Electric buses have lower global warming emissions than diesel and natural gas buses, even in cities with power grids that depend on coal plants, according to a new analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The study found that, on average, electric buses produce less than half of the GHG emissions of diesel or… Read more »
LiquidSky Technologies has introduced a drop-in replacement solution for those with existing PEP 1500 charging stations. A simple adapter allows you to re-use the PEP 1500’s concrete bollard and mount a WattZilla Uno or Duo on top. The product is shipping now. “PEP Stations was an early manufacturer of EVSE,” WattZilla’s Frank Gangi explained to… Read more »
Seattle solid waste hauler (sorry, “resource recovery company”) Recology has ordered two electric refuse trucks from BYD. The two BYD 8R Class 8 trucks, fitted with New Way Viper Rear Loader refuse bodies, will serve customers in the City of Seattle, and are scheduled to be delivered in early 2019. “By combining the innovative design… Read more »
Cambridge research has shed light on the potential of a previously ignored class of electrode material: niobium tungsten oxides. These compounds display several promising properties, including a lack of the dendrite formation which plagues graphite-based designs. They have a relatively large particle size and a structure that allows lithium ions to travel freely. This high transport rate can… Read more »
NASA is building an experimental airplane in order to demonstrate that electric propulsion can make planes quieter, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. The X-57, nicknamed “Maxwell,” has 14 electric motors turning 14 propellers, integrated into a specially-designed wing. NASA Aeronautics researchers hope to use Maxwell to validate the idea that distributing electric power across… Read more »
Honda and Panasonic plan to conduct an experiment with battery swapping in Indonesia, using the Honda Mobile Power Pack with electric motorcycles. The project is to begin in December. As the third-largest motorcycle market in the world, Indonesia is dealing with massive air pollution as traffic increases. To address this issue, the Indonesian government has… Read more »
UPS (NYSE:UPS) has announced a collaboration with Los Angeles-based Thor Trucks to develop an electric Class 6 delivery truck. The truck is expected to be ready for testing later this year. Thor’s truck will have a driving range of approximately 100 miles, and will be powered by a Thor-designed and built battery. UPS plans to… Read more »
Miami Beach-based Blink Charging (NASDAQ: BLNK) has earned Energy Star certification for its 80-amp network-connected charging stations. Business owners deploying these chargers will be eligible for Energy Star-related government grants and tax incentives. The Energy Star certification, which so far only a handful of the hundreds of charging stations on the market have earned, is… Read more »
Momentum Dynamics has installed a 200-kilowatt wireless charging system to support electric transit buses in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The new charging system, which became operational in June, is inside the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) Shuttle Park and automatically charges electric buses as they load and unload passengers. The system is Momentum Dynamics’ second in… Read more »
Battery specialist BYD has opened a140 football field-size battery factory in China’s lithium-abundant Qinghai province. The plant is BYD’s third Chinese battery factory, and is part of the company’s plan to increase total production capacity to 60 GWh by 2020. Scheduled for completion in 2019, the plant will be heavily automated, using driverless guided vehicles,… Read more »
