Tired of hearing about a certain California carmaker? Well, sorry. Tesla’s name is all over the press this week, from gushers about stock market success to sour-grapes hit pieces about ZEV credits to tantalizing hints of next-gen batteries and self-driving sedans. However, this is the most important news of all for a prospective Model S buyer: Consumer… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "US Hybrid"
Tesla cleans up on California ZEV credits
California’s system of Zero Emission Vehicle credits appears to be working precisely as intended, according to the Los Angeles Times. The state’s Air Resources Board has mandated that 15% of new-car sales in 2025 consist of ZEVs, but the system allows companies that aren’t selling enough clean cars to meet the mandate to purchase credits… Read more »
BMW partners with SOLARWATT to offer solar systems in Germany
Electric vehicles and rooftop solar power are natural partners for several reasons. BMW has just announced a partnership with a Dresden-based company called SOLARWATT to offer deals on photovoltaic systems to drivers of BMW’s upcoming i3 and i8 plug-ins. The German automaker plans to start selling its i3 EV later this year, and its i8… Read more »
Volvo raises V60 PHEV production target again
Volvo’s V60 Plug-In Hybrid wagon is a runaway success. The first year’s batch of 1,000 cars sold out before any had a chance to reach showrooms, and Volvo announced in November that it would increase production to 4,000-6,000 units for model year 2014. That figure will now be raised to 10,000 units, according to Cars… Read more »
Volvo upgrades C30 EV demo fleet
Volvo’s demo fleet of 100 C30 EVs, which is now being evaluated by European leasing customers, will be upgraded this summer with a new, more powerful motor from Siemens and a new on-board charger from BRUSA. The new Siemens motor has a peak power output of 89 kW (120 hp), torque of 250 Nm, and… Read more »
NYC begins electric taxi pilot
Mayor Michael Bloomberg is an EV champion, encouraging a massive rollout of public chargers, and setting a goal of electrifying a third of the city’s taxis by 2020.
Buick Riviera PHEV debuts at Shanghai show
This strikingly sleek coupe is the fourth concept vehicle jointly developed by GM’s Shanghai joint ventures.
Researchers discover memory effect in Li-ion batteries
Scientists at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and the Toyota Central R&D Labs have reported a memory effect in lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries that appears after only one cycle of partial charge and discharge. Memory effects are well known to users of nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal-hydride batteries. If these batteries are recharged repeatedly after being only partially… Read more »
Two new in-wheel electric drive systems unveiled
In-wheel electric drive systems are a hot topic these days. Mounting the electric motor and power electronics within a wheel assembly can improve efficiency, save space and give automakers more flexibility in body design. This week, two leaders in the field introduced new in-wheel offerings. Protean Electric announced the debut of its production in-wheel motor… Read more »
New report: charger market to grow to $3.8 billion by 2020
The growing acceptance of plug-in vehicles has spurred a “burst of activity” in the development of charging infrastructure (also known as electric vehicle supply equipment, or EVSE), mostly in North America, Europe, and Asia, according to a new report by Navigant Research. Much of the activity has been supported by large government investments, but this… Read more »