All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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BYD is developing a 1,000 V platform that will enable ultra-fast charging

BYD is setting new standards for all manufacturers when it comes to electric vehicles. The Chinese company announced that it is developing a 1,000 V platform that will enable ultra-fast charging. This means that a 5-minute battery charge will provide a range of 300 km.

One of the major obstacles to the rapid production of electric cars is the small number of fast charging stations, but also the long waiting time for charging, which makes most drivers nervous on long trips. That is why BYD is working on a new platform for its high-end cars. It is a 1,000-volt architecture that should enable ultra-fast charging.

The recently introduced Atto 2 supports fast charging in Europe of just 65 kW, while the Dolphin supports charging of a maximum of 88 kW. The largest models that BYD sells in Europe, the Han and Tang, should be the first to use the new technology that will enable ultra-fast charging, which means that the battery could be fully charged in about 10 minutes.

That means nothing if there aren’t enough charging stations with powerful chargers, and that’s exactly what BYD plans to do. The Chinese manufacturer is also developing a network of ultra-fast charging stations in China, and it will not be a surprise if it soon does the same in Europe.

BYD does not want to stop there, so a new 1,500 V platform for their construction electric vehicles is also in the development process. These vehicles will use a battery with a capacity of 2,500 kWh in LFP format, which can support ultra-fast charging of up to 600 kW.

This once again shows that Chinese companies are far ahead of the rest of the world and are currently elusive for European manufacturers.

Source: BYD

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Renault started accepting orders for 4 E-Tech

At the 2022 Paris Motor Show, Renault unveiled the all-electric 4 E-Tech, which will enter production in the coming months. Renault has now announced that the order book has been opened.

The Renault 4 E-Tech is the successor to the legendary Renault 4, which, during its 33 years on the market (1961–1994), was produced in over eight million units. This all-electric car will be offered in two versions with two battery packs, 40 kWh and 52 kWh.

The first version is powered by a single electric motor with 120 hp (90 kW) and 166 lb-ft (225 Nm) of torque, equipped with a lithium-ion 40 kWh battery that allows a range of 308 km according to the WLTP cycle. It accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.2 seconds with a top speed of 150 km/h. When it comes to price, it starts at 29,900 euros without subsidy or 25,900 euros with subsidy.

The second version is more powerful and is powered by a single-motor electric motor with 150 hp (110 kW) and 180 lb-ft (245 Nm) of torque, equipped with a lithium-ion 52 kWh battery that allows a range of 409 km. It reaches 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds with a top speed of 150 km/h. Speaking of price, this version costs 32,900 euros.

Source: Renault

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Renault started accepting orders for 4 E-Tech
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Toyota is developing a new Celica

In November 2024, Toyota announced that it is working on the return of a car that was discontinued almost two decades ago, the Toyota Celica. Although there is not much information about the car, rumor has it that it will be produced under the name GR Celica.

Toyota Celica was produced from 1970 to 2006 in seven generations. During 36 years, over 4 million units left the production line in various four-cylinder engines, and body styles included convertibles, liftbacks, and notchback coupés.

“We are working on the Celica. There are many people in the company who are eagerly awaiting the Toyota Celica. I wonder if it is okay to say this in public, but we are building a new Toyota Celica,” said Toyota VP Yuki Nakajima.

There is currently a lot of speculation about the new Celica. Some rumors say that it could be powered by a new turbocharged 2.0-L 4-cylinder engine with 406 hp, and that it will have all-wheel drive. However, some have hinted that it could be all-electric. This is all unofficial, and Toyota will release more information soon.

Source: Autocar