The auto industry is facing a new obstacle as a scarcity of railroad cars is resulting in delays in delivering new vehicles. Due to this shortage, approximately 70,000 new vehicles are stranded across the country, unable to reach dealerships. Concerned about this issue, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the auto industry’s lobbying group, has requested the intervention of the US Surface Transportation Board.
This scarcity of rail cars is particularly troubling because freight rail typically transports nearly 75 percent of new vehicles and handles 1.8 million carloads of auto parts annually. The backlog of finished vehicles is disrupting the automotive supply chain, which is still recovering from the shortage of semiconductor chips. The delays in delivering vehicles are significantly impacting suppliers, employees, and the overall US economy.
The problem revolves around the shortage of autoracks, specialized rail cars that carry vehicles. Rail transport is preferred over carrier trucks due to lower costs and faster delivery times. An autorack rail car can transport 12 to 18 vehicles, compared to a truck hauler that can only carry a maximum of seven to eight vehicles.
The scarcity of rail cars is a complex issue due to the extensive rail network in North America and the complexities of rail shipping. Rail shipping involves multiple destinations and routes, making it a challenging puzzle to coordinate. Autoracks are part of a shared pool administered by a company called TTX. Manufacturing new autoracks takes two to three years, making it a non-quick fix.
The problem originates from a combination of factors. One notable factor is that the rebound in new-vehicle production after the semiconductor chip shortage has exceeded most railroads’ forecasts. Additional issues have arisen due to changes in supply chain patterns, such as redirecting vehicles through west coast ports instead of the east coast, resulting in longer rail car journeys than anticipated.
Meanwhile, several automakers are still dealing with the aftermath of the microchip shortage. Volkswagen stated earlier this year that the chip scarcity will continue to affect car sales in 2023. Automakers like Cadillac, Ford, and Genesis have also mentioned that the shortage has forced them to limit or exclude popular features on certain vehicles.
Solid-state batteries are a huge leap in technology, and the auto industry is embracing it wholeheartedly. GM, Volkswagen, and many others are investing substantial amounts in SSB technologies over the next decade. SSBs are lighter, safer, charge faster, and have a longer life span than traditional lithium-ion batteries. So, why isn’t every manufacturer using them? Solid-state Batteries are still a relatively new technology. Creating and manufacturing them on a large scale has presented its own set of challenges. The cost of these batteries is much greater, and while electric vehicle price tags are some of the highest in the auto world, these batteries just aren’t really feasible at this time. The scarcity of a reliable candidate for a solid electrolyte also plays a role. If solid-state batteries are going to rule the auto industry one day, these challenges must be addressed. Let’s look at some of these pros and cons in detail.
With such an immense upside, It’s hard to imagine the emergence of solid-state batteries as anything except positive, but as the great Mark Frost once said “there can be no light without darkness”. The process to make a solid-state battery is complex. Because the battery uses no liquid electrolyte to transfer energy from cathode to anode, or vice versa, there has to be a solid electrolyte to take its place. Materials for this kind of technology are scarce and very expensive. On top of that, there is no standardized material that is used in the manufacturing process, and no standardized process in which they are made. This makes them extremely hard to mass produce. Some estimates put Solid State batteries at three-four times the price of traditional lithium-ion batteries. Those costs can add when you are talking about a vehicle that already can cost as much as $200,000 for a top-of-the-line model. Are the savings worth the added mileage and faster charging? That is for consumers to decide, and presumably, they will get their chance. Many major automakers including GM, Toyota, and Mercedes have all invested heavily in solid-state battery technology, in hopes of increasing range and charging capabilities.
Lithium-ion batteries have created some pretty memorable explosions over the years. These are often espoused early and often by EV skeptics, and for good reason. We all remember the Galaxy Note 7 recall. If you don’t, open up a new tab and browse YouTube for a few minutes, it’s worth it. And, phones exploding in your pocket is just the tip of the iceberg. More recently, a fire in the Bronx required the attention of 200 firefighters after an electric scooter battery exploded in an apartment building. This is only one example of the over 200 fires from lithium batteries last year in New York alone, and that’s a small battery by electric vehicle standards. What happens if the Chevy E-Crate, with its six-foot-long, 1,000-pound battery is made or installed wrong? A recall, like the one for the Chevy Bolt, could be devastating to the company, and more importantly, to the auto enthusiast who just wanted to revive their old K-10. The possibility of solid-state batteries solving this massive problem, I think most people would agree, is worth exploring. There is a reason that most pacemakers use solid-state batteries. If these batteries can be manufactured at scale, grandpa can rest easy knowing his heart and his car aren’t going to give out unexpectedly.
New Technology Works Great In A Lab, But What About The Real World?
Mercedes
A 2023 Mercedes Ecitaro on a road
Earlier in this article, I cited NASA and its SABERS battery. There has been a tremendous amount of success in a lab setting. Toyota itself currently holds over 1,600 patents relating to solid-state battery technology, again for success in the lab. But how does that translate into a roadworthy vehicle, and does it at all? The answer is a solid, maybe. Currently, most automakers plan to release solid-state battery electric vehicles toward the end of the decade or later. That leaves a lot of time for speculation and bold claims, without needing anything concrete to back them up. However, a Chinese company named Baoya plans to release one later this year. The Baoya FB77 has aims of being the first production vehicle with a solid-state battery, in the sedan market. So far, the only contender for the crown is Mercedes, which produces an electric bus in Germany, that contains a solid-state battery. The challenge to overcome is the heat. The battery used in this bus operates at around 175 degrees. That’s not going to cut it on a summer day in Florida. That may be the biggest challenge for all EVs using solid-state batteries. So far all the claims and projections have mentioned that the batteries are lighter and denser, and that distinction will allow them to take up less space. But if there is extra cooling needed, we may be trading battery space for cooling space.
a cutaway shot of a lithium ion battery next to a solid state battery.
It’s almost common knowledge at this point that electric vehicles are expected to last longer than a traditional internal combustion vehicle. Currently, it is required by the government that EVs carry a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles. California went a step further and made it 10 years or 150,000 miles. That doesn’t appear to have stopped any of the automakers from moving forward to an all-electric future, so the claims have some weight behind them. Taking into account that all EVs are currently lithium-ion batteries, what does that say about what we can expect from solid-state batteries? Batteries with a solid electrolyte are purported to be 2-3 times denser than lithium ions, and some tests have shown that they can last twice as long or better. As I stated previously, we are still in the lab stage of the new technology, but if these tests translate into the real world, then the future of electric vehicles is looking very bright.
Citroën has been awarded the Sustainability Initiative prize at the 7th annual Auto Trader New Car Awards.
The Sustainability Initiative category is judged by independent experts from the Carbon Literacy Project.
The judges praised Citroën’s commitment to sustainability, which includes educating its staff on sustainability and environmental issues and ensuring sustainability is incorporated into business decisions.
Citroën has been named the winner of the Sustainability Initiative category at the Auto Trader New Car Awards 2023. The judges commended Citroën’s active involvement in the Carbon Literacy Project, as well as the innovative Ami 100% Electric quadricycle and Oli concept vehicle.
The Oli concept vehicle, introduced by Citroën last year, is made from 100% recycled materials and features a 40kWh battery with a range of 248 miles (WLTP). Oli’s parts can be reused and recycled throughout its lifespan. The seats are constructed simply and use 80% fewer parts than usual. The body panels are made from an innovative corrugated honeycomb recycled cardboard reinforced with polyurethane resin, making them as strong as conventional panels but 50% lighter. The development of Oli focused on simplicity and reduced weight, resulting in a smaller battery and fewer resources required to travel the same distance.
The Citroën Ami 100% Electric is a modern mobility solution and a sustainable response to environmental challenges in cities. The Ami 100% Electric produces zero emissions and has a 5.5kWh battery that can be fully charged in just four hours, providing a range of up to 46 miles (WLTP). There is also the option of the My Ami Cargo, which has a payload of up to 140kg, a maximum load capacity of 400 litres, and a tight 7.20m turning circle, making it ideal for businesses in urban areas.
Erin Baker, Editorial Director at Auto Trader, said that creating repairable, reusable, and recyclable products is crucial for decarbonizing the automotive industry, and Citroën has demonstrated this with the Ami and Oli. The judges were impressed with Citroën’s commitment to sustainability, which includes educating staff on sustainability and environmental issues and ensuring this commitment is reflected in all business decisions.
Greg Taylor, Managing Director of Citroën UK, commented that the company’s commitment to sustainability has been recognized at the Auto Trader New Car Awards. Citroën believes that the future of efficient and sustainable urban mobility lies in doing things differently, as shown by the Oli and Ami 100% Electric.
In the Auto Trader Awards, 20 out of the 23 categories were determined by 220,000 UK car owners who shared their thoughts and opinions on the cars they own. However, the Sustainability Initiative award was judged by independent experts from the Carbon Literacy Project, an organization that promotes understanding and action on climate change.
Tesla will once again participate in a Chinese auto show following the eventful start of the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show. The prominent American electric vehicle manufacturer will attend the 2023 Shenzhen Auto Show on June 16, with rumors suggesting that the highly anticipated refreshed Model 3 might take center stage.
In recent times, auto shows have lost some of their allure among carmakers, and the global pandemic has delivered a significant blow to what was once a prime occasion for introducing new… (continue reading…)
Something strange happened on September 26, 2015, that transcended the world of auto racing to become an incident of global interest. At the start of a Porsche one-make race in Spain, a small collision took place on the first lap that saw one 911 come to rest neatly atop another one. Now, that bizarre collision is captured in a detailed 1:43 scale diorama depicting the corner, skid marks galore, and the two damaged race cars.
Spark Models is the company behind this build. Known for producing a wide range of diecast race car replicas, this could be the first time any company designed and created a specific crash in such detail. The two Porsche 911 race cars aren’t simply stacked either – Spark Models accurately recreates the liveries for the two cars involved in the crash, then applies simulated damage to each that’s also race accurate. As for the track, it represents turn three at Circuito de Navarra in Spain though the final resting spot for the cars isn’t as accurate as the cars themselves. Still, we get the idea. And we love it.
To refresh your memory, the actual crash occurred less than 30 seconds into the Porsche Carrera Cup France race. Drivers Jules Gounon, Alexander Cougnud, and Joffrey de Narda were fighting for the lead when Cougnud tapped De Narda. This spun De Narda (driving the no. 9 Porshce) around just ahead of the very sharp turn three at Navarra, leaving De Narda in the unwelcome position of facing traffic.
Still, we doubt he expected to see the underside of Gounon’s no. 169 driving up the windshield. Wheel-to-wheel contact with Cougnud sent Gounon airborne just enough to clear De Narda’s nose. Momentum carried the green-trimmed Porsche neatly to the roof, with the nose resting on the rear wing. The balance was near perfect, though Gounon did suffer minor injuries. As for De Narda, repairs were made and he was back on track to score a victory later in the race weekend.
On its website, Spark Models states the 1:43 scale model of the crash is still in development. However, preorders through retailers such as Hobby Search have begun, showing a price of approximately $155 with an estimated release date of September 2023.
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