Driving the Future, by former EPA official Margo Oge, tells the fascinating story of how the agency achieved a historic agreement with the auto industry to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions – an agreement that delivered cleaner air and millions of dollars in savings for consumers, and gave a huge boost to the growing… Read more »
Elon Musk made a move to consolidate his business empire as Tesla announced an offer to buy SolarCity for around $2.8 billion. Musk is the Chairman of SolarCity, CEO of Tesla, and the largest shareholder of both companies. Musk and Antonio Gracias, who is also on the board of directors at both companies, recused themselves from voting on this proposal…. Read more »
A recent survey conducted by Renault found that 60 percent of Swedish drivers would like to see more EVs on the roads. Renault’s poll also found (as others have) that a lot of people believe that a shortage of charging points is a major obstacle to EV adoption. In response to these findings, Renault has… Read more »
UQM Technologies (NYSE MKT: UQM) has partnered with Eaton’s Vehicle Group and Pi Innovo to develop an electric powertrain system for the medium- and heavy-duty commercial EV market. Eaton will supply a 2-speed transmission, Pi Innovo will provide the transmission control unit, and UQM will contribute its current PowerPhase HD220/HD250 motor and inverter system. The… Read more »
The Volkswagen Group has presented a new strategic plan that places a special emphasis on e-mobility. VW and its sister brands intend to launch more than 30 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) over the next ten years. The group estimates that by 2025, EVs could account for as much as a quarter of the global passenger car… Read more »
As auto dealer Heath Carney wrote in the March/April 2016 issue of Charged, EV purchase incentives might be more effective if buyers received them in cash at the point of sale, rather than having to claim them later as tax credits. Connecticut instituted such a program in 2015. Now the state of Colorado has acted… Read more »
Panasonic’s new conductive polymer hybrid aluminum electrolytic capacitors are designed to deliver large capacitance and large current in a compact SMD form factor. The new caps are well-suited for automotive Electronic Control Units (ECUs). According to Panasonic, its new product enables ECUs to be downsized, with instantaneous large current supply into the power supply circuits,… Read more »
CAMX Power has granted specialty chemical supplier Johnson Matthey a license relating to its CAM-7 platform of nickel-based cathode materials for use in lithium-ion batteries. The CAM-7 platform covers a range of nickel-rich cathode materials that are designed to offer excellent energy density, cycle life, gassing and power handling, making them well suited to EV… Read more »
Toyota has earned the disapproval of many in the EV community for setting up what many see as an artificial competition among different powertrain technologies. Its execs have made statements disparaging battery EVs, and its Lexus subsidiary has run ads mocking EVs. Lately however, there have been signs that the world’s largest automaker may be… Read more »
The HCS-40, ClipperCreek’s best-selling Level 2 charging station, is now available with a “Ruggedized” option, for stations that are subject to damage by extreme weather or other perils. The ruggedization consists of a rubber overmolded J1772 connector and a field-replaceable connector latch. The American made HCS-40R and HCS-40PR operate at 32 amps and 7.7 kW,… Read more »
