Back in 2012, when Tesla introduced Model S, public chargers were almost nonexistent. Electric road trips were impractical, and the paucity of infrastructure was a major consumer objection to buying an EV (it still is). Frustrated with the slow pace of development of an EV fast charging standard, Tesla rolled out its own, and the… Read more »
Australia is one of the least charged of the world’s wealthy countries. During the 2019 elections, Prime Minister Scott Morrison characterized EVs as a threat to Australians’ way of life, and that seems to have set the tone for Australia’s EV policy, or lack thereof, ever since. Until now, there has been little or no… Read more »
Turntide Technologies has acquired UK-based AVID Technology, a cleantech engineering firm that manufactures electrified powertrain components for EVs and hybrids. Turntide’s Smart Motor System may reduce energy consumption by nearly 64%, and is free of the rare earth minerals that most higher-efficiency permanent magnet motors require. The company has been on an expansion spree lately,… Read more »
During last year’s Battery Day presentation, Tesla unveiled a number of new technologies, processes and plans, some of them only sketchily explained. One of these was a new lithium extraction process that Senior VP of Engineering Drew Baglino predicted could deliver as much as a 33% reduction in lithium costs. “What is the best way… Read more »
Electrify America was established in 2016 with a budget of $2 billion to invest in EV infrastructure over 10 years. As of May, it had 600 public charging stations with 2,600 individual fast chargers in operation across the US, and it plans to have about 800 stations and 3,500 chargers up and running by the… Read more »
Gothenburg, Sweden-based Heart Aerospace has raised $35 million in a Series A financing round led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, United Airlines Ventures and Mesa Air Group. Heart Aerospace’s first aircraft will be the ES-19, a battery-electric 19-passenger regional airplane. Heart expects to begin deliveries for commercial use by 2026. The first-generation aircraft will have a… Read more »
Calgary-based Exro Technologies is a developer of power electronics for electric motors and batteries. Exro’s motor control technology, the Coil Driver, is designed to enable intelligent optimization of electric powertrains for efficient energy consumption. Exro has announced a strategic development agreement with Linamar, a global Tier 1 auto parts manufacturer, to develop a new eAxle… Read more »
New York City plans to install its first curbside charging stations by this October. According to The Wall Street Journal, the city’s Department of Transportation will install 100 Level 2 charging ports for public use and 20 for the city’s vehicle fleet. Public charging will reportedly cost $2.50 per hour during the day and $1… Read more »
Two UK charging providers, Mer and Paua, have formed a new roaming partnership. Paua’s fleet customers will now be able to use Mer’s network of over 160 chargers. Mer, which is owned by Norwegian renewable energy provider Statkraft, uses renewable energy sources to power its network. In the UK, it offers charging to businesses and… Read more »
General Motors is investing in a US lithium extraction project that could become the country’s largest by 2024. GM said it will make a “multimillion-dollar investment” in Controlled Thermal Resources’ Hell’s Kitchen geothermal brine project near California’s Salton Sea, and will help to develop the project. “This will supply a sizeable amount of our lithium… Read more »
