Aging is an inescapable fact of life, not only for people, but for batteries as well. Researchers at the Helmholtz Center Berlin (HZB) recently identified a major reason why Li-ion batteries degrade with time. They have directly observed atomic rearrangements occurring in cathode materials during charge and discharge processes, which lead to the breakdown of the… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "range energy"
Intertek offers third-party performance and cost data for EVs
Intertek, a company that specializes in third-party validation and compliance testing, is working with the DOE and several national laboratories to collect real-world data on all the most popular plug-in models, testing the vehicles’ performance, durability and operational costs. Intertek acquires new vehicles directly from a dealer, and installs data logging equipment, which uses Wi-Fi… Read more »
Motiv Power Systems electrifies postal vans, garbage trucks and school buses
Kings Canyon Unified School District, in California, has ordered four buses from Trans Tech Bus, featuring electric powertrains from Foster City-based Motiv Power Systems. The SST-e, an electric version of Trans Tech’s popular SST model, uses a Ford E450 cutaway chassis equipped with Motiv’s electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS). The SST-e school bus is available… Read more »
Sporty prototype demonstrates flow cell battery technology
Among the many electrified vehicles on display at this week’s Geneva Auto Salon was one that demonstrates a new and possibly revolutionary energy storage system. Leichtenstein-based nanoFLOWCELL’s QUANT e-Sportlimousine, a sleek sports model with gull-wing doors, uses flow cell battery technology. Scientists at GE Global Research and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory announced that they were… Read more »
Volkswagen Group announces plans for 40 more electrified models
The Volkswagen Group plans to electrify more than 40 models over the next few years. Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show, VW Chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn said that Europe’s largest automaker has increased its R&D expenditure to the record value of €10.2 billion, with the lion’s share going to “green” technologies. VW’s modular Baukästen (assembly… Read more »
Kia Soul EV to use new SK Innovation battery cells
Kia’s new Soul EV will use lithium-ion polymer battery cells supplied by SK Innovation, the result of a three-year joint development program between the two companies. The SK pack has 192 cells in eight modules, for a total capacity of 27 kWh. It boasts an impressive energy density of 200 Wh/kg, and is expected to… Read more »
![Chinese Flag – ( [Jim] )](https://chargedevs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Chinese-Flag-Jim-.jpg)
China increases EV incentives as automakers crowd into the market
China is increasing some incentives for buyers of “new energy” vehicles, as it tries to deal with horrendous air pollution. Chinese cities allow only a fixed number of new vehicles on the road each year, using a lottery system to allot licenses. According to China Daily, Beijing’s transport authority cut the yearly quota to 150,000… Read more »
BMW X5 plug-in hybrid prototype highlights eDrive strategy
Members of the press took BMW’s X5 eDrive PHEV for a test drive at an event in Germany this week. BMW also presented several elements of its EfficientDynamics strategy, which depends on a combination of ever-more-efficient gasoline and diesel engines with eDrive electrified drive technology developed by the BMW i sub-brand. BMW plans to develop… 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 »
IHS Automotive: global plug-in production will increase 67 percent this year
According to IHS Automotive, EV sales are about to take off like a Model S on a freeway onramp. The research firm predicts that worldwide production of plug-ins will soar to more than 403,000 in 2014, a 67% increase. The Europe, Middle East and Africa region will account for the largest share of production at… Read more »