1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Tesla Selects BorgWarner for Production of New Gearbox; 27 Roadsters Completed

Tesla Motors has selected BorgWarner for the production of a single-speed gearbox for the Tesla Roadster and is initiating a ramped-up production rate. So far, 27 customers have taken delivery of Roadsters.

Tesla engineers developed the specifications for the new gearbox and provided them to BorgWarner. The new gearbox is an integral part of an enhanced powertrain with significant performance and efficiency improvements. The new powertrain delivers about 30% higher motor torque on a single gear ratio, and it achieves a 10% higher EPA combined range.

10/09/2008 | 1006 Hits | Print | Email

5. Plans for XR3 Plug-In Hybrid Kit Car Released

Robert Q. Riley Enterprises announced the release of construction plans for anyone who wants to build its XR3, a two-passenger, plug-in hybrid that can travel up to 225 miles per gallon.

The three-wheel sports car’s modular design can be outfitted with different power trains to create a 125-mpg, diesel-only vehicle; a 100-mile-range, battery-only vehicle; or a hybrid for increased performance and fuel versatility.

12/08/2008 | 1424 Hits | Print | Email

6. Nissan Previews New Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

Nissan today unveiled all-electric and original hybrid electric prototype vehicles, both powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries.

Under the Nissan GT 2012 business plan, the company has committed to zero-emission vehicle leadership, and has announced plans to introduce an all-electric vehicle in 2010 and mass market globally in 2012.

06/08/2008 | 1177 Hits | Print | Email

7. Nissan Doubles Power Density of New Fuel Cell Stack

Nissan has developed a new fuel cell stack with double the power density of the previous generation stack. The new fuel cell stack also achieves a 35% cost reduction mainly due to half the use of platinum, a key material used in the production of fuel cell stacks.

Test fleets incorporating the improved fuel cell stacks will be operational by the end of this year.

06/08/2008 | 828 Hits | Print | Email

8. Toyota Develops Electric Personal Transporter "Winglet" (updated with Video)

Toyota announced development of the "Winglet", a electric personal transport assistance robot ridden in a standing position.

The Winglet - still being refined - is one of Toyota's people-assisting Partner Robots. It is a compact next-generation everyday transport tool that offers advanced ease of use and expands the user's range of mobility.

03/08/2008 | 1123 Hits | Print | Email

9. Never Mind the Concepts; Here’s the All-Electric Ze-0

Affordable, practical, with low running costs and zero emissions. Nice Car Company presents the first image of the all-new Ze-0. Making its global debut at the British Motor Show this week, this MPV is the first all-electric car vailable within a family budget.

It makes no compromise on specification or styling and, perhaps best of all, it costs from as little as £13,995. “All-electric sports car prototypes are eye-catching and interesting,” said Julian Wilford, co-founder Nice Car Company. “However, we all know customers want ractical electric cars and they want them sooner rather than later.

27/07/2008 | 1528 Hits | Print | Email

10. Jaguar Land Rover Will Use Flywheel Hybrid Technology in Road Cars

New flywheel hybrid technology is being developed for applications in road cars by a group of leading British companies. The project, funded by the Technology Strategy Board, is being led by Jaguar Land Rover and managed by Prodrive with advanced technology from Flybrid, Torotrak, Xtrac and Ford. 

Ricardo is examining alternative flywheel concepts in parallel with this project. During the two year programme, the group will develop the new technology and build a demonstrator vehicle equipped with the system.

06/07/2008 | 1032 Hits | Print | Email