In the USA, Toyota is investing almost 50 million US dollars in a new battery laboratory. This will be built at the research and development headquarters in York Township and will go into operation in 2025.
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The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has approved a contract for the purchase of ten fuel-cell electric buses, made by New Flyer of America.
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Volvo Trucks North America is increasing the number of electric heavy-duty trucks serving its North American assembly plants. Together with four haulage partners, a total of 15 battery-electric Volvo VNR Electric trucks now commute to serve supplier logistics.
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In California, Flixbus has tested America’s first purely battery-powered long-distance bus. The MCI D45 CRTe LE CHARGE from Motor Coach Industries (MCI) completed its first test with a round trip from San Francisco to Sacramento.
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Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced that 34 cleaner energy projects would receive $8.5 million from the state’s share of the Dieselgate settlement with Volkswagen. According to critics, however, much of the money is going to fund new diesel vehicles.
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In Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, USA, Tesla owner and ice-cream parlour drive-in partner, Tony Caciolo, uploaded a photo of his new 50s nostalgia Tesla charger. The combination of old and new immediately become an internet sensation.
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New Flyer is working hard to deliver another 100 hybrid buses for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). It is the third instalment of a five-year contract. Once fulfilled, SEPTA’s fleet will be 95% electrified.
Read more6,000 DC chargers by 2020: As its carmakers get behind the electrification, so is South Korea. The government announced to accelerate the expansion of fast-charging infrastructure and wants to double the number of chargers from 1,500 to 3,000 by 2018. Another increase by 100 percent is planned by 2020 when 6,000 DC charging stations shall feed the country’s EV fleet that is yet to materialise. Currently, the supply of EVs is about 50 percent below demand. Seoul wants to reduce the number of diesel-powered vehicles on the streets by 30 percent over the next five years.
yonhapnews.co.kr
The world’s largest charge park is to emerge in Germany, between Munich and Stuttgart. 144 rapid and fast-charge points will stand at the so-called Sortimo-Innovationspark Zusmarshausen near the A8 motorway by 2018. 24 of the 144 charging ports by eLoaded could be high-power chargers with 350 kW, while the remaining will offer 50 kW. Some of the energy may come from solar panels on the roofs of the buildings that is said to house shops, restaurants, and work stations. The charging stations’ waste heat will be integrated into the park’s thermal management.
electrive.net (in German), inhabitat.com
Munich’s public network of charging stations is growing as the 100th facility has now been erected by the city’s utility SWM and its transit authority MVG. All stations run by the partners supply electricity from renewables only and Munich wants to grow the network to 500 charge points by 2020.
swm.de (in German)
Croatia tops up e-mobility scheme: Another 85m Kuna (11.3m euros) will be made available in Q1 2018 to subsidise electric cars and charging infrastructure. The first 50m Kuna granted through the programme have enabled the purchase of 1,420 plug-in vehicles and Croatia’s network of 200 charging stops. Another 60 along motorways are planned.
total-croatia-news.com
Baby steps: The state of Pennsylvania has started a trial with 25 electric and hybrid vehicles to see the feasibility of fleet electrification. There are 7,580 cars in the state fleet so there is massive potential but the test will run over 42 – 60 months.
pennlive.com
Rebates in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania residents can now receive up to 2,000 dollars in rebates if they choose to purchase an ‘alternative fuel vehicle’. All-electric cars are eligible for the full 2,000 dollars, while hybrids including plug-ins, natural gas, propane or hydrogen-powered cars qualify for a rebate of 1,000 dollars.
prnewswire.com
Chargepoint places: Infrastructure provider Chargepoint partners with retailers and hotels to help them promote exclusive offers for EV drivers on the Chargepoint platform.
chargedevs.com
Thuringia electrified: The eMobilityCity network consisting of 17 companies and universities wants to deploy 300 vehicles, 150 charging points and tangible marketing and sales concepts in Erfurt, Germany. Starting in January, fleet owners are to be targeted with full service packages, including i.e. vehicles and charging station. The initiative hopes for 70 new EVs in Erfurt by September.
jenapolis.de, emobilitycity.de (articles in German)
E-buses for Sardinia: The first of 14 electric trolley buses from Van Hool and Vossloh Kiepe have been delivered to Cagliari’s public transportation services. Four models are equipped with a fully electric powertrain and traction batteries; the other buses feature a diesel generator that is used to produce electricity.
pressebox.de (in German)
Fast charging in New Zealand: Z Energy will install three new fast charging stations in Auckland, two in Wellington and one in Christchurch by the end of February. The stations are supplied by Charge.net.nz and will offer 100 percent renewable energy, at least at night.
stuff.co.nz
Bed & Charge: Tesla together with Select Registry is to expand the EV makers Destination Charger programme. A total of 170 B&B, inns and hotels in 34 states in the US will soon offer the possibility to charge the Model S overnight. 63 charging stops have already been installed with the remainder to follow within the next few months.
wdrb.com
Expo EVs from BMW: BMW Italia has handed over four i3 cars and six C evolution scooters to the Italian State Police. The electric vehicles will be on patrol in Milan for the Expo 2015. Included in the loan during the show are two charging stations.
press.bmwgroup.com
Rebates remain: Pennsylvania will continue its Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Programme. Large-battery vehicles with battery system capacities equal or greater than 10 kWh are eligible for the highest rebate amount of 2,000 dollars. Hybrids with battery capacities less than 10 kWh can get up to 1,000 dollars. Rebates are capped at 250 or will be discussed again at the end of the year.
thestreet.com
Swiss charging standards: EVite, an initiative that strives to make fast charging non-discriminatory throughout Switzerland, has published standards for fee-based fast charging stations. At every EVite station, payment via credit card must be possible, while prices shall be visible at every location.
swiss-emobility.ch (in German)
Luxembourg loves Tesla: Luxembourg has its first Supercharger and the government hopes Tesla will increase its activities as the Deputy Prime Minister suggested the Californians might open a dealership in the small state. By 2020, Luxembourg plans to have 850 public EV charging stations installed.
wort.lu
Battery-swapping for scooters: Gogoro from San Francisco wants to build up a battery-swapping system for electric scooters and is backed with 150 million dollars. At the CES, the start-up presented its electric ‘Smartscooter’ which it hopes to sell especially in Asian cities.
bloomberg.com, forbes.com, businessinsider.com
Robot charging “for realz:” Elon Musk took to Twitter once more to inform the world about Tesla’s planned charging system that in his words “automatically moves out from the wall & connects like a solid metal snake.” That is as much info as you get from 140 characters.
golem.de, engadget.com, twitter.com
Pennsylvania extends subsidies: The state’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate program will be continued until June 30, 2015, or until the 500 vehicle benchmark is reached. EVs with batteries with a capacity of 10 kWh or more can receive 2,000 dollars while PEVs with smaller batteries are eligible for a 1,000-dollar rebate. A 500 dollar rebate is available for electric motorcycles and scooters.
portal.state.pa.us
Chengdu follow-up: After Kandi delivered 1,000 EVs to the leasing company ZuoZhongYou in Chinese Chengdu (we reported), another 4,000 electric cars could follow before the year’s end – given demand grows fast enough.
globenewswire.com
Fresh money for CarCharging: The operator of the Blink charger network has closed an offering and raised net proceeds of up to 6 million dollars with current institutional shareholders. The money will be used to expand the charging network in the U.S. as well as to strengthen the company.
greencarcongress.com, electriccarsreport.com
The ‘MBAs across America’ programme will receive twelve Chevy Volt, all sponsored by GM. The EVs will be driven by MBA students from Babson, Columbia, Harvard, Stanford, Uni. of California Berkeley and Uni. of Michigan. The non-profit organisation will offer free counselling to small businesses in 25 U.S. cities this summer.
electriccarsreport.com
154 Superchargers worldwide: Tesla is widening its network of Superchargers. China now has nine installed in urban hotspots like Shanghai or Beijing. In the U.S., Model S drivers can quick charge at 103 locations while Europe got 42 Superchargers in different countries.
teslamotors.com
EV rebates extended: Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection has prolonged its alternative fuel vehicle rebate programme. The 2,000-dollar incentive will now be granted for 500 additional plug-in hybrids and EVs, or run out at the end of this year.
citizensvoice.com, ngtnews.com
Long-stay chargers: Piedmont Triad International Airport, North Carolina, is ready to install eight charging stations. The EV chargers are set to go into operation by August and will be free of charge though standard parking fees apply. Depending on demand, the airport authority might install more charging stations at a later date.
coastalnc.twcnews.com, journalnow.com
EV encouragement: Wright State University is setting up four charging stations at their campus. The installation has been initiated by a retired professor of automotive technology who donated 10,000 dollars while the rest of the cost is being shouldered by Dayton Power and Light.
fairborndailyherald.com
Californian funding: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) just approved a 222-million dollar electric mobility funding plan for 2014 and 2015. 116 million dollars are reserved for EV incentives. The scheme will now support fuel-cell vehicles with up to 5,000 dollars each.
greencarcongress.com, arb.ca.gov
All on one card: In the German region of Hanover, Volkswagen started testing its own mobility card with 50 participants. The card allows EV drivers to reserve and pay selected charging stations and parking lots. Furthermore, VW’s carsharing ‘Quicar’ as well as public transport services are said to be integrated. The card works in combination with an app that allows EV drivers to prolong parking time via their smartphone.
car-it.com (in German)
Five-Tesla-stores bill: Pennsylvania’s senate unanimously voted for a bill that will allow Tesla to operate up to five stores in the state. Tesla said it is pleased with the compromise as it “serves the interests of Pennsylvania’s consumers” while cutting “potentially protracted conflict” short.
green.autoblog.com
Brazil Post to test electric vans: The postal service of the football nation just took delivery of two Renault Kangoo Z.E. In a trial, one van will serve in Brasilia while the other will deliver parcels electrically in the metropolitan region of Curitiba. The four-month trial could be prolonged up to one year.
postandparcel.info
Tesla roll-out in China: Finally, the first Model S have been handed over to Chinese customers. 5,000 more orders remain to be fulfilled. Meanwhile, the Chinese Hanergy Solar Group has installed the first two Superchargers for Tesla. One solar carport stands in Beijing, the other one in Shanghai.
gasgoo.com (Model S delivery), electriccarsreport.com (Supercharger), youtube.com (Video)
California tops up: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) decided to expand its funding of electric cars and plug-in hybrids. The five million dollars currently reserved for the waiting list will be topped up by another 25 million. Since the start of the programme in 2010, CARB spent about 100 million dollars.
arb.ca.gov via greencarcongress.com
New chargers in Pennsylvania: The Car Charging Group has installed two new public chargers. The Blink stations are located at the Bowmansville and King of Prussia service plazas along the Pennsylvania Turnpike where a total of 17 chargers are set to be installed eventually.
chargedevs.com
Fast chargers for Canada: Sun Country Highway (SCH) has announced a new partnership with ABB. The Canadian charging infrastructure provider will integrate 20 or more of ABB’s DC quick chargers into its network. The 400 V stations come with dual port and thus support CHAdeMO and SAE Combo systems.
chargedevs.com, us7.campaign-archive1.com
Smarter grid for London: UK Power Networks is working with POD Point, Smarter Grid Solutions and Imperial College London on a five month trial affecting 65 public charging points across the city. Their aim is to explore how a new software could help to manage energy demand of EVs and avoid pressure on the grid at peak times.
businessgreen.com
Alternative fuel vehicle grant: The U.S. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) plans to offer 8 million dollars to businesses and various public entities in Pennsylvania. The grants can be used to buy or convert vehicles, choosing electric or other alternative fuel vehicles of any size.
automotive-business-review.com
E-buses for Tennessee: Proterra says it has sold seven battery-electric buses and one electric charging station to the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (Nashville MTA). The buses will be delivered to Nashville later this year and are set to run around the “Music-Circuit” serving entertainment venues of the town for free.
greencarcongress.com, puregreencars.com
