Clean Fleet ReportClean Transportation and New Vehicles
Clean Energy and Climate Protection Bill Accelerates Electric Vehicles and Renewable Energy
Congress passed the historic climage legislation. HR 2454 encourages more electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and advanced batteries to be developed and commercialized in the United States. Should HR 2454 become law, cities will more rapidly roll-out convenient electric charging stations.
Balqon Offers BEV Hostler
Balqon Corporation is now offering for sale a battery-electric tow tractor for moving semi trailers around port yards and distribution warehouse centers. Port of Los Angeles has about 600 of these type of vehicles, the Port of Long Beach about 400 and the Port of San Diego 15.
What Makes a Smart Grid Smart?
The answer is Intelligent Energy Transfer! It is smart to not waste energy and not waste money in power generation capacity, but it takes some intelligent technology and control to make it happen. Electricity energy storage is one of those key technologies to minimize transmission losses and enhance grid stability while adding more renewable wind and solar power.
Chrysler Hopes to Accelerate EV Production with DOE Funding and US Postal Order
Chrysler has submitted three proposals representing a request for $224 million in funding to two US Department of Energy (DOE) initiatives: the Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative and the Transportation Electrification Initiative. Proposed vehicles covered under the submission include Dodge Ram 1500 Plug-in Hybrid-electric Vehicles (PHEVs), Chrysler Town & Country PHEVs and Chrysler Town & Country Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Phoenix Rising
The rumors of the demise of Phoenix Motorcars have been greatly exaggerated. Plagued by early orders that weren’t really there, battery pack performance problems, and traction motor inverter/controller hiccups, Phoenix Motorcars was down but, indeed, is rising once again. The current business plan calls for 200 vehicles to be delivered into demonstration projects to show the operational feasibility of an all electric Sport Utility Truck (SUT).
Ford Expands Hybrid Success to Electric Vehicles
It is Ford with the world’s most fuel-efficient SUV - the Ford Escape Hybrid. It is Ford that is now selling a mid-sized hybrid which can be driven to 47 mph in electric vehicle mode – the Ford Fusion Hybrid. It is Ford that is successfully testing the Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid with major electrical utilities across the nation. It is Ford, not Toyota, which will be selling commercial electric vehicles in the United States in 2010. Through continued advances and strategic partnerships in hybrid-electric, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric vehicles, Ford is positioned to compete and even lead in growth segments of the auto industry.
Test Driving the New Nissan EV
Walking up to the new Nissan Electric Vehicle prototype car, my first surprise was getting into the right hand front seat. This car was only one of two in existence and driving in Japan is like the UK, on the left side of the road.
President Obama Announces $2.4 Billion for EVs and Battery Development
President Barack Obama announced the availability of $2.4 billion in funding to put American ingenuity and America’s manufacturers to work producing next generation Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles and the advanced battery components that will make these vehicles run.
Intelligent Charging Infrastructure for New Electric Vehicles
Momentum continues for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. BMW is already leasing its freeway speed MiniE. Toyota is putting 500 plug-in Priuses into fleet tests this year. Next year, Nissan, Chrysler, BYD, and Ford plan to start taking consumer orders for electric vehicles from cars to vans. Toyota and GM will be fighting for plug-in hybrid market leadership. But most potential EV drivers do not have a garage for charging. San Francisco’s new intelligent charging infrastructure demonstrates a solution.
Ford Partners to Commercialize Electric Vehicles
Ford will introduce a battery-only commercial van in 2010, followed by a passenger car built on the same technology in 2011, and exciting plug-in vehicles by 2012. To accelerate commercialization, Ford will partner with leaders in drive systems, lithium batteries, specialty electric vehicles, and electric utilities.
