Wireless charging is one of the hottest topics in the EV world these days. Several companies have systems on the path to commercial availability. Evatran has plans to sell aftermarket systems that will work with popular plug-in models such as the LEAF and the Volt. Qualcomm is using its London trial as a test bed… Read more »
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Fisker’s Future: Tony Posawatz on moving the start-up ‘onward’
The feisty California start-up looks to break free of its growing pains and hit cruise control on the Atlantic.
Driving drivetrain development: Schaeffler North America’s VP and CTO on the future of electric drive
Jeff Hemphill talks eAxles, two-speed transmissions, in-wheel motors and more. For multinational companies with thousands of employees, collaborating can be a challenge. In 2011, the Schaeffler Group found that divisions from their three product brands – INA, LuK and FAG – were working on different electrification and renewable topics without really talking to each… Read more »
Nissan LEAF warranty will now cover battery capacity loss
Since the issue of premature battery capacity loss began to surface last May, Nissan has taken a number of steps to investigate the problem and reassure LEAF owners – it tested affected vehicles, established an independent board to improve communications, and even bought back a couple of LEAFs. Now the company has announced that it… Read more »
“EPA-certified” fuel economy figures – are they reliable?
Consumer Reports reported that they achieved only 39 mpg overall for the Fusion Hybrid, and 37 mpg for the C-Max Hybrid, about 20 percent lower than the EPA figures.
Florida company files patent for wireless charging in parking lot wheel stops
With a receiver in the car’s bumper, a driver need only pull up so that the wheels rest against the stop, and the vehicle is perfectly aligned for charging.
GM and ABB demonstrate grid storage system built from used Volt batteries
At the recent Electrification Experience symposium in California, GM and ABB demonstrated a “community energy storage system” made from five used Chevy Volt batteries. The unit is designed to provide 25 kW of power for two hours, enough to power 3 to 5 average American homes (a few dozen of these babies would come… Read more »
The promise of the Prius Plug-in
On the march toward widespread adoption of 100+ MPGe plug-in vehicles, the Prius Plug-in could take the most significant step. “When you think of hybrids, you think of Prius.” So says Geri Yoza, National Manager for Advanced Technology Vehicles, Product Planning Department at Toyota. Of course, that would be the standard company line at Toyota,… Read more »
Fleet of 50 BYD electric minicabs to start trials in London
Chinese automaker BYD and London minicab operator greentomatocars have signed a memorandum of understanding calling for BYD to supply 50 e6 electric vehicles to greentomatocars, which operates about 300 minicabs in Cool Britannia’s capital (“minicabs” are ordinary cars used as cabs, as opposed to the city’s famous diesel-powered black taxicabs). The new zero-emission taxis are… Read more »
A123 finally runs out of juice and files for bankruptcy
Battery maker A123 Systems announced that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and agreed to sell its automotive business assets to Johnson Controls. Once considered a promising startup with innovative technology, the company took a huge hit in March, when it was forced to recall a batch of defective batteries destined for Fisker’s Karma… Read more »