The DOE intends to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (DE-FOA-0001097) entitled “Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Deployment Initiatives.” The estimated $4.5 million in funding will go to projects that increase the acceptance and deployment of alternative-fuel vehicles (including EVs). Areas of interest include: Vehicle demonstration and enhanced driver experience projects. The intent of this area… Read more »
Grand Prix star Jarno Trulli was impressed with the electric Formula E car after a recent test drive at the La Ferté Gaucher circuit in France. Trulli, who is one of the most experienced drivers in the history of F1, having competed in 256 Grand Prix and ranking third on the all-time entry list, spent… Read more »
At the Geneva Auto Salon a few weeks ago, we were surprised to see that, unlike the previous year, Tesla had no Model X on display. The booth bunnies had no explanation to offer, but in a recent interview with Bloomberg, Elon Musk shed a little light on that topic. While demand for the Model… Read more »
Walmart has developed a super-efficient tractor-trailer rig that features a turbine-powered range extending series hybrid powertrain. The prototype truck, which is on display at this week’s Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, is the result of collaboration between Walmart and many vendors, including Peterbilt, Roush Engineering, Great Dane Trailers, Parker Hannifin, and Capstone Turbine. The truck… Read more »
Honda’s new Smart Home US, located on the West Village campus of the University of California, Davis, is a showcase for technologies that enable zero net energy living and transportation, including Honda’s home energy management system (HEMS), a hardware and software system that monitors and optimizes electrical generation and consumption. The Smart Home is capable… Read more »
It seems that not everyone is enchanted by Tesla’s plans to install 40 to 50 Supercharger stations in Germany by the end of 2014. Carmaker Daimler and parts supplier Robert Bosch recently criticized the American company for pursuing its own proprietary DC charging standard. “The future lies in standardization. As with gas stations, we need… Read more »
Lithium-ion batteries typically include three components: active materials, conductive additives, and binders. A team of researchers at the University of Delaware recently discovered a sticky conductive material that could eliminate the need for binders. “The problem with the current technology is that the binders impair the electrochemical performance of the battery because of their insulating… Read more »
The latest good news for Tesla in its war with the auto dealers comes from an unexpected region. Texas currently bans the company’s direct sales model, and the Lone Star State’s legislature is generally considered a strong ally of the state dealer associations. This week however, Governor Rick Perry, in an interview on Fox Business… Read more »
New Jersey State Assemblyman Tim Eustace (D-Bergen) has introduced a bill that would let electric car retailers such as Tesla sell directly to consumers. The bill (A2986) would override a March 11 decision by the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission which effectively banned sales of the Model S. “What we should be doing is supporting American… Read more »
Battery maker A123 Systems has agreed to sell its grid storage business and other assets related to energy storage for telecom and IT data storage applications to NEC for approximately $100 million. NEC will incorporate the former A123 Energy Solutions Business into its Smart Energy Business Unit. A123 facilities in Westborough, Massachusetts and Chesterfield, Missouri… Read more »
