Electric vehicles

The Solar Impulse HB-SIA solar-powered aeroplane has successfully completed its first flight taking off from Payerne, Switzerland, according to reports. With a 63 metre wingspan covered with solar cells, the solar powered plane completed its maiden voyage successfully.

Lightweight batteries that can deliver lots of energy are crucial for improving the range of electric cars.

The Solar Impulse is a revolutionary concept that will push back the limits of our knowledge in the field of materials, energy management and the man-machine interface. It is an aircraft with an inordinate wingspan for its weight and of an aerodynamic quality that to this day has not been equaled, capable of tremendous resistance, despite its light weight.

Researchers at the University of Central Florida's (UCF) Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center has verified findings by Planar Energy that the company said could lead to cost and performance improvements in large format batteries required for practical electric vehicles.

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota), Nissan Motor Company (Nissan), Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (Mitsubishi Motors), Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (Fuji Heavy Industries), and The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. (TEPCO), have formally established "CHAdeMO Association" under the resolution of its general assembly held today. The five companies above have become its executive members.

Hyundai has unveiled a gas-electric hybrid version of its popular Sonata midsize sedan at the New York International Auto

Ford and Microsoft announce a new solution that will make electric vehicle ownership easier and more affordable. Ford Motor Co. and Microsoft Corp. are leading the way toward a more energy-efficient future with a new solution that will make electric vehicle ownership easier and more affordable for consumers.

MEAs signed with major international companies in the battery and automotive sectors

SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. has announced that it has completed installation of two "Solar Parking Lots," incorporating solar panels and lithium-ion battery systems, and provision of 100 electric hybrid bicycles, "eneloop bike," in Setagaya, Tokyo Japan. The "Solar Parking Lot" is a completely independent and clean system eliminating the use of fossil fuels, and the clean power generated from the solar panels installed on the roof is stored to be used to recharge the electric hybrid bicycle batteries and illuminate the parking lot lights.

ECOtality Finalizes $15 Million Joint Ventures to Manufacture & Sell Charging Systems in China

Toyota Industries has proposed the1.9kW Pure Electric Vehicle (PEV) and Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) charging station shown below.

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., has announced the Nissan LEAF will be manufactured at its plant in Sunderland, UK.

GE and Juice Technologies are jointly developing intelligent plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging devices for the U.S. and global markets. The chargers integrate GE's smart meters with Juice Technology's Plug Smart engine to help consumers charge their cars during low-demand, lower cost time periods

LEAF is Nissan's C-segment family car offering all the space and practical benefits of any of its conventional rivals... but with one notable difference. It is a pure Electric Vehicle (EV), promising zero tailpipe emissions and low running costs. LEAF is the first purpose-designed mass-produced EV from any major motor manufacturer and is just the first in a range of EVs due from the company and from Nissan's Alliance partner Renault.

Researchers at the University of Central Florida's (UCF) Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center (AMPAC)) have independently verified findings by Planar Energy that could lead to substantial cost and performance improvements in large format batteries required for practical electric vehicles.

The conference of about 40 people "Lithium Battery Technology and System Development" in London 9 March 2010 was concerned with "breaking barriers for electric vehicles".

Think of it as the end of cars' slacker days: No more sitting idle for hours in parking lots or garages racking up payments, but instead earning their keep by helping store power for the electricity grid.

Energy harvesting is the use of ambient energy to create electricity for small or mobile equipment and it started with such things as the bicycle dynamo and the piezoelectric gas lighter.

The Western media debate at length the transformation of the Western automotive industry. However, the real battle of the titans is taking place in East Asia. It concerns electric vehicles, both hybrid and pure electric, and a much bigger picture, because these manufacturers ...

City steps up plans to roll out 200,000 electric vehicles by 2040