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 »
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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 »
Tom Gage on ZEV mandates, Tesla’s early days, BMW’s EV commitment and V2G tech
Q&A with the EV trailblazer Tom Gage Tom Gage is one of America’s true EV pioneers. He’s perhaps best known as one of the designers of the tzero electric sports car that provided the inspiration for the Tesla Roadster. However, that is far from his only contribution to the electric mobility field. Charged recently caught up… Read more »
Grand Prix champion loves new Formula E electric race car
Grand Prix star Jarno Trulli was impressed with the electric Formula E car after a recent test drive at the La Ferté Gaucher circuit in France. Trulli, who is one of the most experienced drivers in the history of F1, having competed in 256 Grand Prix and ranking third on the all-time entry list, spent… Read more »
Elon Musk: Model X is a harder design problem but worth the wait
At the Geneva Auto Salon a few weeks ago, we were surprised to see that, unlike the previous year, Tesla had no Model X on display. The booth bunnies had no explanation to offer, but in a recent interview with Bloomberg, Elon Musk shed a little light on that topic. While demand for the Model… Read more »
Pot Daimler calls kettle Tesla black re fast charging standards
It seems that not everyone is enchanted by Tesla’s plans to install 40 to 50 Supercharger stations in Germany by the end of 2014. Carmaker Daimler and parts supplier Robert Bosch recently criticized the American company for pursuing its own proprietary DC charging standard. “The future lies in standardization. As with gas stations, we need… Read more »
