It’s safe to say that car dealers aren’t a particularly beloved bunch. Shopping for a car may not be as bad as going to the dentist, but for many people, it’s right up there. Technically-minded buyers find it frustrating to try to glean some factual information from the typical rambling sales pitch, while more gentle… Read more »
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It’s always something: Thieves target copper from EV charging stations
Several EV owners in the Vancouver, British Columbia metro area have been frustrated to find public Level 2 charging stations inoperable after thieves snipped off the attached cables with bolt cutters. According to Transport Evolved, the thefts are becoming widespread in the area, with some sites falling victim multiple times. TE has also reported similar… Read more »
Motiv Power Systems raises $7.3 million to produce electric truck powertrains
California-based Motiv Power Systems has raised $7.3 million in growth capital from investors led by Colorado’s Magness Investment Group. The funding comes as the second Motiv-equipped all-electric school bus is delivered to Kings Canyon Unified School District. Motiv’s electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS) is designed to electrify any truck or bus chassis with a variety… Read more »
Toyota researchers develop all-solid-state Li-ion batteries
As Toyota plans to bring a fuel cell vehicle to market in 2015, its researchers continue to work on next-generation battery technologies. In a presentation at the International Meeting on Lithium Batteries in Como, Italy, Dr. Hideki Iba from Toyota’s Battery Research Division and Dr. Chihiro Yada from Toyota Motor Europe’s Advanced Technology Group noted… Read more »
Intertek offers third-party performance and cost data for EVs
Intertek, a company that specializes in third-party validation and compliance testing, is working with the DOE and several national laboratories to collect real-world data on all the most popular plug-in models, testing the vehicles’ performance, durability and operational costs. Intertek acquires new vehicles directly from a dealer, and installs data logging equipment, which uses Wi-Fi… Read more »
Volkswagen Group announces plans for 40 more electrified models
The Volkswagen Group plans to electrify more than 40 models over the next few years. Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show, VW Chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn said that Europe’s largest automaker has increased its R&D expenditure to the record value of €10.2 billion, with the lion’s share going to “green” technologies. VW’s modular Baukästen (assembly… Read more »
Porous Power’s new microporous membrane will boost Li-ion battery performance
Q&A with Bernard Perry of Porous Power Technologies. In 2006, Porous Power Technologies was formed around a new microporous membrane material designed specifically for use as a lithium-ion battery separator. At that time, most battery separator materials were originally intended for other applications and adapted when the lithium-ion market began to develop. The company’s founders saw an… Read more »
Dow sells battery-making division Dow Kokam
Industrial giant Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW) has sold its interest in battery manufacturer Dow Kokam to MBP Investors LLC, an affiliate of Townsend Ventures. Dow Kokam makes large-format nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion cells and systems for the fleet transportation, stationary storage and industrial markets. The company’s Midland Battery Park in Michigan includes one of… Read more »
Tesla requests NHSTA investigation, confirms suspension update and amends warranty
(Updated 11/19/2013 – 11:10 am ET to include comments from NHTSA Administrator David Strickland) Tesla has taken a lot of heat since the third Model S fire in six weeks occurred earlier this month – the press pounced and the stock plummeted. Last week, Elon Musk reassured us that Tesla continues to build the safest cars… Read more »
BYD electric bus deals questioned after testing finds problems
Chinese EV-maker BYD has been in the news lately, selling its electric buses to transit authorities in cities around the world. Alas, the ride in a city bus, regardless of its powertrain, is seldom as smooth as one would wish. In March, the Long Beach Transit Board approved a $12.1 million contract to purchase 10… Read more »