Despite the best efforts of EV journalists to keep the peace, the battery and hydrogen teams are squaring off for a smackdown. In one corner, Tesla’s Elon Musk, who continues to deride the efficiency and practicality drawbacks of what he calls “fool cells.” In the other corner, Toyota, whose Lexus subsidiary runs ads ridiculing battery-electric… Read more »
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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 »
Automakers offer free hydrogen – but not for the reason you think
Not ready to buy a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle yet? Would free fuel tip the balance? Both Hyundai and Toyota are offering free hydrogen fuel with their FCVs. According to Toyota, buyers of the new Mirai sedan will receive “complimentary hydrogen fuel for up to three years.” While free fuel may indeed be an enticement… Read more »
Elon Musk: Tesla and Toyota may form a new partnership in a couple of years
Tesla and Toyota might just patch up their differences and form a new partnership some day, Elon Musk told reporters at an event for the start of deliveries in Japan (with a cool backdrop of three Model S in a showroom high above Tokyo). “If you look out maybe two or three years from now,… Read more »
Toyota makes it official: Battery EVs stink, fuel cells rule
A top Toyota executive has confirmed what was already apparent to EV industry insiders: the Japanese automaker is placing all its chips on hydrogen fuel cell technology, and abandoning efforts to develop battery-electric vehicles. In an interview with Automotive News at Fortune magazine’s Brainstorm Green conference, Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota North America, said that Toyota believes battery-electric vehicles are viable only… Read more »
Hyundai to handle hybrids and hydrogen, Kia to cover cars with cords
Hyundai Motor Group has announced a record-high budget for 2012 that includes 5.1 trillion Korean won (about $4.4 billion) for R&D, of which the lion’s share will be for hybrids and EVs, according to Singapore news portal AsiaOne. Company spokespeople made it clear that eco-friendly cars will be its main focus in 2012. The giant… Read more »
Kenworth pursues both BEVs and FCEVs
For heavy-duty truck manufacturer Kenworth, adoption of zero-emission trucks is seen as inevitable—the shift is being driven by both regulatory requirements and economic benefits. Speaking at a recent press event, Kenworth executives outlined the company’s electrification strategy, which includes investigating both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. As Fleet Owner reports, 17 US states and… Read more »
Can the legacy truck OEMs compete with Tesla and Windrose? Do they want to?
A couple of years ago, e-truck expert Rustam Kocher told Charged that the Tesla Semi was “a great product,” but that the company might struggle to compete against more established OEMs. Since then, the EV market in the US has changed radically—the Tesla Semi is moving into volume production, and Chinese upstart Windrose has started… Read more »
This week’s electric truck news—Einride, Range Energy, Volvo, Tesla, Windrose
Sweden’s Einride to deploy 75 electric trucks for Amazon Swedish electric truck provider Einride will deploy 75 electric heavy-duty trucks and supporting charging infrastructure for retail oligopoly Amazon at five US locations. Reuters reports that Amazon is increasingly relying on truck-as-a-service operators such as Einride, which provide vehicles, charging infrastructure and fleet-management software, allowing the… Read more »
Volvo’s new electric trucks feature multiple PTO options, and ranges up to 700 km
Volvo Trucks has launched several new or updated electric truck models, aimed at several different use cases. The new FH Aero Electric with extended range is designed for long-haul and intercity transport. It features a rear compact e-axle that integrates two electric motors and a six-speed gearbox and delivers up to 460 kW (623 hp)… Read more »