The next battle in the war between Tesla and the auto dealers is shaping up in Georgia, where legislation has been introduced that would let the company sell more cars directly to the public in the state. Currently, Tesla is allowed to sell up to 150 cars a year under an exemption to the state… Read more »
As EVs multiply, utilities are beginning to see the need to manage EV charging to prevent overloading of the electricity network. The impact of EV charging on peak load and local distribution networks are some of the key challenges. San Francisco-based Greenlots has introduced its SKY Smart Charging platform to address the needs of the… Read more »
Oregon-based Brammo has released details of its 2014 Empulse and Empulse R electric motorcycles. With a top speed of 110 mph, the Empulse claims to be the world’s fastest electric motorcycle in serial production. It sports a water-cooled motor and a six-speed gearbox that translate 90 Nm (66 lb-ft) of torque to over 880 Nm… Read more »
Sumitomo Corporation has developed and installed the first large-scale power storage system that uses used EV batteries. This prototype commercial-scale (600 kW, 400 kWh) storage system consists of sixteen used EV batteries. Located on Yume-shima Island, Osaka, the system begins operation this month. Over the next three years, Sumitomo will measure the facility’s smoothing effect… Read more »
The Japanese-backed DC fast charging standard is steadily spreading across the globe. Nissan recently installed Europe’s 1,000th CHAdeMO charger, and growth in Japan and the US has been similarly swift. As of January 2014, there are 1,967 CHAdeMO chargers in Japan, 1,020 in Europe and 554 in the US. According to a recent statement from… Read more »
Tesla bigwigs Elon Musk and JB Straubel are on tour in Europe, having question and answer sessions with Tesla owners and fans. At the Amsterdam and Oslo meetings, they covered a number of interesting topics. Version 6.0 of the software, which is now in beta testing, and should be rolled out in a few weeks,… Read more »
Colorado-based UQM Technologies, a manufacturer of electric motors, generators and power electronic controllers, has closed on a $5.3-million offering of stock and warrants to institutional investors. The company plans to use the new funds for potential joint ventures, capacity expansion in new regions, and working capital for new business opportunities that are currently being pursued…. Read more »
Kia unveiled its 2015 Soul EV at this week’s Chicago Auto Show. Scheduled to go on sale in the third quarter of 2014, the compact hatchback will be Kia’s first EV sold in the US, initially in just a few states, including California, Oregon, New York, New Jersey and Maryland. Pricing will be announced closer… Read more »
Hybrid Tech Holdings, one of the companies seeking to acquire Fisker Automotive’s assets in bankruptcy court, has formed an alliance with Massachusetts-based battery supplier Boston-Power. As reported by Delaware Online, the new alliance could help Hybrid Tech compete with Chinese auto parts giant Wanxiang, which has submitted a rival bid. Fisker’s future is expected to… Read more »
The potential of aluminum as an energy storage medium is no secret – you may have seen the internet videos showing how to make a crude battery from aluminum foil, charcoal and salt. However, a company called Phinergy has a much grander (and hopefully more practical) vision. The Israeli startup has signed a joint development… Read more »
