The Canadian Transport Ministry has officially banned the transport of lithium metal batteries as cargo on passenger flights, bringing its regulations into line with a ban adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization in 2014 (the US has already instituted a ban). The new rule does not apply to lithium-ion batteries, or to lithium metal… Read more »
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Tesla developing snakelike automatic charger
It’s classic Elon Musk: a tantalizing hint of a nifty (and picturesque) new feature straight out of a sci-fi novel. The Prophet of Palo Alto tweeted on New Year’s Eve: “We are actually working on a charger that automatically moves out from the wall & connects like a solid metal snake. For realz. This can… Read more »
Germany plans push for more charging stations
Germany seems to be coming around to the wisdom of getting charged. Europe’s largest economy hopes to spur EV demand by expanding its network of EV charging stations, Reuters reported this week (via Green Car Reports). The news organization cited a paper published by the German Transport Ministry, which said that motorway services operator Tank & Rast… Read more »
Hyundai to release EV in 2016
Hyundai will release an electric sedan in 2016, to be followed later by a sports car and an SUV, company officials told the Korea Times this week. This seems to represent a change in strategy from 2012, when Hyundai Motor Group announced that its Kia division would focus on pure EVs, while Hyundai would develop… Read more »
Volvo Electric Hybrid bus begins operation on Hamburg’s Innovation Route
The city of Hamburg, Germany has a plan to electrify its public transport system: starting in 2020 it will acquire only emission-free buses. The city’s public transit company, the Hamburger Hochbahn, has opened a special bus route, Innovation Route 109, on which it will run comparative tests of modern drive technologies under everyday conditions. The… Read more »
DOE and electric utilities produce report on EV charging impact
A new report from the DOE describes the findings from six Smart Grid Investment Grant (SGIG) projects, in which electric utilities around the country evaluated operations and customer charging behaviors for home and public EV charging stations. The report, Evaluating Electric Vehicle Charging Impacts and Customer Charging Behaviors, is intended to help utilities determine how… Read more »
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV adds vehicle-to-home power export capability
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has learned a new trick. The plug-in SUV is now able to supply electrical power to a home using Mitsubishi’s SMART V2H (vehicle-to-home) system. The feature, which can be used with current Outlander PHEVs (with the optional CHAdeMO quick charging socket) is so far available only in Japan. The V2H system… Read more »
Fisker is hiring, rebuilding its supply chain
Things are stirring at Fisker Automotive. New owner Wanxiang plans to relaunch the Karma plug-in luxury sedan next year, and the company is hiring – its online job board lists some 45 open positions, including engineers, managers and interns. Fisker is renewing its relationship with Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies, the supplier of the Karma’s powertrain… Read more »
Gallium nitride and silicon carbide expected to displace silicon in power electronics
Emerging materials such as gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) will eventually displace silicon in power electronic applications, according to a new report from Lux Research, which forecasts that the market for GaN power electronics will reach $1.1 billion, about 5% of the total market, by 2024. While silicon and SiC (SiC-on-SiC) each come… Read more »
German automakers (still) planning to challenge Tesla
Elon Musk hopes Tesla’s success will inspire other automakers to get serious about EVs. The latest buzz in the automotive press is that he may get his wish, as German luxury brands are rumored to be working on their own EVs to compete with the boys from Silicon Valley. Automobile magazine reported earlier this month… Read more »