It was a banner year for plug-in vehicles, as 2013 sales (94,019) almost doubled 2012’s figure (52,581), and several new models made strong debuts – US buyers now have a choice of 16 mainstream plug-in models, compared to 9 at the end of last year. Overall US auto sales are up 8% in 2013, according… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "conversion"
Researchers demonstrate major advance in lithium-sulfur battery chemistry
Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have demonstrated a lithium-sulfur (Li/S) battery that has more than twice the specific energy of current lithium-ion batteries, and that lasts for more than 1,500 charge/discharge cycles with minimal capacity loss. This is the longest cycle life yet reported for any lithium-sulfur battery. The results were reported in the… Read more »
UQM Technologies introduces PowerPhase HD 250 high-voltage motor/controller system
Colorado-based UQM Technologies, Inc. (NYSE MKT: UQM) has added the PowerPhase HD 250 to its line of components for heavy-duty EVs. This system consists of a permanent magnet motor/generator and a DSP-based controller, and is designed for high-voltage electric and hybrid vehicles, including heavy commercial truck, transit bus and marine applications. “The PowerPhase HD 250… Read more »
AMP Electric Vehicles: From car converter to truck OEM
The unusual journey of AMP Electric Vehicles has positioned it to become a leading OEM producing alternative-fuel vehicles for the medium-duty market. Seven years ago, AMP Electric Vehicles was founded on the idea of converting passenger vehicles – originally designed with an internal combustion engine, gas tank, and related components – to electric drive. The… Read more »
ARPA-E awards $27 million for power electronics research
The DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) has selected 14 projects to receive $27 million in funding to support the development of next-generation power conversion devices. These devices, which convert electrical energy from high to low voltages, are critical to all electronic devices, and represent a key enabling technology for electric vehicles. The DOE’s talent… Read more »
8 to 10 Mini models to be based on new platform, one of them a PHEV
The Mini is one of those cult cars. It might be called the Grateful Dead of automobiles – its fanatical followers love every one of its dozens of variations, while other people just don’t see the attraction. Of course, the important question is, when will an electric version be available? Peter Schwarzenbauer, BMW’s board member… Read more »
Around the EV world in 1,000 blog posts
This is my 1,000th blog post for Charged and, since I don’t care for Champagne, I’ll celebrate the occasion by writing myself a little pat on the back and a fond recap. Since I began in October 2011, I’ve written a couple of these every day, and I’ve covered a huge variety of topics, including:… Read more »
AllCell Technologies launches new battery solutions for e-bikes and pallet jacks
AllCell Technologies presented a couple of new lithium-ion battery solutions at this week’s Battery Show in Michigan. AllCell’s Summit line of premium e-bike batteries is available as a stand-alone product for OEMs, retailers, and consumers. Summit offers both 36- and 48-volt versions and capacity options of up to 17 Ah. Its down-tube mounting location provides… Read more »
The challenges of battery state of charge measurements
Your BMS’s fuel gauge is lying to you. Here’s why that’s not a big deal. Battery management systems (BMSs), and the fuel gauges in them, are a part of daily life for almost everyone. You’ll find them in vehicles, laptops, cell phones, grid-attached energy storage – basically, anything that does work and needs to be plugged in,… Read more »
Multiphase cooling: CapTherm’s technology takes the heat off
Canada’s CapTherm Systems’ multiphase cooling technology could take the heat off of EV batteries and charging stations more efficiently, taking up less space using fewer materials while improving longevity and performance. Charged takes an early peek at this innovation before it goes commercial next year. If you’ve never dropped your smartphone 10 feet onto pavement,… Read more »