Airwheel panasonic folding electric bike battery: E-vehicle Drivers Call for More Power

New energy vehicles are the best option in congested cities. However, the lack of charge poles have hindered the expansion of the new industry. Airwheel, an electric vehicle producer has taken some steps to tackle the thorny problem.

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Despite the fact that new energy vehicles are the best option in congested cities, limited battery range and a lack of power stations are the biggest problems facing drivers of electric vehicles. Airwheel, a senior electric device manufacturer, has taken several steps to tackle the charging difficulty. Maybe, these measures may provide some new suggestions and ideas to the whole industry.

 

In the recent product release, Airwheel has adopted an external battery design. The battery for Smart E Bike like E3 and E6 weighs only 1.4 kg. It can be removed from the vehicle easily. Thus, there are two charging ways, by inserting the power source to the charger directly or removing the battery to charge. With the portable and delicate battery, charging becomes much simpler. Urban white collars can take the battery to charge in offices. The battery is also integrated with a USB port to charge other electric devices.

The charging problem bothers electric car drivers most. In peak hours, they couldn't even risk turning on air conditioning since they worry that this may consume too much electricity and leave them short of power for the return journey, or even dead battery on the road. Airwheel smart e bikes have exempted its users from such a worry. Since Airwheel e bikes are extremely foldable and light-weighted.

Even when the vehicle is out of power, riders can fold them and transfer to buses and metros. Airwheel electric devices can be taken onto the public transportation facility without occupying large space. In this respect, Airwheel e bikes are sometimes more efficient than electric cars.

Airwheel has done what it can to eliminate some charging difficulties. But the fundamental issue that facing the whole industry still exists. As long as there are not enough charging poles, the development of the electric devices are hampered. Electric commuting device is an irresistible tide worldwide, as traditional petrol-powered vehicles are polluting the environment. When people can charge their foldable electric bikes or electric cars in any place, they can go as long as they wish.

Media ContactCompany Name: Airwheel Holding LimitedContact Person: EricEmail: Send EmailPhone: +8618651968700Country: United StatesWebsite: http://www.airwheel.net

Source: Airwheel panasonic folding electric bike battery: E-vehicle Drivers Call for More Power

Startups take on the big boys in electric vehicles

Dominated by the likes of Toyota, Nissan and Honda, Japan's auto industry would seem to have little room for competition.

But startups are making significant, albeit relatively minor, inroads by focusing on very basic electric compacts that the auto giants dare not invest in due to a lack of mass demand, and, therefore, no profit.

These small enterprises are, however, saddled by weak sales networks and, analysts say, no match for their counterparts in China, where the government provides support to promote sales of electric cars as part of its national policy.

This, then, is the background to a number of small companies in Japan that are striving to make their presence felt.

Toyama-based Mitsuoka Motor Co. said Sept. 7 it had begun full-scale sales of its two-seater Like-T3 electric tricycle model.

"I expect it to sell quickly," Susumu Mitsuoka, chairman of the company, said at an explanatory session in Osaka.

The EV can be fully recharged in six hours by plugging it in to an home electrical socket, enabling the vehicle to make a journey of up to 60 kilometers.

It can carry a maximum load of 100 kilograms, compared with 30 kg for Toyota Auto Body Co.'s Coms compact, single-seater electric car.

Mitsuoka marketed the Like-T3 on a trial basis in 2012. The electric vehicle has since been embraced by small-scale delivery service providers or as a rental car for short hops at tourist sites. Mitsuoka has also received orders from farmers as a convenient means to transport fruit from their orchards.

Starting in August, Mitsuoka began sales of the Like-T3 via 20 car retail shops and other stores across Japan. Prices start from 1.264 million yen ($12,400), excluding tax, if buyers take advantage of subsidies from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

"We thought we would be left behind in the auto industry if we did not develop electric vehicles," said the Mitsuoka chairman.

As the Like-T3 is in the same category as the compact motorcycle with a side car, owners are exempted from mandatory regular car inspections and the submission of certificates to prove they have adequate parking space.

The Like-T3's motor unit is in the rear, which ensures driving stability even on sloping roads, according to company officials, who anticipate sales of 300 Like-T3s in 2017.

Their rationale is that "large automakers would hesitate to develop such a vehicle because there is not such high demand for that type of car."

According to the officials, Mitsuoka will continue to focus on developing electric cars and market a single-seater, tricycle electric vehicle in 2017. It also plans to introduce a compact, four-wheel electric model in 2019.

STARTUPS APLENTY, NUMEROUS CHALLENGES

Because electric cars do not require so many parts, they are simpler to assemble than gas-powered vehicles, which is another reason startups are keen to enter the business.

GLM Co., an entrepreneurial spinoff from Kyoto University, started mass production of its Tommykaira ZZ electric sports car at a dedicated assembly plant in Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture, in October 2015. The vehicle can accommodate two people.

Although the car carries a hefty price tag, 8 million yen excluding tax, GLM said it received "more inquiries than the model's unit sales immediately after the announcement (of mass production), underscoring its popularity."

FOMM Corp. plans to release its Concept One vehicle in Thailand in the latter half of 2017. Concept One can accommodate up to four people and float in water, which would be a boon to a country that has experienced disastrous flooding.

ElecTrike Japan Co. is selling an electric tricycle, named after the company, that boasts computerized control of motors driving rear wheels to improve stability. The company is considering reducing the price of the model through mass production overseas.

rimOnO Corp. said it will release a specially designed two-seater car, rimOnO, as early as next summer for around 1 million yen. Waterproof canvas and urethane foam are used for the body. Company officials noted that body panels can easily be replaced, and thus change the appearance of the vehicle.

Toru Hatano, a principal analyst at IHS Automotive, pointed out: "The Japanese market is still not so brisk compared with China, whose government is working hard to spread the use of electric vehicles."

He noted that startup companies, unlike large firms, are unable to establish strong sales networks by themselves. Small, new companies have no choice but to rely on the Internet to sell their products. Thus, it takes time for them to recoup development costs.

As it happens, a startup in the Kinki region received a government subsidy and developed an electric car on its own, but later was forced to suspend the project.

The startup had intended to develop the electric car as a new business, but dropped the plan after it became clear that production costs could not be reduced and profits would remain elusive.

(This article was written by Tomoyuki Izawa and Satoshi Shinden.)

Source: Startups take on the big boys in electric vehicles

Volkswagen I.D. Concept Electric Car Revealed – Range Of 250-Plus Miles, Production In 2020 (w/video)

Volkswagen I.D.

In typical Volkswagen fashion, the automaker has debuted a concept electric car, but this one is apparently bound for production.

The Volkswagen I.D. electric concept car has been revealed ahead of it hitting the stage at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.

Volkswagen says that I.D. will enter production in 2020, alongside a new Golf that's coming that year.

Volkswagen I.D.

I.D. boasts a 168-hp electric motor, but no other details were released in regards to powertrain or even battery size. What we do know is that Volkswagen is targeting a range of between 400 and 600 kilometers* (249-373 miles). That's a big spread, but with 3-plus years until it launches, we figure the higher side of that spread will be the actual target. As always, NEDC is the assumed benchmark given the Paris debut, which would translate to about 185 to 275 miles of real-world/EPA rated range.

I.D is based on Volkswagen's MEB "toolkit," which eventually will underpin a whole bunch of electric VWs (up to 30 by 2025, if you believe what VW says).

Volkswagen I.D.

There are no details on pricing at this time and we don't expect this critical bit of info to be revealed for a couple of years. However, VW already says a fully automated version of I.D. will be available by 2025.

Volkswagen I.D.

Yes, this is still very much a concept and VW's press release on it comes off as a bit vague, yet over promising at the same time.

I.D. – THE WORLD PREMIERESep 28, 2016

Paris Motor Show – Mondial de l'Automobile 2016

World premiere of the I.D. starts the countdown to a new era for VolkswagenVolkswagen plans for the visionary I.D. to hit the road in 2020An ambassador: the I.D. is the first Volkswagen of a new fleet of electric carsIt runs and runs: the I.D. has a range of 400 to 600 kilometresReady for the future: the I.D. concept car demonstrates a fully automated mode for the year 2025Key facts – the I.D. in keywords

1. I.D. is the first Volkswagen in a completely new fleet of highly innovative electric vehicles.

2. I.D. is immediately recognisable as a zero-emission vehicle thanks to a newly developed design DNA for electric cars.

3. I.D. is driven by an electric motor with an output of 125 kW and has a range of between 400 and 600 kilometres on a single battery charge.

4. I.D. has an interior that offers an entirely new spatial experience with the Open Space.

5. I.D. will be launched as a compact electric car in 2020 parallel to the Golf.

6. As a concept car, I.D. gives us a first tangible glimpse of fully automated driving – this mode will be offered from 2025 onwards.

7. I.D. retracts its multifunction steering wheel into the dashpad when in fully automated mode ("I.D. Pilot").

8. I.D. can receive parcels using a new delivery service, if its owner isn't at home.

9. I.D. is the first compact Volkswagen based on the Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB).

10. Volkswagen has set itself the goal of selling a million electric cars a year by 2025.

VW I.D. video below:

Source: Volkswagen I.D. Concept Electric Car Revealed – Range Of 250-Plus Miles, Production In 2020 (w/video)

Electric cars rule at this year’s Paris auto show

The Sunday before the show opens, she held a second "Day Without Cars." About half the city was off-limits to private cars for seven hours.

Here's what to expect at the show, which runs Saturday through Oct. 16.

———

I SING THE AUTO ELECTRIC

Volkswagen has vowed to launch more than 30 fully electric new vehicles by 2025 and to sell 2-3 million of them a year. Its new electric car is billed as a "design study" for future models.

Volkswagen has admitted to equipping diesel cars with software that illegally helped them pass lab tests of their emissions. In normal driving, the cars emitted as much as 40 times the U.S. limit of nitrous oxides, pollutants that can harm peoples' health.

Separate reports have shown other automakers' diesel cars also exceed emission limits in normal driving, although without resorting to cheating.

Mercedes-Benz is expected to show off an SUV that would compete with other luxury carmakers, in particular Tesla and its Model X. Tesla loses money at present but its buzz and rising sales to rich customers appear to have been noticed by German automakers.

General Motors Co.'s Opel division has the Ampera-e, the European version of the Chevrolet Bolt, which attracted attention when US regulators said it had a range of 238 miles on a full charge.

Now for the reality check: Not many people buy electric cars, due to limited range and higher cost, and when they do it's often with a fat tax break. And they're not really zero emissions, either, if coal or natural gas are burned to generate the electricity to charge them.

Only 4.2 percent of all passenger car registrations in the European Union last year were alternative-fuel vehicles. Yet automakers need to sell at least a few electrics to help meet increasingly tough government requirements.

The EU is lowering its limit on average carbon dioxide emissions in 2021; the U.S. will require fleetwide average mileage of 54.5 mpg by 2025.

"You have to come with something new. With dieselgate, the world understood that diesel is last year's model, that the environmental problems are too big and that a change of course is needed," said Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, director of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) at the University of Duisburg-Essen.

"It makes little sense to make a big deal about diesel in Paris. You will only get disdainful looks."

Source: Electric cars rule at this year's Paris auto show

Electric Cars Contagious?

BMW i3 Charging

Just like any other product, once electric cars become less "weird" and are more commonly seen and understood, sales will inevitably pick up. If people drive by charging stations, see EVs at work, see EVs and chargers at local businesses, and especially see the vehicles in their own neighborhood, they are more likely to be interested in buying one.

Chevy Bolt Charging

This concept has been proven all too many times and there is data to support it. When a home has rooftop solar panels installed, chances are, other homes in the area will eventually have them too. The U.S. Department of Energy has shown that when employers add charging stations for employees, those employees are twenty times more to likely purchase an EV. If you give a mouse a cookie …

Anyway, Vox Technology shed some light on Christopher Mills' recent post in The Wall Street Journal:  "Why Electric Cars Will Be Here Sooner Than You Think."

Mills points out the obvious factors that will influence the upward growth of EVs. The two primary points are, reduced cost and increased range. Both are contingent on battery technology, which is progressing rapidly.

Even possibly more persuasive though is the "everybody's doing it" mentality. Some people prioritize keeping up with the Joneses. Others just need an opportunity to talk with a neighbor or co-worker to increase their understanding and comfort level. It has been found that dealerships need to get on board as well.

A California environmental group known as The Sierra Club performed a recent study with enlightening results. Members visited over 300 dealerships nationwide in an attempt to check out EV purchasing. Below is what they found out (all dealerships visited had at least one EV on site and were authorized to sell EVs):

42% of the dealerships did not have an EV prominently displayed

14% of dealerships didn't have an electric car charged and ready to test drive

33% of dealerships didn't mention federal and state tax incentives to the interested EV buyer

Only half of the salespeople explained charging

Based on the Club's findings, an attempt to educate dealerships took place. Simply making EVs more visible, providing EVs on the lot, ready for test drives, and certifying salespeople to explain the vehicles, charging, and incentives, would make a monumental difference.

Again, most people aren't really heading to dealerships in search of EVs … yet. But the data shows that they will be soon enough, as prices continue to drop, range increases, EVs become more "normal", and their neighbors, friends, and family start owning the vehicles. Dealerships need to be prepared now, because sales are up and the time is coming, sooner than later.

Source: Vox, The Wall Street Journal

Source: Electric Cars Contagious?

Smart To Offer Gas, Electric Versions Of All Cars In 2017

#ElectricVehicle #Cars – Smart To Offer Gas, Electric Versions Of All Cars In 2017 : Smart will be one unique manufacturer in model year 2017. It will be the only automaker to offer gas-engined and electric versions of all its models.

When all of the new-car introductions are completed for 2017, Smart will be in a unique place. The manufacturer of the tiny, two-place urbocars will be the only major brand on the market to offer each model in its lineup with two powerplants, a combustion engine, and an electric motor.

Mercedes-Benz subsidiary

A subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, the automaker will introduce its 2017 Smart for Two Coupe and Cabrio at the soon-to-open Paris Auto Show. The electric version of the Coupe will arrive in the U.S. next spring. The Cabrio's arrival is planned for the summer of 2017. Smart will release pricing later on.

"Smart is the ideal city car, and with electric drive it becomes a little more perfect," Annette Winkler, the automaker's chief executive, said in a statement to Automotive News. "Together with lots of Smart fans and enthusiastic drivers of the predecessor generations, we are looking forward to the unique driving fun offered by the new Smart."

Rolling off the assembly line at Smart's Hambach, France, factory, the little two-doors employ lithium ion batteries supplied by another Daimler subsidiary, Deutsche Accumotive. While the manufacturer has not yet announced the range of the electric vehicles (EVs), Smart estimates the battery charge time will be 2.5 hours, using the high-performance onboard charger. The motors for both EVs deliver 80 horsepower and 118 pounds-feet of torque to the rear wheels.

Taking advantage of the flywheel effect – also called engine braking – power that would have been wasted as heat, when slowing down, software adjusts the accelerator pedal curve, so the Smart recovers the maximum amount of power possible. This is known as "Eco" mode. Another interesting feature is Smart's pre-entry climate control. It is a feature that saves energy and extends range by letting the Smart EV reach an interior temperature, selected by the driver, while the two-door is still charging.

Each Electric Customizable

Each electric model is highly customizable thanks to a wide variety of available matte and metallic paint colors. One optional color that sets the electrics apart is, of course, Electric Green.

Smart did offer electric versions of the ForTwo Coupe and Cabrio for 2016, however, they were based on the second-generation vehicle. The gasoline-powered ForTwo Coupe restyled for the 2016 model year, is the platform for the new electric ForTwo. The gasoline-powered Cabrio's redesign was set for the 2017 model year. The gas-engined version of the Cabrio is the platform for the new electric version.

As with all electric vehicles, model year 2016 sales have been affected by low gasoline prices. Through the first eight months of 2016, 3,439 Smarts were sold. The figure is down 26.5 percent from model year 2015, according to the Automotive News Data Center. Source: torquenews

Source: Smart To Offer Gas, Electric Versions Of All Cars In 2017

Ford To Focus Electrification Efforts On Already Profitable Vehicle Segments – Trucks, SUVs

Ford To Focus Electrification Efforts On Profitable Vehicle Segments

7 hours ago by Eric Loveday

This Is Surely A Profitable Segment

Ford Transit Cargo Van

This could be BIG news for fans of trucks and SUVs.

A couple of weeks ago, during Ford's annual Investor Day presentation, the topic of electrification was brought up and Ford's top brass had some answers that are intriguing.

According to Ford, electric vehicles (BEVS and PHEVs) are expensive to make, so Ford's strategy will be to focus on already-profitable segments so that the automaker's EVs aren't money losers for the company.

CEO Mark Fields stated:

"We want to become a top player in electrified solutions, and I call it moving from a compliance mind-set to one of leading where we can win, such as with our commercial vehicles."

But it's these statement from Ford product chief Raj Nair that really caught our attention:

"Trucks, commercial vehicles, sport-utilities, and performance vehicles are all parts of the market where Ford has a strong position, and where it currently generates big profit margins. Those are the segments where Ford will focus its electrification efforts, on the theory that those customers are most likely to buy into Ford's innovations — and are most willing to pay for them."

"In other words, rather than building an electric vehicle just to satisfy regulatory requirements (what Fields meant by "compliance mind-set"), Ford is planning to bring electric drivetrains to market in ways that will make customers feel they add significant value."

"Think about a plug-in hybrid Ford pickup that can summon its electric motors' immense torque to start a heavy load moving, or an SUV with an electric motor at each wheel that can adjust its traction on the fly in slippery conditions, or a plug-in hybrid Mustang that runs on electric batteries in normal driving — but that instantly starts its powerful gasoline V8 when you floor it. Or a fleet of electric commercial delivery vans that operate quietly and don't ever need fuel, just a nightly recharge."

Sure sounds interesting to us and electrification in these segments in rare still today, so we're intrigue by Ford's approach.

Source: Motley Fool

Tags: Ford, Ford electric cars, ford evs

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Source: Ford To Focus Electrification Efforts On Already Profitable Vehicle Segments – Trucks, SUVs

THIS MODIFIED TESLA MODEL S RACECAR IS LIVING PROOF THAT ELECTRIC IS KING

#Tesla #ModelS – This modified Tesla Model S racecar is living proof that electric is king : Tesla might ever-so-slowly be taking over the highways, but the thrill of driving, that "wind in your hair" freedom that Jeremy Clarkson talks about still belongs to the internal combustion engine, right?

Well, just look at this photo of a race-spec Tesla Model S, and tell me it doesn't stir some feelings deep down.

#Tesla #ModelS – This modified Tesla Model S racecar is living proof that electric is king : Tesla might ever-so-slowly be taking over the highways, but the thrill of driving, that "wind in your hair" freedom that Jeremy Clarkson talks about still belongs to the internal combustion engine, right?

Well, just look at this photo of a race-spec Tesla Model S, and tell me it doesn't stir some feelings deep down.

Electrek found these images from Electric GT, an all-electric car series that uses modified Tesla Model S sedans. The cars in question are older P85+ models, chosen because they're the highest-performance Teslas that have rear-wheel drive. Racers tend to prefer rear-wheel drive, thanks to better handling and more predictable performance.

Judging by the images, Electric GT has mostly focused on stripping out the interior to save weight and add safety. Apparently, the drivetrain has been left intact.

Of course, we can't talk about modifications without mentioning the obvious aerodynamic performance. A front diffuser and huge rear spoiler won't do good things for the range, but speed through the corners should be good.

Along with the pictures, Electric GT has released a trailer for the upcoming race series. Let's just say I haven't been this excited for a completely silent car race since winning the pedal-car series in third grade. Source: BGR

Source: THIS MODIFIED TESLA MODEL S RACECAR IS LIVING PROOF THAT ELECTRIC IS KING

Venturi's 'bullet car' smashes electric land-speed record

Electric land speed record: What does it feel like to drive at 370 mph?

Automobile company Venturi is spearheading the charge to break the electric land speed record at the Utah salt flats. It hopes the technology will have applications not just in the sport of Formula E, but also for road cars of the future.

Electric land speed record: What does it feel like to drive at 370 mph?

Roger Schroer has been piloting the Venturi land speed vehicles for several years now.So what's it like to drive at 372 mph (600 kph)? "He is a quiet man, but he likes how it feels" says Venturi's lead project engineer Delphine Biscaye, of Schroer's experience.

Electric land speed record: What does it feel like to drive at 370 mph?

Biscaye added: "It seems very easy from the way he talks with other drivers -- compared to say Formula E -- because his job is just to go straight."

Electric land speed record: What does it feel like to drive at 370 mph?

But of course, straight needn't mean straightforward, elaborates Biscaye: "At the same time, it's very complicated. The speed and acceleration are so extreme, and there's intense vibrations in the wheels."

Electric land speed record: What does it feel like to drive at 370 mph?

"You have no real distance reference," says Biscaye of the challenge the salt flats offer. "Just the markers on the side of the road indicating how many miles have past, and a mountain at the end."

Electric land speed record: What does it feel like to drive at 370 mph?

A parachute is required to stop the Venturi VBB-3. "The road is prepared, but you always have some bumps," says Biscaye. "The driver has to go every morning -- sometimes twice, three times a day -- and see the track, and see where he needs to go to take the best trajectory. It seems very simple, but it's incredibly tricky."

Electric land speed record: What does it feel like to drive at 370 mph?

"The previous car was under 3,000 kilograms, and now we are maybe even above 3,500kg," says Biscaye. "This new one is a four- wheel drive, whereas the previous one was only front wheel."It's also much more powerful: 3,000 brake horsepower -- huge!"

Electric land speed record: What does it feel like to drive at 370 mph?

As Venturi seeks to break the electric land speed record, the VBB-3 is nowhere near the overall record, set by the rocket-powered Thrust SSC -- driven by Andy Green in 1997 -- which reached a speed of 763.035 mph (1,227.985 kph).

Electric land speed record: What does it feel like to drive at 370 mph?

And the Bloodhoud SSC7 is bidding to reach a speed of 1,000 mph -- that's 1,609 kph -- when it takes to South Africa's Hakskeen Pan in 2017.

Electric land speed record: What does it feel like to drive at 370 mph?

This supersonic car mixes automobile and aircraft technology. It's powered by a jet engine and a rocket together with a petrol engine auxiliary power unit.

Electric land speed record: What does it feel like to drive at 370 mph?

The Bloodhound weighs 7.5 tonnes.

Electric land speed record: What does it feel like to drive at 370 mph?

Speedy pursuits have always thrown up outlandishly-shaped vehicles. Donald Campbell's famed Bluebirds attempted to break the land speed record on several occasions. The Bluebird CN7 is shown here during testing at Goodwood Motor Circuit, on July 18 1960. Campbell is the only man to break land speed and water speed records in the same year.

Electric land speed record: What does it feel like to drive at 370 mph?

For now, all eyes are on the Venturi VBB-3. "People everywhere see the importance of this vehicle for research and the development of electric vehicles," says Biscaye.

Source: Venturi's 'bullet car' smashes electric land-speed record

Everything You Need to Know About Charging Your Electric Vehicle

If you've got an electric vehicle, or EV, you're going to need an EVSE, which is short for Electronic Vehicle Service Equipment. It's the wall-mounted charger that supplies electricity to the vehicle's battery pack. These chargers are simple to install and provide 240-volts of electricity. The following outlines everything you need to know about the various types of chargers, and what it takes to operate them.(It should be noted that you don't need an EVSE when you're driving certain hybrid vehicles. Only Plug-in hybrids require charging.)

The Cost of Residential Charging Equipment

In the long run, operating an EV is cheaper than a traditional gas guzzler, and there's the added bonus of reducing your carbon footprint. That being said, there are some costs you'll need to consider, such as the increase on your electricity bill, the cost of installing the EVSE, and the cost to upgrade your circuit breaker.

charging the Kia Soul EVHere some tips to cut costs and drive for free:

·  If you live in a deregulated market, be sure to shop around for the most affordable electricity rate. Some states, such as Texas, have deregulated markets and residents can opt for cheaper or more environmentally friendly energy. Learn more about this at Texas Electric Rates.

·  Switch to LED light bulbs and turn off lights and electronics when they're not in use. Simple green actions at home can reduce your electricity bill by as much as $50 per month.

Your electricity bill will go up, but the costs will be nowhere near what you would have paid to operate the average fuel economy vehicle. In the US, the average cost of electricity is 12 cents per kWh, so on average you'll pay $520.00 per year to charge your vehicle. Compare this to $2,135, which is the average annual cost of gas, and you begin to see the very real value in purchasing an EV.

As for the EVSE and circuit breakers, these are one-time costs. According to PluginCars.com, a compelling authority on all things EVs, the average cost of comparable and durable. EVSE is between $600 and $700. As for the circuit breaker, if it's already rated for at least 40 amps, you can leave it be. If not, you'll need to upgrade. The cost of upgrading your circuit breaker is dependent on whether or not you need an electrician, and then it will be the standard per hour electrician rate plus the cost of a new breaker box.

Types of Residential EVSE

Basically, there are three types of electric vehicle chargers, level one, level two, and DC fast charging. Level one charging is your standard 120-volt household outlet. You can charge your EV in a standard household outlet, but why would you want to. This method is slow, so slow it will only allow your vehicle to travel up to five miles per hour of charging.

You'll probably want a level two wall-mounted charger, which provides 240-volts. If you're not familiar with electrical wiring, you'll need an electrician to install and mount the device for you. The charger should provide between 10 and 20 miles of travel per hour of charge. If that's not fast enough for you, there's always the DC fast charger, which provides an 80 percent charge in roughly thirty minutes.

Overall, purchasing and installing an EVSE will require a small investment; however, the money you'll save in fuel costs will more than cover it in the long run. If you can't afford an EVSE right now, don't let that stop you from purchasing an EV. Consider using your electricity outlets to charge your vehicle while you're saving the funds to install the EVSE; or, you can choose a hybrid vehicle that doesn't require home charging, but will require stops at the fuel pump from time to time.

Source: Everything You Need to Know About Charging Your Electric Vehicle

Electric-Vehicle Record Set In California: 1,438 miles in a 24-hour period

The founders of True Zero have completed a scenic drive throughout California in a fuel-cell-electric Toyota Mirai, covering 1,438 miles in a 24-hour period, thus breaking the official Guinness World Record for electric miles driven in 24 hours.

The goal of the drive was to demonstrate how a zero-emission electric vehicle can serve as a replacement for a gasoline vehicle. The car was refueled with four-minute "fill ups" using the True Zero retail hydrogen network between southern and northern California. The mileage mark is expected to become an official record once documentation is submitted and reviewed.

The drive, which started in Long Beach, spanned from sea level to 7200 feet, passed through six of the seven largest cities in California, and crossed the state's boundary into Reno. True Zero's hydrogen charging stations in Long Beach, Harris Ranch/Coalinga, Truckee, Mill Valley, Saratoga and Santa Barbara were used to refuel the cars during the drive, as was a hydrogen charger in Sacramento operated by Linde.

"The point has been made that an electric car can do everything that a gasoline car can do, but with zero emissions," said Joel Ewanick, Chief Executive Officer of First Element Fuel, True Zero's parent company. "All it took was grabbing a credit card, hopping in our Toyota Mirai with its carpool sticker, and charging up at the True Zero hydrogen stations that are open throughout California. And it's possible today thanks to the State of California – the vision of the Energy Commission and Air Resources Board has arrived!

"We did some city driving, we drove through the mountains, we stopped to take photos, we crossed the golden gate bridge, we stopped to talk to reporters, and we even crossed into Reno. The Mirai can go more than 300 all-electric miles on each four-minute charge of True Zero hydrogen, so it was easy to do all of it in 24 hours without any concerns or range anxiety."

Ewanick set off at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday on the initial leg from here to Sacramento where he was relieved by Dr. Shane Stephens, True Zero's Chief Development Officer. Dr. Tim Brown, the company's Chief Operations Officer, took over the wheel in San Jose for the final section.

The first 15 True Zero stations are operational and an additional four are expected to be online by early next year, including San Diego's first hydrogen station slated to open in November.

"The access and convenience of charging with hydrogen throughout California is thanks to the fantastic team that we have built at True Zero to develop and operate this hydrogen network," said Ewanick.

"It's very cool that we were able to show this kind of accomplishment during National Drive Electric Week, he added. "Electric cars are so important to California's environmental goals and we're starting to see the momentum build with fuel cells as part of that electric car mix. In just the last six months our True Zero hydrogen chargers have powered well over a million miles of all-electric driving."

True Zero's hydrogen station network is funded in large part by grants from the California Energy Commission, South Coast AQMD and Bay Area AQMD, as well as financing from automotive firms Toyota and Honda who are first to market with fuel-cell-electric vehicles.

Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz have also announced plans to retail a fuel cell vehicle next year.

----------------

According to John O'Dell at Edmunds.com:

Automotive fuel cells are seen by many as the best bet for widespread replacement of internal combustion engines in the U.S. This is a country where cars and trucks tend to be big. Driving distances also tend to be longer than battery-electric cars can accommodate — or so many motorists think.

The argument for fuel-cell vehicles is pretty simple: A fuel-cell electric system isn't range-constrained like a battery-electric system. Fuel-cell vehicles aren't tethered to charging cords. They carry enough fuel for 250-350 miles of range and their tanks can be refilled as quickly as that of standard vehicles' gasoline tanks. Few think they will replace battery-electric cars, which can make a lot of sense for drivers with short commutes. But they are expected to become a significant part of the alternative-fuel fleet in coming years.

Typically, a fuel-cell system is twice as efficient as a gasoline system. Most of the fuel-cell vehicles coming to market in the next few years will be able to deliver close to 70 miles per kilogram of fuel. That's the equivalent of 70 miles per gallon. There is no established retail price for hydrogen fuel, but most suppliers say $10 per kilogram is about right for the early days of low-volume sales. The price is expected eventually to fall to parity with gasoline.

Additionally, fuel-cell systems are much lighter and smaller than the battery packs that dominate plug-in electric drive systems. That means they can be more easily scaled up without the weight penalties that make plug-in systems impractical for large sedans, SUVs and pickup trucks.

True Zero

First Element Fuel's Chief Operations Officer Dr. Tim Brown, Chief Development Officer Dr. Shane Stephens and Chief Eexecutive Officer Joel Ewanick stop at the True Zero hydrogen-charging station in Truckee, Calif. to fill up their Toyota Mirai fuel-cell cars during their 24-hour record journey of 1,438-miles.

So while battery-electric vehicles tend to be compact and subcompact models with limited range and lengthy recharging times, fuel-cell electric vehicles are quick and easy to refuel. Fuel-cell systems could power everything from minicars to large pickups.

They also are true zero-emissions vehicles, as clean as battery-electric cars on the road. They are also almost as clean on a well-to-wheel basis, says Steve Ellis, American Honda's national fuel-cell marketing manager.

"When the hydrogen is made from natural gas, there are at least 60 percent fewer CO2 emissions on a well-to-wheels basis than from gasoline," he says. "Plus there's a one-to-one alignment with gasoline cars" in terms of range, convenience and, ultimately, the varieties of vehicles you'll be able to get.

(www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/8-things-you-need-to-know-about-hydrogen-fuel-cell-cars.html)

The existing Guinness World Record for electric car miles driven in 24-hours is 2142.317 kilometers or 1,331 miles. Other groups also claim to have "unofficially" broken the record for electric miles driven in 24-hours.

Source: Electric-Vehicle Record Set In California: 1,438 miles in a 24-hour period

Chinese Web-Video Tycoon Raises $1.08 Billion for Electric Car

China's Le Holdings Co. has raised $1.08 billion to develop its electric sports car that has drawn comparisons to the Batmobile, the latest in a series of alternative energy vehicle investments even as the industry is set for a Chinese government shake-up.

The Beijing-based company, also known as LeEco, has attracted a group of Chinese investors for the project's initial funding, including Legend Holdings Corp., Yingda Capital Management Co. and China Minsheng Trust, it said in a statement Tuesday.

LeEco joins a bevy of startups to have announced fundraising completions as the industry hangs on the verge of a major shake-out. The government is imposing stricter technology standards and considering limiting the number of manufacturers to 10. WM Motor, founded by Freeman Shen, former Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. top executive, said last month it has raised $1 billion to prepare it to challenge Tesla Motors Inc.

LeEco's billionaire founder Jia Yueting, who built his wealth from video platform Leshi Internet Information & Technology Corp., said in April financing had been the weakest link for the electric-car project.

NextEV Inc., another Chinese electric-car startup with ambitions of unseating Tesla, last year raised funds from investors including Sequoia Capital and Joy Capital as part of plans to develop affordable, connected green cars.

— With assistance by Tian Ying

Before it's here, it's on the Bloomberg Terminal. LEARN MORE
Source: Chinese Web-Video Tycoon Raises $1.08 Billion for Electric Car

Group hopes others plug into electric-car movement

A   A

Learn more about National Drive Electric Week at driveelectricweek.org

Richard Hovey of Vancouver fastened his seat belt behind the wheel of Bill Moore's 2016 Tesla Model X and prepared to back it out of its parking space Sunday afternoon. He appeared surprised.

"I didn't have to start the motor," Hovey remarked as the car began to move.

"Well, you did when you put your foot on the brake pedal," Moore, of Beaverton, Ore., explained from the front passenger seat.

The $114,000 electric sport-utility vehicle left the Clark Public Utilities parking lot, and Hovey took it for a spin around the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Moore's electric vehicle and more than 15 others were on display in the utility's lot as part of National Drive Electric Week.

"It's so quiet. Amazing," passenger Laura Meyer of Vancouver said.

The Tesla's passenger doors open upward, much like the DeLorean of "Back to the Future" fame. Its windshield curves up and over the two front seats. It can go zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, and it takes less than an hour to fully charge. On a recent trip from Beaverton to Bellingham, it had to be charged once in Centralia, Moore said.

Moore said he puts his Tesla on display "to show that an electric car is a real car," he said. Also, "we need to be off fossil fuels."

After the test drive, Hovey called the vehicle "amazing." He said he likes to drive long distances and concluded that if he did buy an electric vehicle, it might have to be an electric-gas hybrid so he wouldn't have to charge it as often.

Mary Lou Haas of Portland had her eye on the Chevy Volt, but the wait for a new one was too long, she said. The environmentalist came to the event to check out more electric cars on her quest to replace the gas-powered vehicle she's driven for the past 20 years.

"I can't justify getting a pure gas car," she said. She's looking for something that has a long enough range to get her to the beach on a single charge.

It was the first time that the Loo Wit Group, a chapter of the Sierra Club, hosted a National Drive Electric Week event in Vancouver. The drive-electric week concept started in 2011 to raise awareness of the wide range of plug-in vehicles available, help fight pollution and reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, according to the campaign's website.

Among the electric cars on display in Vancouver were several Nissan Leafs, a Volt, multiple Teslas, a Fiat and a Kia Soul EV.

The Soul's owner, Tracy Farwell of Portland, had some advice for car shoppers: consider leasing a new electric vehicle rather than buying one. The lease on his vehicle costs around $200 a month, and he doesn't have to worry about the value of his Kia rapidly depreciating as electric-vehicle technology continues to advance.

Farwell said his Kia can get an 80 percent charge in about 25 minutes. When fully charged, the electric Soul can go about 120 miles — or about 100 miles if the air conditioning or heater is on. One of his favorite parts about the Kia Soul is that the hatchback has a lot of storage — almost as much as at truck when the back seats are folded down.

When he heard that the vehicle was available at a local dealership, Farwell said, "I had to go down and look at it, and as soon as I saw it, I had to have it."

When it comes to affordability, Haas' son Ross Calvin suggested buying a used electric car. Others said you can eliminate the cost of powering the vehicles by using a solar-panel system at home.

Four-wheel vehicles weren't the only rides on display Sunday. Lehman Holder of the Loo Wit Group showed off his electric-powered road bicycle and led electric bike tours around the neighborhood.

After years of leading bike tours, "my riding had gotten to be kind of mundane," he said, so he decided to buy the roughly $2,500 bike a couple of months ago in Portland. "It's the best thing I've ever bought."

His bike requires pedalling, but the electric motor gives him a boost if he's tired or going up a steep hill.

The electric bike could be practical for people who want to ride a bicycle to work but have particularly long or hilly commutes, Holder said.

Source: Group hopes others plug into electric-car movement

Volkswagen to unveil electric car concept at Paris 2016

Ahead of the 2016 Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen has announced that it will unveil a new electric car concept. It has released some teaser images of the vehicle and has said that it will be based on their new modular electric platform.

VW electric concept car

The pictures do not reveal much but from them we can understand that this new concept car will be a global size compact hatchback. It will carry all the modern VW design hallmarks the logo, headlamps, tail lamps and grille. This car is based on the same modular platform as the Budd-E microbus and is likely to borrow a lot of its tech and cabin design.

VW electric concept car rear

VW has already confirmed that the car will go into production and that it will do for them in the electric car era what the iconic Beetle hatchback did for them in the 20th century. The company had announced earlier this year that it would have electric cars across the range by 2020 and this one in production guise is expected to be the first one.

Source: Volkswagen to unveil electric car concept at Paris 2016

Lamborghini Is Reportedly Working On An All-Electric Hypercar

by Gabe Beita Kiser13,277 reads

Lamborghini really will do anything possible to avoid turbochargers.

We recently brought you a report that mentioned how foolish the car world was for thinking that the Mission E was going to be the only electric car that Porsche was planning. It suggested that soon, we could see everything from a Model 3 competitor to an electric SUV. Now, according to a German-language YouTube video by AutoBild, some of the Mission E's electric technology will be picked up by another Volkswagen subsidiary. That would be Lamborghini, one of the last automakers we'd expect to be interested in electrification. The video describes the electric hypercar, dubbed the Vitola, as a machine that would ride on the Porsche Mission E's J1 platform. It will also steal the sedan's fast-charging system, which works with the Mission E's 800-volt battery to make charging times a breeze. This is important for owners who may want to take the hypercar to a track and not be faced with the inconvenience of waiting for a lengthy recharge after a few laps. The Vitola will supposedly have a 0-60 mph time of 2.5 seconds (matching the Tesla Model S P100D) and reach a top speed of 186 mph. The Mission E makes a combined 600 horsepower using two electric motors, which rockets the sedan from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. To reach its performance targets, the Vitola will undoubtedly be lighter than the four-door Porsche, but it will probably still gain more horsepower to keep it ahead of the competition. That will soon include an all-electric McLaren hypercar, and given the direction of the Volkswagen Group, an EV Porsche 918 replacement based off of the lessons learned from honing the Vitola is not out of the question. It's unclear whether the Vitola will be another Lamborghini with an extremely limited production run or an alternative to the Aventador/Huracan duo, but we'd expect the former since the brand is better known for its sonorous V10 and V12 engines than whisper quiet electric motors. Still, given that Lamborghini has plans to build the Urus SUV, nothing would surprise us.

If you want to practice your German, here's the video below.

Source: Lamborghini Is Reportedly Working On An All-Electric Hypercar

'Futurism' steals show at electric vehicle charge station opening in Thames

Thames man Roald Barthow charges his car using the new electric vehicle charger at the Thames District Library car park.

Times have certainly changed for 89-year-old Roald Barthow.

His first mode of transport was a Shetland pony, which gave him a rather interesting ride to school at times.

He remembers when his family bought their first vehicle, a Fargo one tonne truck. He learnt to drive in it before getting his first car, a 1938 Hillman 14.

Now the Thames man, who has had his driver's licence for more than 70 years, drives a fully electric Nissan Leaf, and he loves it.

READ MORE:* Fast charger for electric cars lands in Hamilton* The future of self-drive cars

"It does zero to 100[km] in 10 seconds. If you put your foot down, you're off like a rocket," he said.

The car takes him 130km before needing to be charged, enough to get him to Auckland, he said.

The former dairy farmer decided to buy the electric car after attending an environmental seminar many years ago.

"I think it's good for the environment. You've got to do something about it instead of just talk," he said.

Barthow was the star of the new electric vehicle charger launch in the Thames District Library carpark in Mackay St on Friday.

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The charge station was a joint project between Powerco and Charge Net NZ, in collaboration with the Thames-Coromandel District Council.

Barthow thought the public charger was a great idea and would like to see more chargers around the Coromandel Peninsula.

The charger was officially launched by Minister of Transport Simon Bridges, who said it was amazing that Barthow had an electric car at nearly 90-years-old.

"I'm in awe of your futurism," Bridges said.

It was fantastic that electric vehicle charging stations were going up all over New Zealand, he said.

"I think EVs are a really big part of the future but I go further than that, the future is here now," he told the crowd at the opening.

New Zealanders were plugging their cars in with clean, green renewable energy, he said.

The charging station was fantastic for Thames-Coromandel to help grow its tourism industry, he said.

"I don't think it's going to be the last charging station, I think you'll have dozens of these."

Thames Community Board chairman Strat Peters said it was special to have an electric vehicle charger in Thames.

"The good thing about this site was that it's just so close to everything in our town in relationship to people coming here," he said.

 - Stuff

Source: 'Futurism' steals show at electric vehicle charge station opening in Thames

New VW MEB electric vehicle, with up to 373 miles of range, coming in 2020

By any measure, it's been a tough year at VW. The details of who, exactly, is to blame for the diesel cheat scandal are still coming out, but for the other tens of thousands of employees who didn't have anything to do with the mess, things were rough. Diesel, as a brand, has tanked, and it seems that the people in charge at VW realize that something needs to change. That's going to happen at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.

VW's new slogan is not subtle: "Think New."

During an promotional event this week in Germany focusing on electromobility, Jürgen Stackmann, a member of the VW Board of Management, said that an upcoming concept will show the world the company's new public face after a year full of "hard work" for the company. VW's new slogan for Paris is not subtle: "Think New,"

Christian Senger, the head of VW's BEV series group since January, said that VW's new production EVs will use the upcoming MEB platform. MEB is the German acronym for Modular Electric Model line-up, and the platform will be used with wide number of EVs. The MEB platform is built around the battery, and with the wheelbase increased and the overhangs shortened, interior design space is opened up. According to Senger's vision, he imagines a large HD display, haptic feedback, and gesture controls as part of the package. "The car of tomorrow must feel like a mobile device on wheels," he said.

But what about range? Senger said that the minimum that people will accept is 400 kilometers, or about 250 miles. The MEB will be scalable to 600 km (373 miles), giving VW options. He said that today's E-Golf drivers say they don't need more range or fast charging on the highway because they don't use their e-Golf as their primary car, but VW can't be an EV leader by selling second cars. The company has bigger dreams. Much bigger. Senger said that VW hopes to sell two-to-three million electric cars a year by 2025.

The first MEB EV will start production at the end of 2019 as a 2020 model year vehicle.

Which brings us back to the electric concept that VW will show in Paris. Previewing the first MEB vehicle, it will start production at the end of 2019 as a 2020 model year vehicle. It will use a li-ion battery, no outlandish body materials, and be "highly automated."

Before the MEB EV arrives, a better e-Golf with "more range and more affordability" is coming, Stackmann said. The number that Stackmann and others kept throwing around for that was a 300-kilometer (186-mile) range. That's on the more forgiving European drive style, but it's still a lot better than the current e-Golf, which gets 83 miles per charge. The new e-Golf goes into production in December.

Stackmann said more details on the MEB EV and the future of VW will be available soon. "We want to use Paris, basically, as the lighthouse to show you where we are heading as a brand," he said. "There are so many tremendous things happening at VW at the moment. We are taking big, bold decisions fast to really get the br and moving and we are excited to show you the first glimpse of that at the Paris Motor Show." The Paris show starts October 1.

Source: New VW MEB electric vehicle, with up to 373 miles of range, coming in 2020

Jaguar unveils first all-electric racing car

Manama: Jaguar yesterday took the wraps off its new electric motorsport future, revealing its Formula E team's official name, vision, title sponsor, driver line-up and electric racing livery. 

From October, Panasonic Jaguar Racing will compete in the third FIA Formula E season with the first all-electric Jaguar racing car in history: the I-Type 1. 

At the launch event at the Jaguar Collections Centre, the new I-Type 1 made a dramatic debut driven by the team's official reserve driver Ho-Pin Tung and outlining the brands commitment to 'Race To Innovate' – a mission to change the perception of electric vehicles, to develop new electric technology and to inspire future generations.

Jaguar also revealed an exciting race driver line-up with Adam Carroll and Mitch Evans confirmed to drive the I-Type 1 in the team's inaugural season. 

Jaguar detailed its partnership with Panasonic that will see the leading electronics and automotive technology company partner with the Jaguar Racing Formula E team to develop a future that promises to push the boundaries of electric technology in a performance environment. 

Panasonic Jaguar Racing chairman Gerd Mäuser said: "As the first premium car manufacturer in Formula E we are proud to be back in top-level motorsport. The future is changing and we're part of that change."

Jaguar Land Rover employs 9,000 engineers and is Britain's largest research and development investor across any business sector. 

Jaguar Land Rover executive director, product engineering, Nick Rogers underlined the important role Formula E will play in developing next generation electric vehicle technology and the importance of electric vehicles in Jaguar Land Rover's future product portfolio.  

Source: Jaguar unveils first all-electric racing car

Electric vehicle charging station installed in Hobart

HOBART — City officials are excited about the benefits a new electric vehicle charging station could bring to Hobart.

Bob Fulton, assistant to Mayor Brian Snedecor, said the station was recently installed outside of City Hall, and it's one of a few available in Lake County.

With the unitlocated in Hobart's downtown, it has the potential to attract out-of-town business to that area of the city, Fulton said.

"A lot of those people that have electric vehicles don't want to go very far from where they know is a charging station," he said.

Fulton said the unit is operational and open for public use. He said the City Council has been asked to create an ordinance establishing rates to use the station.

In addition to bringing more visitors to the community, Fulton said the project adds to the many initiatives Hobart has pursued to become a green municipality.

Planning for the installation of the charging station began about a year ago. Fulton said South Shore Clean Cities approached Hobart and started the collaboration to add the unit outside of City Hall.

He said NIPSCO later entered into an agreement to fully fund the project. That agreement is saving Hobart and South Shore Clean Cities about $7,800 on the station and about $1,300 on warranties and software charges, Fulton said.

He said there was a deadline to install the new charging station. During the rush to meet that schedule, city staff overlooked the need to obtain permission from the Board of Public Works and Safety to install the unit on a Hobart easement. The board has since provided that approval.

Source: Electric vehicle charging station installed in Hobart

Zero-emission cars front and center at 'Drive Electric Day' in Santa Rosa

Central to Sonoma County's goal to increase the use of electric vehicles is getting people to test drive an EV — from expensive Teslas to more affordable models like the Nissan Leaf.

That effort was on display Sunday at Coddingtown Mall, when enthusiasts participated in an education campaign encouraging the switch to electrical vehicles.

One of the beauties on display in the mall parking lot was Don Baumhefner's fire engine-red Tesla Model X, its signature "falcon wing" rear doors raised, like a raptor about to take flight.

Baumhefner's 90D version of the futuristic, battery-propelled auto does zero to 60 in less than five seconds with a range of more than 250 miles.

"My point is to show people that electric cars can go anywhere you want to," he said during the North Bay Electric Auto Association's "Drive Electric Day," aimed at selling the public on the transportation alternative to fossil fuel combustion.

Baumhefner, a Petaluma resident, said he drove to Seattle in 15 hours, stopping every two hours for a 20-minute battery recharging at a Tesla station. The car's super-sized dashboard touchscreen shows, among many other things, the placement of each station around the nation and the world.

"There's no range anxiety in this car," he said, adding a political statement: "No more gas. I hate the oil companies so much."

A few feet away, John Palmerlee of Santa Rosa was proudly standing by what might be called a beast: a 1985 Toyota pickup with badly faded red paint and a round electric motor filling a fraction of the engine compartment.

Palmerlee and his daughter, Ellen, did the conversion for her high school senior project in 2011, starting with the non-running truck they bought for $600 on Craigslist. They sold the engine and truck bed for parts, and paid $2,500 for a used 460-pound Nissan Leaf battery pack, which they mounted behind the cab. Total cost: about $10,000.

"It's functional," Palmerlee said. And with a 50-mile range, he added, "I can drive to the coast."

Marcus Nofi of Windsor, eyeballing the Tesla Model X, said he was on the waiting list for Tesla's Model 3, touted as the "affordable electric sports sedan" and due out in 2017. But figuring his order won't be delivered until 2018 or 2019, Nofi said he might opt for Model X.

"For me, it's performance," he said. "It's the torque."

Electric cars have 100 percent of their torque available at zero mph, which is wonk-speak for Batmobile fast. The Model X seats seven and claims to have five-star safety ratings, which appeal to Nofi's wife, Andrea, who commuted to San Francisco for years in a Prius that got 60 mpg.

"I love her," Andrea Nofi said.

Source: Zero-emission cars front and center at 'Drive Electric Day' in Santa Rosa

Electric whips a hit with the public at annual Solvang car show

Hundreds of spectators marveled at the plethora of different electric vehicles showcased at the Solvang's Centennial Plaza on Saturday where they learned about the benefits of owning cars that run clean without tailpipe emissions, outstanding performance range and almost no maintenance. 

The event, one of several shows across the country as part of Electric Vehicle Week, was sponsored by the Los Padres Chapter of the Sierra Club. BMWs, Nissans and Teslas were just a few of many different varieties of electric vehicles.

Rebecca August, of Buellton, is a member of the Sierra Club, and showcased her silver 2014 Nissan Leaf at the show for the first time. Her car runs on all electricity and has about 80 mile range, and not to mention, is very inexpensive to drive.

"It costs less for me to own this car and drive it than it costs me to drive my old gas car," said August. "The trend for electric vehicles is really taking off; two years ago when I first got this car, I never saw another driver at a charging station, and now when I find one, there's a queue of people waiting." 

"I hope it gets even more popular," she said. "It's very quiet, it's like driving a spaceship and there's low maintenance. I can drive from my house to Santa Maria and back again without having to charge my car, so I hope people will catch onto the trend." 

Gina Kim covers crime and courts for Santa Maria Times. Follow her on Twitter @gina_k210

Source: Electric whips a hit with the public at annual Solvang car show

Apple Shuts Some Elements of Electric Self-Driving Car Project, Lays Off Workers

Sept. 9, 2016 10:48 p.m. ET

Apple Inc. AAPL -2.26 % has shut down some elements of its effort to build an electric self-driving car and laid off several dozen employees, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The changes to Apple's secretive initiative, code-named Project Titan, were implemented by Bob Mansfield, a veteran Apple executive who took over the project in July, the person said Friday. Project Titan's overall head count remains essentially the same, the person said.

Apple has never publicly acknowledged that it is working on a car, but people familiar with the matter have previously said the effort includes hundreds of employees including software and automotive experts, as well as autonomous-driving technology engineers.

The effort has hit stumbling blocks, however. Earlier this year, the project's leader, Steve Zadesky, left the company, citing personal reasons. Mr. Mansfield succeeded Mr. Zadesky.

Details on which Project Titan efforts were closed weren't available. Bloomberg reported in July that Apple had shifted to prioritize development of an autonomous-driving system. News of the layoffs was first reported by the New York Times.

Apple's effort to build a car, first revealed in early 2015, pits it against a competitive pack of companies looking to reinvent the automobile. Alphabet Inc., GOOGL -1.79 % Google's parent company, has experimented with self-driving cars for years, racking up more than 1.5 million test miles. Tesla Motors Inc. TSLA -1.46 % is already on the road with a feature called Autopilot, a step toward self-driving cars, that uses cameras, radar and sensors to steer the vehicle and adjust its speed.

Uber Technologies Inc. said last month that it would experiment with ferrying customers around Pittsburgh in self-driving taxis, although the experimental cars would operate with one Uber employee in the driver's seat in case of a glitch.

Traditional auto makers such as General Motors Inc., Ford Motor Co. F -2.75 % , and BMW AG BMW -0.66 % are all working toward driverless cars. Ford said in August that it plans to release within the next five years a fully autonomous vehicle—one without a steering wheel or pedals. BMW said in July that it was teaming with Intel Corp. INTC -2.74 % and Mobileye MBLY -2.98 % NV to have a self-driving car in production by 2021.

Apple's steps toward building a car sent fears through the automotive industry that the iPhone maker might one day outshine them like it did cellphone makers. Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk complained to Bloomberg Businessweek in early 2015 that Apple was trying to hire away his automotive employees. Battery maker A123 Systems LLC sued Apple in early 2015 alleging it poached high-level battery engineers and chemists to work on Apple's car-battery division in violation of agreements not to work for competitors. Apple and A123 later settled the case under terms that weren't disclosed.

—Tim Higgins contributed to this article.

Write to Robert McMillan at Robert.Mcmillan@wsj.com

Source: Apple Shuts Some Elements of Electric Self-Driving Car Project, Lays Off Workers

Jaguar wants to become the British electric company

Jaguar has been telegraphing its electric future for years, and this week we're beginning to see it come to fruition.

The company's Formula E race team officially launched September 8 with sponsorship, livery, and an interesting name for its racecar, the I-Type 1. It marks Jaguar's return to factory-supported racing and serves as a model for the company's future strategy.

"The Formula E championship will enable us to engineer and test our advanced technologies under extreme performance conditions," Nick Rogers, executive director of product engineering at Jaguar Land Rover, said in a statement. "We will apply this vital knowledge as part of our real-world development."

Formula E competition starts October 9 as the all-electric racing series begins its third season. Panasonic signed on as the title sponsor of the team. Formula E is a natural move for Jag and allows the British company to remain true to its racing heritage while still looking toward. The company claims se ven Le Mans titles, which is the fourth-most in history, even though it hasn't won one since 1990.

That's a great lineage, but Jaguar knows it's getting dusty. Launching a Formula E effort allows it to compete in a form of motorsports that should prove relevant to road-car technology. Jag is drawing on Williams Advanced Engineering (you might have heard of its F1 team) for the electric powertrain. Williams also helped with the development of Jaguar's C-X75 plug-in concept car.

Meanwhile, we also captured an F-Pace crossover silently testing this week in the Alps. Though it looks like a normal F-Pace, spy shooters report it was producing no engine noise, leading (or perhaps leaping) to the conclusion it's the rumored electric SUV Jaguar is working on. Likely, this prototype has a diesel engine as a range extender.

Though the camouflaged F-Pace is great fodder for speculation, Jag's electric efforts are not a secret. Jaguar and Land Rover showed off three electric-ve hicle demonstrators last year and the company is exploring everything from mild hybrids to full electric powertrains. JLR has filed paperwork to secure trademarks for I-Pace and E-Pace.

"JLR is definitely rushing headfirst into electrification," said Ed Kim, vice president of industry analysis for research firm AutoPacific. "No longer content to be a second-tier luxury player, JLR is making certain it can go toe-to-toe with the luxury segment's best, knowing full well that offering technology leadership lends a lot of credibility in this part of the market."

Related Video:

Source: Jaguar wants to become the British electric company

What do electric car drivers regret most about leaving petrol behind?

Cleantechnica

Media, both social and antisocial, has been full of articles and first-person accounts with people raving about how much they love the experience of driving their electric cars. They talk about how wonderful it is to wake up to a full gas tank, how quiet it is, the instant and no-fuss torque, and how cheap electric cars are to operate.

But what do electric car drivers miss about owning and driving gasoline cars? That's an empty space, a void, a yawning chasm. This article tries to add some words to that side of the scale.

This is one man's personal and subjective list of things he regrets about the transition.

That pleasurable and lengthy period of anticipation between when you slam your foot to the floor and actual acceleration commences. There's just no buildup in electric cars, so all of the anticipation dwindles. Personally, I'm a creature of delayed gratification, so this really rankles.

The smell of gasoline baked into hot tarmac at gas stations. Like the odour of diesel emissions, unfiltered Camel cigarettes, or the smell of hot tar being melted onto roofs, this really hits a nostalgic spot in my nostrils, even as my lungs collapse into hacking coughs. Sometimes I drive to gas stations to pump up my tires when they don't need it just to inhale deeply of that intoxicating aroma.

Slow warmth in the winter from waste heat. Like acceleration, the slow and gradual warming of a car as the engine throws off 70% of the energy in the fuel as waste heat is just part of the attraction. Instant-on heating with electrics just doesn't have the same sensation. And trying to get the calibration right when you are basically just pushing cold air past a big, inefficient, thumping block of metal? There's nothing like slowly and painfully learning the quirks of each car.

Brakes that just get hot. This is like all of the waste heat that engines throw off, in that braking used to be something that was done solely by rubbing pads against rotors of various types, heating them up and making them warp when driven through water or cleaned. They used to do nothing else, and certainly not generate fuel. That exotic single purpose plus attendant waste was a delicious thing.

The faux outrage at the expense of all of the repairs and maintenance. When I saw a muffler bill for hundreds of dollars, I could get red, stamp my feet and shout at the schlub behind the counter. It was all to no avail, but it made me feel good. Now, with electric cars, the opportunities to feel outraged, superior, and vent have diminished substantially! No brake jobs. No oil jobs, 17 point or otherwise. No muffler jobs. Thankfully, I have to replace the tires a bit more often due to all of that instant acceleration.

Mysterious visits to the sales manager. Oh, the joys of sitting in a dealership waiting for a salesman to return with news about whether my latest bargaining ploy was accepted, rejected, or spun to their advantage. For that matter, add in all of the pleasant hours spent in dealerships trying to get past the thickets of upsells and the like. Barriers make eventual success all the sweeter, and one of the biggest barriers to owning a new car is the sales process. So sadly missed, now that Tesla has cruelly eliminated dealerships and allows me to pick exactly and only what I want, without fuss, muss, or haggling.

Worrying about running out of battery. Accidentally leaving the lights or radio on used to mean a lengthy wait for the AAA truck. That was a deep learning experience, and a rite of passage for young people learning to drive. Now you can camp overnight in a Tesla with the air conditioning running all night and the battery barely budges. What's the fun in that? Where's the teachable moment?

The health threats. Like smoking, it used to be that cars emitted nasty nitrous oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter that could be smelt as they decreased my health and the health of my kids, family, and neighbours. It was my own little "fuck you" to the world and its namby pamby political correctness. Now my car emits nothing. It's such a letdown. Although, it's nice to be breathing better I guess.

And yes, the noise. There's nothing like the shame in coming home late at night after being disreputable and having the growl of your engine make your neighbours' dogs bark and children cry. Being a faux rebel used to have consequences, and being antisocial used to be audible. Now, the cars and bikes just roll quietly along the street and into the driveway without disturbing a soul. Frankly, I secretly hate my neighbours, but don't have the guts to just honk the horn loudly at 2:00 AM. My engine used to do that for me and I could pretend to be a good neighbour despite that. My passive aggressive streak has no outlet now.

My attachment to obsolete brands. I used to love BMWs. I used to make fun of Porsches but secretly want one. I used to look at futuristic wedge-shaped Lamborghinis and Ferraris and drool. I used to care that Subaru's were quirky, and think secretly that I should get one for that reason even though I loved my BMWs. Heck, the VW GTI used to make me interested, especially with its dual-clutch transmission. There are so many fewer interesting cars and manufacturers in the world. They are so obviously waiting out their death sentences with their noisy, inefficient, and sluggish drivetrains and their high centres of gravity. I just can't get excited about them any more and while away the hours looking at car videos and magazines. Thankfully, there are Rimac and Tesla drag racing videos, but like all pornography, the clips are stale after they've been watched once.

Source: Cleantechnica. Reproduced with permission.  

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Source: What do electric car drivers regret most about leaving petrol behind?

Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF) To Rival Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) With Six Electric Vehicles

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Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF) is reportedly planning to introduce six electric vehicles as part of its plan to take on Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA).

Sources familiar with the matter reported that the German automaker is working on six electric cars. No official announcements about the matter have been made which means the roster is not yet available and thus it is not clear what the vehicles will look like. However, Daimler's Mercedes brand had previously revealed plans to make two SUVs and two sedans. Sources from "Automobilwoche" claim that the company will mainly focus on crossovers and SUVs.

The company is expected to reveal its new Mercedes Maybach 6 at the Paris motor show towards the end of this month. The vehicle was showcased at Pebble Beach a few weeks ago as an all-electric vehicle with an estimated battery range of 200 miles. The vehicle is currently a concept though the company will probably pursue its production. Daimler announced in July that it would speed up the development of premium electric cars.

The announcement highlighted the company's plans to officially enter into the premium electric vehicle sector which has mostly been dominated by Tesla. "Automobilwoche magazine" claims that the firm plans to introduce the six cars into the market between 2018 and 2024.

The announcement also highlights the growing acceptance of electric power which is perhaps pushed by the escalating concerns about diesel fuel emissions. There was also a lot of speculation about electric vehicles in the past but they have become more accepted over the years. The increasing demand and growing market for electric cars has encouraged more automotive manufacturers to work on their own electric vehicles.

The sources did not reveal whether the rest of the offerings will be fully electric or whether they will offer hybrid modes. Sources from Reuters claim that the SUV versions will most likely feature a plug-in hybrid engine with an EV range of 50 km.

The following two tabs change content below. Andy has been a technical analyst at various financial institutions for coming up twelve years. He holds a Masters Degree in Financial Accounting. Hobbies include investigative financial journalism and cycling. He calls New York home, for now. I can be reached via email at [email protected]
Source: Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF) To Rival Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) With Six Electric Vehicles

More Details On Volkswagen’s First Long-Range Electric Car

7 hours ago by Eric Loveday

New MEB Architecture To Underpin 300+ Mile Mid-Size EV From VW For 2019

Autocar has uncovered a few additional details on Volkswagen upcoming (2019-ish) long-range electric car.

VW chairman Herbert Diess revealed the additional info, which we've bulleted below:

Exterior dimensions of a Golf

Interior space of a Passat

Debut at Paris motor Show

Launch set for late 2018 or early 2019

No further details were revealed by Diess, but from previous reports we do know that VW targets a range of 310 miles (NEDC, presumably) a charging time of 15 minutes and that the car will utilize the MEB platform.

Source: Autocar

Tags: volkswagen, volkswagen electric car, vw

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Source: More Details On Volkswagen's First Long-Range Electric Car

Electric Vehicle Sales In The US Rise By Largest Amount Ever In August

The Tesla Model S And X Combined For An Estimated 5,000 Sales In August For The US

Against a backdrop of some admittedly fairly woeful sales comps from 2015, plug-in electric car sales shot skyward in August, as new and updated offerings found a record number of homes on US driveways.

During the month, an estimated ~14,882 were sold, up 66% from the 8,972 moved in August of 2015.

Plug-In Luxury Has A New Champion In August – The BMW 740e

We should note that the trend of setting new monthly record highs in 2016 is not a new thing, as EV sales in the US have now set new highs in every month* this year.

However, the last 3 months have seen particularly strong sales improvements – July was up 50%, while June was up 45%.

By volume, the gain of 5,910 EV sales this month over August of 2015 was the largest increase on record.

Overall, 93,197 plug-ins have been sold, which is up 29% over the 72,270 moved last year.

With the current pace of recent sales, we expect that 2016 gain to close out the year much higher yet.

Leading the way, as it often as done year, was Tesla Motors – selling around 5,000 Model S and Model X all-electric vehicles by our estimate during the month.  But we should note that August was also the first time in history that 6 different automakers delivered more than 1,000 vehicles in the same month.

The Model S was the top selling all-electric car in August with ~3,125 sales, while the Chevrolet Volt finished on top of the extended range (PHEV) vehicles, with just over 2,000 sales.  The two plug-ins have traded places several times in 2016 for the top monthly sales spot, with each being the "top dog" 4 times.

The surprise hit for August?  Has to be the BMW X5 xDrive40e (or X5 plug-in, if you will), which sold an all-time best 876 copies.  You can almost hear the US population screaming "we want more plug-in utility vehicles!"

While we still wait on "big name" offerings and upgrades to arrive this year – the Toyota Prius Prime, Hyundai IONIQ Electric (BEV), 2017 BMW i3 (94 Ah/33 kWh edition), Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Tesla P100DL S & X (details), the field of available EVs did expand by one in August, as the BMW 740e (details) just started to land at US dealers late in the month.

2016 Monthly Sales Chart For The Major Plug-In Automakers – *Estimated Tesla Sales Numbers NA-X – Reconciled on Quarterly Totals, ** Fiat/Hyundai Does Not Report Sales Directly, Estimate Based on State/Rebate Data

Dark Horse Salew Winner For August: the BMW x5 xDrive40e – (InsideEVs/Michael B)

Top Manufacturers Of Plug-In Vehicles:

Tesla Motors* – 4,975

GM – 2,379

Ford – 2,204

BMW – 2,085

Nissan – 1,066

VW Group – 1,056

Pure Electric Car Market Share vs PHEV In August*

BEV – 7,822 -52.6%

PHEV – 7,060 – 47.4%

New Year Highs Set In August By Model (previous 2016 high in brackets)

BMW X5 xDrive40e – 876 (655)

VW e-Golf – 454 (344)

Porsche Panamera S e-Hybrid – 59 (33)

Mitsubishi i-MiEV – 25 (20)

(*) estimated

The full monthly recap by individual plug-in can be found on our Monthly Scorecard here.

*May of 2016 had only 24 selling days, versus 26 in previous years. Also note Spark EV sales for June have been restored to 359 units after some confusion at GM over the total
Source: Electric Vehicle Sales In The US Rise By Largest Amount Ever In August