As the world’s transportation system begins to make the transition to electric power, automakers (except for one) are being dragged into the future kicking and screaming by governments. To anyone familiar with the companies’ history, this should come as no surprise. A new article from the Union of Concerned Scientists recounts the industry’s long history… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "Clean Cars"
New York Governor announces $3.5 million in R&D funding for EV-grid integration
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the availability of up to $3.5 million for R&D proposals to accelerate the use of EVs, reduce the cost of installing and operating charging stations, and provide recommendations on how they can be used for grid resiliency. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)… Read more »
UK budget includes £400 million for charging infrastructure and £100 million for EV purchase incentives
The UK’s Autumn Budget, recently presented to Parliament, includes a number of measures designed to support electromobility and renewable energy. The government proposes to establish a new Charging Investment Infrastructure Fund with an investment of £400 million ($530 million), half of which is to be provided by matching private investment. The budget also includes £100… Read more »
New study: EVs emit less greenhouse gases than diesels, even in coal-heavy regions
The myth of the “long tailpipe” – the idea that, because EVs are partially powered by dirty coal, they are no cleaner than legacy vehicles – just won’t go away. In 2012, a detailed study from the Union of Concerned Scientists found that even if it were charged 100% from coal, an EV would still… Read more »
Former EPA official: US automakers’ EV strategies are irrational
These days, not a week goes by without an announcement of some major electrification initiative from a major carmaker: Nissan’s new LEAF is coming to the US soon, GM is actually advertising its Bolt EV, VW and Daimler have each announced a range of new EVs (for China, at least), and Volvo and Jaguar have… Read more »
New report: EVs promise a more resilient grid and a more democratic energy system
We read a lot about the performance and environmental advantages of EVs, but there’s another benefit of electrification that’s less often discussed: increasing grid resilience and “energy democracy.” The advantages of a more distributed electrical grid are especially relevant in light of the massive power outages caused by the recent hurricanes. A new report from… Read more »
Making a motor: Many automakers rely heavily on third party motor-winding experts like Odawara Engineering
Electric motors are everywhere: in household appliances, in hand tools, in buildings, in consumer electronics, and increasingly in automobiles. Motors are used in windshield wipers, power windows, throttle controllers, and, more and more, in the drivetrains of electrified vehicles. Electric motors abound, and Odawara Engineering knows how to make them. Charged spoke with Odawara’s Chris… Read more »
Tesla Model 3: Will this machine kill the Oil Age?
It’s hard to overestimate the importance of the Tesla Model 3 (although the media has been doing its best). There’s no question that it’s a momentous motorcar on (at least) three levels. First, Model 3’s success is widely assumed to be an existential issue for the company – if it fails to deliver on its… Read more »
What’s going to happen with US emissions regulations?
Q&A with emissions standards expert Michael Steel of the law firm Morrison & Foerster For better or for worse, the proliferation of plug-in vehicles that has occurred over the past few years is largely the result of government regulation. Automakers are producing some excellent EVs, but (except for a certain California carmaker) to put it… Read more »
Dyson to build “radically different” EV
When British inventor Sir James Dyson’s eponymous company acquired Michigan solid-state battery pioneer Sakti3 in 2015, we suspected it wasn’t about better batteries for handheld vacuum cleaners. Now Dyson has announced that it has had 400 engineers working since 2015 on an EV that will be “radically different” from current models and go on sale… Read more »