Medium-duty trucks make perfect candidates for electrification, and the market would seem to be full of opportunities for small companies that build powertrains and components. It’s treacherous territory, however – several startups targeting this space have foundered. ZeroTruck founder Tedd Abramson told Charged about his company’s strategy to hang on for the long haul. Abramson… Read more »
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Tesla’s batteries – past, present and future
This article is an excerpt from Tesla Motors: How Elon Musk and Company Made Electric Cars Cool, and Sparked the Next Tech Revolution by Charged Senior Editor Charles Morris. Tesla seems to make a point of doing things differently than other automakers, and its battery pack – the most critical component of any EV –… Read more »
Toyota opens up its fuel cell patents; BMW will also research FCVs
Taking a page from Tesla’s book, Toyota plans to make some 5,680 patents on fuel cell technologies available royalty-free. The motivation appears to be much the same – just as Tesla hopes to encourage other automakers to produce battery EVs, Toyota wants to “open the door to the hydrogen future” and “spur development and introduction… Read more »
Utah State University builds a dynamic wireless charging test track
Wireless charging is gradually making its way to the market. We’ve seen countless demonstration projects over the past few years, and a couple of OEMs have announced that they have wireless charging systems in the pipeline. Convenience is the most obvious reason to cut the cable, but wireless can deliver several other benefits as well… Read more »
Samsung invests in Solid-state battery-maker Seeo, sets sights on 400 Wh/kg
Seeo, a developer of lithium polymer batteries, has closed its largest funding round to date, adding Samsung Ventures to its list of investors. The company will use the new capital to accelerate the commercialization of its high-energy-density batteries. Seeo’s patented DryLyte solid polymer electrolyte is non-flammable and non-volatile, and delivers high energy density. Currently, Seeo… Read more »
Qualcomm invests in Chargemaster to deploy wireless charging in UK
Qualcomm, maker of the Halo wireless charging system, has invested in Chargemaster, a UK-based manufacturer and operator of EV charging stations. The move will accelerate the planned UK deployment of Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) technology, Chargemaster said. Chargemaster has produced more than 27,000 charging stations, and operates POLAR, the UK’s largest network of public… Read more »
EaglePicher awarded funding to produce Li-ion batteries for military applications
The US Department of Defense has awarded EaglePicher, a company with a long history in the defense industry, $22 million in funding for Phase II of the Lithium-Ion Battery for Military Applications (LIMA) project. The program’s goal is to assure the affordable production of items deemed essential for national defense. “This award assures EaglePicher will… Read more »
USABC awards funding for stop-start applications, improved electrolytes
The US Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) has awarded $2.68 million to San Diego-based Maxwell Technologies for the development of a hybrid energy storage system for automotive stop-start applications. The competitively bid contract award is co-funded by the DOE. The 19-month program will focus on the technological and economic feasibility of adapting a 12-volt hybrid energy… Read more »
Automakers respond to tough questions about fuel cells
Fuel cell vehicles – love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re here. The Toyota Mirai made its debut at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show, and is scheduled to go on sale next year. The 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell has been available for lease since June. Honda plans to launch its hydrogen offering within two… Read more »
California considers lifting ban on utilities owning EVSE
Two California utility companies have requested permission to enter the EV charging station business, and a group of state legislators has recommended that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) lift a 2011 ban on investor-owned utilities owning EV charging infrastructure. The original intent of the ban was to protect competition in what was then a… Read more »
