sustainable – Page 2 – DesignApplause

electric car charger evbox plugs into usa via chicago for long-distance solutions.

Feb 18, 2020

holding back the electric revolution in the u.s.has been driver concern of feeling confined within the city with no long-distance trips for fear of running out of juice. that could change rather quickly.

amsterdam-based evbox – part of the french energy company engie – promises to solve long-distance worries. the company has just announced the lease of a north american headquarters and production facility, taking over the former motorola site at the innovation park campus in libertyville, outside chicago. the company which currently is in new york city, san francisco, and los angeles, considered 33 locations across the country, including detroit and charleston, s.c.

with an impressive business model in the netherlands, evbox drives sustainable mobility by providing smart and scalable charging infrastructure and charging management software to electric vehicles around the world. powered by engie, evbox has placed over 115,000 charging points across more than 55 countries. with residential, commercial, public, and fast-charging solutions, evbox is helping to build a future where everyday transport is emission-free. and they plant trees.

the plan is to start operation this summer and prepare a production line for around 200 units of dc charging units per week in the initial phase. that would be up to 10,000 dc chargers annually. in anticipation, evbox has redesigned their charging station for use along highways and industrial areas to connect urban centers already flush with chargers.

the charging stations offer an elegant signature design and will simultaneously charges up to four vehicles. an intuitive display lets you charge and pay with any smart device. as technology changes to accommodate ever more advanced cars, the modular design of the station allows customizable installation and quick exchange of parts.

at ces 2020, evbox introduced two models below > left evbox troniq 100 / right evbox ultroniq

> fast charger evbox troniq 100 was developed with the end-user in mind, in order to provide 100 kw charging and to ensure high reliability. high performance components allow maximum power to be delivered at all times.
> ultra-fast charger ultroniq with the exponential increase of evs with higher charging capability and offers up to 350 kw. its modular configurations of different units assure compatibility for every use case across the world. the design will maintain optimal performance even in extreme weather conditions at any location, and the larger integrated touch screen makes it easy for the ev driver to interact with the station.

[ key features of evbox troniq 100 and evbox ultroniq ] > full power continuously, distributed efficiently – 200 a full power with evbox troniq 100 and 500 a full power with evbox ultroniq
> load balancing to make the most efficient use of available power
> training and certification to partners for installations
> support with on-site commissioning to ensure a smooth start
> auto-retractable cables to increase their longevity
> larger touch screen for easy use
> stations are designed to be accessible to everyone – wheelchair adapted

evbox troniq 100 (up to 100 kw) to be available globally from q2 2020
evbox ultroniq (up to 350 kw) to be available globally from q3 2020
note: the above rollout dates were mentioned at ces2020 which seems improbable and we’ll let’s wait and see.
note: also wondering how tesla coast-to-coast charging system is doing

above > evbox known for its elegant designs creates a next level charger for the u.s. market – evbox iqon is designed by dutch design firm [ vanberlo ] // the charger won the prestigious 2019 [ IF world design guide award ] [ evbox details ] [ vimeo ]

autonomous vehicle startup nuro gets nhtsa green light with their r2 electric delivery vehicles.

Feb 11, 2020

a lot will be happening in the ev, self-drive marketplace in 2020. above, nuro r2

now they get a great opportunity to prove themselves. the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has awarded [ nuro ] with a permit to temporarily deploy up to 5,000 low-speed electric delivery vehicles free of human controls.

the nuro r2 has been designed to make short trips and will be restricted to pre-mapped neighborhood streets. the vehicles will be deployed during a two-year period and offer a delivery service for grocery stores, restaurants, and other businesses.

in granting the nuro r2 a permit to test on public roads, the nhtsa has for the first time approved a petition for a vehicle that doesn’t meet all existing u.s. auto safety standards, such as featuring normal human controls like a steering wheel and mirrors.

u.s. transportation secretary elaine chao says that for vehicles like the nuro r2, “certain features that the department traditionally required – such as mirrors and windshield for vehicles carrying drivers – no longer make sense.”

nuro was co-founded in 2016 by a pair of former google engineers who had worked on the company’s self-driving car project. last year, nuro raised $940 million from softbank group corp and the company is now valued at $2.7 billion.

in december 2019, the state of california said it would allow ‘light-duty’ autonomous delivery vehicles to hit public streets across the state with a requirement test vehicles without a backup driver will need a certified link to a remote operator that can take control. at the time, nuro said it would apply for a permit to test the r2 in california, having already tested the vehicle in arizona and texas.

[ nuro ] dave ferguson and jiajun zhu have devoted their careers to robotics and machine learning, most recently as principal engineers at google’s self-driving car project (now waymo). they founded nuro in 2016 to harness the power of robotics and artificial intelligence to solve new challenges at a global scale. today their team consists of veterans in robotics, consumer electronics, autonomous vehicles, and automotive — from google, waymo, apple, uber, tesla, and gm.

1920-21 mustang mach-e all-electric suv a hint of the past but mostly about the future.

Dec 2, 2019

if the new mustang mach-e doesn’t look like a duck nor walk like a duck why call it a duck? this new suv, though tagged with the past, hints of mustang in the head and taillights and ponies here and there. but this new all-electric suv is really built for an exciting future.

above > e-latch system – no door handles but when car recognizes you it will present door button

80% of electric vehicle charging happens at home. ford offers multiple home charging solutions to fit your needs a) the ford mobile charger comes standard – a slow but convenient charge using a standard (120v) electrical outlet. b) the ford connected charge station is an option that fully charges your vehicle overnight* in a 240V outlet.

above > massive 15.5-inch infotainment screen is standard / mobile phone as a key with fordpass – no more fumbling for a fob.

first edition / sold out!
$59,900 msrp (epa est. 270 miles, mid 5-second, awd, 19” wheels)
0-60 > mid-5 seconds
the first edition will be a limited run with an exclusive body color (grabber blue), red brake calipers, and unique stitching. available in late 2020

select (base model)
$43,895 msrp (epa est. 230 miles, awd or rwd, 18” wheels)
0-60 > mid-5 seconds
available in early 2021

premium
$50,600 msrp (epa est. 300 miles, awd or rwd, 19” wheels)
0-60 > mid-5 seconds
available in late 2020

california route 1
$52,400 (epa est. 300 miles, awd, 18” wheels)
0-60 > mid-6 seconds
available in early 2021

gt
$60,500 (epa est. 235 miles, awd, 20” wheels
0-60 > mid-3 seconds
available in early 2021

innovative features
phone as a key with fordpass – no more fumbling for a fob.
e-latch system – no door handles but when car recognizes you it will present door button

[ mach e ]

maggie marilyn launches somewhere a consciously designed garment collection with the ability to be recycled.

Nov 29, 2019

the complexities of pricing responsibly made clothing — increase product costs so you can pay workers more, or keep products cheap so that “sustainable” clothes will be more accessible? the designer behind maggie marilyn wrestles with it all.

founded by maggie hewitt, fashion brand maggie marilyn was launched in 2016 with a mantra ‘to make a difference in an industry that was ready for change’. that year mm was picked up by luxury e-commerce powerhouse, net-a-porter. in 2017, they were shortlisted for the prestigious lvmh prize. in 2018 they switched all their wholesale packaging to fully biodegradable cassava root bags and released a sustainability strategy in line with the united nations sustainable development goals. throughout this period wholesalers and buyers constantly urged them to deliver cheaper clothes that would drive more profitability.

for 2020, maggie marilyn, launches somewhere, a direct-to-consumer collection of seasonless wardrobe styles crafted from ethical materials at affordable prices. somewhere, is the name of maggie’s childhood home in the bay of islands, new zealand.

in new york recently, she mentions ellen macarthur’s circular economy and closed loop system as inspiration. somewhere will launch a collection system in 2021, to recycle well-loved items and bring them back to life. ‘buy less, buy consciously, buy forever,’ hewitt toasted.

above > maggie hewitt at homebrook farm, blenheim, new zealand, october 2019

somewhere by maggie marilyn is available online only. [ somewhere collection ] photos courtesy of maggie marilyn

2020 zero emissions all-electrified minified mini cooper se.

Nov 15, 2019

above> 2020 mini copper se /

a heavier mini with a lighter carbon footprint, and maybe more nimble as her center of gravity is one inch lower. the mini se will start at $29,900 and be available spring 2020. also check out a mini history below.

[ pros and cons }
power > front-wheel powered 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque / similar to bmw i3
battery > space saving integrated into floor 32.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion
charging > 50-kilowatt fast charge of 80% in 35 minutes
weight > 1,400 pounds – battery pack adds 319 pounds but lower center of gravity
one inch taller > blame it on the integrated battery
range > 150 miles for initial offering designed primarily for urban environments, not for road trips
0 to 60 mph in 7.3 secs

[ premium features that come standard }
advanced heat pump technology
comfort access keyless entry
connected navigation
dc charging capability
dual-zone automatic climate control
electric parking brake
heated exterior mirrors and washer jets
heated front seats
led headlamps
sport leather multifunction steering wheel
[ details ]

[ mini history ] launched in 1961 via british motor corporation (1959 – 1968) bmw acquired the mini franchise in 2000.

below left to right > 1960s mini cooper s / designed by alec issigonis & john cooper // 2019 john cooper works 2-door hardtop with spoiler option

life-size sand traffic jam seen on miami beach during design miami/ 2019. leandro erlich.

Nov 10, 2019

above > traffic jam (order of importance)

the beach has been a symbol of leisure and prosperity for so many years, and in particular for miami but now there is a frontline feeling about the beach. it has become a different kind of stage. ~ leandro erlich

last year at art basel 2018 in ruth benzacar‘s booth (above) a maquette of buenos aires artist leandro erlich was shown for $18,000. titled ‘traffic jam (order of importance) – the art is a miami beach-appropriate installation where cars, suv’s, taxis, etc., are moulded in sand – actually a mix of sand three types of salt which form a hardened crust. the vehicles seem to rise from nowhere, form a traffic jam, and then fade away.

erlich has a reputation for whimsical perception-bending optical-illusions. this 2018 maquette became the concept presented to the city of miami that will be shown life-size on miami beach during art basel 2019. the city has contributed $300,000 towards his most monumental work. the work will have a life of just fifteen days. but…there may be more to this concept though details are not fully available at this writing. possibly, this concept may become an off-shore reef. the reasoning comes from erlich’s interest in climate change and all that threatens humans, animals, architecture, and civilization.

his first climate related work was for the 2015 climate change summit in paris, maison fond. to evoke global warming his installation was an image of a building melting: the ground floor of this small parisian building has already almost completely disappeared.

and the world’s coral reefs are dying. this artificial structure (traffic jam) could both be a symbol as well as an artful prototype.

“the beach has been a symbol of leisure and prosperity for so many years, and in particular for miami,” says erlich. ‘but now there is a frontline feeling about the beach. it has become a different kind of stage.”

[ information ]
leandro erlich; design miami/ @designmiami #climatechange

household waste drives nendo design of n02 recycle chair for fritz hansen.

Nov 8, 2019

above > courtesy nendo and fritz hansen / photography akihiro yoshida

household waste redesigned – introducing the n02™ recycle chair from fritz hansen. n02™ recycle is a new, all-purpose chair from fritz hansen made of upcycled plastic, household waste – it is our first chair produced in colored, recycled polypropylene.

the chair is fritz hansen’s first move towards creating a chair for the circular economy, as it is made from recycled plastic and can be recycled again at the end of its life.

the strong, stackable chair is designed in collaboration with japanese studio nendo and inspired by a simple crease of paper on the designer’s work table. the folded paper translated into a crease in the chair’s shell that makes the design support the sitter’s upper and lower back.

the chair’s elegant shell is made of circular plastic, meaning it is made of recycled plastic that can be recycled again if necessary. the plastic used for n02™ recycle comes from household, plastic waste collected, processed and upcycled in central europe, reducing transportation.

7 shell color options are inspired by earthy, warm tones in scandinavian nature. these colors and multiple leg options make n02™ recycle a strong solution for dining rooms, home offices, meeting rooms or as extra, multi-purpose seating. the wipeable, plastic shell is child-friendly and very easy to clean.

“we wanted to do a versatile, plastic, stacking chair in recycled materials. collaborating with studio nendo meant the design would be simple and elegant, a really nice blend of scandinavian and japanese aesthetics,” says christian andresen, head of design at fritz hansen.

“n02™ recycle can also be considered a statement of intent from fritz hansen. we have developed extensive knowledge and experience creating beautiful, well designed stacking chairs such as the iconic series 7™ and ant™. the n02™ recycle is the latest chair design in that tradition. it was not easy to create a recycled and recyclable chair that meets fritz hansen’s quality standards, but the result was worth all the experiments and hours spent brainstorming,” he added.

“the fact that the material is constructed from everyday recycled plastic creates an extra connection between the user and the chair. it’s an accessible design made for everyday use and made from everyday recycled, household plastics,” says oki sato of nendo. (below)

[ vitals ]
the shell is made of 100% recycled/recyclable polypropylene
colors: dark orange, dark red, dark blue, light blue, grey, black, off white
sledge base is chromed steel (50% recycled)
swivel bases is polished aluminum (95% recycled)
all other bases come in powder coated steel (monochrome) or chromed steel upon request
arms always match the base finish
available in stores november 2019

[ information ]
nendo / fritz hansen

13 energizing all-electric vehicles for 2020 and 5 reasons why.

Oct 14, 2019

above > aston martin rapide e

the big automakers are eyeing electric because electric cars provide many benefits to drivers. here’s five:

1 > electric vehicles save you money
every electricity provider in the 50 largest us cities offers a rate plan that makes filling up on electricity cheaper than gasoline. view average savings in your city.

2 > electric vehicles cut your emissions
electric vehicles continue to get cleaner.

3 > electric vehicles offer a better driving experience
an electric engine provides a smooth instant torque with a responsive acceleration and deceleration and a low center of gravity. electric vehicles has been recognized in race series like formula e.

4 > electric vehicles cut your oil use
electric vehicles can cut u.s.a. oil use and offer a cleaner, better way to fuel transportation for everyone.

5 > electric vehicles are convenient
battery electric vehicles are mechanically much simpler than a conventional gasoline car.

we should see at least 15 new electric vehicles coming for the 2020 model year from both long-established automakers and high-tech start-up ventures:

aston martin rapide e < below >
a true exotic sports car. based on the low-slung rapide coupe, production will be limited to 155 units worldwide, with a sky-high sticker price. it’s expected to run for around 200 miles on a charge and register a 0-60 mph time of less than four seconds. all 155 units are already pre-sold.

audi volkswagen-based e-tron suv < below >
audi will borrow volkswagen’s meb electric platform for use in its own small suv. it will become the third e-tron model – following the 2019 e-tron suv and sportback variants. this yet-unnamed model is an affordable, high-volume baby e-tron. promising 220 miles on a single charge from a 95-kwh pack.

bmw ix3 < below >
an electric crossover is equipped with a 70-kwh battery pack providing about 220 miles of range on a single charge. a single electric motor produces 270 horsepower.

chevy bolt ev < below >
the 2020 ev delivers a 259-mile electric driving range* on a full charge, which is a 21-mile increase over the previous model. this 8.8% driving range increase comes with no physical changes to the battery pack. the 2020 chevy bolt ev will get two new exterior colors: cayenne orange metallic and oasis blue. $37,495.

ford’s mustang-inspired electric suv < below >
a 300-mile all-electric sporty five-seat crossover suv. the ev offers wireless home charging and over-the-air software updates.

kia soul ev < below >
a new 64 kwh liquid-cooled lithium ion polymer battery pack should deliver well in excess of 200 miles on a charge. power will be bumped up to 200 horsepower with 291 pound-feet of torque. it will come with four drive modes and four levels of regenerative braking, including a setting for one-pedal driving.

mercedes-benz eqa < below >
an electric version of the gla, the hatchback is inspired by the concept eqa shown at the 2017 frankfurt auto show, does 0-62mph figure in the region of five seconds, a proposed 60-kwh battery and up to 250 miles of driving range, based on european emissions tests.

mercedes-benz eqc < below >
an suv with two electric motors that combine for an output of 402 horsepower with 564 pound-feet of torque. all-wheel-drive will be standard, along with a long list of convenience, connectivity, and safety features. range projected at plus 250 miles. around $80,000.

polestar (volvo) 2 < below >
volvo is launching a new high-tech sub-brand this year called polestar. its first model, the polestar 1, will be a plug-in hybrid, but the polestar 2 is a full-electric luxury four-door hatchback. a targeted a range of 275 miles with two electric motors. all-wheel drive will come standard. a limited number at $155,000.

porsche taycan < below >
porsche’s first full-electric model will be an ultra-exotic battery-powered four-door sports car. listed at 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.5 seconds, with 300 miles of range with a full battery, with the ability to recharge about 60 miles worth of energy in just four minutes. from $103,800.

rivian r1t < below >
startup rivian plans to introduce a futuristic-looking pickup truck for 2020 to be built in the former mitsubishi factory in normal, il. the r1t eyes a 400-mile range, with a quad-motor system for off-road adventures and 0-60 mph in three seconds on paved roads. starting at $62,000.

volkswagen id.4 < below >
a yet to be named all-electric crossover with three battery pack sizes offering between about 180 and 250 miles. an all-wheel-drive variant will also reportedly be available. about $30,000.

volvo xc40 electric < below >
in 2020, the first pure electric volvo will arrive in the form of a battery-powered xc40 small crossover. volvo executives hinted that the xc40 will offer about 250 miles of range – and come with a price tag below $50,000.

2020 porsche taycan luxury all-electric high-performance pollution-free hits the road.

Sep 24, 2019

the name taycan roughly translates from turkish as “lively young horse” in reference to the steed of the stuttgart coat of arms on the porsche crest.

the taycan is a billion-dollar bet on an electric-drive future, the first in what the high-end german car company hopes will be a long line of battery-powered high-performance cars and sport utility vehicles.

the interior of the car is based around up to four digital displays, including a curved, free-standing 16.8 in configurable driver’s display. this marks porsche’s first fully digital instrument binnacle. a 10.9 inch screen is situated to the right of the instrument binnacle which serves as the infotainment system of the car. an optional screen is placed to the right of the infotainment screen which allows the front passenger to customize the infotainment system. an 8.4 inch screen is present in a portrait layout on the centre console with a trackpad to control the functions. the screen displays the status of the power train and tells the driver to efficiently use the power. despite using an all digital layout, the dashboard features the classic porsche clock on the top.

[ vitals ]
model > taycan turbo
engine > 2 ac synchronous electric motors
transmission > 1-speed direct-drive (front), 2-speed automatic (rear)
power > 500 kw (680 ps; 671 hp)
torque > 850 n⋅m (627 lb⋅ft)
0—60 mph > 3.0 seconds
top speed > 162 mph
range > wltp: 381–450 km (237–280 mi)
price > $150,900 usd

model > taycan turbo s
engine > 2 ac synchronous electric motors
transmission > 1-speed direct-drive (front), 2-speed automatic (rear)
power > 560 kw (761 ps; 751 hp)
torque > 1,050 n⋅m (774 lb⋅ft)
0—60 mph > 2.6 seconds
top speed >
range > wltp: 388–412 km (241–256 mi)
price > $185,000

charging
charging time for alternating current (ac) with 9.6kww ( 0 to up to 100% ) = 93 minutes
charging time for direct current (dc) with 50kww ( 5 to up to 80% ) = 93 minutes
charging time for direct current (dc) with 270kww ( 5 to up to 80% ) = 22.5 minutes

sales slated for december 2019.

[ porsche official site ]

first amazon and now ford investing in all-electric pickup truck startup rivian.

Apr 28, 2019

last february, amazon announced a $700-million dollar investment in rivian to develop an electric delivery vehicle. now ford motor company is investing $500 million dollars into rivian. and though the small numbers of electrified vehicles on the road today, this announcement is another sign that automakers are eyeing evs as an element in their future.

ford is already developing an electrified mustang and a battery-powered version of the f150, the best-selling vehicle in the us. ford declined to name the product it will build with rivian.

founded by ceo rj scaringe in 2009, rivian employs about 700 people at its michigan headquarters, technology and engineering operations in california and recently acquired a vehicle assembly plant in normal, illinois, for a bargain from mitsubishi motors.

“ford has promised a portfolio of electric vehicles, including a pickup truck, as well as other models,” said michelle krebs, an executive analyst at autotrader. “rivian has a well-developed, innovative approach to electrifying trucks that is ready to go. rivian has the benefit of ford’s leadership position in the truck market — ford has something like a 70% loyalty rate in trucks — with its wide distribution network and raft of potential customers, most importantly commercial fleet customers.”

above > the front charge indicator on rivian’s new rit electric pickup.

above > “gear tunnel” — a storage area that spans the width of the vehicle

[ vitals ]

> up to 400 miles per charge – $90,000 usd / 230 miles – $70,000 usd
> zero-to-60 mph in three seconds
> quad motor system – for superior on road control and way off
> wading depth of three feet
> a debut at the 2018 los angeles autoshow