The Swiss firm BRUSA is now offering its electric-drive components, including motors, controllers, power electronics, battery packs and chargers, in 750-volt versions, which are designed for commercial vehicles and applications demanding high output. Increasing the voltage allows the current to be reduced with no loss of performance. This means that cables can be thinner and… Read more »
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A reluctant gem: The FIAT 500e EV
The cute, cuddly FIAT 500e EV may have been born only out of regulatory necessity. So what happens if it becomes the best-reviewed new EV in its class? The bar is raised; the game changes. Maybe Chrysler will even concede that it should sell it outside of the Golden State. Summertime in Sonoma County… Read more »
EVs in paradise: plug-ins and island markets
Islands make perfect EV habitats. Driving distances are generally short, and the need to ship supplies from the mainland keeps gas prices high. Also, islands around the world face a lot of environmental challenges, and many island economies depend on tourism, so the level of green consciousness tends to be high. Island governments around the… Read more »
Parker Hannifin races into traction motors
After years of development, the company plans to launch a new line of traction motors this summer. Parker Hannifin is an industrial motion and control powerhouse. With over $13 billion in sales last year, its products range from hydraulics to pneumatics to electric motors. But until recently, the company’s selection of motors was solely targeted at… Read more »
Nissan displays 300 km/h electrified race car prototype
Nissan has unveiled a prototype racer called the ZEOD RC (Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car) that it claims will be able to reach speeds of more than 300 km/h under electric power. The ZEOD RC will begin testing later this summer, and will take part in the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans. According… Read more »
Tesla battery swapping service details
Okay, Tesla has shown that the Model S battery pack can be swapped out quickly and elegantly, to the accompaniment of thumping techno music. However, there are a lot of questions about how this is going to work in the real world, so after Thursday’s live demonstration, CEO Elon Musk stuck around to offer some answers…. Read more »
VIDEO: Jay Leno takes a cruise in the 2014 Cadillac ELR
Now that Tesla has made EVs cool, most of the “car guys” are more or less grudgingly acknowledging their existence. But Jay Leno has been a serious electrification advocate all along. In previous episodes of Jay Leno’s Garage, he has featured not only the Model S, but the Mission R electric motorcycle, an electric truck… Read more »
Waiting lists lengthen for Fit EV as Honda includes Leviton home charging station with lease
A better lease deal and more availability seem to have led to a surge in demand for the Fit EV, and dealers may not be able to keep up. The electric hatchback can now be leased for $259, with no limit on annual mileage, and it’s available at every Honda dealer in eight states (California,… Read more »
Smith Electric reaches a milestone: 700 vehicles, five million miles
According to Smith, its fleet customers save an estimated 70% annually on fuel and maintenance during the life of the vehicle.
Ford is building the Focus Electric in Europe, but does it care about selling it?
Ford Focus Electrics are now rolling down the assembly line in Saarlouis, Germany, where the company invested 16 million euros to add the electric version to its existing Focus production line. The Focus Electric will go on sale in Europe in August, and the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid will join it next year. “Focus Electric… Read more »