Sales of the BMW i3 are approaching “a sustainable rate” of 12,000 i3s annually, Ludwig Willisch, CEO of BMW of North America, told Automotive News. This figure seems roughly in line with that of auto consultant Sandy Munro, who has estimated that the i3 could be profitable for the company at a global volume of… Read more »
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Kia dealer: Don’t buy a Soul EV
When it comes to EV sales, the biggest party-poopers may not be shadowy oil industry conspirators, but auto dealers, who often lack information about their manufacturers’ electric models, and sometimes actively discourage buyers from considering them. Kia of Vancouver provided a blatant example of this recently, when a sales manager replied to a potential customer’s… Read more »
Assisted steering system uses individual wheel motors for more efficiency and better range
Modern automobiles are complex beasts, with numerous subsidiary systems that consume energy. In an EV, more energy consumption means reduced range, so it can be well worthwhile to study more efficient ways to power the various accessories. One of these accessory systems is assisted steering, which reduces the physical effort required for the driver to… Read more »
XALT Energy announces $1 billion battery supply agreement with Chinese bus manufacturer
XALT Energy has signed a multi-year contract, valued at over $1.0 billion, with Hybrid Kinetic Group of China to supply lithium titanate batteries for electric buses in China. Production is expected to begin during the third quarter of 2015. Dr. Yung Yeung, Chairman of HK Group, said, “XALT’s high quality and cost-competitive battery products fit… Read more »
China to issue licenses for EV manufacturing to new firms
China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) recently published modified rules for electric vehicle manufacturing, and is expected to start issuing licenses for EV manufacturing later this year, the Beijing-based Economic Observer reports. Sources said that no more than 10 companies will be eligible to apply for licenses, and the government is likely to award… Read more »
Obama: Federal fleet must be 50 percent plug-ins by 2025
If the federal government wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions, one of the most obvious ways to do so would be to clean up its own vehicle fleet. The feds currently operate some 655,000 vehicles, and only a minuscule fraction of these are truly low-emission. President Obama signed an executive order Thursday directing the federal… Read more »
Does cheaper gas mean that fuel efficiency standards need to be relaxed?
It may not be time to panic yet, but auto industry pundits are parsing some recent comments by a DOT official suggesting that the EPA may consider watering down federal fuel efficiency standards that are scheduled to take effect in 2022. A midterm review of the CAFE regulations is coming up, beginning with a report… Read more »
Tesla sales resume in New Jersey as Governor signs bill allowing direct sales
New Jerseyans are now free to test drive and order a new Model S, after Governor Chris Christie signed a bill that legalizes direct sales by manufacturers of zero-emission vehicles. Tesla can now sell cars directly to consumers at its Paramus and Short Hills showrooms, and potentially open up to two more. The company will… Read more »
The future of integrated inverters: Press-fit solderless interconnects and smarter design
Interplex, the complex assemblies expert, on power electronics, the automotive industry and the continuous drive for smarter design Power modules containing high-power insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) are at the core of most modern inverters. These modules are the electronic muscle of the system. They perform all the switching, and they generate all the heat. But… Read more »
Ionic liquid electrolytes may open the door for higher-voltage batteries
The curious case of ionic liquids: Boulder Ionics/CoorsTek Specialty Chemicals Iolyte electrolytes When you think of liquids under the brand name Coors, you think of the Silver Bullet, the Banquet Beer. You certainly don’t think of high technology, unless you’re really easily impressed by cold-activated cans. However, not everyone knows that there’s another huge conglomerate under… Read more »