Medium-duty trucks make perfect candidates for electrification, and the market would seem to be full of opportunities for small companies that build powertrains and components. It’s treacherous territory, however – several startups targeting this space have foundered. ZeroTruck founder Tedd Abramson told Charged about his company’s strategy to hang on for the long haul. Abramson… Read more »
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New design combines traction motor with AC compressor, saving space and energy
Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) have invented a 2-in-1 electric motor that integrates the vehicle’s traction motor with the air conditioning compressor, saving both space and energy. “The biggest challenge with electric cars in tropical megacities is the range that they can travel on a charge, because their… Read more »
Infineon to acquire International Rectifier, pioneer in wide-bandgap semiconductors
Infineon Technologies (OTC: IFNNF), Germany’s largest chipmaker, will acquire California-based International Rectifier (NYSE: IRF) for $40 per share in a $3 billion deal. International Rectifier specializes in power-management semiconductors. Particularly attractive to Infineon is IRF’s expertise in gallium nitride on silicon (GaN) semiconductors. According to Bloomberg, the acquisition will solidify Infineon’s position in GaN discretes… Read more »
A closer look at the semiconductor switch
In this article I’ll be giving an overview of that most important of power electronics components: the semiconductor switch. I’ll first address what a switch is, and then delve into some of the more important compromises and shortcomings that exist in real-world switches that engineers must contend with when designing chargers, motor controllers, DC-DC converters… Read more »
Beijing to deploy 1,000 DC fast chargers, require new residences to install chargers
Authorities in smoggy Beijing are keen to encourage what they call “new energy” vehicles, but at present the city has few public charging stations – the 60 or so that exist are reserved for buses and taxis. A new plan aims to change that, requiring new residential communities in the Chinese capital to install chargers… Read more »
US Hybrid to deliver plug-in fuel cell shuttle bus to Hawaii Mass Transit Agency
The Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies (HCATT) has awarded a contract to US Hybrid to deliver a plug-in fuel cell shuttle bus to the County of Hawaii Mass Transit Agency. US Hybrid’s H2Ride 25-passenger shuttle bus uses a 30 kW fuel cell fueled by a 20 kg hydrogen storage and delivery system. The fuel… Read more »
California company electrifies a Blue Bird school bus
ADOMANI has partnered with the Gilroy, California Unified School District to convert a Blue Bird school bus to all-electric operation. The bus was unveiled at a ceremony this week by Mayor Don Gage and the repower project team. The school district provided a 2007 50-passenger type D diesel bus, and ADOMANI replaced the engine with… Read more »
Odyne’s export power system provides clean stationary electric power
One of the many benefits of a plug-in hybrid work truck is the ability to run power tools without the noise and stink of an idling diesel engine. Wisconsin-based Odyne Systems LLC sells a modular plug-in hybrid drive system for medium- and heavy-duty trucks that can be installed in a new vehicle or as a… Read more »
Tom Gage on ZEV mandates, Tesla’s early days, BMW’s EV commitment and V2G tech
Q&A with the EV trailblazer Tom Gage Tom Gage is one of America’s true EV pioneers. He’s perhaps best known as one of the designers of the tzero electric sports car that provided the inspiration for the Tesla Roadster. However, that is far from his only contribution to the electric mobility field. Charged recently caught up… Read more »
Smart Home charges Honda Fit EV with DC power from solar panels
Honda’s new Smart Home US, located on the West Village campus of the University of California, Davis, is a showcase for technologies that enable zero net energy living and transportation, including Honda’s home energy management system (HEMS), a hardware and software system that monitors and optimizes electrical generation and consumption. The Smart Home is capable… Read more »