Engineers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Florida have recently made a breakthrough in the development of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs). Current liquid electrolytes require thick, heavy housings in order to prevent leaks and fires from punctures, increasing their bulk and weight. SPEs solve many of these problems, but until recently, they were… Read more »
European fast charging network operator Fastned has opened its first station in Germany. The new station is located along the A3 highway at Limburg an der Lahn, and features several 350 kW DC chargers. The roof of the station is equipped with solar panels. According to Fastned, all the energy delivered by its network comes… Read more »
Tesla has fired and sued a former employee whom it accuses of hacking its computer systems and disclosing company secrets to an unidentified third party. According to Tesla, Martin Tripp, a former technician at the Nevada Gigafactory, stole confidential photos of manufacturing systems and gave journalists false information about the company. Tesla has hired lawyer… Read more »
This “neo-retro” three-wheeler from Estonian startup Nobe may or may not end up being produced, but its striking design is getting a lot of positive attention. Motor 1 calls it “cute, adorable, and nostalgic,” and compares it to classic Morgan three-wheelers. The Nobe 100 is a tiny city car that can turn on a dime… Read more »
What would happen if you took four motors from a Formula E race car and used them to power a four-door sedan? Formula E champion Lucas di Grassi and Schaeffler CTO Prof. Peter Gutzmer just had to find out, and the result is the Audi 4ePerformance concept. This “Frankenstein-like” supercar sports four electric motors, one… Read more »
Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has launched a public-private project to develop solid-state battery technology. Some 23 companies, including Panasonic, Toyota, Nissan and Honda, are involved. The group has set 2022 as the target date to develop core solid-state technologies, and ultimately aims to lower battery pack cost to $90 per… Read more »
Porsche has invested in the Croatian EV startup Rimac Automobili, taking a minority stake of ten percent. As part of its electrification efforts, Porsche is seeking a development partnership with the young company. Rimac was literally born in a garage in 2009, and showed its Concept_One electric supercar at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011…. Read more »
Fleet operators are beginning to make the transition from pilot EV programs to serious orders, and UPS is leading the way. Big Brown has just ordered 950 N-GEN electric delivery vans from Cincinnati-based Workhorse. In February, UPS announced plans to deploy a test fleet of 50 N-GEN trucks, so the latest purchase brings its N-GEN… Read more »
After several months of negotiations, Duke Energy Carolinas has reached a settlement agreement on the utility’s Power/Forward Grid Modernization Plan. The agreement calls for a $25-million investment in EV infrastructure that the Sierra Club calls “unprecedented in the Southeast.” Duke will provide rebates of $750 to about 1,500 residential customers ($4 million total) to install… Read more »
Drivetrain specialist Voith has designed a drive system that uses self-learning energy management to increase efficiency and range. Although the system was originally designed for a Solaris Urbino Bus, it is compatible with many other battery technologies and vehicles, including articulated buses. The system will be introduced to the public at the upcoming IAA Commercial… Read more »
