The Dutch charging network operator Fastned has launched a trip planner designed to help EV drivers plan the fastest route to their destination, including fast charging stops. The new navigation tool is available in mobile, tablet and desktop versions. The app features an algorithm developed specifically for Fastned fast charging stations. It calculates the optimal… Read more »
Tesla has been the target of trolls, misinformation and fake news stories since its founding. Whole web sites are devoted to trumpeting the company’s failings, real and invented. Since the US presidential election, the torrent of tirades has kicked into high gear. The Institute for Energy Research, a think tank funded by oil and coal… Read more »
The Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaborative (PEVC) announced that California’s 250,000th plug-in vehicle is likely to be sold this month. Since plug-ins first became available in 2010, consumer demand has slowly but steadily grown, and it’s expected to get a major boost soon, as a crop of 200-mile, $35,000 EVs goes on sale. “Just a few… Read more »
Mazda plans to launch an EV in the United States in 2019, President Masamichi Kogai told the Japan Times. He also said a PHEV model is in the pipeline for 2021 or later, but offered no more details. Mazda is considering jointly developing electric motor control technology with Toyota, building on an agreement the two… Read more »
Chrysler is joining the plug-in party with a PHEV version of its popular Pacifica minivan. The 2017 Pacifica Hybrid has an estimated electric range of 30 miles, and fuel efficiency of 80 MPGe in city driving. LG Chem is supplying the 16 kWh Li-ion battery pack system and controls. The pack carries a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty…. Read more »
Luxembourg public transport operator Sales-Lentz has ordered three Heliox Fast Charge Systems with the OppCharge open interface to provide fast charging services at end-of-route stations for its four Volvo 7900 electric buses. The chargers will be delivered in the second quarter of 2017. Earlier this year, Volvo and Heliox, together with other vehicle and charger… Read more »
The honeymoon is over. Consumer Reports praised Tesla’s Model S to the skies in 2013, and again in 2014. Now however, the respected source of unbiased product reviews says that in spite of its “brag-worthy magic,” the Model X “largely disappoints.” CR praised the electric SUV’s performance: “Despite its 5,400-pound weight, the X has warp-speed… Read more »
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will now require all new hybrid and electric light-duty vehicles to emit sounds to help protect pedestrians. The new standard fulfills a law that Congress approved in 2010. Under the new rule, all electrified vehicles with gross vehicle weight under 10,000 pounds will be required to make an… Read more »
A new white paper from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) examines the leading regional markets in the US for EVs, and analyzes the policy actions that support their success. The assessment includes state policy (regulation, purchasing incentives), local policy (parking and lane access incentives, building codes), utility actions (charging infrastructure incentives, preferential charging… Read more »
The news that Jaguar hopes to produce an electric SUV by 2018 seemed unremarkable at first – a niche automaker belatedly climbing on the bandwagon. However, recent comments by a senior cabinet minister suggest that the island nation is pinning its hopes on its largest automaker (actually owned by Indian firm Tata) – and on… Read more »
