German automotive supplier ZF is using a plug-in concept vehicle called Vision Zero to showcase a number of new safety and zero-emissions technologies. The entire propulsion system is housed in a space-saving modular rear axle system called mSTARS (modular Semi-Trailing Arm Rear Suspension). mSTARS is designed to make it easier to electrify existing production vehicle… Read more »
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Oregon legislature approves new EV rebates (and new fees)
The Oregon House and Senate have approved a $5.3-billion transportation funding package that includes point-of-purchase rebates for EVs. Governor Kate Brown is expected to sign the legislation within the next few days. The bill authorizes $12 million each year for six years to fund rebates for the purchase or lease of a new EV or… Read more »
Cummins to offer electrified powertrains in 2019
Cummins executives have outlined plans to add hybrid and fully electric powertrains to the company’s range of offerings. The delivery of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid systems, which is to begin in 2019, will be just the first step, they said – the company intends to be the leading provider of electrified powertrains in its commercial… Read more »
Electric school bus drivetrain builder ADOMANI raises $9 million in IPO
ADOMANI, a California-based provider of electric and hybrid drivetrain solutions, has completed a Regulation A common stock offering, and is now listed on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol ADOM. The initial offering yielded proceeds to the company of approximately $9.2 million. The market value of company crossed $1 billion, as its share price jumped 129%… Read more »
Faraday Future’s FF91 sets record at Pikes Peak Hill Climb
Faraday Future’s FF91, which the company revealed in January, has performed an impressive feat – it beat a Tesla. At the 2017 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the FF91 set a record for the fastest production EV up the hill, with a time of 11:25.082 – more than 20 seconds ahead of the previous production-EV… Read more »
Analyst predicts Tesla will have a near-monopoly in EVs
As Tesla soars and the legacy automakers waffle, a classic disruption scenario, unthinkable only a couple of years ago, seems ever more likely. The latest to reach this conclusion is analyst Alexander Haissl of Hamburg’s Berenberg Bank, who predicts in a recent report that Tesla will end up with a near-monopoly of the EV market…. Read more »
Leclanché to supply batteries for Skoda Electric e-buses
Swiss battery-maker Leclanché and Skoda Electric, a maker of electric drives and traction motors for trolley and electric buses, have signed a Joint Development Agreement under which Leclanché will provide Skoda Electric with battery solutions for its electric bus expansion strategy. Leclanché will provide Skoda Electric with high-energy (larger G/ NMC batteries for overnight charging)… Read more »
Qualcomm invests in safe battery tech from Amionx
Qualcomm has made a strategic investment in Amionx, a specialist in safe battery technology. Qualcomm President Derek Aberle will join the Amionx board of directors. Amionx has patented a technology called Safe Core that acts like a circuit breaker to prevent Li-ion batteries from triggering a fire or explosion. Safe Core is designed to protect… Read more »
EV audible noise rules may be cancelled in Washington’s “deregulation” drive
in November 2016, after six years of procrastination, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released rules requiring electrified vehicles to emit sounds to help protect pedestrians. The “quiet car” standard fulfills a law that Congress approved in 2010. Much of the impetus for the rules came from the National Federation for the Blind. Now,… Read more »
ChargePoint takes over management of GE’s charging network
Charging network operator ChargePoint has become the exclusive operator of GE’s EV charging network, adding some 1,800 commercial and 8,000 residential charging spots to its network. The agreement includes support for both residential and commercial DuraStations and WattStations. ChargePoint will maintain GE’s existing software and commercial charging network, and GE will continue to fulfill its… Read more »