Whereas the Stratofreighter used a “flying boom” refueling system, the Pegasus makes use of a probe-and-drogue system (aka hose-and-drogue). Instead of a inflexible tube, a “long, flexible hose with a funnel-shaped drogue on the end” plugs straight right into a retractable probe on the airplane needing gasoline. This computerized fly-by-wire system will be operated independently from the growth system.
Since the first perform of this airplane is to offer gasoline to state-of-the-art plane, the Pegasus should characteristic upgrades not seen earlier than. The receiver envelope on the KC-46A’s growth is 3 times bigger than the one discovered on the previous KC-135. It can carry 212,000 kilos of gasoline, and since first being delivered to McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas in January 2019, has offloaded greater than 100 million kilos of gasoline.
The KC-46A is not only a passive beast that feeds fuel-starved fighter jets. It’s outfitted with combat-ready real-time countermeasures, all of which mix “to detect, avoid, defeat, and survive threats.” Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) integration can present the fleet with situational consciousness by exchanging knowledge with the planes throughout refueling. Additionally, it is hardened in opposition to nuclear, chemical, and organic assaults, and the flight deck armor provides one other layer of safety.
However, the Pegasus isn’t with out its issues. Not solely has it value Boeing over $7 billion in losses, however it’s additionally within the midst of fixing a number of “Category 1 deficiencies” with the plane. An Air Force spokesperson mentioned these deficiencies are so extreme they “may cause death, severe injury, or severe occupational illness” if not corrected.
Imagine a world the place refueling your electric vehicle (EV) feels as easy as hailing a trip. No extra attempting to find elusive charging stations, wrestling with cables, or watching treasured minutes tick by as your battery replenishes. This futuristic imaginative and prescient may not be as far-fetched as you suppose, because of the burgeoning innovation of Automated Valet Charging (AVC).
While the silent hum of electrical engines and nil emissions maintain simple attraction, navigating the refueling terrain presents a novel set of challenges. Unlike their gas-guzzling counterparts, EVs demand a deliberate and sometimes choreographed strategy to recharging, and the present infrastructure throws up a number of roadblocks that may dampen the in any other case clean EV expertise.
Firstly, persistence turns into a advantage within the realm of EV refueling. While a gasoline station pit cease takes mere minutes, replenishing an EV battery can be an exercise in time management. Adding to the problem is the uneven distribution of charging stations throughout areas and inside them. This inconsistency fosters nervousness for EV homeowners, significantly these new to the electrical ecosystem, constantly battling the fear of “range anxiety” – working out of energy earlier than reaching a charger.
Furthermore, some stations stay incompatible with sure car fashions, making a irritating lack of plug-and-play simplicity. Beyond mere availability, many stations current accessibility points. Lack of designated parking areas, satisfactory lighting, or facilities could make the wait-time inconvenient and uncomfortable. And, like several know-how, malfunctioning gear can add one other layer of stress to the charging expertise.
It’s on this context that Automated Valet Charging emerges as a game-changer, promising to rewrite the narrative of EV refueling. By automating your entire course of, from parking to charging and retrieval, AVC paves the way in which for a future the place comfort and effectivity reign.
Charging an EV would not must be an limitless maze of questions. Here are the prices and methods to get your EV on the highway.
In order to provide the most recent and correct data potential, the information used to compile this text was sourced from numerous dependable sources together with Bosch, Cariad, IEEE, Oxford Robotics Institute, and ScienceDirect.
Never Hunt For A Charger Again
Imagine this; you pull as much as a multi-story automotive park, park your electric vehicle (EV) on the entrance, and step out. Your automotive, guided by clever infrastructure, navigates itself to a free parking house outfitted with a charging level. A robotic arm seamlessly connects the charger to your car, and when you take pleasure in a espresso or do some procuring, your automotive silently replenishes its battery. Once absolutely charged, it gracefully maneuvers to an everyday parking house, prepared to your return. This is the promise of Automated Valet Charging, a know-how presently underneath development by Bosch and Volkswagen subsidiary Cariad presented at CES 2024.
Here’s the way it works:
Automated Valet Parking: This know-how, already in operation at some areas, is the inspiration of Automated Valet Charging. Using sensors and communication with the car park infrastructure, your EV finds an obtainable house and parks itself, eliminating the necessity to seek for parking and navigate tight maneuvers.
Robotic Charging: Once parked, your automotive communicates with the charging station, triggering the robotic arm. This arm, outfitted with sensors and a charging cable, exactly aligns and connects the charger to your car’s charging port, even when it requires opening a handbook flap.
Optimized Charging: The system screens your battery degree and charging wants, making certain environment friendly and protected charging. You can set your required cost degree or specify a departure time, permitting the system to optimize the charging course of accordingly.
Automatic Relocation: When absolutely charged, your automotive is not left occupying the precious charging spot. The robotic arm disconnects the charger, and your EV robotically strikes to an everyday parking house, liberating up the station for the subsequent car.
Here are the professionals, cons, prices, and charges of EV charging, be it Level 1 house charging, or Level 3 DC quick charging.
The Charging Bottlenecks In EV Life
Honda
While the attract of silent, emission-free driving attracts many in the direction of electric vehicles (EVs), navigating the charging panorama can current a novel set of challenges. Unlike their gas-guzzling counterparts, EVs require a deliberate and planned approach to refuelling, and the present infrastructure presents a number of hurdles that may solid a shadow over the in any other case clean EV expertise.
Patience Is A Virtue And Necessity
Rivian
One of the starkest contrasts between EVs and conventional automobiles lies within the time it takes to “fill up.” While a gasoline station pit cease takes mere minutes, replenishing an EV battery can be an exercise in patience. Level 1 and a couple of chargers, the commonest house and public choices, can take a number of hours to completely cost even moderate-sized batteries. Even the high-powered DC fast chargers, while significantly faster, can still demand a 30-45 minute commitment. This prolonged charging time necessitates cautious planning and sometimes disrupts the spontaneity of journey.
A Patchwork Puzzle
Allego
The availability and accessibility of charging stations differ dramatically throughout areas and inside them. Densely populated city areas could boast a community of stations, whereas rural communities may discover themselves in charging deserts. Even inside cities, the distribution may be uneven, with sure neighborhoods missing handy charging choices. This inconsistency fosters nervousness for EV homeowners, significantly these new to the electrical ecosystem.
The worry of “range anxiety,” running out of power before reaching a charger, stays a potent deterrent for a lot of contemplating the change to electrical. Additionally, the shortage of standardized charging protocols and connector varieties can additional complicate issues, with some stations incompatible with sure car fashions. This creates a irritating lack of plug-and-play simplicity, requiring analysis and planning earlier than venturing out.
Convenience Conundrum
Hyundai
Charging infrastructure challenges lengthen past mere availability. Many stations current accessibility points, missing designated parking areas, satisfactory lighting, or facilities to make the wait time snug. Navigating cost programs may be one other layer of complexity, with completely different operators using various price constructions and cost strategies.
This lack of standardization creates a disjointed expertise, significantly for drivers unfamiliar with particular networks. Furthermore, the reliability of public chargers is usually a concern, with malfunctioning gear including one other layer of stress to the charging course of.
With extra folks switching to completely electrical driving, it will not harm to know how a lot charging an EV will price you.
Benefits Of Automated Valet Charging For EV Owners
Bosch
Automated valet charging (AVC) is an rising know-how that guarantees to revolutionize the charging expertise for electrical car (EV) homeowners. Built upon existing automated valet parking (AVP) systems, AVC automates your entire technique of parking, charging, and retrieving an EV, providing a mess of potential advantages.
Increased Convenience and Time-Saving:
Effortless charging: Imagine arriving at a parking storage and easily dropping your EV off on the entrance. AVC takes care of discovering a parking spot, maneuvering the car, connecting the charger, and disconnecting it upon completion. This eliminates the necessity for looking for chargers, dealing with cables, and monitoring charging progress, saving invaluable effort and time.
Improved parking effectivity: AVC programs can optimize parking house utilization by effectively maneuvering and stacking automobiles, doubtlessly resulting in extra obtainable parking spots, particularly in crowded city areas. This eliminates the frustration of circling parking garages in quest of an empty house.
Improved Accessibility and Charging Infrastructure:
Optimized charging infrastructure utilization: AVC programs can effectively handle charging infrastructure, directing automobiles to obtainable chargers and making certain optimum utilization. This can result in elevated charging capability and lowered wait occasions for all EV homeowners, not simply these utilizing AVC.
Reduced stress and frustration: Eliminating the trouble of looking for parking and coping with charging cables can considerably scale back stress and frustration for EV homeowners. AVC offers a more relaxed and convenient charging experience, doubtlessly making EV possession extra fulfilling.
It is necessary to notice that AVC continues to be in its early phases of growth, and there are some potential challenges that should be addressed.
Charging an EV comes with secret prices and challenges. Here are the perfect occasions to plug in your EV and scale back the charging prices.
Paving The Way For Seamless EV Charging But Portholes Exist On The Road
Bosch
While the potential advantages of automated valet charging (AVC) for EV owners are undeniable, turning imaginative and prescient into actuality requires overcoming numerous challenges and implementing efficient methods for widespread adoption. Navigating this path necessitates a complete understanding of potential roadblocks, strategic initiatives, and collaborative efforts that may pave the way in which for a seamless EV charging expertise.
Potential Challenges And Obstacles:
Infrastructure Investment: Implementing automated valet charging infrastructure demands vital upfront investments in robotic programs, charging gear, and software program integration. This is usually a barrier for parking storage operators and municipalities with restricted assets.
Technological hurdles: Ensuring clean and dependable operation of automated valet charging programs requires overcoming technical challenges, reminiscent of exact car identification, correct robotic maneuvering, and seamless knowledge communication between elements.
Consumer Trust and Acceptance: Building public belief within the security and safety of automated valet charging programs is essential. Concerns relating to potential malfunctions, knowledge safety breaches, and legal responsibility in case of accidents should be addressed successfully.
Integration with Existing Parking Systems: Successfully integrating automated valet charging into present parking infrastructure without disrupting current operations presents a logistical challenge. Retrofitting present garages might not be possible in all instances, and integrating automated valet charging seamlessly into new building initiatives requires cautious planning and coordination.
The future of mobility is rapidly approaching, promising fast refueling, prioritized performance, and zero emissions. Hydrogen-powered vehicles are gaining popularity, and BMW is one of the automakers at the forefront of this movement.
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is scheduled to be one of three hydrogen-powered vehicles released by BMW dealerships in 2024. This sustainable SUV concept aims to revolutionize electric mobility while offering exceptional performance. As companies, cities, and countries strive to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the coming decades, a variety of renewable energy sources are required. Hydrogen plays a crucial role in this future.
About 100 BMW iX5 Hydrogen test models have been produced and rolled out in recent months to showcase the brand’s vision for the future. The expected features of the iX5 suggest that hydrogen-powered vehicles may offer advantages that even current electric vehicles, including BMW’s EV lineup, cannot provide.
The information in this article is based on sources like BMW, Car and Driver, Global Market Insights, SAE, and the International Energy Agency.
One notable advantage of hydrogen vehicles is their quick refueling time. Hydrogen refueling typically takes only three to five minutes, and the BMW iX5 Hydrogen promises a four-minute refueling time—similar to or even faster than refueling a gas-powered car at a gas pump.
However, the limited availability of hydrogen refueling stations remains a major challenge. Unlike gas stations or electric charging stations, hydrogen fueling stations are still scarce.
Over 400 Horses At Your Disposal
In addition to its fast refueling time, the iX5 Hydrogen boasts impressive performance. It combines fifth-generation fuel cell technology with an electric motor, providing 401 horsepower and 524 pound-feet of torque.
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just six seconds and has a top speed of 115 mph. The vehicle is equipped with a 400-volt battery located above its hydrogen-powered motor. In terms of range, it offers approximately 313 miles, which is comparable to top-ranked electric vehicles like the Tesla Model Y and the Rivian R1T.
BMW iX5 Hydrogen Technical Specifications
Layout
Dual hydrogen fuel cells with a single electric motor
Horsepower
401 horsepower
Torque
524 pound-feet
Range
313 miles
0-60 MPH
6.0 seconds
Top Speed
115 MPH
Price
TBA
(Specs sourced from BMW and Car and Driver)
Hydrogen’s availability and infrastructure play a significant role in realizing a carbon-neutral future. The BMW iX5 Hydrogen’s quick refueling, impressive range, and smooth driving experience make it a compelling alternative for fans of internal combustion engines.
BMW has committed to achieving carbon-neutral status for its brand by 2050 at the latest. As deadlines for all-electric and zero-emissions fleets approach, various technological innovations and fuel sources are necessary to achieve these environmentally conscious goals.
BMW Is Committed To Hydrogen Tech
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is part of the brand’s collaboration with the United Nations’ “Race To Zero” initiative, which includes responsible sourcing of materials. Hydrogen vehicles require fewer raw materials in production and engineering compared to electric vehicles.
While the percentage of electric vehicles on the road has increased significantly in recent years, they still account for only 14% of total vehicles as of 2022, according to the International Energy Agency. This percentage is expected to increase by 4% by the end of 2023. Therefore, there is still a large market share dominated by high-emission gas-powered vehicles. Hydrogen technology has the potential to fill this gap.
As investors recognize the potential, the availability of hydrogen technology is expected to grow significantly. Global Market Insights projects that the current market value of the hydrogen vehicle sector, currently at $2.8 billion, will reach $33.2 billion by 2032.
The iX5 Takes Inspiration From BMW’s EV and Gas-Powered Lineup
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen draws inspiration from the electric iX while also comparing favorably to both BMW’s electric and gas-powered vehicle lineup. For instance, the iX5 is expected to outperform some of BMW’s all-electric vehicles in terms of specifications. The BMW i4 has a range of 307 miles, starting at 227 miles, and the i5 offers a range of only 295 miles.
Moreover, the iX5 Hydrogen shares similarities with the all-electric BMW iX SUV. While offering similar torque, the iX has more power with 516 horsepower and quicker acceleration of two seconds. However, the iX5 has a slightly better range at 311 miles and a top speed of 124 mph. Additionally, the iX5 Hydrogen has the advantage of significantly shorter charging time compared to the iX, which requires 11 hours to charge using a level two charger.
Not Mighty Fast, But the iX5 Is No Slouch Either
The iX5 Hydrogen is also competitive with gas-powered BMW models. For example, the BMW X1 has a similar 0-60 mph acceleration time of 6.2 seconds, but it has a combined city and highway fuel economy of 23 MPG. The estimated horsepower of the 2024 X1 is lower than that of the iX5 at about 312 horsepower.
BMW strikes a balance with the iX5 by leveraging its existing models. Rather than creating a completely new product, BMW builds on what it does best, resulting in the iX5 Hydrogen outperforming both electric and gas models. This hydrogen-powered vehicle could convince traditionalists of internal combustion engines to embrace eco-friendly alternatives.
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