The Battery Management System (BMS) is a key component of any plug-in or hybrid vehicle, and China is rapidly developing as a major market for “new energy” vehicles. Many in the auto industry are sure to find the topic of this new report from China Market Research Reports timely. Global and China Power Battery Management… Read more »
Most folks who have comments about a product send an email to customer service. However, Model S owners are no ordinary consumers. A pair describing themselves as “two VERY highly satisfied Tesla owners from Southold, New York” took out a full-page ad in the Palo Alto Daily, thanking “automotive visionary” Elon Musk for building “the… Read more »
For a few years, battery insiders have been talking about a startup company called Sakti3. The University of Michigan spin-out has received millions in funding from backers including Khosla Ventures and GM Ventures. Until recently, the company has been pretty secretive, but this week CEO Ann Marie Sastry told Scientific American that the company’s prototype… Read more »
A charging station locater app is a must-have for any EV driver. One of the most popular is the one offered by the ChargePoint network, which includes not only stations that are members of its own network, but over 33,000 charging spots from all major charging networks. The company has released a new version of… Read more »
ABB has announced the launch of the Terra 53 Z DC fast charger, the company’s first model that complies with the Chinese GB standard. Rated power is up to 50 kW. The new chargers will be manufactured at ABB’s facility in Shenzhen. According to ABB, the Terra 53 series is the world’s first DC fast… Read more »
Tesla has begun rolling out the new OS 6.0 software update to vehicle owners. Model S drivers have gained a number of new features, including a new Calendar app for in-car use, and several improvements to the Maps/Navigation software. Tesla V6 software upload coming soon. Need to make sure it is “awesome” – Lord Business… Read more »
Infineon Technologies (OTC: IFNNF), Germany’s largest chipmaker, will acquire California-based International Rectifier (NYSE: IRF) for $40 per share in a $3 billion deal. International Rectifier specializes in power-management semiconductors. Particularly attractive to Infineon is IRF’s expertise in gallium nitride on silicon (GaN) semiconductors. According to Bloomberg, the acquisition will solidify Infineon’s position in GaN discretes… Read more »
Polestar, Volvo’s racing and tuning partner, has announced a new upgrade package for the V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrid (which, sadly, isn’t available in the US). The Polestar Performance package adds an extra 15 hp and 22 lb-ft of torque, bringing total output up to 298 hp and 494 lb-ft. The enhanced V60 is the most… Read more »
Rhode Island has created a special license plate for plug-in vehicles – not just so charged drivers can show how cool they are, but in order to save lives. The point is to give emergency crew members a warning when they encounter an EV, so that they don’t electrocute themselves while using the jaws of… Read more »
A little rain fell on Tesla’s parade recently, when Consumer Reports and Edmunds.com each reported that their Model S units had racked up what seemed to be an excessive number of maintenance issues. However, both sources reported that most of the repairs in question were covered under warranty. Perhaps in response to the negative publicity,… Read more »
