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 »
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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 »
Energica announces DC fast charging for motorcycles
Italian motorcycle maker Energica (profiled in the December 2013 issue of Charged) builds a bike designed for the connoisseur of speed, with 0-60 mph acceleration of 3 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph. Now Energica is addressing the issue of fast charging for motorcycles. The Energica Ego features CCS Combo charging that allows… Read more »
Volvo sells electric buses to Luxembourg
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is steadily electrifying its public transit. Transport operator Sales-Lentz bought its first Volvo hybrid buses in 2009, and now has 24 Volvo hybrids and 12 Volvo PHEVs in its fleet. The company is now taking the next step in electrification with the purchase of four Volvo 7900 Electric buses, which… Read more »
A123 and Argonne collaborate to develop a safer cathode
A123 Systems has announced an agreement with Argonne National Laboratory to collaborate on a three-year, multi-million-dollar cathode development program that will focus on improving cathode safety without compromising energy density or battery life. A123 will leverage its battery expertise to commercialize advances in nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) technology originally developed by Argonne, which already… Read more »