1. Fisker Opens New Design Center in Michigan

Fisker Automotive today announced the opening of a new Engineering and Development Center in Pontiac, Michigan. The 34,000 square foot facility will house up to 200 engineers and designers, who will support the development and production program of Fisker Automotive’s first production car, the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid.

“The available talent, supplier base and infrastructure in Michigan will help us reach our production goal,” said Fisker Automotive COO Bernhard Koehler. “While Fisker Automotive will continue to be headquartered in Irvine, California, the new facility will allow us the opportunity to collaborate with our Michigan supplier base and have everyone under one roof.”

11/11/2008 | 444 Hits | Print | Email

2. UPS Order 12 Modec Electric Vans

UPS today announced an order of twelve electric vehicles from British manufacturer Modec. Six vehicles will be introduced into UPS’s UK fleet in February 2009, including the vehicle that was used for testing until now. The remaining six will operate in Germany.

Developed by Modec, the electric vans will operate out of UPS’s Camden facility, which lies within London’s Low Emission Zone. The order follows a successful nine month trial of the vehicle’s capabilities earlier this year, where it averaged eighteen miles per day and a battery consumption of 25% of full charge per day during the course of its operations in North-West, East and Central London.

10/11/2008 | 571 Hits | Print | Email

3. France to Invest Euro 400 Million for Low-Carbon Vehicles

The French President has announced support worth €400 million ($550m) over four years for the development and construction of low-carbon vehicles. 

Speaking at the Paris Motor Show, Nicolas Sarkozy said the money is intended "exclusively for the research and development of non-polluting vehicles, that is vehicles with the least possible emission of carbon dioxide, whether electric cars or hybrids."

09/11/2008 | 439 Hits | Print | Email

4. Tesla Receives $40 Million Financing Commitment

The board of directors of Tesla Motors has approved $40 million in convertible debt financing, based on commitments from almost all current major investors. The round will also be open to smaller current investors.

The financing will be used primarily to accelerate manufacturing of the Tesla Roadster. In addition, the funds will be used to expand Tesla’s electric powertrain supply business and continue future product development.

04/11/2008 | 538 Hits | Print | Email

5. Magna Electronics Acquires BluWav Systems; Expand Electric Propulsion Capabilities

Magna Electronics, an operating unit of Magna International, announced the acquisition of BluWāv Systems, a developer and supplier of electric and energy-management systems for hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and battery electric vehicles.

BluWāv is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and will enhance Magna Electronics’ position in developing and supplying components and systems to the emerging automotive market for electric and hybrid vehicles.

26/10/2008 | 591 Hits | Print | Email

6. LG Chem/CPI to Supply Volt Li-Ion-Batteries?

General Motors has chosen a unit of South Korea's LG Chem to supply lithium-ion batteries for its Chevrolet Volt and is working out the terms of a supply contract expected to be announced in November, two sources briefed on the project said.

Compact Power Inc, a Detroit-area based unit of LG Chem, and a partnership between Germany's Continental AG and U.S.-based A123 Systems have been in the race to supply the electric Volt with battery packs.

23/10/2008 | 859 Hits | Print | Email

7. 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 | 564 Hits | Print | Email

8. Ruf All-Electric Sports Car "eRuf" Powered by UQM

UQM Technologies announced that the recently introduced eRuf all-electric sports car is being powered by a UQM PowerPhase 150 electric propulsion system. 

The eRuf all-electric sports car is being developed by Ruf Automobile, an internationally known manufacturer of high performance automobiles and producer of the renowned CTR-series of sports cars.

22/10/2008 | 819 Hits | Print | Email

9. AC Propulsion and Yulon Group Sign EV Agreement

AC Propulsion has entered into an electric vehicle development agreement with Yulon Group. AC Propulsion designs and manufactures propulsion systems for electric and hybrid automobiles, licenses technology, and sells hardware to automakers worldwide.

Yulon Group, founded 1951 in Taiwan, is a leader in automotive information technology and operates internationally.

19/10/2008 | 631 Hits | Print | Email

10. Altairnano Receives $540,000 Order for HEV Battery Packs

Altair Nanotechnologies, a provider of materials and products for power and energy systems, announced it received an initial $540,000 order for four hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) demonstration battery packs from DesignLine International.

The HEV battery packs will be utilized in buses for three city transit customers, and one HEV battery pack will be used for a modular testing program.

19/10/2008 | 575 Hits | Print | Email