Korean batterymaker LG Chem is one of the rising stars of the EV revolution. Its cells power the Chevy Volt, and its components are an integral part of the new Bolt. It will also supply the battery pack system and controls for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan. This is translating into jobs in the… Read more »
The electromobility revolution will not stop at the water’s edge. Large commercial vessels such as ferries are already going electric in Scandinavia. Meanwhile, some European countries are banning gas-burning motors on environmentally sensitive lakes and rivers, creating a demand for small and medium-size electric outboards. One company hoping to lead the electrification of the world’s… Read more »
The Model 3 launch, which Tesla calls “the biggest consumer product launch ever,” is to be followed by what must be the biggest and fastest production ramp-up ever (those of little faith might prefer such adjectives as “quixotic” or “impossible”), Tangible evidence of this massive mobilization is beginning to appear. Tesla recently leased a million… Read more »
A new report commissioned by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) urges the UK government to make significant investments in building charging infrastructure and improving skills in the UK motor industry or risk missing out on the economic benefits of a fast-growing industry. The author of the report, Professor Jim Saker of Loughborough University,… Read more »
The infectious excitement of today’s EV industry recalls that of the early days of the internet. Bold entrepreneurs are hiring talented young techies for tiny startups that aspire to challenge the mighty multinationals – and by no means all the action is in California. The Croatian firm Rimac Automobili is a perfect example of the… Read more »
Times are tough at the Volkswagen Group these days, and some rank-and-file workers are surely wondering about their job security, even in labor-friendly Germany. This may explain why workers at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen plant have agreed to concessions worth several hundred million euros in order to secure production of the company’s battery-electric Mission E. Earlier this… Read more »
Do you dream of working for Tesla? The opportunities are there. Typically for a fast-growing company, Tesla has increased its headcount 15-fold since its 2010 IPO, to more than 14,000, and much more expansion is on the way. The Silicon Valley trendsetter currently has over 1,600 job openings posted on its website. Positions are available… Read more »
Fisker Automotive, the maker of the star-crossed plug-in hybrid sports car called the Karma, has now changed its name to Karma Automotive. The Fisker story has been colorful, and mostly tragic, since renowned designer Henrik Fisker co-founded the company in 2007. It was involved in a lawsuit with Tesla, became an issue in the 2012… Read more »
The Chinese are coming. Joining most of the American automakers, BAIC has opened an R&D facility in Silicon Valley. The BAIC EV R&D Center will be dedicated to the research and development of four to six models per year, and will become an important part of BJEV’s globalization plans, the company said. The BAIC subsidiary… Read more »
The DOE has announced up to $10 million in funding to establish graduate-level training programs for engineers in power electronics. The five-year program will begin in the fall 2016 school year. Citing the important part that power engineers play in advanced energy technologies, the DOE expects them to be in high demand in the growing… Read more »
