Recycling when EV batteries get down to 80%-of-range level can be tricky. But there’s no necessity if there are many immediate uses for batteries that are ‘down’ to 240 instead of 300.
What’s so bad about 80% of the original capacity? Wouldn’t there be a lot of use cases for a car with 80% of the range?
I’m glad to see any second use for these batteries before recycling. Gotta combat the narrative that “an EV battery is trash after 5 years!”
From the article:
In fact, the company has just begun field testing one application at partner Mazda’s Hiroshima plant.
I wanted to see what their partnership was like so I checked on Wikipedia:
In the past and present, Mazda has been engaged in alliances with other automakers. From 1974 until the late 2000s, Ford was a major shareholder of Mazda. Other partnerships include Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu, Suzuki and Kia.
Wow. I didn’t really expect Mazda to be involved with 6 other car manufacturers.
Manufacturers work with each other a LOT. A lot of the japanese makers also own stakes in each others companies or have partnerships setup. It’s the exact opposite with USDM stuff, they just don’t share or collaborate on anything big it seems.
Ford and GMC share several transmission designs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM–Ford_6-speed_automatic_transmission
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford–GM_10-speed_automatic_transmission
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_8F_transmission
And sometimes they share by virtue of having the same suppliers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_6HP_transmission#Applications
https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10383874
Founded in 1986, Hanon Systems started off as an auto parts maker and ventured into thermal management systems for electric vehicles in 2015. It currently supplies thermal control solutions to auto giants such as Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, Ford Motor Company and General Motors.
Brembo provides brake systems for everyone. Recaro makes seats for everyone. Only premium models get the branding, but it’s pretty common for Brembo to make the base, performance,and halo trim brakes on a car.
Hell, look at the fitment of these brake pads- the calipers are very similar too because they were all made by PBR
https://www.amazon.com/Bendix-SBM412-Stop-Brake-Pad/dp/B01LXRWLUA
VEHICLE APPLICATION: Aston Martin DB7 1997, Chevrolet Camaro 1992-1988, Corvette 1996-1988, Ford Mustang 2001-1994, Mustang 2004-2003, Panoz AIV Roadster 1999, Esperante 2007-2001, Pontiac Firebird 1992-1988, Shelby Series 1 2000-1999
That’s interesting on the transmission sharing. And yea aftermarket works with anyone willing to take a deal, it’s business. I am surprised though that gm/ford did work together though.
Those brake pads are the same not because they are aftermarket- PBR supplied both systems originally and recycled much of the designs and tooling.
I remember in the ’90s/’00s there were a few Mazda and Ford vehicles that were basically the same, most obviously to me the Ford Ranger and Mazda B-series pickup truck.
IIRC, the Mazda3 was based on the same platform as the European version of the Ford Focus
Yes, and the Mazda6 and Mustang shared a platform.
They were both assembled in Flat Rock at the same time, but the Mazda based platform was CD3. That’s the Fusion and Edge.
Ah yes. Thank you for that correction! I knew it shared one and I conflated the assembly line with the platform.
at that time, Ford owned 1/3 of Mazda. They divested in 2015.
