Pasquale Romano, the CEO of ChargePoint, one of the world’s largest charging networks, sat down with EV writer Jim Motavalli at the recent Web Summit conference for a wide-ranging interview. Romano discusses the accelerating growth of the EV market – in California, plug-ins now make up 5% of new-car sales, and in Silicon Valley it’s… Read more »
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Kia and Hyundai to add solar roof panels to electric, hybrid and ICE vehicles
Kia and Hyundai plan to introduce solar roof charging technology on selected vehicles, including legacy ICE vehicles. Yes, you read that correctly. Solar panels will be incorporated into the roofs or hoods of vehicles, and Hyundai Motor Group claims this will increase fuel efficiency and/or range. The first generation of this technology, which is to… Read more »
Electric racing airplanes to compete in Air Race E
The University of Nottingham and Air Race E have announced a partnership to develop what they believe to be the world’s first electric racing airplane. Air Race E, which is set to run its inaugural race in 2020, will see electric airplanes racing directly against each other on a tight circuit just above the ground… Read more »
Carbon nanotubes help make lithium metal batteries more durable
Carbon nanotubes could make high-powered, fast-charging lithium metal batteries an alternative to lithium-ion batteries, according to new research from Rice University. In a paper published this month in the journal Advanced Materials, the researchers show how a carbon nanotube film can be used to keep batteries safe from dendrites, spear-like protrusions that naturally form on… Read more »
Tesla turns to partners for help with its growing used car business
Yet another example of Tesla’s penchant for vertical integration is its Certified Pre-Owned program. Industry observers have noted that Tesla’s lack of franchise dealers allows it to exercise an unprecedented level of control over the used market for its vehicles. Now, as the company deals with “delivery logistics hell,” it has partnered with two outside… Read more »
European study: Electric transit buses are cheaper when health costs are considered
A new study has found that electric buses have a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than diesel counterparts, once all health-related costs are factored in. The study, which was performed by Transport & Environment (T&E), a European NGO that campaigns for cleaner transportation, found that electric buses make up about 9 percent of new… Read more »
CAMX Power’s new GEMX cathode material
CAMX Power, an independent lithium-ion battery materials and design firm, has announced a new class of cathode materials that it says improves upon the high-nickel material classes NMC, NCA and LNO. The patented invention is called GEMX, and the resulting enhanced chemistries are called gNMC, gNCA and gLNO. High-nickel cathode chemistries for vehicle batteries use… Read more »
New LSIS high-voltage DC relays feature arc extinguishing structure
Sponsored by LSIS LSIS was established in 1974 and spun off from the LG Group in 2003. The company business focus is on green energy electric power equipment and automation. LSIS has led the Korean electric power equipment market for the last 40 years and with the expansion of the renewable energy market, the company’s particular… Read more »
ON Semiconductor’s Automotive Intelligent Power Modules offer an integrated solution for on-board charging
ON Semiconductor (Nasdaq: ON) has launched a new line of Automotive Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs) designed to improve performance in on-board charging and other high-voltage DC-DC conversion applications for plug-in vehicles. The FAM65xxxx APM16-packaged devices offer an integrated solution designed to ease design-in for automotive customers, with one device outline covering H-Bridge, PFC and bridge… Read more »
Turkish Jest Electric city bus uses BMW i3 motors and batteries
BMW has agreed to supply i3 motors and batteries to Turkish manufacturer Karsan for a battery-electric city bus called the Jest Electric, which is produced in Bursa, Turkey. The synchronous motor that will be used to power the Karsan Jest Electric generates peak output of 125 kW (170 hp) and maximum torque of 250 N·m…. Read more »