Would plug-in hybrid buyers be interested in having a choice of battery pack sizes? The authors of a new study seem to think so, recommending that manufacturers should develop a modular design for PHEVs and EREVs, allowing them to offer a choice of storage capacity to meet individual customer requirements. The study, written by a… Read more »
Electronics giant ABB and Chinese automaker BYD have announced a strategic collaboration to develop new solutions for energy storage. The new partnership aims to accelerate the introduction of new solutions for EV charging, as well as stationary storage for renewable energy applications. The collaboration will focus on grid-connected energy storage, micro-grid applications, solar energy and… Read more »
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) is considering amendments to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regulation that would relax the requirements for Intermediate Volume Manufacturers (IVMs) by giving them additional time and allowing them to pool compliance obligations in the 10 ZEV states. As defined by ARB, an IVM is any manufacturer with California sales… Read more »
Commentators from a wide variety of backgrounds are offering a wide variety of reasons why Tesla chose Nevada for its game-changing Gigafactory. The site is fairly close to Tesla’s Fremont, California assembly plant, and offers easy access to an Interstate highway and a major rail corridor. Tim Crowley of the Nevada Mining Association thinks that… Read more »
Transport for London plans to test wireless inductive charging technology with four diesel hybrid buses. The Alexander Dennis Enviro400H E400 double-deckers will operate on route 69 between Canning Town and Walthamstow bus stations, and will be fitted with special technology enabling on-board batteries to receive a charge at bus stands at either end of the… Read more »
August plug-in sales showed a decent increase over July, and 2014 is still on track to handily beat 2013’s figure. Sales of the industry-leading LEAF grew to 3,186 in August, the 18th consecutive monthly record, a 32% increase over August 2013, and a new all-time monthly record for any pure EV. The 2015 LEAFs are… Read more »
It’s official: Tesla will build its game-changing Gigafactory in Nevada. CEO Elon Musk and Governor Brian Sandoval made the announcement at a press conference, and each gave the usual pep talk. “Tesla will build the world’s largest and most advanced battery factory in Nevada, which means nearly one hundred billion dollars in economic impact to… Read more »
San Francisco-based Greenlots will partner with Kia Motors and ABB to install DC fast chargers at selected Kia dealerships for the 2015 Kia Soul EV, which is scheduled to go on sale this fall in California, Oregon, New York, New Jersey and Maryland. Kia will roll out Greenlots’ SKY Smart Charging platform to its dealerships… Read more »
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 »
