1. GE Increases Investment in Battery Manufacturer A123Systems

GE is recharging the electrification of transportation by making its sixth equity investment in lithium-ion battery manufacturer A123Systems. GE invested $30 million in A123’s $102 million Series E financing, making it the battery manufacturer’s largest single cash investor – at 9 percent ownership.

The investments were made by GE Commercial Finance - Equity and GE Energy Financial Services, bringing GE’s combined total investment in A123Systems to $55 million.

22/10/2008 | 710 Hits | Print | Email

2. Gilbarco and Coulomb Partner To Build Charging Infrastructure for EVs

Gilbarco Veeder-Root and Coulomb Technologies have partnered to lead development and commercialization of products that will enable the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Campbell Calif.-based Coulomb Technologies has developed a complete smart charging solution for plug-in vehicles. The company’s Smartlet Charging Stations are individually controlled through the wireless Smartlet Communications Network and the ChargePoint Network Operating System.

07/10/2008 | 540 Hits | Print | Email

3. GoinGreen Launches Third Generaton G-Wiz

(Source: Newspress) - GoinGreen announces the arrival of the G-Wiz i, the most advanced variant of this iconic EV. GoinGreen launched the emission-free G-Wiz dc drive in London in May 2004 and in June 2006 introduced the G-Wiz ac drive and now there is the G-Wiz i, which benefits from improvements in safety, comfort and performance.

The G-Wiz i has an increased top speed certified at 50mph and a range of up to 48 miles per charge but what really marks the G-Wiz i from other electric vehicles is its swift acceleration to 30mph (60% quicker than its nearest competitor). This superior torque enables the G-Wiz i to easily keep up with London traffic and to cope with hills. The G-Wiz i is also upgradeable to high-performance lithium-ion batteries, which are designed to increase range significantly.

08/12/2007 | 1505 Hits | Print | Email

4. General Motors Announces Pricing for Chevrolet Tahoe and Gmc Yukon Hybrid Suvs

(Source: GM) Los Angeles - GM announced pricing for the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Hybrids, the only full-size, fully capable SUVs whose two-wheel-drive (2WD) models offer the same EPA city fuel economy as a conventional four-cylinder midsize car.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the generously equipped Tahoe Hybrid are $50,490 (2WD) and $53,295 (4WD); and $50,945 (2WD); and $53,755 (4WD) for the Yukon Hybrid. Prices include a $900 destination charge and, based on current adjusted EPA fuel economy calculations and pending IRS approval, buyers could be eligible for a federal tax credit.

28/11/2007 | 734 Hits | Print | Email

5. Google.org Issues $10 Million RFP to Accelerate Commercialization of Plug-in Hybrids, EVs and V2G

(Source: Google.org) Google.org is committed to finding innovative transportation solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. Earlier this summer, Google.org launched its RechargeIT Initiative to accelerate the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid technology through technical demonstrations, grant-making, advocacy and investments.

As part of this initiative, the company issuing a $10 million request for investment proposals (RFP). Google.org plan to invest amounts ranging from $500,000 to $2,000,000 in selected for-profit companies whose innovative approach, team and technologies will enable widespread commercialization of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles and/or vehicle-to-grid solutions.

16/09/2007 | 1027 Hits | Print | Email

6. GM Delivered Five Hybrid-Powered Buses to Metro Transit

(Source: GM) Madison, Wis., 2007-09-12 - Today’s delivery of five GM-Allison hybrid-powered buses to Metro Transit is an important step in fulfilling Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz’s commitment to the 100K Clean Energy Challenge. As part of the announcement made in April, the mayor committed to increasing fuel efficiency in the city’s fleet by pursuing the use of hybrid diesel-electric buses. The challenge seeks to reduce citywide emissions of carbon dioxide (CO 2) by 100,000 tons by 2011.

Madison commuters are not the only ones who will experience the environmentally-friendly and quiet ride of the hybrid-powered buses. Two of the five buses will run routes on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. By using the GM-Allison hybrid system to shuttle students, the university will reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

15/09/2007 | 523 Hits | Print | Email

7. Global Electric Motorcars wins prestigious Blue Sky Award in California

(Source: Chrysler/GEM) Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), a Chrysler company, has been awarded the 2007 Charles R. Imbrecht Blue Sky Merit Award™from California-based WestStart-CALSTART, for its “strong and enduring commitment to advanced transportation technology” including bringing neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) to California in 1998 “when others were not even considering” environmentally-friendly technologies.

As the leading manufacturer of NEVs, there are nearly 14,000 GEM vehicles on the road in California, and that number is increasing at the rate of nearly 100 GEM vehicles per month.

24/08/2007 | 817 Hits | Print | Email

8. GM May Build 60,000 Volt Plug-in Hybrids in First Year

(Source: Bloomberg) Aug 22, 2007 - General Motors Corp. may build as many as 60,000 of its Volt electric cars for their inaugural year on the market, four times the sales of Toyota Motor Corp.'s hybrid Prius in its U.S. debut, people with knowledge of GM's plans said.

Production at that level may allow GM to sell the plug-in Volt for less than $30,000, said the people, who didn't want to be identified because the plans are confidential. The discussions show the Detroit automaker, racked by losses and U.S. sales declines, believes an affordable electric car will help spur a revival, the people said. Toyota's Prius can be bought for $22,175.

24/08/2007 | 1339 Hits | Print | Email

9. GM and A123 to Co-Develop Lithium-Ion Battery Cell for Chevy Volt

(Source: A123/GM Blog) Traverse City, MI. - August 9, 2007 - General Motors Corp. and A123Systems, Inc. will co-develop cells with A123System's nanophosphate battery chemistry for a long-lasting, safe and powerful battery for use in GM’s electric drive E-Flex system. The agreement is expected to expedite the development of the batteries for both electric plug-in vehicles and fuel cell variants of the E-Flex architecture.

"Breakthrough battery technology will drive future automotive propulsion, and the company that aligns with the best strategic partners will win. That’s what is so important about this deal,” said Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman of Global Product Development. “Whether you’re talking about the Chevy Volt, a fuel cell or even a plug-in hybrid such as our planned Saturn Vue, we need to understand the fundamental battery cell performance.”

09/08/2007 | 1396 Hits | Print | Email

10. Greenpeace helps Philippine Jeepneys Go Green

(Source: Greenpeace) Manila, PHILIPPINES - July 04, 2007, the public transport Jeepney, one of the icons of the Philippines, is set to go green: two Greenpeace backed fossil fuel-free electric Jeepneys (E-Jeepneys) will take a historic test drive on the busy streets of Makati City, the country's financial hub, today.

Born in the 1950s, from left over world war two US jeeps, the Jeepney’s flamboyant design is instantly recognisable and synonymous for many with the Philippines. The jeeps were then refurbished to accommodate several passengers, added metal roof for shade and decorated with vibrant colours and bright ornaments making them popular and creative public transportation vehicles. While Jeepneys have evolved over the years they remain highly polluting and inefficient.

07/07/2007 | 814 Hits | Print | Email