Despite the demonstrable savings, commercial vehicles have been slower to electrify than passenger cars, and the majors have mostly left the field open for start-up firms such as Motiv Power Systems and Wrightspeed. However, as performance improves and emissions regulations tighten (some European cities are making noises about someday banning ICE trucks from city centers),… Read more »
In Southern California, with its clogged freeways and limited public transport, van pools have become a popular way to commute. According to LA-based Green Commuter, there are currently about 3,000 van pools operating in the Greater Los Angeles region. Now the company has introduced a van pool and car share service with a fleet of… Read more »
Like cars, trains waste large amounts of energy during braking. Until now, however, there has been no practical way to recover this energy by using regenerative braking. Locomotives do not carry large batteries, and they are typically connected to an electrical grid that can’t handle quick bursts of energy. Ultracapacitors, which offer extremely high charge/discharge… Read more »
California is the most populous state in the US, and has long been considered the most progressive. It has always led the nation in plug-in vehicle sales. But by how much? According to the California Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaborative (via Green Car Reports), 52 percent of the plug-ins sold in the US in June went… Read more »
Lithium-air, or lithium-oxygen, has been touted as the ultimate battery technology, because its theoretical energy density is ten times that of current lithium-ion solutions. However, scientists have struggled to overcome major challenges with the technology. The batteries waste a lot of energy as heat, degrade relatively quickly, and often require extra components to pump oxygen… Read more »
Chemical supplier FMC Corporation plans to accelerate the expansion of its global lithium hydroxide production capacity as a result of a new multi-year supply agreement with “a major manufacturer of electric vehicles.” Earlier, the company announced plans to triple capacity to serve the growing EV market. Now it has increased that objective even further, hoping… Read more »
NREL is evaluating the drive-cycle characteristics of a fleet of propane-powered shuttle buses operating at Zion National Park, with a view to converting 14 of the aging propane buses to run on electricity. To support the transition, NREL researchers are gathering operational data using onboard logging devices, in order to understand dispatching patterns, evaluate the… Read more »
After two years of market research, design, and product development, Netherlands-based Edorado Marine has revealed its new zero-emission powerboat. The Edorado 7S uses a unique hydrofoil design that allows it to ride above the water with very low drag, which increases maximum speed and range. Tom Speer, who is also part of America’s Cup Team… Read more »
PSA Group, the maker of the Peugeot, Citroen and DS brands, is preparing to test a free-piston linear generator from Israeli startup Aquarius Engines as a range extender for its EVs. “We are evaluating the technology,” said PSA Research and Development Director Gilles Le Borgne. “Nothing has been decided yet.” The free-piston linear generator has… Read more »
Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI) has been selected as a drivetrain provider and vehicle integrator for an electrification program by the San Diego Port Tenants Association (SDPTA). Also selected were BYD and Transportation Power. As part of the program, EDI will create a series of electric port trucks, and electrify forklift vehicle accessories. The electrified port… Read more »
