Tesla’s mysterious D has been revealed and it is cool. Elon Musk introduced the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version of Model S at a theatrical event at Hawthorne Municipal Airport (where SpaceX is headquartered). Musk didn’t just show a slide of the goodies – a huge robot arm lifted up a Model S chassis and turned it… 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 »
Freescale Semiconductor’s new integrated battery cell controller
As some automakers such as Audi are turning to 48 V electrical systems to facilitate the integration of ever more electronic accessories, Austin, Texas-based Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE: FSL) has introduced a highly integrated 14-cell lithium-ion battery cell controller. Freescale’s MC33771 battery cell controller and companion MC33664 isolated communications interface include fourteen cell balancing transistors, a… Read more »
Q&A with Qualcomm’s Joe Barrett, Appealing to the wireless generation
In January 2014, the Alliance for Wireless Power announced Qualcomm Technologies Inc. as one of the first companies to earn Rezence certification, a technology and set of specifications endorsed by the world’s leading mobile chipmakers, mobile phone manufacturers and other key industry partners. With Qualcomm and other companies now certified, it is expected that Rezence-based… Read more »
New book excerpt: The early days of Tesla
This article is an excerpt from Tesla Motors: How Elon Musk and Company Made Electric Cars Cool, and Sparked the Next Tech Revolution by Charged Senior Editor Charles Morris. This 270-page book is a comprehensive history of Tesla, told by the entrepreneurs who made it happen, as well as an assessment of the company’s lasting influence… Read more »
GM to revamp Volt marketing efforts, enlisting existing owners as evangelists
GM is offering few details about the next-generation 2016 Volt, which is to be unveiled at the North American Auto show in Detroit in January. Speaking for an audience of Buick retirees last week, GM Executive VP Mark Reuss had no technical tidbits to offer, saying only that the new Volt will offer “better fuel economy… Read more »
Q&A with Ian Wright: The CEO of Wrightspeed on Tesla, gas turbines and electric trucks
Ian Wright is originally from New Zealand. He came to California in 1993, where he happened to be a neighbor of Tesla founder Martin Eberhard. He worked with optical switching systems at a company called Altamar Networks until it went out of business, then decided he wanted to start his own company. Eberhard and his… Read more »
ChargePoint (sort of) back in the picture as Nissan launches No Charge to Charge program
Nissan has launched its No Charge to Charge program, which offers new LEAF buyers (and lessees) two years of free public charging, in 10 metro areas around the country. These 10 markets have around 2,600 public charging stations, including over 200 quick chargers. Nissan plans to expand the deal to at least 15 more US… Read more »
Tesla’s mass-market EV will have new platform, less aluminum
Tesla’s planned mass-market EV, which represents the culmination of Elon Musk’s grand plan to bring electric vehicles into the mainstream, is still shrouded in mystery. We’ve been told that it will be about 20 percent smaller than the Model S, that it will be priced around $35,000, that it is expected to go on sale… Read more »
Continental introduces new tire optimized for hybrids
In 2011, Continental introduced the Conti.eContact, a tire optimized for electric vehicles, with lower rolling resistance translating into increased range. Now the company has further refined the design to meet the needs of hybrid models. The Conti.eContact is available in six sizes for 17 and 18-inch rims. The rolling resistance of the new Conti.eContact for hybrids is… Read more »