Wolfspeed, a specialist in silicon carbide (SiC) power products, has released a new power module that’s designed to withstand high-humidity, high-temperature and high-voltage conditions. The new all-SiC module, rated for 300 A and 1.2 kV blocking, passed a reliability test that subjected it to an environment of 85% relative humidity and 85° C ambient temperature… Read more »
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Audi to launch 3 new electric models, says plug-ins will be a third of sales by 2025
Audi Chairman of the Board Rupert Stadler said at the company’s recent annual meeting that Audi plans to launch three new electric models by 2020, after which the brand will gradually electrify models in each of its core series. The first to go into production will be the e-tron quattro SUV, due next year. Audi… Read more »
Envision Solar wins contract to provide EV ARC solar-powered chargers to New York City
Envision Solar’s EV ARC is a stand-alone solar-powered charger that fits inside a parking space and generates enough electricity to power up to 225 miles of EV driving each day. New York City has awarded the company a three-year contract worth $3.8 million. The city’s first order will be for at least thirty EV ARC… Read more »
GM and Fiat Chrysler hit with lawsuits over diesel cheating software
We may not have heard the last of the dirty diesel scandal. Two of the Big Three automakers have recently been served with lawsuits alleging behavior similar to that which may end up costing VW $20 billion. The US Justice Department has filed a civil complaint on behalf of the EPA, claiming that Fiat Chrysler… Read more »
New report: Northeast states are making good progress reducing emissions
A new report from the non-profit Acadia Center presents a strategy for seven states in the Northeast to use market-ready technologies to establish a low-carbon energy system by the year 2030. EnergyVision 2030 describes a path to reducing carbon emissions by 45% (from 1990 levels) by 2030, and by 80% by 2050. Reaching these goals… Read more »
New study finds V2G discharging harmful to EV batteries
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is seen as a potentially valuable resource for balancing electrical grids and facilitating the use of renewable energy. However, a new study by a team at the University of Hawaii suggests that the additional cycling to discharge vehicle batteries to the grid is detrimental to battery performance. In “Durability and reliability of… Read more »
No more small pilots: It’s time to convert US transit buses to electric
City buses are an ideal application for EVs. The savings on fuel and maintenance are undeniable. In China, cities are ordering them by the thousand. So why are US cities still piddling around with pilots of a few buses? “The time for pilot programs should be in the rear-view mirror,” writes Gina Coplon-Newfield, Director of… Read more »
Fuji increases power density with SiC and new packaging technologies
Sponsored by Fuji Electric By: Y. Iwasaki, M. Chounabayashi, M. Nakazawa, S. Iwamoto, Y. Oonishi, M. Hori, H. Kakiki and O. Ikawa, Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Current market requirements are trending towards further downsizing and increased efficiency of power conversion systems. For this reason, enhanced power density of the power modules will be critical in order… Read more »
Tritium trials its Veefil fast chargers in China
Australian EVSE manufacturer Tritium, which recently expanded into the UK and opened an office in the US, has set its sights on another continent, beginning trials of its Veefil-RT 50 kW DC charger in China. The first Veefil charger has been installed in Jiangsu Province, near the financial center of Shanghai. “China is currently one… Read more »
EV tech explained: What are the limiting factors of an EV’s regenerative braking force?
In many EVs, regenerative braking is limited by the manufacturer to a modest level, and usually offers little or no ability for the driver to adjust it (aside from the few cases in which regen is made proportional to the initial movement of the brake pedal). Is tepid regen braking the result of some sort… Read more »