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 »
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A better way to battery-swap?
The idea of battery swapping for EVs has been around for some time, but the reality has not been auspicious. Better Place bet on the concept and went bankrupt. Tesla successfully demonstrated a battery swap in 2013, but so far has not gotten around to opening any swap stations to the public. A team of… 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 »
ABB and BYD to collaborate on energy storage
Electronics giant ABB and Chinese automaker BYD have announced a strategic collaboration to develop new solutions for energy storage. The new partnership aims to accelerate the introduction of new solutions for EV charging, as well as stationary storage for renewable energy applications. The collaboration will focus on grid-connected energy storage, micro-grid applications, solar energy and… Read more »
Volkswagen announces pricing for e-Golf
Volkswagen has announced that the 2015 e-Golf will have a starting price of $35,445 (plus $820 destination charge) when it goes on sale in selected US states in November. The new EV will also lease for $299 per month. Prices for the competing Nissan LEAF range from $29,010 to $35,120; the Ford Focus Electric starts at… Read more »
California bill gives renters the right to install charging stations
The California legislature has passed a bill designed to make it easier for property renters to install EV charging stations. Assembly Bill 2565 will give tenants the right to install charging stations at their homes or businesses if the tenant is willing to pay installation costs. Under current law, lease restrictions may add financial burdens… 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 »
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 »
French car-sharing service will use Toyota i-ROAD and COMS EVs
A new electric car-sharing service will go into operation in the French city of Grenoble in October for a three-year trial period. Ha:Mo, a cooperative effort of Toyota, utility EDF, and local car-sharing operator Citélib, will feature 70 Toyota i-ROAD and COMS ultra-compact EVs and about 30 charging stations. The idea is to allow commuters… 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 »