Electrify America is teaming up with mall operator Simon Property Group to install DC fast charging stations at more than 30 Simon properties throughout the US. The first installation will open in June at Gulfport Premium Outlets in Gulfport, Mississippi. Other locations soon to be electrified include malls in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Ontario, Orlando,… Read more »
Author: Charles Morris
Tesla’s “responsible sourcing” policy for cobalt and other exotics
How do you solve a problem like cobalt? The blue metallic element is used in significant quantities in EV batteries, but half the world’s supply of comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a war-torn land in which child labor is common. Several automakers are already taking steps to reduce their use of the costly… Read more »
Novelis works to double its Chinese automotive aluminum capacity
Aluminum rolling and recycling specialist Novelis plans to create a continuous annealing solution heat (CASH) treatment line in order to add 100 kilotons to its aluminum production capacity. This expansion of an existing facility is expected to begin in 2018 and be fully operational by 2020. The $180-million endeavor will include a fully automated packaging… Read more »
CPUC approves $738 million in EV charging projects for California utilities
The US is soon going to be seriously wired for electric driving, at least on the coasts. The California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) has approved a portfolio of EV charging projects worth a cool $738 million for Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE), perhaps the… Read more »
Robert Bollinger is building unique EVs, and a one-of-a-kind EV company
Bollinger Motors is not following the typical EV startup formula. Instead of building a luxury sedan, it’s building a rough and ready work truck. It has no strategy to evolve into a mass-market automaker, but intends to find a niche as a low-volume brand. As far as we know, the company has no former Tesla… Read more »
Elon Musk fends off a shareholder challenge and answers his critics at Tesla meeting
As expected, a shareholder proposal to remove Elon Musk as Chairman was voted down at the company’s recent shareholders’ meeting, as was an attempt to get rid of three board members that some see as not sufficiently independent. Elon himself made a lengthy speech in which he addressed many of the current criticisms of the… Read more »
New York State announces $250-million initiative to expand EV infrastructure
New York is getting serious about going electric. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has launched a new $250-million initiative called Evolve NY that will seek to create private sector partnerships to accelerate EV adoption throughout the state. Evolve NY is part of the Governor’s Charge NY 2.0 initiative, which has a goal of installing… Read more »
TDK creates durable DC link capacitors, extends capacitance and voltage ranges
TDK has improved its DC link EPSCOS film capacitors, which can now handle a variety of worst-case-scenario environmental conditions. Besides being a mouthful, the B3277*H series can operate at temperatures as high as 105° C with voltage ranges of 450 VDC-1,100 VDC and capacitance values of 1.5 µF-120 µF. These capacitors are designed for use with DC… Read more »
Nissan begins deliveries of upgraded e-NV200 electric van
Nissan has received over 4,600 orders for its upgraded e-NV200 since sales began in January. The new electric van is now being shipped to customers in Europe and Hong Kong, with Japanese deliveries to follow. Nissan has sold more than 18,000 units of the original e-NV200 since its introduction in 2014. The upgraded version features… Read more »
Vanner’s new system decouples bus accessories from engine speed
As transit agencies around the world gradually make the transition to electrified vehicles, some companies are finding ingenious ways to try to improve fossil fuel systems in legacy vehicles. Power conversion specialist Vanner has unveiled a new single-belt electrical system which is designed to decouple electrically-powered vehicle accessories from a diesel or CNG engine. The… Read more »
