Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Lithium Demand: NEC to Spend $542 Million Raising Lithium-Ion Output TNR.v, CZX.v, LMR.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, SQM, ROC, FMC, HEV, AONE, F, NSANY, BYDDY


NEC is the lithium-ion batteries suppler for Nissan. After today's Nissan Leaf announcement on pricing we have another confirmation of a very robust demand for Electric Cars in this pricing range. NEC rumping up batteries production means only one for our Lithium Demand expectations that this bottleneck will be even more crucial for Electric Cars roll out in a mass market fashion - we expect more deals from Japanese trading houses to secure Lithium supply from upcoming developers in the sector.





BusinessWeek:

"Bloomberg

NEC to Spend $542 Million Raising Lithium-Ion Output

March 30, 2010, 4:42 AM EDT


By Jason Clenfield(Closes share price in fifth paragraph.)

March 30 (Bloomberg) -- NEC Corp., Japan’s largest maker of personal computers, will invest more than 50 billion yen ($542 million) to expand production of parts used in lithium- ion batteries supplied to Nissan Motor Co.

The money will be spent over the next 12 months, NEC spokesman Chris Shimizu said today by telephone. Nissan, Japan’s third-largest carmaker, starts domestic production this year of its Leaf electric car and in the U.S. in 2012.

NEC, which supplies electrodes to a battery-making venture it has with Nissan, is looking to tap into a growing market for electric cars amid rising fuel prices and concern that conventional vehicle emissions worsen climate change. Morgan Stanley has forecast 52 percent compound annual growth for global auto battery demand from 2012 to 2018.

The Nikkan Kogyo newspaper reported the planned investment earlier today, citing an interview with Nobuhiro Endo, incoming president for the Tokyo-based company. Shimizu confirmed the report.

NEC climbed 2.9 percent to close at 282 yen after rising as high as 283 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 1 percent.

--Editors: Dave McCombs, Aaron Sheldrick

To contact the reporter on this story: Jason Clenfield in Tokyo at jclenfield@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Young-Sam Cho at ycho2@bloomberg.net."

Nissan Leaf electric car will start at just $25,000, with federal assistance TNR.v, CZX.v, LMR.v, RM.v, Li.v, WLC.v, FMC, ROC, SQM, HEV, AONE, BYDDY,


Nissan Leaf will become a game changer - with this kind of pricing Electric Cars mass market will become a reality very fast. Now all Electric Leaf will be in the pricing range as Toyota Prius and much cheaper than Chevy Volt. It will put price competition on the market much sooner than we have been expecting and will be crucial to development of the iPod moment in our Next Big Thing: when existing consumers of this service - mobility will be moving into the new market paradigm in a wave shifting fashion. Need is there already, customers are there - you just need to provide the new incentive to shift them from existing providers: to make it cheaper, with improved functions and make them feeling better about themselves. Today we have an important confirmation on price for this event to happen in the nearest future:


"C.S. Obama is calling for an action, financial situation of the State is close to desperate and middle class, the backbone of our society, is struggling to survive. It is a time of change and we have an opportunity to capitalise on this dramatic shift.
Time is to write about Revolutions, transformation technology and disruption in the market place.
Ideal market situation for the new disruptive technology to create a life time investing opportunity is when Demand for product or service is already there and you are able to deliver it in a new way, which will be more appealing to Existing consumers of this product or service. You have a dramatic shift in consumer preference and are gaining a market share in a tidal wave fashion by shifting consumers from existing providers to the new product or service place. You do not have to teach the market and prove that they need this product - you just need to prove that the new technology you are putting in place is viable to deliver the Better Experience."

Examiner.com:

"Nissan Leaf electric car will start at just $25,000, with federal assistance

March 30, 1:48 PMAutos ExaminerBrady Holt

The 2011 Nissan Leaf all-electric four-door hatchback will have a base price of $32,780, a sum that federal tax credits reduce to just over $25,000, the automaker announced today.


"Full article could be read at the headline link - S."

Monday, March 29, 2010

EVs mass market: FedEx Rolls Out Its First All-Electric Van in USA TNR.v, CZX.v, LMR.v, LI.v, RM.v, WLC.v, SQM, ROC, FMC, HEV, AONE, F, GM, NSANY, SNE

Commercial fleets will be the launch grounds for mass market for Electric Cars. with increased volume cost of Lithium batteries will go down and it will allow the mass adoption of electric cars. FEDEX is one of the most active Electrification Coalition members:




"More than a dozen business leaders -- including Carlos Ghosn, President & CEO of Nissan Motor Company; David W. Crane, President & CEO of NRG Energy; and Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President & CEO of FedEx Corporation"


EV World
:

29 Mar 2010 HEADLINE
FedEx delivery van is entirely battery powered.
FedEx delivery van is entirely battery powered.


FedEx Rolls Out Its First All-Electric Van in USA



Source: FedEx
Class: PRESS RELEASE

SYNOPSIS: Four Navistar/Modec-built electric trucks will be deployed in Los Angeles area starting in June 2010.


CHICAGO -- FedEx Corp. today announced the expansion of its alternative-energy vehicle fleet with the first all-electric FedEx parcel delivery trucks in the United States. Four purpose-built electric trucks--optimized for electric operation from the wheels up--are slated to hit the road in the Los Angeles area starting in June 2010, joining more than 1,800 alternative-energy vehicles already in service for FedEx around the world.

"FedEx has a history of changing what's possible, both in the innovative services we offer customers and in the way we offer those services," said John Formisano, vice president, Global Vehicles, FedEx Express. "In 2004, we were the first global company to invest in hybrid-electric commercial trucks, and now we're introducing the even cleaner all-electric parcel delivery truck. We're making these investments, and invite others to join us, so that together we can speed the transition to a cleaner transportation system."

Rather than creating its own proprietary technology, FedEx is again turning to the marketplace to spur solutions that can rapidly be scaled up to provide affordable and reliable service to a wide range of delivery truck operators. It is purchasing its first North American all-electric vehicles from two different suppliers to evaluate the robustness of this technology for demanding daily FedEx Express deliveries in the Los Angeles area and provide information to help guide future FedExvehicle purchases.

Two of the new all-electric trucks come from Navistar, and are being assembled in Indiana. These are based on the Modec design already operated by FedEx in Europe. Ten such Modec vehicles serve FedEx routes in London and five more are on order for Paris.

Another pair of electric vehicles is being purchased from a different manufacturer for delivery to the Los Angeles area later in 2010. Both sets of electric vehicles are designed with a range that allows many FedEx Express couriers to make a full eight-hour shift of deliveries before their vehicles need recharging.

A FedEx-branded prototype all-electric truck from Navistar is being unveiled today at an event in Chicago to kick-off a demonstration tour of the technology. The vehicle will be operated for FedEx customers, employees, and local officials in several stops along historic Route 66 between Chicago and Los Angeles.

The "Charge Up Route 66" tour is intended to pay homage to America's transportation past and the facilitation of inter-city commerce furthered by development of early highways such as Route 66. The electric truck demonstration tour is also designed to underscore a national initiative advocated by Frederick W. Smith, president, chairman and CEO of FedEx Corp., in testimony to a U.S. Senate subcommittee last month. Smith called for a comprehensive program to encourage affordable electrification of local transportation to foster more domestic energy production, less reliance on imported petroleum, and an overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Once in California, the Navistar electric truck will be demonstrated at the FORTUNE Brainstorm Green conference, an environmental leadership event scheduled April 12-14 and featuring a presentation by Mitch Jackson, vice president, environmental affairs and sustainability, FedEx Corp. To track the vehicle's route, visit http://www.fedex.com/electric.

"Electric trucks are still in their infancy, but we think they have a bright future in the mix of alternative energy vehicles," Jackson said. "Reliability and maintainability is critical for FedEx because of our commitment to superior customer service, so we'll be giving these trucks a real workout, helping the manufacturers refine their future offerings. Down the road, we see the possibility of charging electric vehicle fleets with low- or zero-emission electricity generated on site by such innovations as solar electric arrays, like those at FedEx locations in California, New Jersey and Germany, or the Bloom Energy Server, another new technology we're helping to pioneer through evaluating it at our solar-powered hub in Oakland."

By the end of June, the FedEx alternative energy fleet will have grown to 1,869 vehicles in service around the world, helping to diversify and expand the all-electric and hybrid-electric vehicle market around the globe. Beyond the nine new electric trucks to be deployed in Los Angeles and Paris, FedEx has purchased ten additional hybrid-electric vehicles that will be added to its California fleet throughout the spring, based in Oakland.

FedEx currently operates the largest hybrid fleet in the transportation industry, along with one of the largest alternative energy vehicle fleets, and is committed to improving its overall vehicle fuel efficiency 20 percent by 2020. In conjunction with Environmental Defense Fund, FedEx led the launch of the development of the first commercial-grade hybrid-electric delivery vehicles. That hybrid-electric technology has now been adopted by more than 100 fleets, and the FedEx hybrid vehicle fleet recently passed the five million mile mark in daily service--the equivalent of 200 trips around the Equator. FedEx also works closely with organizations like CALSTART, North America's leading consortium dedicated to the growth of a clean transportation technologies industry, to encourage the development of market-ready alternative energy commercial vehicles. John Formisano is currently the chairman of the CALSTART board after five years of service as a board member.

About FedEx Sustainability

FedEx is committed to connecting the world responsibly and resourcefully. We have set long-term goals to reduce aircraft emissions 20 percent by 2020, increase FedEx Express vehicle efficiency by 20 percent by 2020, and expand on-site renewable energy generation and procurement of renewable energy credits. FedEx works to achieve these ambitious goals through EarthSmart--the FedEx roadmap for operating in an increasingly sustainable way and engaging our team members, customers, business partners, and the circle of influencer communities to help us reduce the environmental impact of our daily business operations. FedEx has been recognized for its sustainability commitment through inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index--a global list of the world's largest, most sustainable organizations--and ranks #93 in Newsweek's 2009 Top 500 Greenest Companies.

About FedEx

FedEx Corp. (FDX 92.13, +0.78, +0.85%) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $33 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 280,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.

Electric Cars: Chevy Releases Volt Specs TNR.v, CZX.v, LMR.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, SQM, ROC, FMC, F, GM, DAI, BMW, AAPL, NSANY, BYDDY, RNO, GOOG, HEV,

Chevy Releases Volt Specs

Monday, March 29, 2010 2:59PM - By Chris Weiss

Chevy Volt Chevy Releases Volt Specs

The Chevrolet Volt is hands-down one of the most interesting vehicles on its way out of post-public-loan GM, and today Chevy provided some additional numbers on the extended-range EV. They may be preliminary, but they’re impressive nonetheless.

The Volt will put out 150 horses and 273 lb-ft through the combination of 1.4-liter four-cylinder flex-fuel engine and electric motor. The motor will derive power from a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

On the road, that system will deliver a practical top speed of 100 mph while offering 300 miles worth of range on a full tank of gas and 40 miles of electric-only driving. Chevy provides the 0 to 60 mph at 9 seconds. [via egmCarTech]"


As you can see from specs - Chevy Volt is not an Electric Toy, but a proper Electric Car with full functional utilities of a "normal" car with CE. Realisation of this fact and Chevy Volts on the streets will bring revaluation to the whole Electric Car Value Chain and particularly to Lithium sector.


"One out of four consumers say they would be willing to consider a plug-in electric car next time they are shopping for a new vehicle, Consumer Reports says one of its polls found. Seven percent said it is "very likely" they would buy one."

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Lithium Batteries Are Included in KB Home and BYD's Solar House TNR.v, CZX.v, LMR.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, SQM, FMC, ROC, F, DAI, BMW, NSANY

Energy storage will play a very important role in cleantech applications like solar and wind power. It is very encouraging to see the use of Lithium-ion batteries for domestic use in this collaboration between BYD and KB Homes. Earlier Panasonic has announced similar program for Japanese house builders. 16 kWh battery is almost the same like in electric cars (16-24 kWh) and this integration will allow to use solar and wind power for domestic use with smart connection to the grid, when you can sell expensive energy during the day and recharge your Electric Car and/or battery during the night. Mass scale adoption of distributed energy storage by domestic batteries and/or electric cars plugged in to the grid will allow Utilities to integrate domestic wind and solar power on the mass scale into the grid and perform much more efficient grid energy management optimising the load and generation of power. For our Lithium demand it means another wide open market application with a very fast adoption rate which will be generated by lower battery prices and upcoming mass scale production volume will allow to lower prices further in its turn.






Batteries Are Included in KB Home and BYD's Solar House

Lancaster solar house
PHOTO CREDIT: SUNPLUGGERS.COM
California's KB Home and China's BYD Co. teamed up to showcase solar homes of the future, complete with batteries to store electricity.

Published March 26, 2010

The home of the future – with solar-electric modules on the roof and a lithium-ion battery in the garage – may have a welcome mat out sooner than expected.

The California-based builder KB Home and China's BYD Co., which makes plug-in cars, batteries and solar equipment, have partnered to build modestly priced homes in Lancaster, Calif., that will go a step further than other new solar housing developments by including battery storage of the solar electricity.

Off-grid solar owners for many years have used battery banks to store their generated electricity for later use, but the plan for the KB Home development – smack in the middle of a grid-tied suburban subdivision – could help alter the trajectory for adoption of both solar electricity and plug-in vehicles.

"The energy produced by the solar panels during the peak time is stored in the battery system and can be used later at night for the home," said Bill Wang, business development director for BYD America Corp., at a press conference to announce the partnership in Lancaster, a city about 70 miles north of Los Angeles.

Solar panels
PHOTO CREDIT: SUNPLUGGERS.COM
Bill Wang, business development director of
BYD America Corp., explains how the energy
from the home's solar array will be stored.

Unlike homemade off-grid battery banks, which have typically used traditional lead-acid batteries, the storage system that KB Home and BYD showed off packages the lithium-ion battery packs in sleek, dark-tinted cabinets with flashing LED lights that continuously display the system's – and perhaps the future homeowner's – status.

The battery packs may store as much as 16 kilowatt-hours of electricity. A typical Southern California household uses about 20 kwh a day. The lithium-ion ferrous phosphate battery packs will be the same type used in plug-in vehicles that BYD expects to roll out in Los Angeles later this year.

Thomas C. DiPrima, executive vice president of KB Home's Southern California division, said the plan is to offer the solar-and-battery combinations first in one model home and four production homes in West Lancaster at no extra cost to the buyers, then to offer the systems as an option in the same subdivision and others. The West Lancaster houses have starting prices that range from about $210,000 to $257,000.

"Our long-term goal is to get to where we can do this nationwide," Mr. DiPrima said. "Our hope and our goal is to make it so affordable that it can be offered in a new home as a standard feature," he added, noting that solar PV is becoming cost-effective as a retrofit for many existing homes. Because the approach is a new one, it could be years before such a system is standard in a new KB home, he said.

Until now, it was thought that battery storage of solar electricity would not even begin to be an option for typical urban and suburban solar owners until years in the future.

Automakers in recent years have been outlining the future potential deployment of used batteries from plug-in cars to store solar electricity. Because automotive battery packs are expected to have typical lifetimes of about seven years and 100,000 miles, and large-scale manufacturing of electrified vehicles is still about two years away, it appeared that widespread use of used batteries in residential garages would not begin until 2018 to 2020.

But the plan described by KB Home and BYD to install new lithium-ion battery packs in garages changes a scenario that was already evolving rapidly. The plan meshes with the accelerating installation of new digital meters at households throughout the nation.

"Smart" meters make it easier for homeowners and utilities to monitor electricity use, and allow for time-of-use pricing, under which electricity costs more at times of peak demand – typically around breakfast and in the afternoon and early evening – and less during off-peak periods.

Solar photovoltaic systems produce electricity only during the daytime, and their early afternoon peak production often coincides with rising air-conditioning loads. The electricity that utilities buy for distribution at such times generally costs much more than does off-peak production. Traditionally, households have paid a predetermined, average price per kwh for electricity. Time-of-use rates permit pricing that more closely reflects real-world usage and generation patterns.

The plan to use new lithium-ion battery packs in residential garages could open up a range of potential opportunities for owners of solar-electric systems and plug-in vehicles. For the first time, they could have significant control over their generation, storage and use of electricity, moving it from a solar array to a car battery, into the home or into a storage battery, depending on their needs and the electricity's price at a particular time.

The battery pack also could pull low-cost electricity off the grid at night for use during higher-priced peak periods, either in the home or in the grid. The system's operation could be programmed with cellphones, PDAs or computers, or could be automated.

Another potential benefit: the end of blackouts. If a power outage occurred on the grid, a homeowner with a digital meter, a solar-and-battery combination, and perhaps a plug-in vehicle, could be unaffected. Grid-tied systems are designed at present to shut down automatically when grid power goes out, but that is likely to change as the technology develops.

If this use of new lithium-ion batteries were to become very popular, it would likely drive down the cost of such batteries for use both in homes and in vehicles more rapidly than expected through economies of scale in manufacturing.

PHOTO CREDIT: SUNPLUGGERS.COM
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris, right, said
the new approach "redefines how Americans
are going to use energy in their houses."
With Mr. Parris are Thomas DiPrima,
executive vice president of KB Home's
Southern California division, and Stella Li,
senior vice president of BYD.

Reducing the cost of solar and battery technologies is a key part of the plan. Using energy more sparingly and efficiently, and saving money for consumers, is the ultimate goal. KB Home plans to study the usage patterns of those who buy the solar-and-battery homes.

"All we'll ask of the homeowners is that they'll share with us their energy bills so we can see what the actual savings are in a home," said Mr. DiPrima.

The city of Lancaster, which has a population of about 145,000 people, is in the Mojave Desert's Antelope Valley, in northern Los Angeles County. The city waived municipal development fees for the homes to be outfitted with solar-and-battery systems, and has fast-tracked the permitting process. The first solar model home is expected to be completed in three or four months.

R. Rex Parris, the mayor of Lancaster, said at the press conference that petroleum is a finite energy source.

"The price of energy is just going to go up and up and up," he said. "If we can reduce the amount of energy we're using and the cost of it, it becomes much more affordable to live for all the hard-working families in the Antelope Valley and everywhere else."

Mr. Parris said the new approach "redefines how Americans are going to use energy in their houses."

BYD became prominent in U.S. investment circles when Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. bought 10 percent of the company in 2008. It started as a low-cost producer of cellphone batteries, and only recently began manufacturing automobiles, lithium-ion battery packs for plug-in vehicles, and solar equipment. Wang Chuanfu, BYD's chairman, is believed to now be the wealthiest person in China.

Stella Li, senior vice president of BYD, said at the press conference that the goals of the partnership to build the solar-and-battery-equipped homes are to help people "save money and make a cleaner planet."

Mr. DiPrima of KB Home said he expects homeowners to have some reservations about the new technology at first.

"I think the biggest concern will be, 'How difficult will it be for me? Do I have to go throw a switch? Do I have to program a computer?' And the fact that the system does that will probably take some of the fear away," he said.

Unlike some new solar-home developments that are installing tiles that blend in with a roof, KB Home and BYD plan to use stand-off modules of the type commonly added as retrofits to existing buildings. Modules with air space beneath them operate at higher efficiency because of the cooling effect, but are more visible than tiles.

"We are not seeing the aesthetics of solar being a deterrent," Mr. DiPrima said. "In fact, in California we've found that people want to show off their solar panels."

He added that because some people do prefer the look of solar tiles, KB Home works with local officials on the type, style and aesthetics of equipment, as it does with other elements of home designs.

"We're not looking at aesthetics as being a challenge," Mr. DiPrima said. "We've got to make sure that the system is as easy to operate as possible. The less they have to do, the better."

Friday, March 26, 2010

EVs mass market: One out of four consumers interested in electric vehicles TNR.v, CZX.v, LMR.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, SQM, FMC, ROC, F, NSANY, BYDDY, DAI



Do you remember our "Big IF"? What if people will decide that it is cool to drive Electric Cars? It is coming...


"As usual, there will be more talks than action in the beginning. Then we will have an equipment supply lead time up to 30 months, add here technology development, project management and ISO certification. We are looking at least 5 years out into any meaningful Li-ion batteries production on a mass scale. Another surprise will come when new coming battery producers will be scrambling for Lithium supply to keep their production lines running. In brine production lead time can be up to 4-5 years and in hard rock mining 5-7 years. It is time now to move aggressively intoLithium supply chain"


USA Today:


One out of four consumers interested in electric vehicles

One out of four consumers say they would be willing to consider a plug-in electric car next time they are shopping for a new vehicle, Consumer Reports says one of its polls found. Seven percent said it is "very likely" they would buy one.

A year from now, they should start seeing some choices. General Motors is bringing the Volt extended-range electric (meaning it has a gas engine to back up the electric power) and Nissan's all-electric Leaf. Virtually all other major automakers have their own electric cars in the works just in case the technology takes off.

CR found, based on its survey of 1,752 adults, that most consumers would like a range of 89 miles for daily driving. About 45% said they would be satisfied with a range of less than 75 miles. Another 29% would consider less than 49 miles to be ideal. All this range stuff could be problem since the range of early electrics expected to be fairly limited.

SinoLatin Capital Releases Its Latest White Paper 'Is Lithium the 21st Century's Oil?' TNR.v, CZX.v, LMR.v, RM.v, WLC.v, LI.v, SQM, FMC, ROC, F, GOOG,



We have now a Chinese perspective on the potential for the market for Electric cars, China' ambitions and its clear understanding of Lithium as a strategic commodity for ongoing Green Mobility Revolution. They are talking about the same "Golden Triangle" of Lithium as Rick Mills did in his recent report and Lithium ABCs:

"Rick Mills has put together a very good overview of the Lithium sector, production cycles and basic economics for Lithium Brines and Hard Rock Lithium mining. For us it is interesting to use his check lists to evaluate properties of International Lithium Corp. in Lithium Brines and Hard Rock Lithium. Mariana project in Argentina fits very well into described model for Lithium Brine Deposit. Company has put in a new presentation its own exploration models for Mariana Salar in Argentina and its Brine Lithium projects in Nevada."


SHANGHAI, March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent white paper, Shanghai-based SinoLatin Capital spotlights the lithium industry and how the anticipated explosive global demand for this silvery metal will lead to a surge in acquisitions by Chinese firms in Latin America.

The white paper reports that lithium, which is a key ingredient in the majority of consumer electronics, including cell phones, laptops, cameras and PDAs due to its ability to store more energy longer, will become significantly more important from a geo-economic standpoint. As the world's leading economies race to develop better hybrid or all-electric vehicles in an effort to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change, countries with significant lithium deposits will become extremely important. China today is at the forefront in its efforts to develop these electric vehicles and will seek to position itself early in securing the necessary raw materials (such as lithium) to further advance the industry.

According to SinoLatin Capital CEO Erik Bethel, who authored the white paper, "From our vantage point in Shanghai, we believe that China will be a global leader in developing and producing electric cars running on lithium-ion batteries. But in order to be competitive, China needs to go outbound to secure enough lithium. And a huge portion of the best lithium is located in Latin America's Lithium Triangle." Mr. Bethel, who leads SinoLatin Capital's metals and mining practice, advises both Chinese firms and Latin American firms on acquisitions and strategic investments.

The white paper provides an in-depth description of South America's "Lithium Triangle" -- Argentina, Bolivia and Chile -- where 70-75% of the world's salt lake lithium deposits are found. Although Chile is the world's largest producer, neighboring Bolivia, which does not currently produce any lithium, purportedly has the world's largest known reserves. In a short time, the Lithium Triangle will have enormous geopolitical significance as the world's major economies continue to shift their focus towards alternative fuels.

Additional whitepapers and further details of 'Is Lithium the 21st Century's Oil?' can be freely downloaded fromhttp://www.sinolatincapital.com/White.asp. Alternatively please contact Erik Bethel at ebethel@sinolatincapital.com, telephone +(8621) 6109-9568.

Located in Shanghai's financial district, SinoLatin Capital is the first merchant bank focused exclusively on cross border transactions between China and Latin America. The Firm has two core businesses: financial advisory and private equity.

SOURCE SinoLatin Capital

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Lithium and REE: GM Unveils EN-V Concept: A Vision for Future Urban Mobility TNR.v, CZX.v, LMR.v, RM.v, WLC.v, LI.v, HEV, AONE, NSANY, GM, BYDDY, F,



Here it comes: design utilising the most promising use of Electric Drive - engineers are not restricted anymore to traditional components and can use build-in motors incorporated into the wheels. Basically this technology works in a normal 4 wheel car - GM has made here even more futuristic proposition. All EV is based on four major components: passenger compartment, energy storage (Lithium-ion batteries as announced by GM), power controlling system and Powertrain in the form of Motors incorporated into the wheels. Bill of materials will be the same as in EVs: Lithium for batteries and REE for powerful electric motors. We think that the future of electric cars will be in adoption of normal utility based cars like GM Volt, Nissan Leaf and others. If in the future urbanisation will lead to adoption of this kind of EVs our most optimistic forecast for Lithium and REE demand could be proven wrong - you can place literally double the amount of these kind of vehicles compare to normal cars. Every EV will need a battery and electric motors. Maybe it will be the only way to bring mobility to hundred millions of Chinese and Indians in the future.






2010-03-24

    • Radical Change in Mobility to Address Growing Urbanization Issues
    • Convergence of Electricity and Connectivity Redefines Automobile DNA
    • EN-V Concepts to be Showcased at World Expo 2010 Shanghai

    Shanghai – By 2030, urban areas will be home to more than 60 percent of the world’s 8 billion people. This will put tremendous pressure on a public infrastructure that is already struggling to meet the growing demand for transportation and basic services.

    General Motors and its strategic partner, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC), share a common vision for addressing the need for personal mobility through a radical change in personal urban transportation. They are exploring several solutions for tomorrow’s drivers. Among the most promising is a new vehicle form called EN-V.

    A Promising Solution

    EN-V, which is short for Electric Networked-Vehicle, maintains the core principle of personal mobility – freedom – while helping remove the motor vehicle from the environmental debate and redefining design leadership. EN-V is a two-seat electric vehicle that was designed to alleviate concerns surrounding traffic congestion, parking availability, air quality and affordability for tomorrow’s cities.

    Three EN-V models were unveiled today in Shanghai. They represent three different characteristics that emphasize the enjoyable nature of future transportation: Jiao (Pride), Miao (Magic) and Xiao (Laugh). The concepts will be showcased from May 1 through October 31 at the SAIC-GM Pavilion at World Expo 2010 Shanghai. Shanghai is expected to become one of the epicenters for the establishment of personal mobility solutions for the future.

    “EN-V reinvents the automobile by creating a new vehicle DNA through the convergence of electrification and connectivity. It provides an ideal solution for urban mobility that enables future driving to be free from petroleum and emissions, free from congestion and accidents, and more fun and fashionable than ever before,” said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group.

    Breakthrough Technology

    EN-V’s platform has evolved from the platform of the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility (P.U.M.A.) prototype that was developed by Segway and debuted in April 2009. Segway has worked collaboratively with GM to develop and deliver multiple copies of the drivetrain platform that seamlessly connect to and power the various EN-Vs.

    EN-V is propelled by electric motors in each of its two driving-mode wheels. Dynamic stabilization technology empowers EN-V, giving it the unique ability to carry two passengers and light cargo in a footprint that’s about a third of a traditional vehicle. It can literally “turn on a dime” within its own operating envelope. In addition, everything in EN-V is drive-by-wire, supporting its ability to operate autonomously or under manual control. The motors not only provide power for acceleration, but also bring the vehicle to a stop.

    Power for the motors is provided by lithium-ion batteries that produce zero emissions. Recharging can occur from a conventional wall outlet using standard household power, allowing EN-V to travel at least 40 kilometers on a single charge. EN-V can also improve the efficiency of the public electric infrastructure since the vehicle can communicate with the electric grid to determine the best time to recharge based on overall usage.

    By combining the Global Positioning System (GPS) with vehicle-to-vehicle communications and distance-sensing technologies, the EN-V concept can be driven both manually and autonomously.

    Its autonomous operating capability offers the promise of reducing traffic congestion by allowing EN-V to automatically select the fastest route based on real-time traffic information. The concept also leverages wireless communications to enable a “social network” that can be used by drivers and occupants to communicate with friends or business associates while on the go.

    This combination of sensing technology, wireless communication and GPS-based navigation establishes a technology foundation, pieces of which could migrate from the EN-V concept and potentially lead the way to future advanced vehicle safety systems.

    The ability to communicate with other vehicles and with the infrastructure could dramatically reduce the number of vehicle accidents. Using vehicle-based sensor and camera systems, EN-V can “sense” what’s around it, allowing the vehicle to react quickly to obstacles or changes in driving conditions. For example, if a pedestrian steps out in front of the vehicle, EN-V will decelerate to a slower and safer speed and stop sooner than today’s vehicles.

    GM has been a leader in developing autonomous vehicle technology, having worked alongside students and faculty at Carnegie Mellon University in the U.S. city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This collaboration created “The Boss” Chevrolet Tahoe, which brought autonomous vehicle operation to life in 2007. EN-V takes the lessons learned in “The Boss” and offers mobility to people who could not otherwise operate a vehicle.

    “The EN-V concept represents a major breakthrough in the research that GM has been doing to bring vehicle autonomy to life,” said Alan Taub, Global Vice President of GM Research and Development. “The building blocks that enable the autonomous capabilities found on the EN-V concept such as lane departure warning, blind zone detection and adaptive cruise control are being used in some GM vehicles on the road today.”

    EN-V has been designed for the speed and range of today’s urban drivers. It weighs less than 500 kilograms and is about 1.5 meters in length. By comparison, today’s typical automobile weighs more than 1,500 kilograms and is three times as long. In addition, today’s automobiles require more than 10 square meters of parking space and are parked more than 90 percent of the time. EN-V’s smaller size and greater maneuverability mean the same parking lot can accommodate five times as many EN-Vs as typical automobiles.

    Smaller, Smarter Design

    While EN-V leads the way in terms of efficiency and technology, it also sets a new benchmark for vehicle design. For its debut, GM had design teams around the world provide their vision of what future mobility will look like. Xiao (Laugh) was designed by GM Holden’s design team in Australia, while the look of Jiao (Pride) was penned by designers at GM Europe and Miao (Magic) was designed at the General Motors Advanced Design Studio in the U.S. state of California.

    Each EN-V has a unique design theme to showcase the flexibility of the propulsion platform. The design gives each EN-V its own personality, with a unique opening, elegant interior and innovative color, lighting and seat technology. Xiao offers a more lighthearted appeal, with its “gumball blue” paint and nautical-inspired design. Miao takes most of its design cues from the consumer electronics industry, as evidenced by its sleek, masculine looks. Designers also used Miao to display innovative lighting solutions, including extensive use of LED accent lighting. With its clean lines and bright paintwork, Jiao takes its design influence from bullet trains and Chinese opera masks.

    "EN-V incorporates significant technology and material innovation, which has given the design team a whole new world to explore,” said Clay Dean, Director of Advanced Design for GM North America. “Because of the lightweight structures, materials and integrated controls, we created unique surface forms not traditionally found in automotive applications.”

    The body and canopy of EN-V are constructed from carbon fiber, custom-tinted Lexan and acrylic, materials that are more commonly used in race cars, military airplanes and spacecraft because of their strength and lightweight characteristics. The ability to work with such innovative materials provided a learning opportunity for GM’s design teams to study the feasibility of future traditional automotive applications.

    EN-V’s compact size makes it ideal for use in densely populated cities thanks to its use of advanced safety and propulsion technologies. But good things come in small packages, as witnessed by EN-V’s innovative interior design, which provides maximum visibility to the world outside. A simple interface for activating Wi-Fi-based technologies keeps occupants connected to the outside world.

    “The future of how we move around in urban areas like Shanghai can combine the best of personal mobility and public transit. There is a better solution and it is called EN-V. It demonstrates that we have both the knowledge and the ability right now to create a way to move people that not only ensures a ‘better city’ but also offers people a ‘better life,’” said Taub.

    General Motors, one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 204,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM is the joint global automobile partner of World Expo 2010 Shanghai along with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC). More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.