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Steve Heckeroth's concern about the increasing cost and pollution caused by combustion vehicles dates back to the first Earth Day in 1970 when he fully understood the folly of fueling our entire economy from finite energy resources.
In 1990 encouraged by the California Zero Emission Program he started building electric vehicles. At the time lead acid batteries were the only cost effective way to store energy the energy needed to power electric vehicles. The weight of lead acid batteries was a very limiting factor in the range and function of electric cars. However because battery weight could be used to enhance traction in tractors Heckeroth focused his efforts on the production of small farm electric tractors.
Over the last 20 years he has built prototypes for Ford/New Holland, Agricultural Colleges, and other companies in Holland, Japan, India and Brazil. He currently uses 6 electric tractor prototypes on his homestead in Northern California and is consulting with major tractor manufactures.
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2011
26 Dec 2011
Industrial e-concept vehicles from Nissan
From July 2011, Nissan began efforts to widen the EV range into the LCV sector, with the launch of global proving tests for the NV200 based EV.23 Dec 2011
Electric car unplugged - Daimler to test inductive charging
Charging electric cars without an electric cable - how does that work? Daimler AG is about to test inductive charging for the first time on a vehicle in everyday use in the form of a technically modified Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-CELL.22 Dec 2011
DOE awards over $7 million to advance hydrogen storage technologies
Energy department awards more than $7 mllion for inovative hydrogen storage technologies in fuel cell electric vehicles.21 Dec 2011
Valeo acquires electric supercharger technology
As part of its strategy of developing solutions to reduce CO2 emissions, Valeo has acquired the Variable Torque Enhancement System (VTES) business of British automotive technology development company Controlled Power Technologies (CPT).20 Dec 2011
Charging infrastructure for EVs - Bosch and Mennekes sign agreement
Bosch Software Innovations GmbH and Mennekes Elektrotechnik GmbH & Co KG have signed an agreement sealing their cooperation on charging infrastructure systems for electric and hybrid vehicles.19 Dec 2011
U.S. Marines add all-electric trucks to fleet
The United States Marine Corps recently purchased two all-electric Smith Newton trucks, the first military organization to order Smith Newtons off the Government Services Administration Coast training facility, and home of the First Marine Expeditionary Force.16 Dec 2011
Distinguishing good from bad Li-ion battery suppliers
It is now urgent for the good manufacturers of lithium-ion traction batteries and their systems in electric vehicles to be distinguished from those encountering problems.15 Dec 2011
Charging emphasis turns more to contactless
It always was strange that nearly all of the focus for charging on-road and off-road vehicles has been on the awkward concept of a plug when we all have contactless electric toothbrushes and widespread contactless charging of laptops and mobile phones is being planned under global standards.14 Dec 2011
BAE Systems delivers hydrogen fuel cell bus for Sunline Transit
BAE Systems has delivered a zero-emissions bus for SunLine Transit, a Southern California regional transit agency, this week.13 Dec 2011
Plug Power announces JV to meet growing fuel cell demand
Plug Power Inc. recently announced its intent to join forces with Axane, an Air Liquide subsidiary, to create a joint venture in order to meet growing demand for GenDrive® fuel cell products across the European material handling market.12 Dec 2011
A*STAR's experimental power grid centre
The Experimental Power Grid Centre (EPGC), one of the largest experimental power grid facilities in the world was officially opened in Singapore last month, by Mr. S. Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry.9 Dec 2011
Nanoparticle electrode for batteries
Stanford researchers have used nanoparticles of a copper compound to develop a high-power battery electrode.8 Dec 2011
Elaphe seek partners for in-wheel motors
Elaphe is a startup in Slovenia that has just demonstrated axial flux, permanent magnet synchronous traction motors of unusually high power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratio.7 Dec 2011
Energy harvesting for vehicles
Energy harvesting comes to the fore with electric vehicles because the price they pay for being environmental and exhibiting many performance advantages is that they have limited energy available.6 Dec 2011
Transportable, autonomous EV charging stations
There are many reasons for creating an electric vehicle charging station based on a large battery. For example, Green Charge Networks in the USA (Prosser and ConEdison) finds that a remarkable 7-12% of installations there need local grid upgrade so they have developed a transportable, dedicated substation for this purpose which contains a 26 kWh lithium-ion battery roughly equivalent to that in a Nissan Leaf, and appropriate contacted outlets, including for Level 3 fastest charging.5 Dec 2011
Chevy Volt battery under investigation after fire
The Chevrolet Volt, a hybrid electric vehicle manufactured by General Motors is under investigation due to battery concerns in recent tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).2 Dec 2011
Electric charging points at Waddesdon Manor
Waddesdon Manor has installed one of the most advanced electric vehicle (EV) charging points available in their main car park, allowing those visiting the site by EV to replenish their batteries free of charge.1 Dec 2011
Nanoparticle electrode for batteries
Nanoparticle electrode for batteries could make large-scale power storage on the energy grid feasible, say Stanford researchers30 Nov 2011
Wireless electric trams begin full operations
Three wireless electric trams have replaced the old diesel-powered carts used by passengers for transportation within the Seoul Grand Park, an amusement park located south of Seoul.29 Nov 2011
Low-cost charging in under 30 minutes
Nissan North America will bring an innovative, low-cost DC quick charger for electric cars to the U.S. market. The DC quick charger is being launched as part of a global collaboration with Sumitomo Corporation, with the first installations planned for early 2012.