Scientists at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and the Toyota Central R&D Labs have reported a memory effect in lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries that appears after only one cycle of partial charge and discharge. Memory effects are well known to users of nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal-hydride batteries. If these batteries are recharged repeatedly after being only partially… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "US Hybrid"
Two new in-wheel electric drive systems unveiled
In-wheel electric drive systems are a hot topic these days. Mounting the electric motor and power electronics within a wheel assembly can improve efficiency, save space and give automakers more flexibility in body design. This week, two leaders in the field introduced new in-wheel offerings. Protean Electric announced the debut of its production in-wheel motor… Read more »
New report: charger market to grow to $3.8 billion by 2020
The growing acceptance of plug-in vehicles has spurred a “burst of activity” in the development of charging infrastructure (also known as electric vehicle supply equipment, or EVSE), mostly in North America, Europe, and Asia, according to a new report by Navigant Research. Much of the activity has been supported by large government investments, but this… Read more »
Sarah Palin flays Fisker (well, okay) and trashes Tesla (what???)
It’s no surprise that the media has been having a field day with the story of Fisker Automotive’s apparently terminal troubles. “Pissing away taxpayer money on useless boondoggles” was one of the more charitable descriptions of the situation to be found over on the rightward side of the dial. Even more neutral observers noted the… Read more »
GM: Volt owners rack up high mileage, low fuel bills
Volt owners have logged over 150 million electric-powered miles, and are consistently achieving or exceeding the EPA-estimated fuel economy of 98 MPGe.
New Porsche Panamera PHEV
Porsche is introducing its first plug-in hybrid – the Panamera S E-Hybrid. It’s part of a new generation of Panamera models that will debut at Auto China in Shanghai later this month, and will go on sale late in 2013. The S E-Hybrid improves upon the previous Panamera S Hybrid with a more powerful electric… Read more »
Automakers: Safety sounds for EVs could hurt sales if done the wrong way
Love the way your EV glides silently through the city? Well, it might be dangerous for pedestrians, especially the blind. The US government addressed this issue with a 2010 law that requires automakers to provide EVs with some sort of artificial sound generator to announce their coming. Japan and the EU have implemented similar regulations…. Read more »
Michigan powertrain producer teams with a Chinese company to produce plug-in commercial vehicles
Michigan-based ALTe Powertrain Technologies, developer of a range-extended electric powertrain for light commercial vehicles, has announced this week that it will establish a new commercial vehicle manufacturing joint venture with the Henan Benma Company in the Henan province of China. Benma currently produces 20 models of commercial vehicles for the Chinese market, and has a… Read more »
Fisker leaves Fisker
Just when you thought the news couldn’t get any worse for Fisker Automotive, co-founder and executive chairman Henrik Fisker announced today that he is leaving the company, effective immediately. “The main reasons for his resignation are several major disagreements that Henrik Fisker has with the Fisker Automotive executive management on the business strategy,” the company… Read more »
Mitsubishi electrifies Geneva
The prize for most charged major automaker at the Geneva Auto Salon goes to Mitsubishi, hands down. The majority of Mitsu’s exhibit space was devoted to electrified vehicles, and electro-themed videos played nonstop. At center stage were two flashy concept cars: the CA-MiEV, a red-hot electric hatchback with a 28 kWh battery that gives… Read more »