It seems that every time the hottest new smartphone or tablet comes out, one of the biggest points of contention among users is its battery life. The demands put on the batteries run them down faster than users would like, and the OEMs can’t simply increase the batteries’ size while still hitting their targets for… Read more »
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Freescale’s new battery sensor combines MCU and CAN with three-channel analog front end
Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL) has announced a new battery sensor that it says is the first to combine three measurement channels, a 16/32-bit MCU, and a CAN protocol module in a single package. The MM9Z1J638 battery sensor measures key battery parameters for monitoring state of health (SOH), state of charge (SOC) and state of function (SOF)… Read more »
Ultracapacitor firm Ioxus raises $21 million in series C funding
Ioxus, a manufacturer of ultracapacitor technology, has raised $21 million in a series C funding round from investors that include IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and venture capital firm the Westly Group (this follows $15 million that Ioxus raised last July). Supercapacitors (aka ultracapacitors or ultracaps), with their superior charge/discharge rates and… Read more »
Chevy reportedly planning a lower-priced version of the Volt, Opel developing pure EV
Chevrolet’s redesigned 2016 Volt will be offered in a lower-priced model with a smaller battery pack and a shorter electric range, supplier sources told Reuters. The standard 2016 Volt isn’t expected to be dramatically different from the current model, with a 380-mile total range and a $35,000 price tag. The “entry level” Volt will likely… Read more »
GM invests $449 million to upgrade Volt and battery plants
General Motors has announced that it will invest $449 million to upgrade manufacturing processes at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly and Brownstown Battery Assembly plants. “These investments will help the next-generation Chevrolet Volt build on its position as the leader in electrified propulsion,” said Gerald Johnson, GM North America Manufacturing Vice President. The Hamtramck facility (affectionately known… Read more »
$16 billion in DOE loans still available for auto suppliers
The DOE is encouraging auto suppliers to step forward for a share of $16 billion in low-interest financing that’s still available under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program. Congress created the ATVM program in 2007, and it famously lent about $8.4 billion to Ford, Nissan, Tesla and Fisker. Although the program hasn’t approved… Read more »
Tom Gage on ZEV mandates, Tesla’s early days, BMW’s EV commitment and V2G tech
Q&A with the EV trailblazer Tom Gage Tom Gage is one of America’s true EV pioneers. He’s perhaps best known as one of the designers of the tzero electric sports car that provided the inspiration for the Tesla Roadster. However, that is far from his only contribution to the electric mobility field. Charged recently caught up… Read more »
Remy to supply motors for EchoDrive plug-in hybrid system
Echo Automotive (OTCQB: ECAU) has announced an agreement with Remy International to supply electric motors for Echo’s EchoDrive plug-in hybrid system, which is scheduled for production later this year. “Remy has over 100,000 electric motors on the road with over 2 billion miles and over 10 years of electric traction motor production,” said Echo President… Read more »
DENSO begins field test of wireless battery charging system
Global automotive supplier DENSO is beginning a ten-month field test of its wireless battery charging system in Toyota City, Japan. The test is intended to identify any potential operational issues and look at ways to enhance the convenience of wireless charging. For the test, DENSO has equipped a delivery truck with a power receiver that… Read more »
Golf GTE plug-in hybrid to debut in Geneva
Volkswagen will present its new Golf GTE plug-in hybrid at the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show. This is a significant milestone for the European automotive market, as the Continent’s most popular model line will now be available with a range of powertrains (gas, diesel, CNG, PHEV and fully electric). The Golf GTE has a 1.4-liter,… Read more »
