Volvo will officially launch its 7900 Electric Hybrid transit bus, a plug-in version of the company’s proven 7900 Hybrid, at the International IAA Commercial Vehicles show in September. The 7900, which is available in both rigid-bodied and articulated versions, offers fuel consumption and CO2 emissions up to 75% lower than a legacy diesel bus. Total… Read more »
California’s goal is to have 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025 – more than 15 times the current number. The state offers a rebate of $2,500 to buyers of EVs, in addition to the $7,500 federal tax credit. However, sales remain well short of the rate needed needed to meet the ambitious… Read more »
The Car Charging Group has announced that it will introduce kWh-based pricing on charging stations in its Blink Network in states where such pricing models are permitted. 12 states, including California, New York and Florida, plus the District of Columbia, currently allow the energy-based pricing model. With kWh pricing, EV drivers pay fees based on… Read more »
Andy Palmer, Chief Planning Officer at Nissan, is leaving the company to head UK automaker Aston Martin. Renault Executive VP Philippe Klein will take over Palmer’s portfolio at Nissan, which includes overseeing the company’s zero-emissions vehicles. Palmer joined Nissan in 1991, and was named the company’s global number-three executive last November. His responsibilities are far-reaching,… Read more »
Is Russia poised to be the next EV hotspot? If so, Mitsubishi is ready to reap the rewards. Its iMiEV is currently the only foreign plug-in sold in the country, and its Outlander PHEV will go on sale in Russia in September. Mitsubishi presented the plug-in SUV at last week’s Moscow International Automobile Salon, along… Read more »
Telefonix, known for its rugged cord reels and its PowerPost Level 1 commercial charging stations (feature in Charged Issue 12), has entered the Level 2 EVSE market with UL approval of its L2 PowerPost EV charger. A low-current Level 2 charging station specifically designed for commercial outdoor use, the L2 PowerPost continues Telefonix’s focus on efficient,… Read more »
Renesas Electronics has announced the new RH850/C1x series of 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs), designed for motor control in hybrid and electric vehicles. The new RH850/C1x devices can be used with the RAA270000KFT RH850 family power supply management IC (PMIC), which integrates into one device all the power supply systems required for MCU operation, two external sensor… Read more »
The Clovis Police Department in the San Joaquin Valley has purchased five Zero Electric Police motorcycles, which will immediately join the force’s existing BMW R1200s, patrolling the city’s streets, trails and events. The five were purchased for just under $95,000, thanks to a grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air District. Thirty more e-cycles are… Read more »
Silicon Valley startup Renovo Motors made quite a splash at the recent Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with its prototype supercar. A new video includes an interesting interview with Renovo’s CEO Chris Heiser, delivered during a tantalizing test drive. Yahoo! Autos’ Justin Hyde points out that over 20 would-be EV-makers have failed in the past decade… Read more »
Tesla has announced a partnership with China Unicom, China’s second-largest wireless carrier, to build public charging stations across the country. The two companies will install charging posts at 400 Unicom stores in 120 cities, with Tesla supplying equipment and Unicom providing the land, said Tesla spokeswoman Peggy Yang. Tesla will also deploy Superchargers in 20… Read more »
