High-performance magnets, which are critical for EV motors, typically depend on rare earth elements such as samarium, neodymium and dysprosium. These exotic materials are not only costly, but also present environmental and political challenges. Researchers from Tohoku University in Japan recently succeeded in producing a completely rare-earth-free high-quality magnet made of iron and nickel. The… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "Extreme E"
Renault installs 90 charging stations in Paris for climate change summit
Renault, in partnership with electric utility EDF and others, is installing 90 new EV charge spots in and around Paris for the upcoming COP21 global summit on climate change. The charging stations, several of which will be donated by Schneider Electric, will be used to charge 200 EVs serving as VIP shuttles for conference attendees…. Read more »
ChargePoint Home Review
ChargePoint, the operator of North America’s largest public EV charging network with nearly 25,000 “charging spots”, has developed a new residential charging product called ChargePoint Home. I was given the opportunity to test and review this over the last month, and overall, I’m very impressed. The home-based charger I was provided included a 25 charging foot cord… Read more »
Siemens introduces VersiCharge SG, a WiFi-enabled, cloud-based charging station
There’s a new macro trend occurring with electricity rate structures. In an effort by utilities to match their real-time costs with pricing models, new variable rates are being tested and implemented. The problem is that the cost to generate and distribute power is extremely variable, and has a lot to do with what’s happening on… Read more »
NASA awards grants for advanced battery technologies
There are a number of synergies between space travel and electromobility (just ask Elon Musk). Both pursuits require energy storage devices with high energy density, stringent safety standards, and the ability to operate in high-vibration, extreme-temperature environments. Developing improved battery technology is a high priority at NASA, and the agency is making significant investments in… Read more »
Polestar acquired by Volvo, will apply PHEV tech to high-performance cars
Volvo has acquired Polestar, a Swedish company with which it has been working in motor sports since 1996. Polestar will now be used as the model name for special high-performance Volvos. In 2015, Volvo expects to sell 750 Polestar versions of the V60 wagon and S60 sedan, and hopes to increase that to between 1,000… Read more »
Tesla boosts battery performance to ludicrous levels
The Model S is just about the greatest car ever made, but it’s always had one major defect: there are a couple of other production vehicles that can beat it in a drag race. For those of us who wish to go beyond Insane, Tesla has introduced Ludicrous mode (the name is a reference to… Read more »
Dana kicks copper to the curb in favor of all-aluminum cooling products for EVs
In 1982, the US Mint made the practical decision to change the composition of the penny coin from 95% copper/5% zinc – an alloy you know as brass – to 97.5% zinc with copper plating. Inflation had pushed the price of copper in a penny above one cent, and zinc was significantly less expensive and… Read more »
Bolloré’s electric Bluecar, with novel solid-state batteries, coming to London
Electric car-sharing service Autolib has become a hit in Paris and two other French cities since its 2011 launch, and now boasts a fleet of over 3,500 EVs. Corporate parent the Bolloré Group also has a fleet of electric Bluebuses operating on Parisian streets, and has been working on bringing electric car sharing to Indianapolis… Read more »
PowerGenix demonstrates the benefits of nickel-zinc batteries for stop-start and auxiliary applications
PowerGenix, a supplier of automotive nickel-zinc (NiZn) batteries, has completed a product evaluation test plan with the Institute of Automotive Technologies Dresden (IAD). IAD evaluated the capabilities of NiZn batteries used as a 12 V auxiliary power unit for plug-in vehicles, or as a 12 V starter battery for stop-start applications. “The unique cost and… Read more »
