Researchers at the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a unique battery chemistry that promises to greatly extend battery life by making the electrolyte serve two functions. In a study, Pushing the Theoretical Limit of Li-CFx Batteries: A Tale of Bi-functional Electrolyte, which was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, ORNL… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "DOE"
Audi presents PHEV concept with two electric motors and wireless charging
Audi is presenting a new concept PHEV at this week’s Beijing International Automobile Exhibition that showcases a number of cutting-edge technologies, including wireless charging. The Audi TT offroad concept is based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB), the Volkswagen Group’s common engine-mounting core, which allows a model to be produced with different drivetrains (legacy, hybrid… Read more »
FTC officials: States should allow Tesla direct sales
Officials from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have weighed in on the war between Tesla and the state auto dealers’ groups. They join several prominent politicians, a group of 70 economists and law professors, and over 133,000 citizens who signed a pro-Tesla petition in saying that state laws prohibiting the company’s direct sales model amount… Read more »
VW’s Chinese expansion plans include plenty of plug-ins
The Volkswagen Group is the latest automaker to trumpet a major push into the Chinese market, and electrification is very much a part of its strategy. The Porsche Panamera S E-hybrid is already in showrooms in China, the electric up! and e-Golf will be launched this year, and the Audi A3 e-tron and Golf GTE… Read more »
Nissan throws in some free charging with purchase of a LEAF
Nissan has announced the expansion of its No Charge to Charge promotion, which provides a certain amount of free public charging with the purchase or lease of a new LEAF. The offer does come with a couple of strings attached. It’s valid for two years from the purchase date, and free charging will be limited… Read more »
Silicon rally: EnerG2’s new silicon battery anode material
It seems that every time the hottest new smartphone or tablet comes out, one of the biggest points of contention among users is its battery life. The demands put on the batteries run them down faster than users would like, and the OEMs can’t simply increase the batteries’ size while still hitting their targets for… Read more »
FEV exhibits transmission designed for PHEVs
FEV is exhibiting a new transmission specially designed for plug-in hybrid powertrains at this week’s SAE World Congress in Detroit. According to FEV, engine downsizing for increased fuel efficiency has led to challenges for transmission developers, who must provide higher levels of capability in a smaller package. The company took a “clean sheet approach” to… Read more »
Quantifying battery risks and thermal safety
Exponent engineers on battery risks and thermal safety: If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. Any type of energy storage technology has some risk associated with the unanticipated release of stored energy. Failure of a pumped-hydro storage system, for example, can lead to flooding. Hydrocarbon fuels like gasoline, diesel or methane can ignite into flames…. Read more »
European Parliament: EVs need to be louder, ICE vehicles quieter
The European Parliament has voted to make “acoustic vehicle alerting systems” mandatory for all new electric and hybrid cars starting in 2019 (the US has required similar systems since 2011). British MEPs and advocacy groups for the blind were among those lobbying for the new rule. “Quiet electric cars could become a common sight on… Read more »
Final CARB rules seem to favor fuel cells over battery swapping
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has posted final modifications to its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Regulation for public comment. The ZEV rules require automakers to sell a certain number of zero-emission (battery-electric or fuel cell) vehicles in California. It also provides for automakers who don’t sell enough ZEVs to purchase excess credits from other… Read more »