Protecting a car’s sensitive electronics throughout its lifetime is a must, whether it’s a conventional ICE vehicle or an EV. However, the larger electronics in plug-in vehicles have more power, more heat and higher pressure differentials that present new technological challenges to OEMs and suppliers. Any power semiconductor inevitably generates heat while conducting current, due… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "Plug & Charge"
Should PHEVs offer a choice of battery pack sizes?
Would plug-in hybrid buyers be interested in having a choice of battery pack sizes? The authors of a new study seem to think so, recommending that manufacturers should develop a modular design for PHEVs and EREVs, allowing them to offer a choice of storage capacity to meet individual customer requirements. The study, written by a… Read more »
Volvo’s new Electric Hybrid transit bus reduces energy consumption by 60%
Volvo will officially launch its 7900 Electric Hybrid transit bus, a plug-in version of the company’s proven 7900 Hybrid, at the International IAA Commercial Vehicles show in September. The 7900, which is available in both rigid-bodied and articulated versions, offers fuel consumption and CO2 emissions up to 75% lower than a legacy diesel bus. Total… Read more »
California bill would establish income cap for state EV rebates
California’s goal is to have 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025 – more than 15 times the current number. The state offers a rebate of $2,500 to buyers of EVs, in addition to the $7,500 federal tax credit. However, sales remain well short of the rate needed needed to meet the ambitious… Read more »
Blink Network introduces kWh-based pricing
The Car Charging Group has announced that it will introduce kWh-based pricing on charging stations in its Blink Network in states where such pricing models are permitted. 12 states, including California, New York and Florida, plus the District of Columbia, currently allow the energy-based pricing model. With kWh pricing, EV drivers pay fees based on… Read more »
Mitsubishi launches top-selling Outlander PHEV in Russia
Is Russia poised to be the next EV hotspot? If so, Mitsubishi is ready to reap the rewards. Its iMiEV is currently the only foreign plug-in sold in the country, and its Outlander PHEV will go on sale in Russia in September. Mitsubishi presented the plug-in SUV at last week’s Moscow International Automobile Salon, along… Read more »
California city deploys five Zero Electric Police motorcycles
The Clovis Police Department in the San Joaquin Valley has purchased five Zero Electric Police motorcycles, which will immediately join the force’s existing BMW R1200s, patrolling the city’s streets, trails and events. The five were purchased for just under $95,000, thanks to a grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air District. Thirty more e-cycles are… Read more »
Increase the power output of your Volvo V60 PHEV with this new optimization package
Polestar, Volvo’s racing and tuning partner, has announced a new upgrade package for the V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrid (which, sadly, isn’t available in the US). The Polestar Performance package adds an extra 15 hp and 22 lb-ft of torque, bringing total output up to 298 hp and 494 lb-ft. The enhanced V60 is the most… Read more »
Special EV license plate created with safety in mind
Rhode Island has created a special license plate for plug-in vehicles – not just so charged drivers can show how cool they are, but in order to save lives. The point is to give emergency crew members a warning when they encounter an EV, so that they don’t electrocute themselves while using the jaws of… Read more »
LG Chem to supply batteries to Audi
Korean giant LG Chem has agreed to supply batteries to Audi for hybrids and plug-in hybrids, and the companies will collaborate on various future plug-in projects, according to Reuters. “The batteries will be used in Audi’s next-generation plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Given that Audi shares many auto platforms with parent Volkswagen, we expect more such… Read more »