Posts Tagged electric cars

China’s BYD Contemplates a Green Rebirth

Posted by Leigh Kim in Car industry on April 24, 2013

As part of a reinvention plan, BYD Co, a large Chinese brand with Warren Buffet as an investor, might shift its focus from conventional automobiles to new energy battery models within two years. At one point, BYD had dreams of being a competitor of Toyota, but after shares have tumbled by 75% since late-2009, the [...]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Petroleum Use May Drop 80% by 2050

Posted by Leigh Kim in Electric Vehicles, Hybrid vehicles, Hydrogen Power on March 20, 2013

US greenhouse gas emissions and petroleum consumption for cars and small trucks may be reduced by 80% by the year 2050. A National Research Council report determined that the US can achieve this goal with continued pursuit of biofuels and hydrogen, strong government policies, and more efficient vehicles on the road. Specifically, alternative options to [...]

Green Cars in California Get Extended Privileged Access to HOV Lane

Posted by Ovidiu Sandru in Green Policy on February 15, 2013

In California, green car buyers have an advantage over the others: they can travel in the carpool (HOV) lane, by law, in a green car that has only one occupant. That law was about to expire on Jan. 1, 2015, but it seems that it’s going to be extended 10 more years. This is just [...]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Can Be Lowered 70% According to Study

Posted by Leigh Kim in Climate Change on February 14, 2013

According to a study at the University of Toronto, through practical and aggressive policy changes, cities across the globe have the ability to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 50% of the global population lives in cities, and these account for up to 70% of all GHG. In fact, urban areas that are flourishing economically are [...]

Researchers at NREL Striving to Increase EV Adoption

Posted by Benji Jerew in Electric Vehicles on February 7, 2013

Researchers at the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory [NREL] have set a goal, “to target the key innovations necessary to accelerate the rate of adoption for electric drive vehicles. In addition, our efforts are focused on scenarios that will incorporate expanded use of renewable energy resources to charge those vehicles.” – Bob Rehn, [...]

Electric Vehicle Long-Term Maintenance Lower Than That of ICEs

Posted by Mike Sandru in Electric Vehicles on December 18, 2012

Despite tax incentives and local discounts, electric vehicles cost considerably more than the average fuel-saving car in the US. However, when the total cost of lifecycle ownership is compared to that of ICEs, it is found that savings on fuel costs alone become quite significant over the years. Still another area where EVs have an [...]

US Military Adopting Electric Vehicles as Backup Plan

Posted by Benji Jerew in Electric Vehicles on December 6, 2012

While most might consider electric vehicles an example of extreme green action, there could also be a strategic benefit to having a fleet of electric vehicles on military base. Military systems, to allow for operation in varying circumstances, including disaster situations, rely on redundant systems. Backup computers take over when main systems fail, and a [...]

Hurricane Sandy – Do Plug-In Vehicles Make Sense?

Posted by Benji Jerew in Electric Vehicles, Hybrid vehicles on November 6, 2012

In the aftermath of superstorm Hurricane Sandy, hundred of thousands are still without power. One of the things some people fail to take into disaster preparation is having enough gasoline on hand. When the power goes out, so do the fuel pumps, and without a way to get the gasoline out of the in-ground tanks, [...]

Hitachi’s New Electric Motor Not Using Rare Neodymium, Could Lower Market Prices

Posted by Ovidiu Sandru in Car industry on April 13, 2012

A new, highly-efficient permanent magnet synchronous motor has been unveiled by Hitachi. Nothing unusual so far. The only big and important difference between Hitachi’s new motor and everything that exists in the industry is that this one doesn’t have neodymium magnets. Neodymium magnets contain a rare-earth material, which is the cause for its high price [...]

ABB to Launch Worldwide EV Charging Network by 2017

Posted by Mike Sandru in Electric Vehicles on February 9, 2012

Someone has finally taken the issue of recharging electric vehicles into their hands! I’m talking about industrial robotics supplier ABB, who plans to set in place a massive 3-continent network of charging stations. The time is more than ripe for such a move: people are reluctant to buy EVs for the fear of remaining stranded [...]

Tesla Motors Releases Classy Model S Electric Sedan This Summer

Posted by Mike Sandru in Electric Vehicles on January 27, 2012

Think easing up your pocket with at least $57,400 for an electric car isn’t worth it? Take a look at the Model S electric Sedan that’s to be out this summer and think again! The renowned Tesla Motors is squaring away the latest details for this hot release, while still allowing us to take a [...]

Nissan Leaf Wins "Japan Car of the Year" Prize

Posted by Mike Sandru in Electric Vehicles on December 6, 2011

Japan’s auto giant Nissan Motor is officially the owner of the trophy for the “Car of the Year Japan” at the Tokyo Motor Show for its Leaf electric model. According to its makers, this is the first time when an electric car has picked up the award. This year, the Tokyo Motor Show, which runs [...]

U.S. Northeastern States to Build Electric Car Charging Network

Posted by Mike Sandru in Car industry, Electric Vehicles on November 1, 2011

Drivers of all-electric vehicles could soon cross the U.S. Northeast without worrying that they will have nowhere to charge their battery. The new regional initiative, called the Northeast Electric Vehicle Network has been launched last week and will bring together 11 northeastern states plus Washington, D.C. to build an electric car charging network. The network [...]

Nissan Wants to Sell 1.5 Million Electric Cars By 2016

Posted by Mike Sandru in Electric Vehicles on October 25, 2011

Nissan, second-largest automaker behind Toyota, plans to sell 1.5 million electric vehicles worldwide by 2016, the company announced this week. They have decided to focus on green vehicles because the demand is increasingly growing. Nissan says it wants to become the world’s largest player in so-called “zero-emission vehicles,” and their plans include developing a new [...]

Buckeye Bullet 3 – New Electric Land Speed Vehicle Expected To Reach 400 MPH

Posted by Mike Sandru in Electric Vehicles on August 12, 2011

A student team at the Ohio State University has announced plans to develop a new version of its high-speed electric vehicle, Buckeye Bullet, that they hope will reach a top speed of 400 mph. The students claim that the Version 3 will feature an optimized fin-shaped body, based on aerodynamic simulations undertaken at the Ohio [...]