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Recharge Wrap-up: Jason Hughes builds 1,000-hp EV, BMW considers Thai battery factory

Tesla hacker Jason Hughes is building his own 1,000-horsepower electric vehicle. To propel the insane DIY EV, Hughes is using two Tesla performance drive units powered by two Chevrolet Volt battery packs and six Tesla battery modules. Controlling them with a custom control board, Hughes expects to be able to wring out 500 hp from each motor – one at the front and one in the rear. He also predicts a driving range of 120 to 150 miles between charges. It also appears that Hughes, also known as wk057, has set up a website dedicated to the project. Read more at Electrek, and watch Hughes' first test video above. BMW might build a battery factory in Thailand. According to Thai Industry Minister Atchaka Sibunruang, the German automaker is considering building the plant for about $57 million, with construction beginning in the middle of 2017. Thailand is discussing possible tax incentives for BMW, says Atchaka, with the hopes of making the country friendlier to plug-in hybrids. "Hybrid vehicles are still expensive now but once there is a factory established and batteries are available this will make it affordable for consumers." Read more from Automotive News Europe. Samsung is investing $449 million in BYD. Shanghai Samsung Semiconductor bought 52.3 million shares of BYD, which will use the funds to expand its battery production and for research and development of alternatively powered vehicles. Samsung is leveraging its recent investments in the auto industry to make up for slowdowns in other electronics hardware. Samsung says its investment in BYD will help grow its semiconductor business. The purchase by Samsung and other investors dilutes BYD Founder, Chairman, and CEO Wang Chuanfu's stake by almost two percent, down to 18.8 percent. Read more from Automotive News. Related Gallery BYD Electric Buses News Source: Electrek, YouTube: Jason Hughes, Automotive News Europe, Automotive News Earnings/Financials Green Plants/Manufacturing BMW Automakers Tesla Green Automakers Electric recharge wrapup

BMW Concept Active Tourer Outdoor enjoys a day in the sun

This BMW Concept Active Tourer has evolved for the nature and cycling set and premiered at OutDoor Friedrichshafen, a trade fair in held this month in Germany. The sturdy wagon is tweaked with new materials, accessories and ConnectedDrive features for those who do a lot of their living under the sky as opposed to inside their cars.
Under the hood is the same plug-in hybrid drive system we've were introduced to in 2012, featuring a transversely-mounted, 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a battery pack under the rear compartment floor. Total output is 190 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque headed to the front wheels, a claimed time from zero to 62 of under eight seconds, a pure electric range of up to 19 miles, a top speed of 124 miles per hour and claimed fuel economy of around 95 US miles per gallon.
The space behind the rear seats is the showcase, with a transformable compartment that can stow two bikes on built-in, retractable carriers. Remove the front wheel and seat from the bikes, then the frames can be locked into place using two rails and brackets. The wheels can be stowed in a holder attached to the right rear seat, the saddles can go into a compartment in the load floor. If you need to make a quick adjustment or a fix, you can do so since the bikes are aligned across the load bay.

BMW planning to bring an autonomous vehicle to market by 2021

At a press conference in Munich today, BMW announced that it plans to have a fully autonomous vehicle on public roads by 2021. Tech companies Intel and Mobileye will be partners in the project, and the group will be working on an open platform for use by other manufacturers and developers. BMW has been developing autonomous technology for ten years. Despite the recent death of a Tesla driver while using the company's Autopilot system, BMW believes its technology will be fully ready for the roads in the next five years. The group is using a combination of real-world and digital simulations to test their products, with BMW, Intel, and Mobileye each sharing a bit of the project. Tesla uses a version of Mobileye's current driver-assistance technology. BMW eventually hopes to have vehicles that don't require anyone to be in the vehicle while it drives, allowing for drop-off, pick-up, and self-parking capabilities. The group's open platform is something it hopes other manufacturers can use. The goal is to foster an archetype that regulatory bodies can use to make industry-wide laws and standards. The auto industry seems poised for a shift toward EVs and autonomous vehicles. Volkswagen recently announced a plan to bring 30 electric cars to market in the next 10 years. Local Motors has developed autonomous, electric public transport. It's not clear what sort of vehicle BMW will bring, but it did have a modified i8 on display at the conference. Related Video: News Source: BMW Green BMW Technology Emerging Technologies Autonomous Vehicles intel mobileye