Newswire

SkelStart Engine Start Module uses ultracapacitors to eliminate dead batteries

Skeleton Technologies’ new ultracapacitor-based 24 V Engine Start Module (SkelStart ESM) is designed to ensure trouble-free engine starting in any conditions. Batteries are a major headache in the trucking industry, particularly in cold climates. Long-haul drivers often leave engines idling for long periods to keep batteries charged. Starting failures occur when trucks are not used… Read more »

3M licenses NMC patents to LG Chem

3M and LG Chem have formed a patent license agreement to allow the Korean battery-maker to use 3M’s formulation of nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries. NMC, valued for its balance of power, energy, thermal stability and low cost, has been the subject of some rivalry and at least one lawsuit…. Read more »

Tesla installs chargers at six Chinese shopping malls

Hang Lung Properties, a major Hong Kong real estate developer, has announced a collaboration with Tesla to install destination chargers at six shopping malls in mainland China. In the first stage of the project, 19 chargers will be installed at Hang Lung-owned malls in Tianjin, Wuxi, Shanghai, Shenyang, Jinan and Dalian. Hang Lung and Tesla… Read more »

New study assesses top US metro markets for EVs

A new white paper from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) examines EV penetration in the 25 most populous US metropolitan areas, together with actions taken by state and local governments and public utilities to promote EVs. “Assessment of Leading Electric Vehicle Promotion Activities in United States Cities” finds that the top US EV… Read more »

New report: Marine hybrid propulsion market to reach $4.46 billion by 2022

A new market study from Transparency Market Research (TMR) projects that global revenue from the marine hybrid propulsion market will grow from $2.24 billion in 2013 to $4.46 billion in 2022. In “Marine Hybrid Propulsion Market – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2014 – 2022,” TMR finds that tightening environmental restrictions… Read more »

BMW pilot pays drivers to delay charging, helping to stabilize the grid

BMW has partnered with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) for an 18-month demand response pilot in the San Francisco Bay Area. The ChargeForward Program has two parts: the first is a managed charging program, in which 100 i3 owners will allow BMW to delay the charging of their vehicles by up to an hour, based… Read more »

Survey: Automotive engineers don’t expect CAFE standards to be lowered

US automakers remain on track to meet the EPA’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard, which will mandate average fuel economy of 35.5 mpg by 2016, and 54.5 mpg by 2025. However, average fuel efficiency is in danger of slipping, as WardsAuto reports, not because carmakers aren’t building gas-sipping vehicles, but because US consumers aren’t… Read more »

IES-Synergy connects Keywatt 24 kW DC fast charger to the ChargePoint Network

IES-Synergy has added its latest IES DC Fast Charger to the ChargePoint Network through ChargePoint’s OnRamp program. The company’s Keywatt 24 kW DC SAE Combo fast charger charges at a maximum rate of 100 miles of range per hour, allowing drivers to charge their EVs to 80% in 30 minutes. The ChargePoint Network handles authentication,… Read more »

AllCell to supply solar-powered EV charging stations to Jordan

The Middle East is not the first region that comes to mind as an EV hotspot. However, the desert kingdom of Jordan has a plan to get charged. Jordan has eliminated import taxes on EVs. The city government of Amman, the capital, plans to buy 50 EVs for its fleet, and a city taxi operator… Read more »

Sales of plug-ins plateau as Model S maintains a lean lead

It’s official: US plug-in sales are in the doldrums. July sales of 8,951 were substantially down from June (10,364), and from July 2014 (11,242). While we’re waiting for the 2016 LEAF and next generation Volt to get things moving again in the fall, we’ll console ourselves with the news that even as US sales have stalled, worldwide… Read more »