The Obama administration, a reliable booster of electromobility, has announced a new package of measures aimed at helping to put more EVs on the road. While EVangelists may be disappointed that the package contains little in the way of new money or mandates, it will hopefully lay the groundwork for more cooperation among governments, private… Read more »
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Tesla ends buyback guarantee program
Tesla has ended a buyback offer that guaranteed the resale value of its cars. A Tesla spokesperson said the program was discontinued “to keep interest rates as low as possible and offer a compelling lease and loan program to customers.” The aim of the program, which began in 2013, was presumably to reassure buyers who… Read more »
Report: Meeting world fuel economy standards will require 16% market share for EVs by 2020
Governments around the world have established aggressive fuel economy standards, and meeting them will require a substantial percentage of the planet’s vehicle fleet to be converted to electricity (despite the desperate hopes of many auto company execs). New research by the World Energy Council (WEC) attempts to answer the question of just how many EVs… Read more »
WiTricity’s new wireless charging system is designed for flexibility and interoperability
Wireless charging pioneer WiTricity has announced a new charging system that uses magnetic resonance technology to deliver a range of power over distance and through materials. According to the company, its new system enables power transfer at up to 11 kW, and has the ability to scale up to 25 kW and higher. WiTricity, in… Read more »
BMW demonstrates stationary storage system using i3 battery
Stationary storage provides the missing link between EVs and renewable energy. Tesla made it trendy, but other automakers, including Nissan, GM and Toyota, have been exploring the technology for some time. Now BMW has announced a stationary storage solution that integrates its i3 vehicle battery. BMW’s new system, announced at the recent Electric Vehicle Symposium… Read more »
New Jersey launches grant program for workplace charging stations
The state of New Jersey has launched a $725,000 grant program to encourage installation of workplace EV charging stations. The It Pay$ to Plug In program offers grants for workplace chargers on a first-come basis: up to $250 for a Level 1 charging station, and up to $5,000 for a Level 2 station. DC fast… Read more »
Drive Solar offers California drivers a free charging station with solar system purchase
PlugShare, the maker of a popular charging station locator app and purveyor of public charging data, is betting that homeowners who go solar would also like to drive electric, and vice versa. Under PlugShare’s Drive Solar program, purchasers of a home solar system from Sungevity can receive a free GE WattStation home charging station, including… Read more »
Former Tesla nemesis Top Gear raves about Model X
The tiff between Tesla and British car show Top Gear was the EV world’s equivalent of the OJ Simpson circus. After prickly presenter Jeremy Clarkson, a famous hater of all things electric (and most things American) gave the Roadster a snarkily negative review in 2008, Tesla sued for libel. The ensuing drama dragged on for… Read more »
Driving the Future: Combating Climate Change with Cleaner, Smarter Cars (review)
Driving the Future, by former EPA official Margo Oge, tells the fascinating story of how the agency achieved a historic agreement with the auto industry to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions – an agreement that delivered cleaner air and millions of dollars in savings for consumers, and gave a huge boost to the growing… Read more »
Swedish initiative lets EV owners share charging stations a la Airbnb
A recent survey conducted by Renault found that 60 percent of Swedish drivers would like to see more EVs on the roads. Renault’s poll also found (as others have) that a lot of people believe that a shortage of charging points is a major obstacle to EV adoption. In response to these findings, Renault has… Read more »