The humble city bus is quietly (also smoothly and emissions-free) going electric. In the past couple of months alone, Chicago, Washington DC, Portland, Oregon and London have begun trials of battery-electric buses, and the Chinese city of Hangzhou has placed an order for 2,000. China’s BYD is building buses in California and planning a factory… Read more »
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European EV sales – a very different selection from the US
The US and European auto markets differ in several significant ways, so it’s not surprising that the sales figures for the various plug-in models available look quite different across the water. One of the biggest differences is size. We Americans love our pickups and SUVs, while Europeans love cute little cars that would be laughed… Read more »
New report: Used EV batteries and California’s energy storage needs
As California searches for cheap energy storage options, a new report by the Climate Change and Business Research Initiative at the UCLA and UC Berkeley law schools suggests that used EV batteries may be the ideal solution. “Most batteries will retain much of their capacity and value after the use of the car,” said report… Read more »
Daimler/BYD’s DENZA EV enters production
DENZA, the “made in China, for China” EV from Daimler’s joint venture with Chinese automaker BYD, has started rolling off the production line in Shenzhen. The joint-venture company, BYD Daimler New Technology (BDNT), was established in 2010 with a 600-million-yuan ($98 million) initial investment. The DENZA is a four-door, five-passenger sedan with an 86 kW… Read more »
US plug-in sales break 250,000 as National Drive Electric Week kicks off
US plug-in vehicle sales have surpassed the quarter-million mark, just in time for National Drive Electric Week, September 15-21. Sales have increased by a healthy percentage every year since the Volt and LEAF went on the market at the end of 2010. 2014 sales total 76,799 so far, on track to handily beat 2013’s figure… Read more »
Kia announces pricing for Soul EV
Kia Motors America (KMA) has announced pricing for the Kia Soul EV, which will go on sale this fall in California, Oregon, New York, New Jersey and Maryland. The new EV will be offered in two trims: MSRP for the Base model is $33,700; the Plus model, which adds leather-trimmed heated and ventilated seats, fog… Read more »
Transport for London tests wireless charging with diesel hybrid buses
Transport for London plans to test wireless inductive charging technology with four diesel hybrid buses. The Alexander Dennis Enviro400H E400 double-deckers will operate on route 69 between Canning Town and Walthamstow bus stations, and will be fitted with special technology enabling on-board batteries to receive a charge at bus stands at either end of the… Read more »
Audi’s 48-volt electrical system increases efficiency and reduces emissions
Yet another sign of how electrification technology is steadily creeping into legacy ICE vehicles: Audi plans to upgrade part of its vehicle electrical system from 12 to 48 volts. Current technology has taken 12‑volt electrical systems to their limits. Especially at low temperatures, the various static‑load consumers can account for the entire power generated by… Read more »
Russian corporation develops charging station, network agency plans charging network
KRET, part of the Russian state corporation Rostec, has developed what it calls a universal charging station for electric vehicles. According to Rostec, the State Ryazan Instrument Plant has made three working prototypes of the FORA charging station, one of which operates at Level 2, and two that deliver a DC fast charge at 20… Read more »
Four British-built electric buses hit the streets of London
Four British-built pure electric buses went into service in London this week. The MetroCity single-deck buses were manufactured by Optare, part of the Hinduja Group, based in North Yorkshire, and will be operated on a trial basis on route H98 between Hayes and Hounslow. Manufacturer’s tests demonstrated that, while the initial cost of these vehicles… Read more »