Start-ups are tough. The majority of them do not succeed, particularly those built around new technologies in burgeoning industries. Nowhere is this more evident than in the EV industry. Even with political support and government grants, many companies have miscalculated the market and the capital required to make it into the black. In October 2012,… Read more »
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EVs for share or rent?
The world’s transportation ecosystem has hundreds of species of vehicles, each one adapted to the requirements of its particular niche. Some niches are clearly well-suited to EVs, and others are probably not. Urban delivery trucks, which typically make route-based journeys from a central depot and consume a lot of diesel fuel, can quickly recoup an… Read more »
Mercedes exec: B Class EV beats BMW i3
Daimler R&D chief Thomas Weber talked EVs in an interview this week with Automotive News Europe’s German sister Automobilwoche. Weber believes the upcoming Mercedes B class Electric Drive will be a worthy competitor for the BMW i3: “In all the key criteria, this vehicle will be at least as competitive as our competitors’ models. With… Read more »
A123 Systems announces organizational alignment within Wanxiang Group
A123 Systems has outlined its organizational structure and strategic focus as a member of the Wanxiang Group, the Chinese company that acquired most of A123’s businesses last January. During the next year, Wanxiang’s lithium-ion battery activities will be integrated under A123’s leadership, both in China and the US. The executive team is headquartered in A123’s… Read more »
China renews EV subsidies
China has renewed subsidies for the purchases of new energy vehicles (EVs and PHEVs) for another three years. The country’s Finance Ministry announced this week that it will offer up to 60,000 yuan ($9,800) for the purchase of an EV, up to 35,000 yuan for a PHEV, and up to 500,000 yuan for an electric… Read more »
Tesla plans to produce an autonomous car within three years
Vehicle autonomy is a trend that’s proceeding in parallel with electrification, so it’s no surprise to learn that Tesla is working on the technology. This week, Elon Musk outlined an ambitious plan, saying that the company hopes to produce a car that can run on “auto-pilot” within the next three years. Tesla’s autonomous car will… Read more »
Connecting Europe’s charging networks
Many have posed the question of why the EV market in Europe has lagged behind the market in the US, considering the Continent’s higher fuel prices and strong green tradition. While there are several plausible answers, on closer examination the question itself makes little sense, because in fact there is no European EV market, but… Read more »
Electric car sharing takes off in Paris, stalls in Berlin
Some see car sharing as a killer app for EVs – users make short journeys, return the cars to central locations, and pay per trip, so they don’t have to worry about high up-front costs. Others are more skeptical, pointing out that some customers are non-car owners who want to use shared cars to get… Read more »
Mercedes plans to offer S-Class PHEV
Mercedes-Benz’s next generation S-Class will include two hybrid models, a gasoline and a diesel version, and a plug-in hybrid model will join the lineup “soon.” The new S 400 Hybrid, which combines a V6 gasoline engine with an electric motor and Li-ion battery pack, will deliver combined fuel economy of around 37 mpg, a reduction… Read more »
Smart and Nissan offer battery leasing options
When the smart fortwo electric drive goes on sale in the US next month (at a base price of $25,750), buyers will have the option of renting the battery for a monthly fee.