General Motors has greatly increased the size of its Global Battery Systems Laboratory, North America’s largest OEM-owned battery lab. The 85,000-square-foot lab now has 112 pack-level test channels and 120 cell-level test channels. The added space will let the company test batteries and computer controls much faster than before. It took GM about four years… Read more »
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BMW i3: The launch of many firsts
When you’re writing about the dawn of a new industry, “firsts” and “milestones” come along so often that they may start to lose their novelty. However, the BMW i3, which was officially “launched” in July, and is scheduled to go on sale next year, boasts an impressive number of innovations that has the EV press… Read more »
EV sales surge puts Panasonic battery division back in the black
Panasonic’s lithium-ion battery division is seeing a dramatic turnaround, mostly thanks to healthy sales of Tesla’s Model S, according to Lux Research. In the second quarter of 2013, the Li-ion division made about $40 million in profits, compared to a loss of $20 million in Q2 2012. Panasonic plans to invest $200 million over the… Read more »
Plug-in fleets: small challenges, huge savings
Four plug-in truck companies talk to fleet managers about electrification opportunities Plug-in vehicles are different. Aside from the obvious changes in technology, they present a different financial model for corporate number crunchers. This means some challenges for those pitching EVs and PHEVs to fleet operators. Fortunately for the EV industry and the fleets of the… Read more »
CHARGED Electric Vehicles Magazine Issue 9 – August 2013
Subscribe Now Trouble viewing? Read the features inside here. Featuring: The Tech A closer look at back electromotive force The challenges of battery state of charge measurements Multiphase cooling: CapTherm’s technology takes the heat off Plug In America research: Tesla Roadster battery longevity exceeds projections The Vehicles BMW i3: The launch of many firsts Plug-in… Read more »
EVs made (and powered) in America
Publisher’s Note – CHARGED Electric Vehicles Magazine Issue 9 – August 2013 The Wall Street Journal recently published an article on Kentucky’s Republican congressman Thomas Massie. The piece was about a few idealists in the GOP that are bucking the party leaders and blocking their agenda. The most interesting departure from Republican talking points is… Read more »
August plug-in sales best in history – Volt, LEAF, Prius smash records
Break out the Champagne! August was the best month ever for US plug-in vehicle sales, as 11,073 new owners got charged. Year-to-date sales (58,662) have already surpassed sales for all of 2012 (52,581). The surge was broad and deep – the three leading models had huge increases, the top two set new records, and even… Read more »
DOE to resume making loans for advanced vehicles
The $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program, which funded both winners (Tesla, Ford, Nissan) and losers (Fisker) before election-year criticism from the back seat caused it to slam on the brakes, will get back on the road soon, said DOE spokeswoman Aoife McCarthy. The program, which was created in 2008 by President… Read more »
Cadillac says the ELR will be priced for the discerning few
The Cadillac ELR may be based on the same powertrain as the Chevy Volt, but it’s aimed at quite a different market segment, and it appears GM intends to keep production low and prices high. When GM unveiled the luxury PHEV in January, it indicated that the sticker price would reflect its exclusivity. But, with… Read more »
New report: DC fast charging poised for exponential growth
DC fast charging is about to take off like a rocket-powered drag racer, according to IHS Automotive (NYSE: IHS). The market analysis firm’s new report predicts that the worldwide number of public fast chargers will grow to 5,900 by the end of 2013, nearly triple to 15,200 in 2014, and explode to almost 200,000 stations… Read more »