Fisker Inc.

Fisker concludes Karma investigation

Fisker has completed a detailed investigation into the roadside fire involving a Fisker Karma sedan on August 10 in California.

Lithium-ion battery not blamed for Fisker Karma fire

Fisker engineers, working with independent investigators from Pacific Rim Investigative Group, have begun preliminary examination and testing on the Karma electric car involved in a fire in Woodside, California last week.

A123 goes niche too late?

Following a redundancy, rehiring and large quality recall, struggling lithium-ion traction battery maker A123 Systems is trying some niche marketing now that most of the orders for the world's hybrid and pure electric car batteries over the next three years have been cornered by the big four - LGChem, Panasonic inc Sanyo, AESC and SBLimotive as analysed in detail by the Institute of Information Technology of Japan.

Fisker fights back

Fisker has greatly delayed the launch of its hybrid sports car and its battery supplier A123 Systems has had quality problems necessitating an expensive recall. There has therefore been speculation in the investment community as to whether either would be long in this world.

Fisker Automotive unveils the all-new Fisker Atlantic in New York

Atlantic design prototype confirms Fisker Automotive's bold future direction. Uncompromised styling reinforcing commitment to exquisite design. Four-door sporting sedan with a luxurious and practical interior. Driven by Fisker's advanced EVer powertrain technology: electric car with extended-range freedom. Rear-wheel drive with all-wheel drive option

Latest EV trends and dead ends

Europe's largest electric vehicle show eCarTec, that has just taken place in Munich Germany, was an excellent place to see the latest trends and dead ends in electric vehicles.

Electromobility has a new key enabling technology

Foreign manufacturers of electric cars in China can own only minority shares and they must surrender intellectual property on at least one of what the government considers to be the three key enabling technologies for e-mobility. These are batteries, motors and control electronics. In exchange, foreigners gain access to a market they hope will be large enough to create cash flow that can be repatriated if the dominant partner approves.

Intense interest in energy harvesting for electric vehicles

Two forthcoming events in Germany reflect the intense interest in energy harvesting for electric vehicles. Energy Harvesting Europe 21-22 June covers many forms of harvesting for other applications as well and drills into the technology, investment and other aspects of harvesting in general. On the other hand Electric Vehicles Land Sea Air in Stuttgart 28-29 June is entirely vehicle oriented.

Comprehensive line-up for Electric Vehicles Land, Sea & Air

Analysts IDTechEx have added a number of carefully chosen best-in-class speakers to the lineup for their unique event that covers the whole subject for the first time. There are six on-road vehicle manufacturers plus two companies involved in off-road electric vehicles. Six organisations describe electric aircraft work and four speakers cover their inland and seagoing electric boats.

Heavy VC Funding of EVs

A new analysis by Ernst & Young reveals where US venture capital for green projects is now being directed. In the first quarter of this year, venture capital investment into clean technology companies by US firms has increased by about two-thirds since the economic dip of early 2009.

More on 2nd vs 3rd Generation Range Extenders

There is no doubt that hybrid electric vehicles by land sea and air are transitioning from having small traction batteries and near useless all electric range of about 15 miles to something nearer to market needs. In prospect is all-electric plug-in range as good or better than today's affordable pure electric land, sea and air vehicles at 100 miles or so (162 km) and use of on-board range extenders that give a total plug-in powered plus on-board energy range that even exceeds that of most of today's conventional vehicles.

Intense interest in energy harvesting for electric vehicles

Two forthcoming events in Germany reflect the intense interest in energy harvesting for electric vehicles.

Heavy funding of photovoltaics and EVs

A new analysis by Ernst & Young reveals where US venture capital for green projects is now being directed.

In-wheel electric motors gain market share

In-wheel motors were popular in cars over 100 years ago because they did not intrude into passenger space. An example is shown below. However, they were expensive and they adversely affected the ride and steering. One motor seizing could sometimes lock a wheel.

CODA secures a $76m investment towards its first all-electric vehicle

Electric vehicle and advanced lithium-ion battery developer CODA has raised $76m in the initial closing of an investment round led by Harbinger Capital Partners and Riverstone Holdings.

Fisker Auto & China Grand Auto Group to bring premium EVs to China

Fisker Automotive, the California manufacturer of premium electric vehicles with extended range, has partnered with the China Grand Automotive Group, the number one passenger car trader in China, to have its vehicles distributed, marketed and serviced in the region.

All charged up

Ability to recharge rapidly could make electric cars more acceptable to consumers, says MIT student team.

Department of Energy announces closing of $529 million loan to Fisker

Manufacturing at shuttered Delaware GM plant expected to create over 2,000 jobs

Electric cars - learning from the past

In 1880, they said that the future of the car was electric. In April 2010, Bill Ford of Ford Motor Company said "It appears that the biggest game-changer will be electric vehicles."

Strong backing for Coda

US start up Coda's first car, is based on a Chinese-made Hafei Saibao sedan and it will be "less than $35,000, after tax credits".