New Energy World Network (NewNet) » plug-in hybrid

Chevy Volt gets independent certification for charging equipment

New Energy World Network — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:19:30 +0000

The technology used in Chevrolet’s Volt electric vehicle has been certified as safe by testing and inspection service provider Intertek.

The plug-in hybrid vehicle is produced by Detroit-based auto giant General Motors (GM) and has just hit showrooms in selected areas of the US.

‘Product safety organisations have key responsibilities to consumers and manufacturers: to independently evaluate product-safety compliance, and work with commercial customers to meet time-to-market schedules for these high-demand products,’ said Gregg Tiemann, CEO of Intertek’s commercial and electrical division.

Car-makers are trying to bring new electric cars and supporting technologies to market as quickly as possible. This requires well organised testing and certification efforts as product safety approvals can lead to costly delays in product and component launches.

GM has been an enthusiastic participant in the race to create electric vehicles, but remains committed to hybrid technology, believing battery technology is not yet sufficiently advanced for pure electric vehicles.

The company coined the term ‘range anxiety’ in a war of words against purely electric rival Tesla.

Fisker Automotive secures additional funding for plug-in hybrids

natalie — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:08:24 +0000

New American car maker Fisker Automotive has secured access to an additional $115.3m in private equity funding to develop plug-in hybrid car, at a time when capital is scarce, the auto industry is struggling and the global economy is just beginning to rebound.

The company said the funding is necessary for Fisker Automotive to access a $528.7m US Department of Energy conditional loan that it said will, in part, help speed completion of the Fisker Karma, the company’s first plug-in hybrid.

‘Raising $115m in these times speaks volumes about the value of our business model and the vast potential of plug-in hybrids,’ said Henrik Fisker, CEO.

Starting at $87,900, the company said the Fisker Karma paves the way for development of lower-cost plug-in hybrid technology for a second, family-oriented car code named Project NINA, which the company expects to build in Wilmington, Delaware at a former General Motors assembly plant starting in 2012.

Hybrid car manufacturer Fisker Automotive wins US Department of Energy loan

natalie — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:22:59 +0000

The DOE has awarded funds to California-based hybrid-car manufacturer, Fisker Automotive to develop affordable plug-in hybrids made in the US.The DOE believes this will save an estimated 821 million gallons of gasoline along with a CO2 offset of 8 million tonnes from sales of the company’s plug-in hybrids through 2016 based on SAE J2841 Electrical Usage Statistics.

The funds are part of the US Department of Energy’s $25bn Advanced Technologies Vehicle Manufacturing Loan Programme, created by Congress in November 2008 to help promote the development of energy-efficient, advanced-technology vehicles.

A majority of the low-interest funds will go toward Project NINA, which will see the design, engineering and assembly of Fisker’s next-generation plug-in hybrids. The remainder will help finalise development of the Fisker Karma, which will enable the company to develop similar lower cost models.

By 2012 Fisker is expected to launch a family oriented, user-friendly plug-in hybrid featuring cutting edge technology with a significant per centage to be exported, helping to balance the US trade deficit, a statement said.

‘This conditional loan represents a significant step in America’s future,’ said auto designer and CEO, Henrik Fisker. ‘With it Fisker Automotive can rapidly develop affordable clean cars that satisfy our passion for driving and help restore the US as an auto industry leader.’

Fisker Automotive which was founded in 2007 by Henrik Fisker and COO, Bernhard Koehler, is a privately owned, premium American car company with its global headquarters in Irvine, California, USA.

Coulomb Technologies installs 140 charging networks in past year

Ben Samuel — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:11:19 +0000

Since it launched the ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations for electric vehicles a year ago, Coulomb Technologies has managed to complete 140 worldwide installations and has distributors spanning all 50 states in the US.

Coulomb’s charging network is open to all drivers of plug-in vehicles and the ChargePoint Network has the ability to individually control each charging station in real time. The past year has also seen the company establish European headquarters and developed technology partnerships for solar and smart grid integration.

‘In the past year, Coulomb has been traveling emission-free at warp speed,’ said Richard Lowenthal CEO of Coulomb Technologies. ‘Coulomb has installed infrastructure worldwide through a distribution network available in all 50 states and in much of Europe through our partner company, 365 Energy. While sales are booming, we are excited about our new initiatives, and important new services for the benefit of drivers, station owners and utilities.’

Coulomb is currently in the process of developing a networked charging station for the home which will support all plug-in electric vehicles.

A belgian university recently installed the company’s charging stations.

Coulomb Technologies installs 16 charging stations for electric vehicles in Oregon

Ben Samuel — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:14:14 +0000

Coulomb Technologies, a charging station infrastructure company, said the City of Hillsboro in Oregon would deploy the company’s ChargePoint Networked charging stations for plug-in and electric vehicles.

The city will install 16 charging stations as part of its sustainability and green movement.

‘Our city is progressive and aggressive in implementing sustainable solutions to environmental and economic challenges,’ said David Robinson, director of Facilities and Fleet, City of Hillsboro. ‘We have a large forward-thinking population ready to embrace electric vehicle technology and the City is committed to providing the facilities to meet the public’s demand. We selected Coulomb’s charging stations because of the integrated advanced technology features; Coulomb is the only company we have found that has examined every facet of EV charging technology and developed the comprehensive solution.’

Coulomb Technologies has developed the charging stations for municipalities, utilities, green office buildings and parking garages.