CAAT Leadership Participates in Regional Workshop on Electrified Mobility | |
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The Regional Workshop on Electrified Mobility was offered by the Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research. The event was held in Toledo, OH on December 15, 2021.
CAAT Director, Ben Cruz, served on a panel discussing Academic Research, Education and Training. The panel was moderated by Giorgio Rizzoni from Ohio State University. Other panelists included Anna Stefanopoulou from the University of Michigan, Greg Shaver from Purdue University, Steve Levin from Columbus State Community College and Alan Lecz from Washtenaw Community College.
Catalyst presentations included:
- Industry Trends – Risk and Opportunity by Bernard Swiecki, Director of the Automotive Communities Partnership (ACP) and Director of Research at the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- Emerging Federal Opportunities for a Regional Approach by Deborah Hernandez, Associate Vice President, Strategic Research Development, Ohio State University.
- Emerging Trends and Federally Funded Research by Oak Ridge National Lab / National Transportation Research Center.
The event also offered two additional panels: the Economic Development Organizations and State Technology Officers panel was moderated by Bernard Swiecki, CAR, and the Industry Perspectives panel was moderated by Chris Atkinson, Director of Smart Mobility Initiatives and professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Ohio State University.
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Register for the 2022 MATA Conference Today | |
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The Michigan Automotive Teachers Association (MATA) Conference will be held March 10 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm, and March 11 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. The conference is targeted to auto instructors from secondary and post-secondary educational institutions and industry professionals. More than 45 people have already registered to attend this free automotive training conference.
CAAT Director, Ben Cruz, will present a session on Electrified Vehicle Powertrains and Lightweighting. Topics of discussion for this session will include:
- High voltage systems.
- Increasing complexity of systems.
- Cybersecurity requirements at every level.
- Training technicians and technologists for new vehicle requirements.
CAAT Assistant Director, Nelson Kelly, will present a session on Connected, Automated and Intelligent Vehicles. Topics of discussion for this session will include:
- Sensors, cameras, radar and Lidar, and computer controlled electromechanical devices, at different levels of automation.
- Wireless connectivity: vehicle to vehicle, infrastructure, and maps - leading to autonomous vehicles.
- Cybersecurity concerns as vehicles are increasingly connected and wireless.
Other presenters/sessions include:
- Toyota: Diagnostic Process Highlighting New Information on X Codes
- ASE Education Foundation: Adopt a School Program
- James Halderman: Diagnosis from the Driver’s Seat
- Consulab: TBD
- Snap On: TBD
- Atech: TBD
- Garage Gurus: TBD
- Electude: TBD
- Goodheart Wilcox: TBD
Additional presenters and session topics will be noted on the Conference website as they become available.
The conference is free to attend, but registration is required. As in the past, ASE Education Foundation training hours will be awarded. A trade show, raffles and live demos will also be included. Additional information, including hotel information, is available on our conference website.
Please share this information with associates and colleagues who may benefit from attending this conference.
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General Motors Makes Single Largest Investment Ever to Make Michigan its Home for Electric Vehicle Development | |
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General Motors recently announced that it plans to spend $7 billion to make Michigan the “hub” of electric vehicle development and manufacturing. The investment will be made in four manufacturing facilities in Lansing and Orion Township. GM CEO Mary Barra said, "Our plan creates the broadest EV portfolio of any automaker and further solidifies our path toward U.S. EV leadership by mid-decade.”
The company will spend $4 billion to retool its existing factory in Orion Township to make electric pickups, $2.6 billion to build a new battery factory called Ultium Cells in Lansing, and $500 million to upgrade two existing assembly plants in Lansing. The new Orion Assembly Plant and the Factory ZERO Plant in Detroit and Hamtramck will manufacture the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV pickups.
The plan will bring 4,000 new jobs to the state and will retain 1,000 jobs at the Orion Township facility.
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Stellantis Looks to Make Chrysler Brand All-Electric by 2028, Introduces New Airflow Concept | |
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The 96-year old brand known today for its minivans only has 3 models available today – the Pacifica and Pacifica hybrid minivans and the 300 sedan. The announcement came along side Stellantis’ introduction of its Chrysler Airflow Concept, an all-wheel drive electric SUV equipped with two electric motors and a battery that can travel 350-400 miles on a single charge.
The Airflow platform will contain 3 key elements, a “brain,” a “smartcockpit” and “autodrive,” that will be included in all new Stellantis vehicles by 2024. These platforms will offer screens throughout the vehicle, where users can access personalized digital content such as apps and entertainment. Information on these screens can be shared among passengers.
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Eight Newest Electric Vehicles Now Available for Purchase, 18 More Coming in 2022 | |
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These 8 electric vehicles (shown with price low to high) made their debuts recently and are now available for consumer purchase. They include a truck that can drive on any terrain (see #6 below) and a luxury car that has a range of 500 miles (see #8 below)!
While the prices are still a bit high, many of these vehicles are eligible for the federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500. Other state/local incentives may also be available.
More information on EV purchase incentives
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Mazda MX-30 / Starting at $33,470 / Electric range: 100 miles
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Chevrolet Bolt EUV / Starting at $33,500 / Electric range: 247 miles
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Volkswagen ID.4 / Starting at $40,760 / Electric range: 260 miles
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Ford Mustang Mach-E / Starting at $43,895 / Electric range: 247-314 miles
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Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron / Starting at $43,900 / Electric range: 241 miles
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Rivian R1T / Starting at $67,500 / Electric range: 314
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Audi e-tron GT / Starting from $102,400 / Electric range: 238 miles
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Lucid Air / Starting at $169,000 /Electric range: 471-520 miles
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These 18 electric vehicles are scheduled to debut this year (in the order they are expected to arrive in dealerships):
- Rivian R1S / Starting price: $70,000 / EPA range up to: 316 miles
- Kia EV6 / Starting price: About $45,000 (est) / EPA range up to: 310 miles
- BMW i4 / Starting price: $56,395 / EPA range up to: 301 miles
- BMW iX / Starting price: $84,195 / EPA range up to: 324 miles
- Ford F-150 Lightning / Starting price: $39,974 / EPA range up to: 300 miles (extended-range pack)
- Cadillac Lyriq / Starting price: $59,990 / EPA range up to: “Over 300 miles” in some rear-wheel-drive versions
- Mercedes-Benz EQB / Starting price: $48,000 (est) / EPA range up to: 240 miles (est)
- Toyota bZ4X / Starting price: $40,000 / EPA range up to: 250 miles
- Subaru Solterra / Starting price: $46,000 / EPA range up to: 220 miles
- Genesis GV60 / Starting price: $55,000 (est) / EPA range up to: 270 miles (est)
- Mercedes-Benz EQE / Starting price: $80,000 (est) / EPA range up to: 370 miles (est)
- Nissan Ariya / Starting price: About $40,000 / EPA range up to: 300 miles (est)
- Polestar 3 / Starting price: $65,000 (est) / EPA range up to: 300 (est)
- Genesis G80 Electrified / Starting price: $60,000 / EPA range up to: 250 miles (rough est)
- Lexus RZ 450e / Starting price: $55,000 / EPA range up to: 250 miles (est)
- Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle / Starting price: $34,750 / EPA range up to: 230 miles
- Vinfast VF 8 and VF 9 / Starting price: $41,000 and $56,000, respectively (not including destination or battery lease) / EPA range up to: 250 miles for VF8, 320 for VF 9 (est)
- Fisker Ocean / Starting price: $37,499 (not including destination) / EPA range up to: 350 miles (preliminary estimate)
Click below to read more about the features and technology included in these upcoming 2022 electric vehicles.
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Automotive Technology and Electric Vehicles Dominate the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show | |
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This year’s CES had smaller crowds as many of the 150 participating companies, including General Motors (GM), chose to opt out of in-person appearances due to COVID-19 concerns. GM used a virtual presentation recorded at the Fox Theater in Detroit. This virtual presentation revealed GM’s Halo self-driving concept vehicle portfolio with the InnerSpace Concept and the OpenSpace concept that features a design that can be used as a mobile hotel room.
There were many new electric vehicle (EV) releases at this year’s CES:
- Indigo Technologies, a small start-up company, introduced two EVs for ridesharing and local delivery services. The FLOW and FLOW PLUS EV’s include robotic wheels that place the electric drive motor inside the wheel rim for more interior space and lower operation costs.
- GM presented the 2024 Chevy Silverado electric vehicle pick-up truck that drives up to 400 miles on a single battery charge and includes the Super Cruise driver assistance technology. In 2023, GM will sell EV versions of the Chevrolet Equinox and Blazer.
- Stellantis unveiled the Chrysler Airflow concept, an all-electric vehicle with a driving range of 350-400 miles that also has self-driving features. The STLA AutoDrive provides Level 3 autonomous driving so drivers can take their eyes off the road.
- Mercedes introduced the Vision EQXX electric vehicle concept, which is claimed to have the longest-range battery that drives 648 miles on a charge. The fuel efficiency relates back to a lighter battery pack, drivetrain efficiency, energy density, aerodynamics, and lightweight design. A roof with 117 solar cells also adds to the driving range.
- Sony introduced Sony Mobility Inc., the new electric-vehicle unit featuring the VISION-S 02, with time-of-flight (ToF) sensors for driver authentication and passenger monitoring. Drivers can also personalize the display theme and some of the vehicle sounds.
New connected and self-driving technology was also on display:
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Automakers are partnering with Intel Corp.'s Mobileye, Qualcomm Inc. and Nvidia Corporation to provide the microchips for self-driving cars in agreements that allow for the automakers to maintain some control of the technology.
- Qualcomm will supply three new microchips to provide the computing power for General Motors’ “Ultra Cruise” hands-free, driving feature on the all-electric Celestiq.
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John Deere revealed a fully autonomous tractor that can till a field without a driver and can be controlled from a smart phone.
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Waymo and TuSimple showed automated trucks that transport goods on highways.
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BMW showed a color changing option for the BMW iX. The feature relies on E Ink, color-changing paint technology that can be triggered at the touch of a button. At this time, the colors are limited to white, black, and grey, and the color change option will not be at BMW dealerships anytime soon.
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Amazon announced its connected TV platform will show up in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler Pacifica along with the 2022 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Navigator models.
- Lidar technology will enable significant upgrades to future vehicles on driver assistance features such as enhanced automated braking for pedestrians in low light conditions.
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General Motors to Make Mobile Power Generators from Hydrogen Fuel Cells | |
With hydrogen being clean and so readily available, it has great appeal to automotive manufacturers who are seeking ways to make dirty internal combustion engines a thing of the past. Hydrogen fuel cells, which use compressed hydrogen as their fuel and release only water vapor, have been in development for decades. But while some manufacturers are trying to make hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as an alternative to electric vehicles that use lithium-ion batteries, GM’s goal is to replace gas- and diesel-powered generators with zero-emission hydrogen-powered ones. | |
Amazon will provide a connected Fire TV platform for the Stellantis 2022 Wagoneer and Grand Grand Wagoneer. | |
Qualcomm microchips will provide the computing power for GM's Ultra Cruise hands-free driving feature that can drive on surface streets and freeways. | |
Intel's Mobileye is developing a computer chip that will lower driverless vehicle costs. | |
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…Gas vehicles are more likely to catch fire than electric vehicles?
While fires in electric vehicles (EVs) have made headlines in recent years, data from the National Transportation Safety Board and other U.S. government data show that EVs have a very low fire risk compared to gasoline and traditional hybrid vehicles, even when you factor in the fact that there are more gasoline and hybrid vehicles on the road.
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…Cars may soon be able to see pedestrians and cyclists through obstacles thanks to X-ray style vision?
Vehicles may soon be able to tap into “collective perception” technology provided by roadside installed cameras and sensors. These roadside units will give drivers early detection of pedestrians and cyclists that may otherwise be hidden by buildings or other obstacles.
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