The process of finalizing standards for wireless charging is well underway. At a recent conference, SAE Wireless Charging Taskforce Chair Jesse Schneider presented the recently published SAE TIR, Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) for Light-Duty Plug-In/ Electric Vehicles and Alignment Methodology, along with plans for standardization by 2018 to support commercialization. The SAE TIR J2954 contains… Read more »
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Proposed legislation lets employers offer pre-tax transportation benefits to EV drivers
US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has introduced legislation (S.3450) that would allow employers to give EV drivers access to the same pre-tax transportation benefits many workers receive for traditional forms of transportation such as public transit passes and parking fees. The Electric Vehicle Credit Act would exclude benefits for EV charging from an employee’s taxable… Read more »
Navigant Research: New report assesses the various types of electric powertrains for buses
Bus systems around the world are electrifying, driven by environmental regulations and cost savings. But decision-makers at transport authorities have several electrification options – hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, fuel cell – each with its own set of benefits and limitations. In a new report, “Medium and Heavy Duty Buses with Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, Battery… Read more »
Mercedes to offer wireless charging system using Qualcomm Halo technology
When Mercedes updates its S550e plug-in hybrid in 2017, it plans to offer a wireless charging (WEVC) system, manufactured by a Tier 1 power electronics supplier that has licensed Qualcomm’s Halo technology. Qualcomm and Daimler didn’t say which supplier would be producing the wireless system for Mercedes, but in July, Qualcomm entered into a license… Read more »
Recargo building out West Coast Electric Highway, researching higher charging levels
Earlier this year, Recargo, the parent company of PlugShare, won a $1.6-million grant from the California Energy Commission to help complete the West Coast Electric Highway, a network of charging stations that will eventually stretch from Canada to Mexico. In total, four companies were awarded nearly $9 million in grants for the project. Recargo, Chargepoint,… Read more »
Charge Amps’ new RAY charging cable is small and stylish
Swedish charging solution producer Charge Amps has introduce its new RAY charging cable, designed by noted industrial designer J. Nordwall. The RAY cable is available through Charge Amps resellers in Scandinavia, Germany and the Netherlands. RAY is designed to be as small and light as possible – total weight is less than 2 kg, including… Read more »
BMW electrifies its best-selling model: the 330e iPerformance PHEV launches in the US
Which major automaker has sold the highest percentage of plug-in vehicles relative to its overall US sales? You may be surprised to learn that it’s BMW – aside from Tesla, of course, which sells 100% EVs. In the first half of 2016, BMW’s four plug-in vehicles – the i3, i8, X5 xDrive40e and 330e iPerformance… Read more »
“Electrical steel” allows electric motors to run at much higher frequencies
The DOE’s EV Everywhere initiative, announced in 2012, has set goals of bringing EV battery costs down to $125 per kilowatt-hour, and electric drive system costs to $8 per kilowatt. To help make this a reality, the feds are investing some $59 million in 35 research projects around the country. One of these is led… Read more »
Utilities coming off the sidelines in the EV market
By Lisa Jerram, Principal Research Analyst, at Navigant Research It’s been a little over five years since the modern EV market was launched in the US, and growth has been steady – EV sales are expected to approach 200,000 in 2016. EV charging, the partner to the EV market, has grown as well. Today, the… Read more »
EVs aplenty at Paris Motor Show
Electricity was en vogue at the recent Paris Motor Show. Few automakers had any new ICE vehicles (isn’t that an oxymoron anyway?), but there were updates to several production EVs, and a couple of promising concepts, on display. The Renault Zoe, Europe’s best-selling plug-in vehicle, has gotten a substantial battery upgrade. An available 41 kWh… Read more »