A123 Systems (Nasdaq:AONE) showed once again why, in a business dominated by much larger firms, it’s a contender that can’t be counted out. Just days after the company conceded that its ability to continue operations was in doubt, it announced a new lithium ion battery technology called Nanophosphate EXT, and its stock price instantly accelerated… Read more »
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Company man: Q&A with Bob Lutz
The automotive legend turned 80 on February 12, but he still looks and sounds vital. Even better, and in contrast to the typical assumption about octogenarians Lutz is still entirely relevant. Bob Lutz tends not to speak in abbreviations. More often than not, it’s “gasoline,” not gas, “General Motors,” not GM. Perhaps it’s indicative of a… Read more »
The state of EV charging: more questions than answers
As you may have guessed, we at Charged believe that electricity is the best way to power our vehicles in the post-fossil fuel era. Compared to other contending technologies (biofuels, natural gas, hydrogen), electricity is the most efficient, and our best shot to be truly sustainable. However, there’s a much more immediate reason why automakers… Read more »
Slot cars on steroids: the birth of electric motorsport
The prospect of zero emission, near-silent race cars has set moustaches twitching throughout the motorsport fraternity. Many see it as heresy, while the enlightened few realize that we have a golden opportunity to inject some new life into a hundred-year-old sport. Doug Peck, editor at emotorsportnews.com, explains why the future of racing runs on… Read more »
The fleet footed survive: VIA Motors electrifies trucks, vans and SUVs
On the strength of a shrewd business plan and ties to GM, VIA Motors plans to jump-start the electric transition through the back door of America’s service vehicles. Its E-REV pickup trucks and vans prove that you can have your fuel efficiency and costs savings, too. Everyone should want an EV. They’re more efficient than… Read more »
Daimler joint venture launches new EV brand in China
The partnership between Daimler and Chinese automaker BYD has launched a new brand called DENZA, which will produce what the Chinese call “New Energy Vehicles” – EVs and hybrids. The very first DENZA, a concept EV, is now on display at Auto China 2012 in Beijing. Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology (BDNT) has provided copious… Read more »
Two materials firms join IBM’s Li-air Battery 500 Project
IBM announced Friday that Asahi Kasei and Central Glass will join its Battery 500 Project team to collaborate on research into lithium-air batteries. The two companies have some very pertinent expertise, due to their existing work with lithium-ion batteries – Chemical manufacturer Asahi Kasei makes separator membrane, and Central Glass supplies electrolytes. The… Read more »
Ford and Dow to work together to bring carbon fiber to mainstream vehicles
Ford’s goal is to reduce the weight of new cars and trucks by up to 750 pounds by the end of the decade, and carbon fiber components could be a big part of their strategy.
DOE offers up to $12 million for development of wireless EV charging
The DOE intends to select up to four projects. Selected teams will have three years to integrate their wireless charging technology into a “light duty GCEDV.”
Hyundai Heavy partners with Magna E-Car to develop lithium-ion batteries
The link between building supertankers and oil rigs and making lithium-ion batteries may not be an obvious one, but the synergy seems attractive to Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest shipbuilder, which announced Wednesday that it will form a joint venture with Magna E-Car Systems, which supplies a wide range of EV components, including lithium-ion… Read more »