Search Results Found For: "Ford"

ECOtality introduces new family of home chargers

ECOtality, Inc. (Nasdaq:ECTY) has introduced the Blink HQ family of home EV chargers. The first of the new products, a 30-Amp home charger with delayed start options to optimize charging rates, will launch in early summer. It will be followed by a higher-end charger with connected capabilities and remote access. Blink still offers its classic… Read more »

Tesla pays off DOE loan early, taxpayers profit

Delivering a welcome victory for the government’s policy of supporting American manufacturing, Tesla Motors has paid off the loan it received from the Department of Energy nine years ahead of schedule, giving taxpayers a profit of at least $12 million on the original $465 million loan, Reuters reported. “I would like to thank the Department… Read more »

A new LEAF, localized manufacturing, and a focus on infrastructure

With a longer range and a lower price, the 2013 Nissan LEAF screams upgrade, but it’s only one small aspect of the company’s aggressive EV strategy. Proprietary, localized manufacturing and improved infrastructure also play key roles in Nissan’s plan for world domination electrification. Sometime back in the 60s, Mr or Mrs Ghosn must have put… Read more »

OXIS Energy bets on lithium-sulfur

Though it may have a stinky reputation, sulfur could set EVs on the path to total ICE replacement if energy-dense, low-weight lithium-sulfur batteries become the norm. British-based OXIS Energy is banking its business on it. If American clean energy industries are to take full advantage of the emerging lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery chemistry, they just may… Read more »

Ultracapacitors creep into automotive

Maxwell looks to leverage its early ultracapacitor experience into a ubiquitous, low-cost, high-volume complement to batteries. Power sources like internal combustion engines and advanced battery packs work great as continuous suppliers of energy. But during the highest peak loads, both sacrifice efficiency attempting to meet the power delivery demands. And pushing these devices to their… Read more »

Erik Spek on battery abuse testing, improving safety, and developing standards

(This article originally appeared in Charged Issue 7 – MAR/APR 2013) Q&A with Erik Spek: The Chief Engineer at TÜV SÜD Canada on battery abuse testing, improving safety, and developing standards. When analyzing the current state of lithium-ion technology, it helps to look back at the development of the nickel metal hydride battery (NiMH). Some argued that hybrid automotive… Read more »

Break out the Champagne: 100,000 plug-ins have been sold in the US

Is it a milestone in automotive history, or just an odometer moment? Who cares? Let’s celebrate! According to the latest estimates, the 100,000th plug-in vehicle was sold in the US some time this week. This total includes only “highway-capable” vehicles, not “neighborhood electric vehicles,” which number over 60,000 in California alone. The first of the… Read more »

DOE to award $62.5 million to USABC to accelerate development of next-generation EV batteries

The DOE announced that the US Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC), an industry group managed by GM, Ford and Chrysler, will lead an industry-wide effort to accelerate development of next-generation battery technologies for electrified vehicles. The DOE will invest $12.5 million per year for five years, subject to congressional appropriations, which will be matched by an… Read more »