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Deloitte Survey: 7 In 10 Americans Prefer ICE Vehicles
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By NAPA
NAPA News: The Hottest Electric Vehicles Coming In 2023
The idea of a world where roads are dominated by all-electric or hybrid vehicles isn’t too far off. As consumer demand for alternative-fuel, emission-free vehicles continues to grow, manufacturers are ramping up production. Industry titans are shifting their focus to create EV spinoff models to join in on the competition.
link hidden, please login to view This upcoming year, the NAPA experts expect to see a wide selection of high-tech EVs from traditional manufacturers like GMC, Subaru, Chevrolet and Nissan, who plan on redesigning well-loved models for the electric market space. Now, more than ever, EV models are being designed for the average commuter, car enthusiast and amateur DIY mechanic. Today’s EVs are versatile, advanced and soon becoming the norm for new-car shoppers. Get ready for 2023, when many mainstream manufacturers plan to launch a variety of EVs that fit multiple lifestyles and budgets. Whether you’re looking for a high-end, deluxe sportscar or a family-oriented crossover with trusted brand reliability, there is something in this lineup to pique your interest. If you’re on the hunt for an electric vehicle or just entertaining some EV curiosity, keep reading as we guide you through some of the coolest models hitting car shows and highways in the near future.
The Electrifying Future Of Automobiles
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With a whopping 312 miles of range, the Cadillac LYRIQ doesn’t miss a beat. The 33-inch diagonal dash display incorporates advanced LEDs to provide an in-cabin experience that’s pleasurable to your senses. With seamless adaptability in all weather or road conditions, the Ultium Battery Platform and Driver Mode Selector achieves a seamless, silky and harmonious driving experience.
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For a classic-looking ride with some trusted towing prowess, the Chevrolet Blazer EV triumphs in all expectations. Get up to 320 miles on a full charge, haul up to 1,500 pounds secure over 59.2 cubic feet of cargo space. This Blazer goes from 0 to 60 mph with Wide Open Watts, making it the perfect ‘everyday’ or ‘getaway’ vehicle for those who value vehicle comfort and adaptability.
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The all-new electric Chevrolet Equinox isn’t your average Equinox. It fully embraces futuristic style without losing that compact, SUV-feel and affordability. Get up to 290 horsepower with intense towing strength, along with Super Cruise — a hands-free driving mode. With new safety technology (like Reverse Automatic Braking) and a great selection of color options, the Chevy Equinox is shaping up to be a versatile EV, suitable for a variety of lifestyles and budgets.
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With sleek design and cutting-edge technology, the Genesis GV60 presents a first-class EV ‘crossback’ experience that’s stunning in terms of visuals and potential. The illuminated Crystal Sphere shifter and eco-friendly, deluxe interior upholstery bring a unique look to the Genesis GV60 cabin, while the intense horsepower, fast throttle response and charging capability extends the range of your road time.
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For the adventure-hungry pioneers who want modern off-road machines, keep an eye on the GMC Hummer EV SUV! This electrifying take on the Hummer will help you establish off-road dominance with multiple driving modes, HD Surround Vision and UltraVision, high clearance tires and a revolutionary design engineered to crawl, climb and claw your way through the toughest obstacles.
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Hyped as ‘the EV of your Dreams,’ GMC has pushed the limits of what an all-electric truck can truly be. The Sierra EV harnesses intense horsepower, torque and mileage along with advanced technology (like Super Cruise) for an exhilarating off-road experience. Charge up in less than 10 minutes to drive 100 miles. Get ready for GMC’s EV power, that’ll allow you to trek mountains and lakes in total luxury.
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Lexus’ all-electric RX 450e is a stunning vision of what luxury crossovers can be. With an intense powertrain featuring dual-motor setup, Lexus brings advanced handling and acceleration with its all-wheel drive. While the maximized motor power increases speed and driving finesse, Lexus takes interior comfort and style to the next level with a large 14-inch touchscreen display, an aerodynamic Spindle Body, Ultrasuede-trimmed upholstery and patterned cabin illumination for an other-worldly driving experience.
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With a state-of-the-art interior featuring active ambient lighting, a customized 3D sound system, and Natural Language Understanding and Keyword Activation, Mercedes-Benz brings futuristic comfort and design to the next level. Add on the speedy charging times, high horsepower and 90 kWh battery capacity, and you’ve got a deluxe ride that checks all the boxes.
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The Nissan Ariya, inspired by ‘Timeless Japanese Futurism,’ boasts comfort, magnificence and incredible range. The simplistic design pays homage to Japanese elements, while the advanced safety technology minimizes operator error. Certain models like the VENTURE+ carry an estimated range of up to 304 miles. That, coupled with the 59.7 cubic feet of cargo space and foldable seats, means the Ariya comfortably fit five passengers.
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Subaru’s all-electric lineup beings with the Subaru Solterra — a lean, outdoors-ready machine with all-terrain capability, zero-emissions powertrain and advanced safety and assist technology. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and 8.3 inches of ground clearance provide unmatched stability for better off-road adventures. If you love the trusted reliability and longevity of a Subaru, keep an eye on the 2023 Solterra for next-level features that’ll bring you into the electric age.
The EV Age Has Arrived
There are plenty more EV models worth honorable mentions, like the
link hidden, please login to view 3 & 4, link hidden, please login to view and link hidden, please login to view This isn’t an all-inclusive list, but just a few of the exciting developments in the electric vehicle world to help our loyal customers embrace the new age. As you consider EVs and hybrids for your next ride, lean on The NAPA Network to provide key information on caring for your EV, like
link hidden, please login to view, link hidden, please login to view, link hidden, please login to view, link hidden, please login to view and more. Whether or not you’re ready to take the leap into EV ownership, know that the friendly experts at NAPA are keeping up with the times to continue providing modernized parts, services and advice for all your automotive needs.
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By Counterman
Lumileds is launching a new line of powerful LED-upgrade retrofits for fog light and powersports headlights.
With automotive-grade LEDs that produce a cool-color temperature of up to 6,000 K, Philips UltinonSport LEDs provide “incredibly bright white light” and durable, long-lasting performance for snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs and other off-road vehicles, according to the company.
These LED solutions allow users to better illuminate the path ahead, detect obstacles faster and deliver a safer driving and riding experience. The new Philips UltinonSport LED line includes 12 SKUs and is compatible with both 12-volt and 24-volt electrical systems.
“Our new UltinonSport LED line helps drivers and riders find their next adventure,” said Aubry Baugh, Lumileds product manager. “These bulbs feature the latest in LED technology and are backed by the quality, safety, and reliability that Philips bulbs have been built on for over 100 years. They deliver brilliant illumination for roadways, trails, beaches, and backroads. Their advanced technology provides exceptional service lifetime, and their extremely compact size allows for an easy installation.”
To ensure long lifetime and optimal performance, the UltinonSport LED bulbs feature Philips “AirCool” technology with two types of heat dissipation. A built-in fan helps to actively cool the LED and electronics, while an aluminum heat sink further dissipates heat and maximizes airflow around the components. The durable construction and improved heat transfer means that UltinonSport LED bulbs deliver a lifetime of up to 2000 hours.
The Philips UltinonSport LED-upgrade retrofit bulbs are available for 9003, 9005/9006, 9007, 9008, 9145, H1, H3, H7, H8/H16, H11 and PS24W for off-road and fog-light applications. Each Philips UltinonSport LED package contains two bulbs.
For more information, email [email protected].
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By NAPA
In some ways electric vehicles are just like any other vehicle on the road. Wheels are powered to move passengers from one place to another along a roadway. It’s the same basic principle that carried us past the days of the horse and buggy. In fact many of the early horseless carriages were actually electric powered. But modern electric vehicles deal in much higher voltages and amperages than anything on the road in the past few decades. Anyone who already works on internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles probably has a link hidden, please login to view, but when it comes to servicing hybrid and electric vehicles (EV) there are a few more things to consider. Let’s take a look at EV tools versus ICE tools and learn what you might need for your EV tool kit.
Hand Tools
Starting with hand tools the functions are pretty much the same. A screwdriver still has a handle and a tip, wrenches still have jaws, sockets still have six or twelve points. The big difference comes down to stopping the flow of electricity either through the tool or to the user. You’ve probably seen insulated tools before, likely a screwdriver in a set. These are pretty common for household electrical work. But did you know there are insulated tools and then there are non-conductive (composite) tools?
An insulated tool is typically made of metal (like a normal tool) which is then covered with a non-conductive substance like epoxy or rubber. This interrupts the flow of electricity from the tool to the user’s hand. But insulated tools need to be checked regularly to verify if the insulating coating is still intact. Some tools use different colored insulation layers to signal if a tool is ready for replacement. If the warning layer is visible, the tool is no longer safe to use. The last point is one that normally isn’t a part of hand tool ownership. Hand tools either work or they are broken. Insulated electric tools may still technically work as say a wrench, but they will not be safe to use around electrical components once the insulation has been compromised.
Composite tools are actually made differently than normal tools. For example a composite ratchet will have a handle made completely of a strong non-conductive material with no metal inside. This prevents electricity from traveling from the head of the ratchet to the user’s hand. Composite sockets will still have a metal hex insert, but that metal is attached to a strong non-conductive composite, and then to the square drive. The non-conductive material breaks the circuit and blocks the flow of electricity.
Diagnostic Tools
Working on any modern vehicle requires the right diagnostic equipment regardless of the power source. While a
link hidden, please login to viewworking on an electric vehicle won’t be diagnosing ignition or emissions problems, they will be chasing down other normal issues like bad sensors or damaged modules. But one difference in EV tools vs. ICE tools is the power handling capability of the electric vehicle diagnostic tool. For example any link hidden, please login to viewintended to be used on an electric vehicle must be rated CAT III to handle the high voltages often found inside these vehicles. Likewise the link hidden, please login to view need to be also rated for higher voltage use. While internal combustion engines are starting to use 48-volt systems in areas, some electric vehicles operate in the hundreds of volts so special EV diagnostic tools are a must. Shop Tools
Your shop may already be well equipped to work on common internal combustion vehicles, but there are some special electric vehicle repair tools you may need to consider. For example, your two-post lift likely needs different footpads to correctly lift electric vehicles. You also need to make sure your lift can be configured to handle different vehicle weight biases (front to rear) for balanced lifting. Speaking of lifting, many electric vehicle and hybrid batteries weigh a considerable amount and are mounted to the bottom of the vehicle. Safely removing one of these batteries should be left up to a specialized lifting table designed for the task.
Most people are not aware that air conditioning compressors used in hybrid and electric vehicles have a special type of oil that is designed to be non-conductive. That means you will need an
link hidden, please login to view that can prevent cross-contamination between systems. Considering that the air conditioning compressor on a hybrid or electric vehicle is powered by a high-power electric motor rather than an engine pulley, the different oil requirement makes sense. Safety Equipment
It’s a good idea to wear gloves when working on any vehicle, but when working on an electric or hybrid vehicle it is mandatory. Specifically
link hidden, please login to view designed to handle high voltage. Gloves must also be tested before each use for any tears/cuts/leaks/wear that might allow a path for electricity to travel. A good pair of ASTM F 2413-11 safety boots with EH (electrical hazard) rating is also recommended. It is also important to let others know when a technician is working on a hybrid or electric vehicle. Placing
link hidden, please login to view around the bay and a line of link hidden, please login to view signals to others that the vehicle is not to be approached. The safety gear worn by the technician is only designed to protect one person, all others must keep their distance during servicing of electric vehicle components. Any shop that is considering working on electric or hybrid vehicles needs an insulated rescue hook. In the unfortunate event of a technician suffering an accident while working on an electrical component the insulated rescue hook allows the victim to be pulled away from the electrical source without endangering the rescuer. This also means that a technician should never work on a hybrid or electric vehicle alone, there should always be another person present in the shop.
Lastly anyone attempting to service an electric or hybrid vehicle should be properly trained. Old fashioned “on the job” training may be fine for most maintenance procedures on a normal car, the same cannot be said for electric or hybrid vehicles. The potential power output of an EV battery is just too high to risk working on a vehicle without at least basic training. Luckily
link hidden, please login to viewcan help anyone acquire the right training they need to become a successful technician capable of handling electric and hybrid vehicles. The post
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By Counterman
JKF Americas Inc, a subsidiary of JK Fenner (India) Ltd., has introduced its extensive Top Drive line of power-transmission products to the North, Central and South American markets.
The launch of the Top Drive brand is especially timely for businesses that have seen delays and shortages in the supply chain, within the context of the emerging sourcing model across the world, the company noted.
“The parent company has been at the forefront of nearly every advancement in drive belts and power-transmission products for decades, serving industries around the globe,” said Mohan Seshadri, business head – industrial and automotive products & exports. “The company and brand are aligned to deliver quality, performance and value that customers demand.”
Top Drive industrial power-transmission products include:
Belts – Classical V belts, wrapped belts, raw-edge cogged belts, poly-V belts, banded belts, synchronous belts, harvester belts and specialty belts V cool pulleys, couplings and SMSR Hydraulic and industrial hoses The Top Drive automotive-product line will debut at the AAPEX Show (Booth A33001) and includes:
Belts – Poly-V belts, stretch poly-V belts, double sided poly-V belts, raw edge cog belts Hoses – Radiator, air intake, branched, silicon, fuel Auto tensioners For more information, call 919-922-8794, email [email protected] or visit
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By Counterman
It’s no secret that the heart of an electric vehicle is its high-voltage (HV) battery.
There are a number of electrical circuits and protection devices found within an HV battery assembly. These circuits work in conjunction with the vehicle’s battery-management system (BMS) to ensure safety and battery longevity.
It’s not uncommon to have several hundred lithium cells in an EV and more than 25 cells in a hybrid vehicle. These cells must be properly balanced to one another, while their temperature and the packs’ overall voltage and amperage must be closely monitored by the BMS.
Often, when a battery has been properly tested and is found to be bad, a remanufactured battery may be the best option due to the price.
Typically, remanufactured batteries include a number of improvements, such as nickel-plated terminals (to avoid corrosion); optimized cell mounting to eliminate the risk of case cracking due to vibrations; individual cell testing and balancing of the pack; and other comprehensive testing to ensure long life.
For example, Dorman’s remanufactured hybrid battery pack for the 2004-2009 Toyota Prius features “nickel-plated bus bars and corrosion-resistant terminals for increased reliability,” according to the Dorman website, while “proprietary software uses [a] multi-dimensional grading process to select battery cells that will perform ideally together.” The battery packs are subjected to “multiple stringent validation gateways, including on-vehicle tests using EPA performance standards,” according to the company.
Remanufactured batteries should be an attractive option for your customers – especially those who own hybrid vehicles, as they’re likely seeking a cost-effective solution. Dorman’s remanufactured hybrid battery packs come with a two-year warranty, according to a recent sales flyer, compared to the eight- to 10-year warranty for most OE batteries. Generally speaking, however, remanufactured batteries should have the same life expectancy as a new one.
It’s important to note that when a remanufactured battery is sent to the warehouse, there’s an expiration tag applied to the outside of the shipping container. Make sure you’re not installing a battery that’s due to return to the manufacturer to receive an updated charge and testing procedure.
A word about handling HV batteries, whether they’re new or remanufactured: These batteries are heavy! They’re packaged in clamshell cases to minimize the risk of electrical shock. Because of their weight, HV batteries should be stored low to the ground, and counter pros (and customers) should take great care when lifting them, to avoid injury.
Let’s discuss a few add-on sales opportunities. I firmly believe that all shops working on electric vehicles need high-voltage gloves, insulated handtool sets and a Level 2 charger. Remember, all EVs use electrons the entire time they’re in a shop – as opposed to ICE vehicles, which only use gasoline when the engine is running.
Advanced diagnostic tools represent another great sales opportunity. When it comes to diagnosing EVs and their batteries, the current level of diagnostics only allows a technician to see what’s transmitted over the data bus lines of communication. This is because a traditional diagnostic scan tool gets its information from the OBD II connector located under the dash. Autel has addressed this challenge with its MaxiSYS MS909EV platform.
With the MaxiSys MS909EV system, technicians can analyze an EV battery by plugging into the OBD II port or connecting directly to the battery. By connecting to the BMS, technicians now have full insight into battery state of health and individual battery-cell state of charge; access to all the thermistors; and visibility into the “handshake” that occurs between a charger and the vehicle. The MS909EV screen displays detailed graphics and in-depth connection guidance to provide safe and secure testing, as well as comprehensive diagrams of high-voltage system blocks, components and sockets. In addition to providing rapid analysis of high-voltage systems in electric and hybrid vehicles, the MS909EV’s intelligent diagnostic capabilities extend to U.S., European and Asian gasoline and diesel vehicles.
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