Are the knights of nanotechnology closing in on the Grail at last? A team of researchers at Stanford University claim that they are, and have chronicled their deeds in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. The valiant engineers report that they have designed a pure lithium anode. “Of all the materials that one might use in an… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "Ford"
Ford and Samsung research lithium-ion/lead-acid dual-battery system
Electric powertrain technology is gradually creeping into legacy gas-powered vehicles. Ford and Samsung have announced that they are researching a dual-battery system that combines a lithium-ion battery with a 12-volt lead-acid battery in order to enable regenerative braking technology in non-hybrid vehicles. “We are currently expanding our Auto Start-Stop technology across 70 percent of our… Read more »
Echo Automotive offers aftermarket PHEV powertrains for Ford and GM vans
Echo Automotive, a developer of aftermarket plug-in hybrid powertrains, plans to extend its EchoDrive system to GM 2500 and 3500 vans, including the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana, model years 2010-2014. EchoDrive is already available for Ford E-Series vans – orders are currently being accepted and production is scheduled to begin later this year. Production… Read more »
October plug-in sales: Toyota (or Ford?) snatches the lead
The three front-runners in the plug-in sales race are swapping some major paint – Toyota’s Prius Plug-in Hybrid edged into the lead with 2,095 sales for the month of October. Sales of the PPI have soared over the past three months after languishing in triple digits earlier in the year. It now looks likely that… Read more »
Ford recalls 2,600 Focus Electrics to patch potential power problem
Ford has announced a recall of about 2,600 Focus Electrics because a software flaw in the powertrain control module could result in a loss of power to the wheels. If this happens, Ford says a “Stop Safely Now” warning will appear on the dashboard, and braking and steering systems will continue to operate normally so… Read more »
University of Michigan and Ford open new battery lab
A new $8 million battery lab opened this week at the University of Michigan, the result of a collaboration between the university, Ford Motor Company, battery suppliers, and the state and federal governments. The lab is actually a battery manufacturing facility in which state-of-the-art methods will be used to make test batteries that replicate the… Read more »
Ford launches new workplace EV charging network
More Ford employees will soon be driving to work entirely on electrons, thanks to a new workplace charging network. Ford plans to install EV charging stations at more than 50 of its company offices, product development campuses and manufacturing facilities – nearly every Ford facility in the US and Canada. Ford already has more than… Read more »
Ford lowers fuel economy rating for 2013 C-MAX Hybrid
Ford has announced that it will voluntarily reduce the fuel economy rating on its 2013 C-MAX Hybrid from 47 to 43 mpg, and will send refund checks to about 32,000 customers – $550 for buyers, and $325 for lessees – a move that will cost the company some $10-16 million. In the interests of customer… Read more »
Ford is building the Focus Electric in Europe, but does it care about selling it?
Ford Focus Electrics are now rolling down the assembly line in Saarlouis, Germany, where the company invested 16 million euros to add the electric version to its existing Focus production line. The Focus Electric will go on sale in Europe in August, and the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid will join it next year. “Focus Electric… Read more »
Ford selects AeroVironment to provide turnkey charging station installation
Ford has chosen AeroVironment as its preferred installation partner and charging station supplier for its Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi plug-in vehicles. AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) offers turnkey installation through its nationwide network of certified installers, and a three-year warranty. AeroVironment’s 240-volt home charging station will recharge Ford’s Energi plug-in hybrids in 2.5 hours,… Read more »