Alex Grant
New study shows effects of rapid charging on batteries
Scientists at the Department of Energy’s National Accelerator Laboratory charged and discharged coin-sized batteries and different rates, dismantling and analysing their electrodes under an X-Ray at different states of charge to check for degradation. … Read More »
Nissan begins sales of first electric car in China
The Venucia e30 is being sold as part of its joint venture with Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng, and the range starts at 26,800 Yuan (around £26,900), offering running costs said to be one seventh the … Read More »
UK universities get £6m clean vehicle research funding
Announced at the Cenex Low Carbon Vehicle (LCV) event at Millbrook Proving Ground this week, the funding is provided by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of the Research Councils … Read More »
£6m UK and Ireland rapid charging network confirmed
Managed by Zero Carbon Futures, the €7,358,000 (£5,885,885) scheme forms part of the Trans European Transport Network (TEN-T) project, which is aiming to improve road links across Europe, and is half funded by the … Read More »
100,000 plug-in cars registered in California
The California Plug-in Electric Vehicle Collaborative said 102,440 plug-ins were registered in the state during that period, according to figures from the California Air Resources Board, making it one of the most advanced markets … Read More »
Electric Volkswagen police car is ready for service
Due to be unveiled at the General Police Equipment Exhibition and Conference (GPEC) in Liepzig next week, it’s the latest addition to the brand’s range of vehicles adapted for emergency services use and will … Read More »
Tesla to build world's largest battery factory in Nevada
Set to be operated in partnership with Panasonic, the Gigafactory will employ 6,500 people building lithium-ion battery packs for over 500,000 vehicles per year by 2020, with aims to reduce costs through economies of … Read More »
First Drive: Volkswagen Golf GTE
There’s an obvious niche for this car to fill. With surprisingly high economy for the power available, a quarter of all Golfs registered in the UK this year have been the GTI, GTD or … Read More »
Electric Highway use quadruples in nine months
A total of 4,080 cars used the network in the last quarter of 2013, more than doubling to 8,891 in the first quarter of this year, and 15,152 in the second quarter – a … Read More »
Used tyres could improve EV battery performance
The team at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory discovered that carbon black, a man-made substance similar to graphite which is used in tyres, could be recovered and modified to produce high … Read More »
Kia to boost California's rapid charge network
Selected dealers in the region will get ABB Terra 53 40kW charging points, capable of charging the Soul EV to 80% capacity in 33 minutes, which will be added to the state’s existing network … Read More »
Extra $1m charge point funding announced for California
The funding will be split equally between the two regions, with Corridor Power Inc using its share to build a fast charging 'Plaza' in Encinitas and the County of Sonoma aiming to invest in … Read More »
Toyota hydrogen tank gets world-first certification
Until now, Toyota would have had to get each tank individually inspected before it could be installed into a vehicle, impacting on manufacturing times and inventory control. Certification means the process can be significantly … Read More »
Kent company launches 34-vehicle Tesla hire and chauffeur fleet
The company, which is part of plant hire specialist H.E. Services Group, is targeting environmentally-conscious individuals and businesses primarily in London and the Home Counties, but can deliver anywhere in the country if the … Read More »
California landlords must approve EV charge points
Bill AB 2565 was passed 52 votes to 25, and will void any terms in leases renewed or extended from 1st January 2015 which would otherwise prohibit a charging point being installed at a … Read More »
Climate-neutral factory is first German e-NV200 customer
The company, based near Dusseldorf, operates the first climate-neutral factory in Germany. It uses 100% hydro-electric power for machinery and heating, and this will be used to charge the e-NV200 as well as the … Read More »
UK's first Tesla rental fleet arrives in London
The company, which launched early this year, expects to have all ten vehicles available by the end of the year, growing to 15 during 2015 and with plans to open additional centres in Bristol … Read More »
Prototype Saab electric vehicle shown in Sweden
Based on the petrol-powered 9-3 Aero, which restarted production last December, early prototypes of the electric version will serve as a test bench, helping employees across the company to understand the technology, and serving … Read More »
Signs of Change
Electric Vehicles: How is the market performing? The SMMT recorded 2,558 pure electric vehicle sales during the first six months of 2014, a 143.9% year-on-year rise. Business sales more than doubled year on year, … Read More »
Cost and charging points more important than range, study says
Zhenhong Lin, a researcher at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Knoxville, Tennessee, optimised electric vehicle range predictions based on the individual driving patterns of 36,664 sample drivers in the United States. The results … Read More »
