Range and horsepower may get the headlines, but to powertrain designers, drain-source resistance, also known as RDS(on), is a sexy spec. Those in the know are excited over the news that UnitedSiC, a New Jersey-based manufacturer of silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors, is introducing four new SiC field-effect transistors (FETs) that boast RDS(on) levels of… Read more »
Utility holding company LS Power will acquire charging network operator EVgo from Vision Ridge Partners. EVgo operates more than 750 charging sites with over 1,250 fast chargers across 34 states. The transaction is expected to close in early 2020. David Nanus, Co-Head of Private Equity at LS Power, said, “This acquisition provides LS Power the… Read more »
Tesla drivers are rightly proud of their Supercharger network, but there are times when it would be convenient to use another public charging station. In some regions, the lines at Superchargers are becoming longer, and new third-party public chargers are appearing all over the country. In Europe, Tesla has equipped Model 3 with a CCS… Read more »
Conversion shops are the bespoke tailors of the EV world – maverick motorheads who craft custom creations for the wealthiest of car lovers. The California company Electric GT has created a “crate motor” that’s designed to make it easier for professional converters or even ambitious home mechanics to electrify vintage ICE vehicles. New York Times… Read more »
Chinese EV manufacturer BYD and charging infrastructure provider AMPLY Power will partner to support fleet operators’ transition to EVs. Geared towards transit agencies, shuttle bus operators, universities, school districts and municipalities, the partnership will offer joint products and services from the two companies. BYD President Stella Li said, “This partnership leads to a total and… Read more »
Duke Energy will provide two transit agencies in the Triangle, North Carolina area with grants totaling $300,000 for electric bus charging stations. GoTriangle, which operates in Wake, Durham and, Orange counties, will receive $100,000 to put towards the installation of two charging stations for two buses scheduled to arrive by the end of 2019. GoRaleigh… Read more »
Charged recently chatted with Rivian’s VP of Propulsion Richard Farquhar to learn more about the design and development of the company’s unique electric platform (read the whole story in our upcoming issue). Farquhar spent 15 years as Powertrain Director at McLaren Automotive, designing and developing some of the highest-performance propulsion systems in the world for… Read more »
Idaho’s Valley Regional Transit (VRT) will purchase eight Proterra Catalyst 35-foot E2 electric buses and eight Proterra 125 kW charging systems. VRT is the first transit agency in Idaho to purchase electric buses, according to Proterra. With the new order, about one fourth of the agency’s fleet will be electric. Funding for the electric buses… Read more »
Valmet Automotive has started producing batteries at its plant in Salo, Finland, which the company converted from a cell phone manufacturing plant. Construction on the new battery plant began in May 2019. Valmet added new logistics facilities logistics and production lines. Full-scale production is scheduled for early next year. By that time, the company estimates… Read more »
Spanish bus manufacturer Irizar launched the next generation of its electric bus at a recent bus fair. Available in 10-, 12-, 15- and 18-meter models, the new ie bus features weight reduction, higher passenger capacity, more efficient batteries, and new interior and exterior design, compared to the prior model. The new ie model has a… Read more »
