It was a banner year for plug-in vehicles, as 2013 sales (94,019) almost doubled 2012’s figure (52,581), and several new models made strong debuts – US buyers now have a choice of 16 mainstream plug-in models, compared to 9 at the end of last year. Overall US auto sales are up 8% in 2013, according… Read more »
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Company formed to commercialize Hyperloop project
A new class of electric vehicle moved a step closer to becoming a reality this week, as proponents of the Hyperloop formed a company to bring Elon Musk’s radical public transport concept to California commuters. Patricia Galloway, co-leader of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), told FoxNews.com, “The feasibility is done. What we’re working on now is… Read more »
Utility demand charges and electric vehicle supply equipment
Jeffrey Wishart, Senior Principal Engineer at ECOtality since 2009, conducts research and development on products and services in the areas of energy, the environment, and advanced transportation. In addition to his supervisory position at ECOtality, Dr Wishart worked for several years at a utility company in Queensland, Australia, conducting research into emerging energy technologies. … Read more »
The new A123 looks a lot like the old A123: Q&A with Jeff Kessen
Start-ups are tough. The majority of them do not succeed, particularly those built around new technologies in burgeoning industries. Nowhere is this more evident than in the EV industry. Even with political support and government grants, many companies have miscalculated the market and the capital required to make it into the black. In October 2012,… Read more »
Leyden Energy’s Li-imide electrolyte and the rise of start-stop vehicles
Battery start-up Leyden Energy plans to profit from the forecasted groundswell at the bottom of the electrification ladder: start-stop vehicles The average person may see the trademarked Li-imide logo and rush to the nearest convenience store to try a tangy new soft drink. However, you, being a somewhat chemistry-savvy electric vehicle enthusiast, know that Li-imide’s likely… Read more »
EVSE: the low-hanging fruit of smart city buildout
How installing a few charging stations is more of a long-term solution than meets the eye. We often hear about the need for smart cities, smart grids, and sustainability in general, but what does it really mean? How can we ever hope to build a smart and sustainable global ecosystem, considering the energy-consuming path that… Read more »
Ultracap manufacturer raises $15 million in funding
Ioxus, a manufacturer of ultracapacitor technology, has raised $15 million in Series C funding from investors. The Westly Group, a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California, led the financing. The company plans to use the funds to further research and development, expand manufacturing capabilities and increase sales and marketing operations. Ultracapacitors (aka ultracaps… Read more »
A reluctant gem: The FIAT 500e EV
The cute, cuddly FIAT 500e EV may have been born only out of regulatory necessity. So what happens if it becomes the best-reviewed new EV in its class? The bar is raised; the game changes. Maybe Chrysler will even concede that it should sell it outside of the Golden State. Summertime in Sonoma County… Read more »
OXIS Energy bets on lithium-sulfur
Though it may have a stinky reputation, sulfur could set EVs on the path to total ICE replacement if energy-dense, low-weight lithium-sulfur batteries become the norm. British-based OXIS Energy is banking its business on it. If American clean energy industries are to take full advantage of the emerging lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery chemistry, they just may… Read more »
April plug-in sales: Model S grabs the lead, Volt and Prius drop back
Total plug-in vehicle sales in the US fell back a bit in April (7,239 units sold), after setting an all-time record in March (7,830). It’s starting to be a thrilling race, with the front-runners swapping places, new entrants getting ready to enter the track, and early favorites dropping out. The big news is Tesla, which… Read more »