Tesla is anticipating great things in Europe – by the end of 2014, it expects combined sales in Europe and Asia to be almost twice as high as in North America. The company announced at this week’s Geneva Auto Salon that it will open more than 30 new service centers and stores across the continent…. Read more »
Those who follow the market for lithium, which is evolving into a strategic commodity, have been predicting an oversupply in the years ahead. However, Tesla’s planned battery Gigafactory may consume as much as 17 percent of the world’s current output, benefiting producers like Rockwood Holdings (NYSE: ROC), according to Goldman Sachs Group. Tesla’s appetite for… Read more »
Miami Beach-based Car Charging Group (OTCQB: CCGI), which recently acquired the assets of bankrupt ECOtality, has resumed sales of the Blink HQ, a Level 2 residential EV charger. The 240-Volt, 30-Amp Blink HQ features a delay timer, an 18-foot cable and a hanger bracket, and comes with a 12-month warranty. It’s compatible with all EVs… Read more »
The Volkswagen Group plans to electrify more than 40 models over the next few years. Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show, VW Chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn said that Europe’s largest automaker has increased its R&D expenditure to the record value of €10.2 billion, with the lion’s share going to “green” technologies. VW’s modular Baukästen (assembly… Read more »
Auto sales are still in their yearly winter hibernation, but February did see a respectable monthly increase, with 7,055 plug-ins sold, compared to 5,450 in January. The LEAF held its strong lead with 1,425 units, over double February 2013 sales. Next month will mark one full year that Nissan has been building LEAFs in the… Read more »
As the spring fighting season approaches, New York auto dealers are preparing for a new assault in their campaign against Tesla. Last June, the New York State Assembly ended its legislative session without advancing a pair of bills that would have prevented Tesla from selling its electric vehicles directly to consumers in the state. However,… Read more »
Some 618 parties have filed claims against Fisker Automotive, which declared bankruptcy in November. The outstanding claims total $985.4 million, including about $594 million in unsecured claims, and $383 million in secured claims, according to the bankruptcy court. Wanxiang America has been approved by the court to purchase Fisker’s assets, including a former GM plant… Read more »
According to Navigant Research, the prospects for wireless EV charging have taken off in the last 12 months, as several major automakers plan to bring wireless systems to market, and a significant portion of the industry believes that wireless technology represents the future of charging. In a new report, Wireless Charging Systems for Electric Vehicles,… Read more »
The European Parliament voted through the world’s toughest carbon dioxide standards for new cars this week. The new rules will limit emissions to 95 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer (g/km) as an average across all new cars sold in the 28-nation bloc from 2021, compared with the existing limit of 130 g/km. The European… Read more »
Proterra has announced the sale of seven electric buses and a charging station to the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (Nashville MTA). The buses will be built at Proterra’s manufacturing facility in Greenville, South Carolina, and delivered this year. The funds for the new buses came from a federal Clean Fuels grant and matching funds from… Read more »