Bus systems around the world are electrifying, driven by environmental regulations and cost savings. But decision-makers at transport authorities have several electrification options – hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, fuel cell – each with its own set of benefits and limitations. In a new report, “Medium and Heavy Duty Buses with Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, Battery… Read more »
The Swedish Transport Administration has been testing an “electric road,” which features overhead catenary lines that provide power to electric trucks – a system similar to that used by railroads. A new Swedish project, “Research and Innovation Platform for Electric Roads,” will explore how to make the step to large-scale operation, and examine technical issues… Read more »
When Mercedes updates its S550e plug-in hybrid in 2017, it plans to offer a wireless charging (WEVC) system, manufactured by a Tier 1 power electronics supplier that has licensed Qualcomm’s Halo technology. Qualcomm and Daimler didn’t say which supplier would be producing the wireless system for Mercedes, but in July, Qualcomm entered into a license… Read more »
The research association AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, together with other partners of the EU project JOSPEL, has developed a heating system for EVs that could reduce energy consumption by up to 30% compared to conventional heating systems. The system is based on the Joule effect (also called resistive or ohmic heating), by which electrical… Read more »
Ube Industries plans to expand production capacity for its UPORE polyolefin multiparous film for lithium-ion battery separators, in order to meet growing demand for automotive batteries. The expansion project is expected to be completed in April 2018, and will bring the company’s annual production capacity for separators to 250 million square meters. The company plans… Read more »
Following the news that five automakers bilked the Chinese government for some $150 million in new energy vehicle subsidies, the government has adjusted its subsidy policies. Market analyst CCM believes that the changes will benefit the makers of ternary Li-ion power batteries (batteries with ternary cathode materials such as LMO, NCM/NCA, LFP, etc.). The firm… Read more »
Back in 2013, we noted that the Tesla Model S was already outselling competing cars from legacy automakers – it took the number two spot in the large luxury sedan segment, an impressive feat for what was then a new model from a startup company. Three years later, the flagship EV has achieved total domination… Read more »
Earlier this year, Recargo, the parent company of PlugShare, won a $1.6-million grant from the California Energy Commission to help complete the West Coast Electric Highway, a network of charging stations that will eventually stretch from Canada to Mexico. In total, four companies were awarded nearly $9 million in grants for the project. Recargo, Chargepoint,… Read more »
With their regular routes, central depots and constant start-stop operation, postal delivery vans are a perfect candidate for electrification. Posten, the Norwegian postal service, recently ordered 240 Renault Kangoo Z.E.s to add to its existing fleet of 900 EVs). France’s La Poste operates a fleet of several thousand Kangoo Z.E.s. Deutsche Post DHL, the privately-operated… Read more »
As postal services in Norway, France and Germany expand their electric vehicle fleets, the US Postal Service has taken its first tiny step forward on the road to electrification. The USPS has selected a design from Indiana-based manufacturer AM General (best known for the Humvee military vehicle and its civilian cousin, the Hummer) as part… Read more »
