Porous Power Technologies has announced the launch of Symmetrix NC2020, a ceramic battery separator designed to improve thermal stability and safety of large-format lithium-ion batteries. “Symmetrix NC2020 is non-flammable and more resistant to shrinkage than conventional separators,” according to the company. “This makes cells more stable when damaged or abused and can prevent or delay… Read more »
“The car market is at the start of a major transition,” writes Chris Umiastowski in the Toronto Globe and Mail. “The electric-car market…faces an enormous growth curve that is not well understood by the general public.” Umiastowski’s main point is to explain why he’s bullish on the stock of Tesla (Nasdaq: TSLA), but his article… Read more »
BMW’s new i3 and i8 take vehicle connectivity to a new level with the ConnectedDrive feature, which BMW describes as a travelling companion that can play the role of “travel guide, entertainer or guardian angel.” Thanks to BMW partner INRIX, which is based in Washington State, ConnectedDrive incorporates real-time traffic conditions, and can even plan… Read more »
Tesla, the classic auto industry outsider, may soon be dealing with an issue that has defined Detroit for decades. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the United Auto Workers has set up an organizing committee at Tesla’s Fremont factory. UAW President Bob King also said in August that union representatives had met with CEO Elon… Read more »
Amprius, a developer of lithium-ion batteries using silicon anodes, has raised $30 million in a Series C funding round, which it will use to commercialize its batteries and further develop the next generation. The company introduced its first generation of batteries in May 2013, and is supplying smartphone and tablet OEMs with its first two… Read more »
2014 will be the year that EVs go wireless. Evatran will begin deliveries of its PLUGLESS wireless charging system in February. In partnership with Bosch, which provides installation services, the company has announced special promotional pricing to the first 250 customers – $1,998 for the Volt-compatible system and $2,098 for the LEAF-compatible system, which represents… Read more »
Governments around the world are taking many different measures to encourage the adoption of plug-in vehicles, but it’s far from clear which of these policies will prove to make sense in the long run. A new paper published in Energy Policy argues that current US policies are inefficient and ineffective. One of the main culprits… Read more »
Massachusetts has announced $15.5 million of new funding to support alternative fuel vehicles and related infrastructure. The investment, which includes $11.7 million in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds from the US DOT, will be split among several programs, including an electric school bus pilot. The first phase of the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program… Read more »
It was a banner year for plug-in vehicles, as 2013 sales (94,019) almost doubled 2012’s figure (52,581), and several new models made strong debuts – US buyers now have a choice of 16 mainstream plug-in models, compared to 9 at the end of last year. Overall US auto sales are up 8% in 2013, according… Read more »
The assets of bankrupt automaker Fisker Automotive are scheduled to be transferred to Hybrid Technology LLC, which bought the automaker’s outstanding $168 million DOE loan for $25 million in October. However, just days before a hearing in which a judge will decide whether to give final approval to the deal, Chinese auto parts giant Wanxiang… Read more »
