A recent analysis from the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has confirmed the value of something that several automakers are already investigating: repurposing used EV batteries for stationary storage applications. The NREL found that battery second use (B2U) strategies are capable of offsetting the costs of recycling vehicles at the end of their lives,… Read more »
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Momentum Dynamics CEO: 25 kW wireless charging will be the norm in 5 years
At the recent Power Electronics Society meeting in Korea, Andy Daga, the CEO of wireless charging system manufacturer Momentum Dynamics, said he believes that 25 kW wireless chargers will be the norm for all EVs within 5 years, with commercialization beginning in 2016. Most current passenger EVs charge at 3.3 or 6.6 kW, although a… Read more »
Plug-in sales slow in June, but Tesla exceeds estimates
For the second month in a row, total plug-in sales fell short of last year’s figures. Overall US sales were 10,365 in June, 10% lower than May, and 16% lower than June 2014. The good news is that worldwide sales have shattered last year’s numbers every month so far this year. After a slow start,… Read more »
Multi-modal urban mobility with Ford’s MoDe e-Bikes
Is it strange for an automaker to invest in developing an e-bike? Not necessarily, considering that, in the future, more and more of the world’s people will be living in dense megacities, where a car is not the best way to get around, at least not for a whole journey. An urban trip from home… Read more »
EVgo’s fast charging network has doubled in size in the past eight months
NRG EVgo has quietly become one of the largest and fastest-growing DC fast charging networks in the US. In total, it’s currently operating more than 350 DC fast chargers in 19 markets – doubling in size in the past eight months. In fact, as of May 2015, it has over four times more CHAdeMO and… Read more »
Tesla Superchargers may be too popular for their own good
Giving away free stuff can be a winning business strategy, but it can backfire if customers start gaming the system. At Tesla’s recent shareholders’ meeting, Elon Musk complained that some Model S owners living near the company’s free Superchargers are using them to charge up for everyday driving, rather than for road trips as Tesla… Read more »
UK plug-in vehicle sales start to accelerate
The UK government’s efforts to boost adoption of what it calls “ultra low emission vehicles” (ULEVs) seem to be yielding some results. In the first quarter of 2015, 9,046 new ULEVs (EVs, PHEVs and FCVs) were registered, up 366% from 1,789 in the first quarter of 2014. The UK’s plug-in car and van grants were… Read more »
Sumitomo Chemical increases production capacity for battery separators
Sumitomo Chemical is ramping up production capacity for its Pervio lithium-ion secondary battery separators. Production at the company’s Ohe Works in Niihama, Japan will be raised to approximately 1.3 times the current capacity by next spring. The company also plans to build a new plant for Pervio at its subsidiary in South Korea, to start… Read more »
Corri-Door project to install 200 DC fast charging points in France by December
French EV drivers will soon have plenty of options for intercity travel. The Corri-Door project plans to install 200 DC fast charging points at 80 km intervals along major highways, and in nearby shopping centers, throughout the country. The first two stations are now operational, at the Bosgouet Nord (A13) and Tardenois Nord (A4) motorway… Read more »
Which EVs have the best (or worst) resale values?
Electric driving is about to become available to a whole new swath of car buyers, as substantial numbers of EVs enter the used-vehicle market. Continual improvements are decimating resale values for most models – a tough break for early adopters, but great news for bargain-seekers. The latest issue of the National Automobile Dealers Association’s Used… Read more »