Virtual Vehicle, Toyota, Volvo & Spheros, Renault Sports F1.

EU gives millions to “green vehicles” research: The EU programme Horizon 2020 earmarked funding for another five projects for the Austrian research centre “Virtual Vehicle” in Graz. These deal with i.e. optimising the range of EVs, developing new cell technologies for batteries, and increasing efficiency of hybrid drivetrains. The budget allotted for Virtual Vehicle’s coordination of these projects amounts to 2.9 million euros. The total budget for the realization of the projects is 75.4 million euros.
v2c2.at, science.apa.at (articles in German)

Testing SiC semiconductors: Using a Camry hybrid and a fuel cell bus, Toyota will begin on-road tests with silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors in Japan later this year. The carmaker hopes that the technology will significantly increase the efficiency of vehicles with hybrid and electric drivetrains.
greencarcongress.com, toyota.co.jp, electric-vehiclenews.com

Energy saving air con: Volvo has signed another framework agreement with the German company Spheros. It states that all of Volvo’s air-conditioned hybrid buses for the European market will be equipped with the REVO-E all-electric roof-mounted air-conditioning system.
spheros.eu

New Renault drivetrain for the track: The Renault Formula One team has given a sneak preview of its upcoming drivetrain to be used by Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso. The main changes compared to last season concern the combustion engine, the turbo charger and the battery.
greencarcongress.com

– Feedback –

Most clicked link on Thursday was the report from French daily Les Echos on the next generation Renault Zoe coming with a real-world range of 300 kilometers.
lesechos.fr