Intertek, a company that specializes in third-party validation and compliance testing, is working with the DOE and several national laboratories to collect real-world data on all the most popular plug-in models, testing the vehicles’ performance, durability and operational costs. Intertek acquires new vehicles directly from a dealer, and installs data logging equipment, which uses Wi-Fi… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "our next energy"
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 »
Hawaii bill would require EV charging stations in parking lots
The Hawaii State Senate is considering a bill that would require owners of parking lots to provide at least one exclusive space equipped with an EV charging station. Senate Bill 2651 would apply to parking lots with 100 spaces or more, and would go into effect in 2015. The bill was approved unanimously by the… Read more »
Bosch, GS Yuasa and Mitsubishi: We intend to double Li-ion battery capacity
Three automotive giants have unfurled their banners in the crusade to build a better battery. Robert Bosch, GS Yuasa and Mitsubishi have set up a joint venture, called Lithium Energy and Power, to develop next-generation lithium-ion battery technology with an ambitious goal of doubling energy capacity. The intrepid partners announced no target date for reaching… Read more »
Prototype power storage system in Japan uses EV batteries to regulate solar plant output
Sumitomo Corporation has developed and installed the first large-scale power storage system that uses used EV batteries. This prototype commercial-scale (600 kW, 400 kWh) storage system consists of sixteen used EV batteries. Located on Yume-shima Island, Osaka, the system begins operation this month. Over the next three years, Sumitomo will measure the facility’s smoothing effect… Read more »
Samsung invests in graphene manufacturer XG Sciences
Samsung Ventures Investment Corporation has invested an undisclosed amount in graphene manufacturer XG Sciences, which the company will use to fund additional R&D. Lansing, Michigan-based XG Sciences manufactures energy storage materials based on the company’s xGnP graphene nanoplatelets and XG Leaf graphene sheet products. Last April, the company launched graphene-stabilized silicon anode materials for Li-ion… Read more »
New report says second-life batteries will be a $3 billion business
A new report from Navigant Research examines the market for second-life batteries. Noting that over 100,000 EVs have been sold thus far (nearly 180,000 according to Plug-In America), and that the battery packs are usually warranted for 8 to 10 years, after which they will retain an average 80% of their original capacity, Navigant asks:… Read more »
Porous Power’s new microporous membrane will boost Li-ion battery performance
Q&A with Bernard Perry of Porous Power Technologies. In 2006, Porous Power Technologies was formed around a new microporous membrane material designed specifically for use as a lithium-ion battery separator. At that time, most battery separator materials were originally intended for other applications and adapted when the lithium-ion market began to develop. The company’s founders saw an… Read more »
EnerG2 boasts of battery breakthrough
Seattle-based EnerG2 has announced improvements to its line of lithium-ion batteries that it says significantly boost capacity and power performance. The company’s new product blends carbon and silicon, including electrochemically active hard carbon. According to the company, its silicon-carbon solution provides a fivefold improvement in cycle life while maintaining a dramatic improvement in energy density… Read more »
DOE announces $50 million for vehicle R&D funding, releases plug-in progress report
The DOE will award $49.4 million in new funding for projects that accelerate research and development of new vehicle technologies. The announcement identifies 13 areas of interest, of which 7 are described as “critical technologies” to meet the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, which has a goal of making EVs more affordable and convenient to own… Read more »