The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will hold a hearing this week to consider increasing the state’s plug-in vehicle purchase incentive from the current $2,500 to $4,500, in order to compensate for the phase-out of federal subsidies on Tesla and GM vehicles. The $7,500 federal EV tax credit is designed to sunset for each individual… Read more »
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German automakers struggle to find a profitable road to electrification
It has gradually become apparent that Big Auto’s reluctance to embrace EVs is not due to mere Luddism or fear of the future. There are several reasons to believe that electrification will take a major bite out of industry profits, as Daimler execs acknowledged in March. Now Volkswagen has warned that its stated plan to… Read more »
Chinese EV-makers are coming: NIO debuts on NYSE
China is by far the world’s largest EV market – nearly 373,000 plug-in passenger cars were sold there in the first half of this year (according to EV Volumes). It’s widely believed that Chinese automakers hope to ride the electrification wave to the top of the global industry, but so far the only Chinese company… Read more »
Honda Clarity PHEV drives like a dream
The Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is a quiet star. While the Tesla Model 3 and Chevy Volt have been hogging the headlines, the Clarity PHEV has sold 8,109 units in the US since its late 2017 launch. It’s the third best-selling PHEV on the market, after the Prius Prime and the Chevy Volt. In the… Read more »
The Kia Niro PHEV is a fine vehicle, but…
Kia plans to pursue a “pick your powertrain” policy with the Niro. The hybrid version is now available in the US, and the PHEV version is available in select markets (a Florida dealer told us that it could be special-ordered). The EV version recently went on sale in Korea, and is to arrive in Europe… Read more »
A glimpse into the auto shop of the future at Tampa Hybrids
EVs haven’t been around long enough, or in great enough numbers, for any large-scale market in replacement batteries to develop. However, Toyota’s Prius hybrid went on sale in the US in 2000, and has sold well over two million units. There’s a lively market for replacement batteries, with both OEM and aftermarket options available. For… Read more »
AKASOL begins mass production of batteries for Mercedes eCitaro electric bus
This fall, AKASOL is set to begin mass producing batteries for Mercedes-Benz’s eCitaro. AKASOL’s first-generation battery systems will contain ten battery modules for up to 243 kWh per vehicle and a charging rate of up to 300 kW. In order to make this possible, AKASOL uses a water-cooling system to keep its batteries at 25° C in various… Read more »
Prius Prime Advanced: the prince of PHEVs
Looking for an objective review of the Toyota Prius Prime Advanced? Sorry, you’ll have to look elsewhere. I’m one of “the pious” – annoying Prius drivers who sing the praises of our favorite hybrid vehicle to anyone who will listen. I’ve owned three Prii (and yes, replaced batteries on two), and this is a completely… Read more »
City of London introduces emissions-based parking fees
Fortunately, the famous London Fogs are a thing of the past, but the UK capital continues to take steps to improve air quality. Drivers in central London must pay a hefty Congestion Charge of around £11.50 (about $15), subject to discounts for “Ultra Low Emission” vehicles. Now the city’s famous financial district, known formally as… Read more »
Penn State researchers develop cold-weather fast charging method for Li-ion batteries
Fast charging cold Li-ion batteries comes with the risk of lithium plating. When metallic lithium is formed in a battery, it can severely reduce battery lifespan and increase instability. Researchers from Penn State have suggested a solution to that problem that can provide 15-minute fast charging and a twelve-year battery lifespan in temperatures as low as… Read more »