DAIMLER VOLVO TRUCKS

Daimler and Volvo Trucks plan to collaborate on development and sales of fuel-cells for heavy-duty trucks, as the costs of new technology and uncertainty related to the coronavirus pandemic are pushing large manufacturers to pool resources.

Daimler will consolidate all its fuel cell activities in the joint venture. The Volvo Group will acquire 50% of the joint venture for about 600 million euros ($650 million) - link

READING SUMMER 2020

MORRISONS RIP OFF MERCHANTS

I’ve never been one to bitch and moan about retail/consumer issues as I’ve always thought that I made the decision, I didn’t take the time to look properly, I can’t be bothered etc. 

Maybe I’m changing or maybe this is just such a cynical profiteering rip off that it needs to be aired. 

Morrisons have been selling a range of different Ibuprofen tablets/capsules depending upon availability. Most recently they’ve been selling unbranded packs of 16 tablets for £0.50.

Yesterday I went into my local Morrisons where apart from Nurofen, the ONLY Morrisons own label on sale were ‘Long Lasting Pain Relief’ Ibuprofen which I bought. 

When I got home and looked at the box I noticed that it only contains eight – then when I looked at the receipt I realised I’d been ripped off a massive £1.85 for 8 x 200mg capsules = that’s £0.23 per capsule as opposed to £0.03 previously.

Robbing bastards

PV-EC

Researchers at Germany’s Jülich Institute for Energy and Climate Research (IEK-5) have created a photovoltaic–electrochemical (PV-EC) water-splitting device powered by solar energy - Link

GREEN FLASH NUMBER PLATES

Drivers of zero-emission cars are to have a green "flash" added to the left hand side of their number plates to show they are eligible to by-pass congestion zone charges or secure cheaper parking.

The change, which will be introduced in the Autumn, is aimed at making the switch to electric vehicles more appealing.

Announcing the decision the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "A green recovery is key to helping us achieve our net zero carbon commitments while also promoting economic growth.

256 REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

HYUNDAI ROTEM RAILWAY VEHICLES

HYUNDAI Rotem has announced plans to enter the hydrogen infrastructure sector and to supply hydrogen-powered railway vehicles, with development of a hydrogen-powered LRV currently underway.

The Korean manufacturer established a Hydrogen Energy Development team last year to begin the development of a hydrogen fuel supply division. 

Hyundai Rotem says it entered into a sub-license contract with Hyundai Motor in February to secure original hydrogen production technology, which together with expertise from the company’s international divisions, will form the backbone of its offer - Link

STILL SOCIAL DISTANCING

TOYOTA'S H2 JOINT VENTURE

Toyota has announced plans to set up a Beijing-based joint venture with five Chinese companies, aiming to develop hydrogen fuel cells for commercial vehicles, and diversify its China-focused investments that already involve electric cars and self-driving technology.

With an initial investment of 5 billion yen ($46 million), the joint venture, named United Fuel Cell System R&D (Beijing) Co., Ltd., will be officially established by the end of 2020, with Toyota holding a 65% stake, the Japanese automaker said in a statement Friday.

The five Chinese companies are Beijing SinoHytec, FAW, Dongfeng Motor, Guangzhou Automobile Group and Beijing Automotive Group, the statement revealed.

It was announced that Beijing SinoHytec, which produces hydrogen fuel cell engines and is set to float shares on Shanghai’s Nasdaq-style high-tech Star Market, will control 15% of the joint venture, while the other four will take a 5% stake each - link

FIAT E-DUCATO LAUNCHED

FCA's commercial vehicle arm Fiat Professional presents the production version of its all-electric Ducato van, the Fiat E-Ducato, a year after the first prototype was shown in mid-2019. It will be the first electric Ducato in the 39-year history of the model.

It's expected to enter the European market within the next few months, starting from selected countries, and will be available in all body variants, offering a payload of up to 1,950 kg and load volume from 10 to 17 m3 - Link

ONCE IN A LIFETIME

RENAULT EV

The changes in car layout sparked by electrification have created new challenges and opportunities to keep designers busy – and Renault Group design chief Laurens van den Acker is busier than most.

The Dutchman is responsible for design at Renault, Dacia and Alpine, three very different brands that face disparate challenges when it comes to electrification. He spoke to Autocar about the future styling of all three - Link

EV - 10 MINUTE CHARGING

EV charging times are likely to tumble soon and industry sources predict that in five years it should be possible to ultra-rapid-charge even a high-capacity EV battery en route in under 10 minutes.

But this will be a story of two parts, the first being the introduction of high-power charging and the second improvements to the way batteries are designed (rather than any new miracle chemistry) - Link

INDIA - WPI INCREASE TO 2.07 GW IN FY 2019/20

Wind power installations in India rose to 2.07 GW in the financial year (FY) 2019-20, a 31% increase as compared to 1.58 GW in the FY 2018-19. 

The cumulative installations stood at 37.69 GW as compared to 35.63 GW for the FY 2018-19. Wind power represents 10.1% of the total installed power capacity in India as of Q1 2020 - link

WELCOME BACK

It's another Monday with yet more new rules and I can't wait to see whether my colleague who's been allegedly at home allegedly working will appear today after a seventy day absence with his holiday entitlement blissfully untouched?