Ford plans to more than quadruple the number of dealers selling its line of plug-in electric vehicles. The Detroit News reported that the company will have 900 certified dealers across the country by this spring, up from the current 200 or so. This means that about a third of US Ford dealers will be able… Read more »
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New program lets buyers finance AeroVironment Level 2 chargers along with a vehicle
AeroVironment’s turnkey package includes its EVSE-RS Level 2 240 Volt residential charging station, along with installation by a licensed electrician.
DOE releases EV Everywhere Grand Challenge Blueprint
The report sets priorities, including numerical objectives, in five key technical areas: batteries, drive systems, vehicle lightweighting, climate control and charging infrastructure.
European Union official says chargers are the chicken for the EV egg
European Union Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard has come out in strong support of a pending plan to deploy 795,000 charging points in the EU by 2020, the Copenhagen Post reported. The proposal must be approved by the European Parliament and all 27 member states before it goes into effect. “We can finally end the discussion… Read more »
Nissan plans to triple number of US quick chargers
At last week’s Washington Auto Show, Nissan outlined a strategy to deploy at least 500 quick-charging stations over the next 18 months, which it says will triple the public quick-charging infrastructure in the US. The company is obviously hoping that giving drivers additional charging options will increase public interest in EVs, and lead to more… Read more »
Energy Secretary Chu poses the Workplace Charging Challenge to US employers
Thirteen major US employers and eight “stakeholder groups” have joined the DOE’s new Workplace Charging Challenge.
Musk: Boeing batteries “inherently unsafe”
Well, what a surprise – Elon Musk is in the news again. A few days ago, he offered to help out beleaguered Boeing, whose pride and joy, the new 787 Dreamliner, has been grounded because of its battery pack problems. Now Musk has criticized the Dreamliner’s battery design as “inherently unsafe,” in an email to… Read more »
Is Fisker finished, or can a suitor save it?
Fisker Automotive is in talks with several potential buyers and/or investors, and won’t be able to stay open without a deal, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Mouse Tesla offers to remove thorn from Lion Boeing’s paw
Elon Musk, the entrepreneurial force behind Tesla Motors and SpaceX, who surely knows a thing or two about lithium-ion batteries, has offered unspecified aid to aviation giant Boeing, whose flagship 787 Dreamliner remains grounded after a pair of battery-related incidents. “Desire to help Boeing is real & am corresponding w 787 chief engineer,” Musk tweeted… Read more »
VIDEO: VIA Motors shows off massive plug-in pickup and work trucks
Leave it to Bob Lutz to create what must be the baddest plug-in truck ever built. VIA Motors’ XTRUX, which the company unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show, is based on the Chevrolet Silverado, but with its squared-off wheel wells and massive, chunky front end, it looks like it’s just itching to eat a LEAF for lunch…. Read more »