Autoflight and CATL’s New Relationship

Dean Sigler Announcements, Batteries, Biomimicry, Sky Taxis, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

AutoFlight and battery developer CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., announced “an exclusive strategic investment and cooperation agreement, a relationship valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars.”  Uniting these two technological leaders, the agreement provides developmental cash to AutoFlight and a platform for CATL to expand their electric aviation market. A Trip Across the Yangtze An August 1 flight across the Yangtze River highlighted how the strengths of this new relationship can grow both companies.  Nanjing, an ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, is only one of 29 major cities on either side of the great river.  All face the same transportation difficulties.  The 5.5 kilometer straight-line distance between Nanjing UAV Base and Yuzui Wetland Park, for instance, “requires a 20 kilometer drive that takes 25 minutes. However, an eVTOL aircraft can cover this distance in just five minutes,”  cutting travel time by 80 percent,” according to AutoFlight.  Even worse, holiday travelers around popular tourist destinations can slow traffic by …

Even More Solid-State Batteries

Dean Sigler Announcements, Batteries, Electric Powerplants, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

We have a few more solid- or semi-solid-state  batteries to share in this round of encouraging battery news.  We start with an overview by Dave Borlace that includes a few batteries discussed in last week’s entry, and some interesting takes on three more makers. WeLion/NIO and Must See TV Setting a 650 mile record on a single charge, the NIO ET7 managed altitude, temperature, and distance.   “The 14-hour journey from Shanghai to Xiamen breaks barriers, despite cold temperatures (starting off in 28° F (-2°C), proving the electric vehicle’s remarkable capabilities.”  Going that far on a single charge is an appreciable accomplishment.  Critics cite the 150 kilowatt-hour battery as being half-again as energy-packed as most EVs pack, but the relatively light weight of the pack allows the additional energy to be carried.  William Li, NIO’s CEO and Chairman, set the car on “the NOP+ semi-autonomous driving system activated for 92% of the journey.  The average speed was 83.9 km/h (52.13 mph),” …