NEWS
2014 events diary ELECTRIC VEHICLE WORLD RECORD
GreenWay looks to break EV mileage record
Telematics for Fleet Management, 12-13 March, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Now in its 11th year, the conference and exhibition will reveal the future of the commercial vehicle telematics market, including the impending legislations and the need‑to‑know industry trends. TNT Express, Mercedes-Benz, Continental, Volvo, Renault Trucks, Shell, Zurich and more will explore how to assess the needs of the end user, address expectations of telematics solutions and meet demands to deploy a fully integrated services portfolio and data package. Visit telematicsupdate. com/fleeteurope
European Hydrogen Energy Conference, 12-14 March, Seville, Spain
According to the Green Car Website, Slovakian electric mobility start-up GreenWay has unofficially set a new world record for the most distance travelled in an electric van over a 24-hour period, covering an amazing 2,048.2 kilometres (1,272 miles). The Slovakian firm operates a series of battery-swapping station for electric vehicles. It set out on the journey to prove the capabilities of EVs and the quick and convenient nature of its battery swapping system. Currently, the official record for the longest distance covered in 24 hours by an electric vehicle stands at 1,200 kilometres (745 miles) – almost half of that achieved by GreenWay. The firm plans to repeat it can repeat its success in the near future under the watchful eyes of independent verifiers to set a new world record. GreenWay used a specially-converted Citroën Jumper (Relay in the UK) van, compatible with its battery-swapping system. With a range of around 124 miles per charge, a recharge of the van would take around six hours, but downtime is cut to less than 10 minutes by swapping there battery. Taking the van on a journey back and forth between Bratislava and Nitra, a team of drivers managed to cover an extra 848.2 kilometres (527 miles) more than the old record, only making brief stops of around seven minutes to swap the battery over. GreenWay now hopes it can replicate this unofficial record breaking achievement
in the presence of independent testers and the public to claim a new world record. The company was set up by MyEnergy to build battery‑swapping infrastructure across Slovakia, opening its first station back in October 2012 in Bratislava. The firm hopes to expand into neighbouring European countries in time, to help electric vehicles provide a true alternative to Europeans to the convenience and fast-refuelling combustion vehicle. Using the firm’s services, commercial operators lease electric vans, paying a single monthly fee which also covers the use of GreenWay’s battery swapping stations. READ MORE tinyurl.com/pys45bq
Fast-charging stations planned for Slovakia As well as setting a new world record for the most distance travelled in an electric van over a 24-hour period, GreenWay plans to build a full network of fast charging stations in Slovakia on the main highways D1 and R1, with the emphasis to be placed on key points between Bratislava and Košice. Selected locations will have up to 15 stations, which will allow the owners of electric vehicles to recharge their cars to 80 per cent of total capacity in just 30 minutes. In addition, GreenWay will allow to their clients to use fast charging stations for free.
The European Hydrogen Energy Conference (EHEC) is the European reference framework for updates on hydrogen and fuel cell related technologies, and the best setting to present the advances in research, products and projects we are all developing in the sector. As well as transport applications for hydrogen, including infrastructure deployment in Europe, the conference will look at hydrogen reforming, storage, fuel cell components and stacks, and safety and environmental issues. Visit www.ehec.info/
The Commercial Vehicle Show, 29 April-1 May, Birmingham, UK The Commercial Vehicle Show is the largest and most comprehensive road freight transport event staged in Britain, catering for every operator’s requirements from trucks, vans and all types of trailers through to handling equipment, insurers, tyre, telemetry and training providers, fuels and lubricant suppliers. To ensure the industry’s wheels keep turning at maximum efficiency, the Workshop sector alone features 100+ stands showcasing everything from OE components and replacement parts to garage and workshop equipment. Visit www.cvshow.com
eCarTec Munich, 21-23 October
Munich Trade Fair Centre, Germany eCarTec and its accompanying congress is an international platform, which deals exclusively with the topic of electric mobility. It shows electric vehicles, storage technologies, powertrain and engine technology and additional deals with the themes of energy, infrastructure and financing. An additional test site, where end-users can test the latest electric vehicle and get familiar with the technology, is also integrated. Visit www.ecartec.de
Volume 1.1 | GREENFLEET EUROPE MAGAZINE
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