Search Results Found For: "DOE"

Why is GM idling the Volt production line again?

The Detroit Hamtramck facility, where the 2013 Chevrolet Volt is made, is to pause production for four weeks, the second time GM has temporarily halted production. The official Volt-haters society is surely throwing a huge party this week (if such people ever throw parties), but over here on the pro-EV end of the dial, the… Read more »

Microvast designs batteries, builds buses, and partners with utilities

Microvast is the largest battery company you’ve probably never heard of. That’s because they are their own best customer. Instead of pitching their proprietary lithium–titanate technology to vehicle builders, the company identified a well-suited niche for their batteries and set out to demonstrate a sustainable model. Primarily a research and development focused chemical company, Microvast… Read more »

Find your niche: Balqon Corporation targets short haul drayage tractors

Electric vehicles (EVs) have their partisans and detractors. Supporters see the be-all and end-all transportation solution, while opponents argue the technology is too young. Somewhere between the two extremes lies the truth: today’s commercially available EVs have strengths and weaknesses compared to internal combustion engine (ICEs). The strong points include lower operating costs and lack… Read more »

Ford’s new plug-ins

Ford’s recent launch of the Focus Electric, and the upcoming launches of the Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrids, are major milestones for the American EV industry. The Focus Electric claims the title of the only pure EV currently available from the Big Three US automakers, and the Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi will… Read more »

Advancing Inverters

Topping the list of EV inhibitors are cost and consumer perception of long-term reliability of the vehicle. After batteries, power electronics contribute the greatest cost to EVs, when compared to a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. Additionally, inverters and converters are among the most stressed powertrain components.  Increasing inverter performance, reliability, and lifetime –… Read more »

Where speed hardly matters: Level 1 EV charging opportunities

Industry Opinion: Robert Bruninga is a Professional Engineer in the Aerospace Department of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Bob is a member of the IEEE National Committee on Transportation and Aerospace Policy and a 30-year EV owner, since the original CitiCar. Why are we ignoring Level 1 charging opportunities? Nothing in this discussion is… Read more »

ARPA-E awards $43 million to 19 energy storage projects

The DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) has selected 19 new projects that will receive a total of $43 million to develop new energy storage technologies. The projects are supported through two new ARPA-E programs – Advanced Management and Protection of Energy Storage Devices (AMPED) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) – and will focus… Read more »