultimately be the race-winning move – the Mahindra driver also in ATTACK MODE. De Vries’ early dart for his second activation had not paid dividends, and he’d have to settle for second spot, while Evans picked his way through from fifth on the grid to an eventual third at the chequered flag.

Di Grassi had led on track for more than half of the race, and crossed the line first. The Brazilian was ultimately shown the black flag for failing to serve a drive-through penalty – deemed to have illegally taken the race lead by audaciously driving through the pit-lane, and crucially failing to come to a stop in his pit-box, under Safety Car conditions on Lap 12.

De Vries followed Lynn home with Evans 5 seconds back. Frijns crossed the line fourth – having climbed the order from eighth – while Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein and BMW i Andretti Motorsport’s Maximilian Guenther completed the top six.

The weekend’s results put de Vries at the top of the Drivers’ World Championship heading into the final race weekend of Season 7 in Berlin in 3 weeks, while Robin Frijns’ points haul with fourth – up from eighth on the grid – proved vital and sees him second in the table, just 6 points behind the Dutchman. Sam Bird (Jaguar Racing) holds third in the standings.

Among the teams, Envision Virgin Racing still heads the way in the Teams’ running by 7 points from Mercedes-EQ, with Jaguar Racing third.

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