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 »
Search Results Found For: "Wrightspeed"
Mercedes presents electric delivery truck
Despite the demonstrable savings, commercial vehicles have been slower to electrify than passenger cars, and the majors have mostly left the field open for start-up firms such as Motiv Power Systems and Wrightspeed. However, as performance improves and emissions regulations tighten (some European cities are making noises about someday banning ICE trucks from city centers),… Read more »
Tesla says it moves too fast for suppliers used to traditional auto development cycles
Over the past couple of decades, major automakers have built an ecosystem in which components of their cars are built by suppliers large and small around the world. This system has served them well, but it has several drawbacks that are becoming more apparent as cars become electric, autonomous and connected (Ian Wright eloquently described… Read more »
Philadelphia transit authority orders 25 Proterra electric buses
Philadelphia is set to become the first city in the Northeastern US to put battery-electric buses into service. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) plans to purchase 25 40-foot Proterra Catalyst e-buses, which will be deployed on two bus routes in South Philadelphia. Two canopy-style charging stations will be installed along the routes, and operators… Read more »
Electrified supercars in Geneva
At the recent Geneva Auto Salon, a number of smaller automakers had electrified supercars on display. Few of these are likely to be seen on the world’s roads any time soon, but it’s interesting to see how designers are combining electric and legacy drives for maximum performance. The British firm Arash (via Green Car Reports) unveiled a… Read more »
Audi e-tron quattro SUV will use vehicle dynamics control system to enhance vehicle handling
Audi of America President Scott Keogh said that he hopes 25% of the brand’s US sales will consist of plug-in models by 2025. Given Americans’ love of SUVs, Audi’s e-tron quattro SUV, due out in 2018, is sure to be an important part of that equation. Audi has a number of innovative features planned for… Read more »
Loyal GM customer told CEO Mary Barra he is tempted by Tesla’s “beautiful” user interface
There’s currently a lot of talk about a trend that Tesla co-founder Ian Wright discussed in our pages a year ago: even as software becomes a more and more critical part of the automobile, the user interfaces built by the (non-Tesla) automakers are clunky and old-fashioned, especially when it comes to integrating with our other… Read more »
Tesla’s next competitor might not need to build a single car
These days, the media insists on describing every future plug-in vehicle as a “Tesla competitor.” The latest putative challenger is not an automaker at all, but Apple, a company that has a lot in common with our favorite EV maker (including about 150 former employees). Reports that Apple has been bulking up on battery expertise… Read more »
Siemens developing a centralized computing architecture for EVs
Siemens, in partnership with EV manufacturer StreetScooter, is developing a centralized computing architecture for EVs that will make it possible to retrofit new features using a “plug-and-play” process, and to push software updates to vehicles as is currently done with smartphones (and Tesla vehicles). The RACE (Robust and Reliable Automotive Computing Environment for Future eCars)… Read more »
CHARGED Electric Vehicles Magazine Issue 13 – April 2014
Subscribe Now Trouble viewing? Read the features inside here. Featuring: The Tech Phinergy CEO explains aluminum-air batteries for 1,000-mile range-extended EVs A closer look at the semiconductor switch Wildcat’s new copper fluoride cathode material offers 2.5x more capacity than today’s battery tech The Vehicles The Buckeye Bullet: A student-built EV that’s racing towards 400 mph… Read more »