Northeast Utilities Launches Electric Vehicle Charging Station Project

Northeast Utilities to Launch Research Project Involving Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - Courant.com div.article div.byline p.date { font-weight: normal !important; font-style: normal !important;}div#promoheader h2.title, div.featurePromo h2.title, div.featurePromo div.featurePromoTitle h2.title, div.featurePromo div.featurePromoTitle h2.title a { color: #FFFFFF !important; background-image: url(/images/blue_nav.png) !important;}div#container div#branding div#masthead { background-repeat: no-repeat !important;} Classified Jobs Cars Rentals Homes Obituaries Advertise E-Courant Home Delivery ?

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 Get Business Mobile Text Alerts: Text BIZ To 37798 Tweet(1) Topics Hybrid Vehicles Business Northeast Utilities See more topics ? X Stamford West Hartford Torrington Westport By JANICE PODSADA, jpodsada@courant.com The Hartford Courant 7:20 p.m. EDT, May 3, 2011

hc-electric-vehicle-charging-stations20110503

Northeast Utilities said Tuesday it is launching a research project to determine how plug-in electric vehicles would impact the electric grid in Connecticut.

"By year end, we expect to have a network of more than 30 charging stations in place and generating detailed meter data," said Watson Collins, electric vehicle project manager for NU. "We'll have a robust picture of away-from-home charging levels, to study along with home-based use as more EV [electric vehicle] drivers recharge overnight."

About 20 towns and businesses served by Connecticut Light & Power, which is owned by NU, are expected to participate in the project. Among the businesses and municipalities that have already signed on to install EV charging stations are UBS in Stamford and the towns of Torrington, Westport and Mansfield. West Hartford is expected to join the project shortly. Currently, there are about 70 electric vehicles registered in the state.

"By gathering information from municipal and business customers, we can gain tangible experience to help guide future decisions about our infrastructure, our policies and how we will ultimately serve all of our customers as EVs become more common," said Jeff Butler, CL&P's president and chief operating officer.

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"It's all about understanding how EV recharging impacts the electric utility system under a variety of conditions," Collins added.

NU already has installed charging stations at company offices in Berlin and Hartford. For more information, go to http://www.plugmyride.org.

Reportlinker Adds Electric Vehicle Traction Batteries 2011-2021

Press Release Source: Reportlinker On Thursday April 28, 2011, 7:05 am EDT

NEW YORK, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Electric Vehicle Traction Batteries 2011-2021

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0265732/Electric-Vehicle-Traction-Batteries-2011-2021.html

sectors using and likely to use traction batteries. There are chapters on heavy industrial, light industrial/commercial, mobility for the disabled, two wheel and allied, pure electric cars, hybrid cars, golf cars, military, marine and other. The profusion of pictures, diagrams and tables pulls the subject together to give an independent view of the future ten years. Unit sales, unit prices and total market value are forecast for each sector for 2011-2021. The replacement market is quantified and ten year technology trends by sector are in there too, with a view on winning and losing technologies and companies. This is the essential reference book for those who are anywhere in the hybrid and pure electric vehicle value chain. Those making materials, cells, battery sets or vehicles, researchers, legislators and market analysts will find it invaluable.

The whole picture

With vehicle traction batteries it is important to look at the whole picture and this report does it for the first time. The rapidly growing market for traction batteries will exceed $55 billion in only ten years. However that spans battery sets up to $500,000 each with great sophistication needed for military, marine and solar aircraft use. Huge numbers of low cost batteries are being used for e-bikes but even here several new technologies are appearing. The largest replacement market is for e-bikes today and the value market for replacement batteries will not be dominated by cars when these batteries last the life of the car - something likely to happen within ten years. The trends are therefore complex and that is why IDTechEx has analysed them with great care.

Vehicle manufacturers are often employing new battery technology first in their forklifts or e-bikes, not cars, yet there is huge progress with car batteries as well - indeed oversupply is probable in this sector at some stage. The mix is changing too. The second largest volume of electric vehicles being made in 2010 is mobility aids for the disabled but in ten years time it will be hybrid cars. The market for car traction batteries will be larger than the others but there will only be room for six or so winners in car batteries and other suppliers and users will need to dominate their own niches to achieve enduring growth and profits. Strategy must be decided now.

In this report, researched in 2010 and frequently updated, we analyse the successes, the needs, the statistics and the market potential for traction batteries for all the major applications. This has never been done before. It is important to look at the whole picture because traction battery manufacturers typically sell horizontally across many applications and electric vehicle manufacturers increasingly make versions for many applications - heavy industrial, on road, leisure and so on. Indeed, the smarter putative suppliers will choose the sectors that best leverage their strengths rather than join the herd and be obliterated by corporations of up to $100 billion in size enjoying prodigious government support.

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

1.1. Market 2011-2021

1.2. Replacement business

1.3. Price war

1.4. Massive investments

1.5. Largest sectors

1.6. Market for EV components

1.7. Who is winning in lithium-ion traction batteries - and why

1.7.1. The needs have radically changed

1.7.2. It started with cobalt

1.7.3. Great variety of recipes

1.7.4. Other factors

1.7.5. Check with reality

1.7.6. Lithium winners today and soon

1.7.7. Reasons for winning

1.7.8. Winner will be Toyota?

1.7.9. Lithium polymer electrolyte now important

1.7.10. Genuinely Solid State Traction Batteries

1.7.11. Winning chemistry

1.7.12. Titanate establishes a place

1.7.13. Laminar structure

1.7.14. Niche winners

1.7.15. Fluid situation

2. INTRODUCTION

2.1. Definitions, scope, history

2.2. The EV value chain

2.3. Pure electric vs hybrid vehicles

2.4. Battery cells, modules, packs

2.5. Construction of battery packs

2.5.1. Changing factors

2.5.2. NiMH vs lithium

2.5.3. Replacement traction battery pack market 2011-2021

2.5.4. Plug in hybrids take over from mild hybrids

2.6. Pure electric and hybrid converge

2.6.1. Two options converge

2.7. Fuel cells

2.8. The ideal car traction battery pack

2.9. Traction batteries today

2.10. First generation lithium traction batteries

2.11. Second generation lithium traction batteries

2.12. The future

2.12.1. Third generation lithium traction batteries

2.12.2. Trends in energy storage vs battery pack voltage

2.12.3. Companies wishing to make the new batteries

2.13. How to improve lithium traction batteries

2.13.1. Basic needs

2.13.2. Life

2.13.3. Safety

2.14. USA and Europe play catch up

2.15. Technological leapfrog

2.16. Academic research and small companies

2.17. Industrial leverage

2.17.1. Major funding can have strange impacts

2.17.2. Rapid profits for some

2.17.3. Impediments

2.18. Benefits of EVs

2.19. Traction battery design considerations

2.20. Future evolution of hybrids and pure electric cars

2.20.1. Specification changes

2.20.2. Move to high voltage

2.20.3. Battery performance over time - battery life

2.20.4. Battery state of charge

2.20.5. Depth of discharge affects life

2.20.6. Capacity rating

2.20.7. Daily depth of discharge

2.20.8. Charging and discharging rates

2.21. Requirements - hybrids vs pure electric

2.21.1. Plug in requirements align with pure electric cars

2.21.2. Hybrids need power and pure electrics need capacity - for now

2.21.3. Parallel hybrids differ

2.21.4. Plug in hybrids try to be the best of both worlds

2.21.5. Watt hours per mile

2.21.6. Charging rates

2.21.7. Custom packaging

2.22. Fast charging batteries and infrastructure

3. PROGRESS WITH NEW GENERATION LITHIUM TRACTION BATTERIES

3.1. Introduction

3.2. Lithium manganese

3.3. Lithium iron phosphate

3.4. Lithium air and lithium metal

3.5. Lithium sulfur

3.5.1. Other challenges

4. HEAVY INDUSTRIAL EVS

4.1. Examples of battery suppliers to this sector

4.1.1. GE USA

4.1.2. East Penn Manufacturing Corporation USA

4.1.3. Furukawa Battery Japan

4.1.4. Nissan lithium forklift Japan

4.1.5. Balqon lithium heavy duty vehicles USA

4.2. Listing of manufacturers

4.3. Market size

4.4. Heavy industrial traction battery market forecasts 2011 to 2021

5. LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL EVS

5.1.1. Sub categories

5.1.2. Buses

5.2. Examples of battery suppliers to this sector

5.2.1. A123 Systems

5.2.2. Axeon UK

5.2.3. Eaton Corporation USA

5.2.4. KD Advanced Battery Group Dow USA Kokam Korea

5.2.5. Lithium Technology Corporation/GAIA USA

5.2.6. MAGNA STEYR AG & Co KG Austria

5.2.7. Valence Technologies USA

5.2.8. Lishen Power Battery China

5.3. Market drivers

5.3.1. Governments get involved

5.4. Importance of batteries and power trains

5.4.1. Freightliner and Enova

5.4.2. China Vehicles Company

5.4.3. Ford Transit

5.5. EVs for local services

5.6. Airport EVs

5.7. Small people-movers

5.8. Light industrial aids

5.8.1. Heavy duty on-road trucks become hybrids

5.9. Listing of manufacturers

5.10. Light industrial / commercial traction battery market forecasts 2011-2021

6. MOBILITY FOR THE DISABLED

6.1. Examples of battery suppliers to this sector

6.2. The sector with the most compelling and enduring need

6.3. Laws make mobility easier

6.4. Interchina Industry Group China

6.5. Market drivers

6.5.1. Geographical distribution

6.5.2. Zhejiang R&P Industry China

6.6. Listing of manufacturers

6.7. Mobility aid traction battery market forecasts 2011 to 2021

6.7.1. Growth by creating new markets

7. TWO WHEELED EVS AND ALLIED VEHICLES

7.1. Examples of battery suppliers to this sector

7.1.1. PowerGenix USA

7.1.2. ReVolt Technologies Ltd Switzerland

7.1.3. Toshiba Japan

7.1.4. Advanced Battery Technologies (ABAT) China

7.2. Batteries and specifications for two wheelers

7.2.1. Electric two wheelers prices and performance

7.2.2. Yamaha lithium Japan

7.2.3. Eko Vehicles lead acid scooters India

7.2.4. Honda lithium motorcycle Japan

7.2.5. Peugeot lithium scooter France

7.3. Hybrid motorcycles

7.3.1. YikeBike lithium New Zealand

7.4. The big winners in western markets

7.5. Listing of manufacturers

7.5.1. 70 examples of manufacturers

7.5.2. China

7.6. Two wheeled and allied traction battery market forecasts 2011 to 2021

8. GOLF EVS

8.1. Examples of battery suppliers to this sector

8.1.1. Change of leader? Ingersoll Rand and Textron USA

8.1.2. Suzhou Eagle and many others in China

8.2. Listing of manufacturers

8.3. Golf car and caddy traction battery market forecasts 2011 to 2021

9. CARS

9.1. Examples of battery suppliers to this sector

9.1.1. Automotive Energy Supply Japan

9.1.2. Panasonic EV Energy, Sanyo Japan

9.1.3. Blue Energy, Lithium Energy Japan - GS Yuasa Japan with Honda, Mitsubishi

9.1.4. Bollore France

9.1.5. Boston Power

9.1.6. BYD China

9.1.7. China BAK in China

9.1.8. Coda Battery Systems, Yardney USA, Tianjin Lishen China

9.1.9. Continental Germany and ENAX Japan

9.1.10. Ener 1/ Enerdel

9.1.11. Envia Systems USA

9.1.12. Hitachi Japan

9.1.13. IBM and National laboratories USA

9.1.14. Inci Holding Turkey

9.1.15. LG Chem Korea with Compact Power

9.1.16. LiFeBATT Taiwan

9.1.17. Li-Tec Evonik Industries Germany and Daimler

9.1.18. Mitsubishi Japan with Sumitomo Japan

9.1.19. Next Alternative Germany, Micro Bubble Technology Korea

9.1.20. Planar Energy Devices USA

9.1.21. Sakti3 USA and General Motors USA

9.1.22. SB LiMotive Co. Ltd - Samsung Korea with Bosch Germany

9.1.23. Sony Japan

9.1.24. Superlattice Power USA

9.2. Rapid increase in number of manufacturers

9.2.1. Examples of manufacturers

9.2.2. Recharging points

9.2.3. Battery changing points

9.2.4. Can the grid cope?

9.3. Car traction battery market forecasts 2011 to 2021

9.3.1. Total car traction battery market value 2011 to 2021

9.3.2. Battery pack market by car type 2010-2020

9.3.3. Hybrid battery prices

9.3.4. Replacement car traction battery pack market 2010-2020

10. PURE ELECTRIC CARS

10.1. Electricity solely for traction

10.2. Examples of pure EV cars

10.2.1. Nissan Leaf lithium Japan, UK, USA

10.2.2. Here come the Chinese - BYD, Brilliance, Geely, Chengfang

10.2.3. Jianghsu lead acid China

10.2.4. High performance pure lithium EVs - Tesla USA

10.2.5. Lightning lithium UK

10.2.6. Subaru Stella lithium Japan

10.2.7. REVA lead acid or lithium India

10.2.8. Club Car lead acid USA

10.2.9. Tara Tiny lead acid India

10.2.10. Mitsubishi iMiEV lithium Japan

10.2.11. Renault Nissan lithium France

11. HYBRID CARS

11.1. Construction and advantages of hybrids

11.1.1. Evolution

11.1.2. Frazer Nash Namir lithium UK

11.1.3. Chevrolet Volt lithium USA

11.1.4. Toyota Prius NiMH, lithium Japan

11.1.5. Fisker Karma lithium USA

12. MILITARY

12.1. Examples of battery suppliers to this sector

12.1.1. ABSL UK

12.1.2. Altair Nanotechnologies (Altairnano) USA

12.1.3. Electrovaya Canada

12.1.4. Hummer

12.1.5. Chrysler

12.1.6. Saft France, Johnson Controls USA

12.2. Examples of military EVs

12.2.1. Manned land vehicles.

12.2.2. Hummer lithium USA / China

12.2.3. Quantum Technologies lithium USA

12.2.4. US Army trucks etc - ZAP, Columbia ParCar USA

12.2.5. Oshkosh Truck Corp USA

12.2.6. Plug-in trucks - BAE Systems UK

12.2.7. Electric robot vehicles USA

12.3. In the air

12.3.1. Disposable surveillance aircraft

12.3.2. DARPA insects USA

12.3.3. COM-BAT lithium robot bat USA

12.3.4. Aerovironment electric aircraft USA

12.4. Examples of military EVs - in the water

12.4.1. Robot lithium jellyfish USA and Germany

12.5. Manufacturers of military EVs

12.6. Military traction battery market forecasts 2011 to 2021

13. MARINE

13.1. Examples of battery suppliers to this sector

13.1.1. Gavia Iceland

13.1.2. PolyPlus Battery USA

13.1.3. ThunderPower USA

13.2. Market segments

13.2.1. Total market

13.2.2. Underwater

13.2.3. On the water

13.3. Commonality with land EVs

13.4. Market drivers

13.4.1. Pollution laws back electric boats

13.5. Energy harvesting superyacht UK

13.5.1. Cleaner yachts - Valence, Beneteau

13.6. Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)

13.6.1. Swimmers

13.7. Leisure and tourist submarines USA

13.8. Manufacturers by country and product

13.8.1. Examples of companies making electric water craft

13.9. Marine traction battery market forecasts 2011 to 2021

13.9.1. Surface and subsurface boat markets

13.9.2. AUV

14. OTHER EVS

14.1. Market drivers

14.2. Listing of manufacturers by country and product

14.3. Companies in the mobile robot and leisure sector

14.4. Electric aircraft for civil use

14.4.1. Sion Power USA - Aircraft batteries

14.4.2. Aircraft - Renault, Piccard

14.5. Other traction battery market forecasts 2011 to 2021

APPENDIX 1: GLOSSARY

APPENDIX 2: IDTECHEX PUBLICATIONS AND CONSULTANCY

TABLES

1.1. Numbers of vehicle traction batteries, in thousands, sold globally in new vehicles, 2011 to 2021, by applicational sector.

1.2. Ex factory unit price of traction battery packs, in thousands of US dollars, sold globally, 2011 to 2021, by applicational sector

1.3. Global market value of traction battery packs, in millions of US dollars, sold globally, 2011 to 2021, by applicational sector, rounded

1.4. Replacement market for traction battery packs in value $ million 2011 to 2021

1.5. Traction battery technologies in 2011, number percentage lead acid, NiMH and lithium

1.6. Traction battery technologies in 2021 number percentage lead acid, NiMH and lithium

1.7. Applicants to accelerate the manufacturing and deployment of the next generation of US batteries and electric vehicles

1.8. Main market drivers 2010-2020

1.9. Traction battery technology by applicational sector 2010 and 2020, examples of suppliers and trends

1.10. Breakdown of global market in 2010 for light industrial and commercial vehicles - global park, new vehicles, % electric, number of battery packs at one per vehicle, ex factory unit price and value for the subsections Buses, Other

1.11. Number of hybrid and pure electric cars plugged in and the total number in thousands 2010-2020

1.12. Components and subsystems fitted in new electric vehicles 2010-2020 in thousands

1.13. Highlights 2010-2020

1.14. What is on the way in or out with traction batteries

1.15. 70 vertically integrated lithium traction battery cell manufacturers, their chemistry, cell geometry and customer relationships (not necessarily orders)

2.1. Some ways to reduce the cost and increase the performance of lithium-ion car traction batteries

2.2. Improvement in cost and performance of hybrid and pure electric vehicle traction battery packs 2009-2020

2.3. Some reasons why ICE vehicles are replaced with EVs

3.1. Typical lithium iron phosphate traction battery

4.1. Twenty examples of manufacturers of heavy industrial EVs by country

4.2. Percentage split of global manufacture of heavy industrial trucks

4.3. Distribution of trade volume for heavy industrial EVs

4.4. Global league table of powered industrial truck manufacturers 2010 by value of sales

4.5. Global sales of heavy industrial battery sets at one per vehicle, by numbers, ex factory unit price and total value 2011 to 2021, rounded.

5.1. 150 manufacturers of light industrial and commercial EVs and drive trains by country and examples of their products

5.2. Global sales of light industrial and commercial vehicle traction battery sets at one per new vehicle by numbers thousands, ex factory unit price in thousands of dollars and total value in billions of dollars 2011 to 2021, rounded

5.3. Breakdown of global market in 2010 for light industrial and commercial vehicles - global park, new vehicles, % electric, number of battery sets at one per new vehicle, ex factory unit price and value for the subsections Full Size

6.1. The continental percentage split of markets for vehicles for the disabled by value in 2010

6.2. The percentage split of market for vehicles for the disabled by country within Europe

6.3. The numbers in thousands of scooters plus power chairs that were and will be sold in Europe 2005 to 2015

6.4. The percentage distribution of manufacture between Taiwan and Mainland China by value of vehicles for the disabled 2005, 2010 and 2015

6.5. Market for EVs for the disabled by geographical region, ex works pricing and percentage split in 2005, 2010 and 2020

6.6. 83 examples of manufacturers of EVs for the disabled by country

6.7. Global sales of traction battery sets used in mobility aids for the disabled at one set per new vehicle, by number, ex factory unit price in thousands of dollars and total value in billions of dollars, 2011 to 2021, rounded

7.1. Prices and performance of electric two wheelers

7.2. 70 examples of manufacturers of two wheel EVs and electric quad bikes

7.3. Largest suppliers of electric bicycles by number (not in order)

7.4. 34 sources of two wheelers in China by brand, region and battery chemistry

7.5. Listing of light electric scooter makers in China. Most use lead-acid battery chemistry but there is a move to lithium-ion batteries

7.6. Global sales of two wheel and allied battery sets at one per new vehicle, number, ex factory unit price in thousands of dollars and total value in billions of dollars 2011 to 2021, rounded

7.7. Global Replacement market for traction battery packs for two wheel vehicles in value $ million 2010-2020

8.1. 18 examples of golf EV manufacturers

8.2. Global sales of electric golf car battery sets in number at one per new vehicle, thousands, ex factory unit price in thousands of dollars and total value in billions of dollars 2011 to 2021, rounded.

8.3. Geographical split of golf EV sales by value 2010, 2015, 2020

9.1. BYD financials

9.2. 121 examples of manufacturers of electric cars including pictures of many Chinese electric cars

9.3. IDTechEx projection for total car traction battery pack sales in $ billion 2011 to 2021

9.4. T 2 Market forecasts for traction battery packs for new cars in units, ex factory price and value 2010-2020

9.5. Replacement market for car traction battery packs in value $ million 2010-2020

11.1. Prius NiMH traction battery evolution

12.1. 26 suppliers of military EVs

12.2. Global sales of military vehicle traction battery sets at one per new vehicle in number thousands, ex factory unit price in thousands of dollars and total value in billions of dollars 2011 to 2021, rounded.

13.1. 44 examples of manufacturers of EV electric water craft

13.2. AUV specifications, prices and market leaders

13.3. Global sales of marine craft traction battery sets at one per new vehicle, in number thousands, ex factory unit price in thousands of dollars and total value in billions of dollars 2011 to 2021, rounded.

14.1. 30 examples of manufacturers of mobile robots, toy, leisure, research or hobbyist EVs by country and product

14.2. Global sales of other electric vehicle traction battery sets at one per new vehicle, in number thousands, ex factory unit price in thousands of dollars and total value in billions of dollars 2011 to 2021, rounded.

FIGURES

1.1. Numbers of traction battery packs for two wheelers, cars and mobility for the disabled compared in thousands, sold globally in new vehicles, 2011 to 2021, by applicational sector

1.2. Numbers of traction battery packs consisting of heavy industrial, light industrial/commercial, golf car and caddy, military, marine and other compared in thousands, sold globally, 2011 to 2021, by applicational sector

1.3. Ex factory unit price of traction battery packs, in thousands of US dollars, sold globally, 2011 to 2021, by applicational sector

1.4. Global market value of traction battery packs, in millions of US dollars, sold globally, 2011 to 2021, by applicational sector, rounded

1.5. Here comes lithium

1.6. Market breakdown for light industrial and commercial electric vehicles in 2010 in $ billion - buses, other on road, airport GSE, other off road

1.7. Market breakdown for industrial and commercial electric vehicles in 2020 in billions of dollars - buses, other on road, off road

1.8. Possible evolution of affordable, mainstream electric cars and other electric vehicles that mainly employ conventional internal combustion engines today. This shows the convergence of hybrid and pure electric technologies

1.9. Evolution of lithium traction batteries 2010-2030

1.10. Geely IG solar car

1.11. Japanese ten meter long deep sea cruising AUV, the URASHIMA

1.12. Bionic dolphin

1.13. Deepflight Merlin

1.14. Cri-Cri pure electric stunt plane new in 2010

1.15. Oshkosh truck

1.16. Approximate percentage of manufacturers offering traction batteries with less cobalt vs those offering ones with no cobalt vs those offering both. We also show the number of suppliers that offer lithium iron phosphate versions

2.1. EV sectors with the largest gross sales value and profits over the years

2.2. Electric vehicle value chain

2.3. Comparison of cells, modules and battery packs.

2.4. Possible evolution of affordable, mainstream electric cars showing the convergence of hybrid and a pure electric technologies

2.5. Nikkei forecast of lithium battery cost reduction by year at 80 yen per dollar

2.6. Cost structure of lithium cobalt batteries according to Deutsche Bank Securities

2.7. Volumetric vs gravimetric energy density of batteries used in vehicles

2.8. Traction battery pack nominal energy storage vs battery pack voltage for mild hybrids in red, plug on hybrids in blue and pure electric cars in green

2.9. Battery specification based on end of life

2.10. Car traction battery operating requirements compared

3.1. Future improvement in power and energy density

3.2. Subaru lithium ion manganese battery

3.3. Mitsubishi lithium-ion batteries for cars

3.4. Lithium air batteries

3.5. Li-S Cell Configuration

3.6. Ragone plots for different rechargeable systems

3.7. Active Materials Transformation Diagram

3.8. Prototype lithium sulfur battery by Sion Power

4.1. East Penn lead acid battery for golf cars

4.2. Furukawa Cycle-service storage battery for Golf Cars

5.1. Chevrolet Volt lithium-ion battery

5.2. Chrysler electric minivan

5.3. Smith electric vehicle

5.4. Magna Steyr traction battery pack capability

5.5. Magna Steyr energy battery for pure electric and plug in hybrid cars

5.6. Magna Steyr power battery for hybrid cars

5.7. EVI truck powered by Valence lithium-ion batteries

5.8. Lishen Power battery products

5.9. Freightliner MT-45 step van uses 120kW Enova electric drive system

5.10. Electric pick up truck from China Vehicles Company

5.11. Ford Transit pure EV

6.1. The Electric Car (INEC-KARO) for the disabled from Interchina Industry Group

6.2. Zhejiang R&P Industry ES 413

7.1. Toshiba e-bike battery

7.2. Yamaha EC-f and EC-fs concept electric scooters

7.3. Yamaha EC03

7.4. Eko Vehicles ET-120 hybrid scooter

7.5. Honda EV Cub sports twin, front and rear electric drive motors

7.6. Peugeot E-Vivacity electric scooter planned for 2010

7.7. YikeBike in action

9.1. Nissan Leaf battery

9.2. Pininfarina Bollore B0 electric car powered by Bollore lithium polymer batteries

9.3. Pininfarina Bollore Bluecar cross section showing battery

9.4. LEV electric car by Qingyuan Motors

9.5. Continental lithium ion traction battery

9.6. Safety testing of Continental lithium ion traction batteries.

9.7. Enerdel traction battery

9.8. 25Ah lithium-ion battery cell for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

9.9. LiFeBATT manufacture

9.10. IDTechEx projection for total car traction battery pack sales in $ billion 2011 to 2021

9.11. Market forecasts for traction battery packs for new cars in units 2010-2020

9.12. Market forecasts for traction battery packs for new cars ex factory price 2010-2020

9.13. Market forecasts for traction battery packs for new cars value in million dollars 2010-2020

9.14. Replacement market for car traction battery packs in value $ million 2010-2020

10.1. Gemcar

10.2. The planned Nissan Leaf pure electric car

10.3. Nissan leaf lithium traction batteries

10.4. The BYD E6 pure EV car

10.5. Jianghsu DHCLBC EF-1 car

10.6. Tesla Motors Roadster pure EV performance car

10.7. Tesla battery pack with coolant tubes at bottom.

10.8. The Lighting pure electric sports car

10.9. Subaru Stella pure electric vehicle

10.10. REVA pure EV car

10.11. The Club Car street legal car launched in 2009

10.12. Tara Tiny

10.13. Mitsubishi pure EV car

10.14. Mitsubishi i-MiEV

11.1. Evolution of EV design for on-road and many non-road vehicles

11.2. Frazer Nash Namir

11.3. Toyota Prius NiMH traction battery

11.4. Toyota Highlander Hybrid Battery

12.1. Altairnano view of some of the primary performance advantages of its lithium traction batteries

12.2. Hummer H3 ReEV Lithium Ion SuperPolymer battery pack made by Electrovaya.

12.3. Oshkosh truck

12.4. COM-BAT

13.1. Gavia defense AUV

13.2. Electric launch

13.3. The rigid-wing superyacht concept called 'Soliloquy'

13.4. The British Scorpio remote controlled rescue vehicle that released the trapped Russian submarine in August 2005.

13.5. The Ocean Explorer AUV

13.6. A British Remote Controlled Mine Destruction Vehicle being lowered into the water

13.7. Deep Flight Aviator two-person leisure submarine

13.8. Seattle personal luxury submarine by US Submarines

14.1. The new Electrolux Automower

To order this report:

: Electric Vehicle Traction Batteries 2011-2021

More ?Market Research Report

Check our ?Company Profile, SWOT and Revenue Analysis!

Contact:
Nicolas Bombourg
Reportlinker
Email: nbo@reportlinker.com
US: (805)652-2626
Intl: +1 805-652-2626

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Energy group wants to put an electric vehicle charging station on N. Wayne Ave.

Pattye Benson, owner of Great Valley House B&B, has been active in the community for the last two decades.

SAC is a grassroots organization dedicated to the revitalization of Ardmore, Pennsylvania's business district based on community input, consensus building, sound and comprehensive planning, and the preservation of our architectural heritage.

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Electric vehicle trial set to start in June

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TerraPass Carbon Calculator First to Include All-electric Vehicles; Most Comprehensive US Vehicle Calculator Available

Posted on: Sunday, 1 May 2011, 00:09 CDT

TerraPass Releases Update of their Online Carbon Footprint Calculator with All-electric Vehicle Emissions Data and Latest EPA Fuel Economy Data for US Vehicles

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) April 28, 2011

TerraPass (http://www.terrapass.com), a leading provider of carbon offsets, has released an update to its carbon footprint calculator (http://www.terrapass.com/carbon-footprint-calculator/), an online tool that helps individuals calculate their greenhouse gas emissions from driving, flying, and home energy usage. For the first time, the calculator now makes it possible to estimate greenhouse gas emissions from driving all-electric vehicles.

Though electric vehicles do not emit greenhouse gases directly, emissions arise from generating the electricity required to charge the cars’ batteries. Following the US EPA’s lead, the TerraPass calculator uses the “miles per gallon-equivalent” figure shown on vehicle sales stickers as an input to its calculations. Since electric cars don’t use gasoline, a “gallon-equivalent” is pegged at 33.7 kilowatt-hours, the quantity of stored electrical energy equivalent to the energy stored in one gallon of gasoline. For example, the EPA rates the all-electric Nissan Leaf at 99 miles per gallon-equivalent.

The all-electric vehicle calculations are available through the Alternative Fuel option on the main calculator page. This option also allows users to calculate the footprint of vehicles powered by biodiesel, compressed natural gas, and ethanol. In all cases, the user enters the miles per gallon (or gallon-equivalent) from their own experience or from the US EPA, as well as the number of miles they drive each year.

The calculator update also provides emissions estimates for all 2011-model cars on sale nationwide, making the TerraPass calculator the most comprehensive US vehicle calculator available. Though many calculators use EPA data, the EPA’s public dataset contained substantial errors and omissions this year.

“For literally hundreds of car models, we went back to source data and either corrected or supplemented the EPA dataset,” said Erin Craig, TerraPass’ CEO. “Our customers were helpful in road-testing our calculator to make sure we got it right.”

A look at a few of the most fuel-efficient vehicles provided the following figures (lbs of CO2 per year with 12,000 miles driven):
????Toyota Prius: 4,661 lbs CO2????Lexus CT 200h: 5,549 lbs CO2????Nissan Leaf: 5,588 lbs CO2????Honda Civic Hybrid: 5,684????Honda CR-Z: 6,298 lbs CO2For more information about the TerraPass carbon calculator, visit http://www.terrapass.com/carbon-footprint-calculator/.

About TerraPass
Launched in 2004, TerraPass works with developers of greenhouse gas reduction projects to bring to market renewable energy and independently-verified carbon offsets. TerraPass manages a portfolio of more than 20 emissions reduction projects across the United States, primarily focused on waste-to-energy. With projects registered under the Climate Action Reserve and the Verified Carbon Standard, the company is an award-winning provider of carbon offsets and serves both voluntary and compliance buyers. For more information, visit http://www.terrapass.com or call +1 415-692-3411.

# # #

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/04/prweb5278404.htm

Source: prweb

More News in this Category

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NECA expands electric vehicle information

With fuel prices escalating, Quad-City electrical workers are working to attract more interest to the emerging electrical vehicle market.?

The Quad-Cities Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association, or NECA, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers L.U. No. 145 have updated their electrical contractor referral website, lightingtheqca.com, to provide more resources about the new electrical vehicles.?

Steve Chesley, NECA’s executive?

manager, said NECA and the IBEW see a potential market for electric vehicles in the Quad-Cities. He said efforts are beginning to create a task force to address the need for more infrastructure related to the growth of electrical vehicles. He said some contractors already have begun training their employees on how to install the charging stations and local suppliers are beginning to stock?various brands of charging stations.

The website includes a link to “Electrical Vehicle Resources” where visitors can find information on national resources available. The links also contain information about possible funding resources and financial assistance. There also is a direct link to Lujack’s Northpark Auto Plaza, which will sell two electric car models, the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf.

Super Wash makes donations for local food pantries

Throughout the month of May, select Super Wash car washes in the Quad-City region will host a FoodRaiser to raise money for local food pantries. Super Wash will donate $1 of every automatic wash selection and $1.50 of every four-wash token package purchased from May 1 through May 31.

A Super Wash manager or attendant must be on duty in order to purchase token packages.

The first FoodRaiser last year raised $52,460. The 2011 goal is $60,000.

The Morrison, Ill.-based Super Wash is the nation’s largest car wash franchiser/operator with more than 300 locations in 21 states. Visit www.superwash.com to find locations.

Business changes name

Beginning Friday, Express Lube Plus in Davenport will become Mobile 1 Lube Express.

Sandie Crookshanks, who has owned the oil change business at 455 E. 53rd St., for four years, said she decided to join with Mobil in a partnership in which the oil change business will sell Mobile products exclusively.

She said this will be the first Mobile 1 Lube Express in the Quad-Cities.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (563) 343-2194.

Merger announced

CenturyLink and Qwest Communications recently completed a merger that creates the nation’s third-largest telecommunications company in the United States.

Qwest Communications serves thousands of Quad-City area customers.

The corporate headquarters of the company will remain in Monroe, La.

CenturyLink is the third largest telecommunications company in the United States. The company provides broadband, voice and wireless services to consumers and businesses across the country. It also offers advanced entertainment services under the CenturyLink Prism TV and DIRECTV brands.

Several years ago, Qwest/CenturyLink built a fiber ring through the Quad-Cities, which allows for diverse routing and route redundancy.

View the original article here

First of 17 BPW electric vehicle charge stations going in this week

Tulip Time visitors will be able to refuel on elephant ears and lemonade while refueling their electric cars.

Installation of two downtown Holland electric charging stations should be complete today. Another 15 are to be installed around town in the coming months.

ChargePoint America, a program of Coulomb Technologies, is offering the charging stations for free. The Holland Board of Public Works will pay about $100,000 to install them.

Officials hope adding the charging station will help Holland look more like a hub for the battery industry and portray the area as environmentally friendly and at the front end of accepting new technologies.

The two stations on Eighth Street — one between The Holland Sentinel and Readers World buildings and one west of Macatawa Bank — will remain free at least for Tulip Time, the BPW board decided in a 4-1 vote during a special meeting Monday.

Whether the charging stations’ electricity would remain free is up for debate.

“We’re in the job of selling Holland, Michigan, to the greater world, so we can get more jobs here,” Board Member Phil Miller said.

Here’s the logic: If electric car users are encouraged to park in these spaces, people will see the cars and start considering them more the norm, which could, in turn, encourage electric car sales — and the batteries that go in them, made by LG Chem and Johnson Controls Saft, which are investing millions of dollars in new advanced battery plants in Holland.

The BPW might face some restrictions on whether it can give away electricity.

“I think we ought to be very careful about the policy of giving away electricity for free,” Board Member Jim Storey said. “To subsidize people who spent big bucks on cars sends the wrong message to people we just levied a rate increase on.”

Charging station locations

Holland City Hall
Parking ramp on Seventh Street between College and
Columbia avenues
*Eighth Street between The Holland Sentinel and Readers World buildings
*Eighth Street west of Macatawa Bank
Hope College (Martha Miller parking lot)
Holland Public Schools
Padnos Transportation Center at Lincoln and Eighth Street
Holland Board of Public Works Hastings Avenue service center
Doubletree Hotel
Residence Inn
Holland Aquatic Center
Haworth Inn
CityFlats Hotel
West Ottawa High School
Holland Christian High School
Holland Chamber of Commerce parking lot
Felch Street Shopping Center
* Installed this week

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Gas prices may jolt electric car sales

 High gas prices may be the impetus to boost sales of electric vehicles. (MIKE SEGAR, REUTERS / April 27, 2011)

Not everyone is upset about high gas prices.

For 55-year-old Steve Wojtanek, owner of a Chevrolet Volt hybrid that is getting 123 miles to the gallon, $4 a gallon is the "icing on the cake."

The Florida resident and commercial actor bought his plug-in vehicle four months ago because he wanted to reduce his dependence on foreign oil.

"I just don't want to send my money out of the United States if I can help it," he said.

Each charge costs him about 90 cents and yields more than 40 miles on pure battery power. In comparison, his Lexus costs about $6 to go the same distance.

"I'm very happy. The timing couldn't have been better," Wojtanek said.

Rising gasoline prices could tip the economic equation in favor of an emerging electric vehicle market. But whether those prices remain high long enough to drive consumers to the technology in large numbers remains to be seen. Adoption of plug-ins could also be delayed as makers of traditional vehicles strive to meet higher fuel-efficiency standards. Current standards call for 24.1 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks combined and are mandated to rise to 30 mpg by 2016.

Due to taxes, Chicago drivers pay more for gas than in any other major metropolitan area in the continental U.S. The average price for a gallon of gas was $4.32 a gallon Tuesday, according to price tracker GasBuddy.com. Some analysts predict $5 per gallon in Chicago before the end of summer.

At $5 a gallon, consumers who drive 12,000 miles a year could save on average $2,257 at Commonwealth Edison's off-peak electric rates by switching to a pure electric vehicle, according to an analysis released Wednesday by the Environmental Law and Policy Center.

"To the extent that people aren't spending money at the pump, what economists say is that's more money in your pocket, and you're going to spend that on food and money and entertainment and other goods and services," said Howard Learner, president of the Midwest environmental advocacy organization.

The analysis found that if the overall fuel efficiency of Illinois passenger vehicles jumped from the current average of 21.7 miles per gallon to 30 miles per gallon, it would save $6.75 billion for Illinois and create about 72,000 jobs in the state, because more money would flow to Illinois businesses that would otherwise leave the state's economy.

In the short term, oil prices are being driven up by worries about political instability in the Middle East, lost supply from Libya and a longer-than-anticipated nuclear crisis in Japan. Longer-term pressures include increased demand for gasoline from India and China.

While 78 percent of consumers said they would consider purchasing an electric vehicle if fuel prices reached $5 per gallon, according to a recent Deloitte study, their expectations exceed what the auto industry is delivering for vehicle price, range and charging times.

"Their greenness seems to be challenged by their pocketbooks, and what the data is showing us is that, at least right now, the pocketbook wins," said Craig Giffi, vice chairman and U.S. automotive practice leader for Deloitte.

Despite widespread interest in electric vehicles brought on by higher gas prices, Giffi predicted that only 4 percent of the population would buy one. The report found that 68 percent of consumers would be less likely to consider an electric vehicle if they could find a traditional vehicle that yielded 50 miles per gallon.

Other factors are working in the electric vehicle industry's favor, said Deborah Allen Hewitt, a clinical professor of economics and finance at The College of William & Mary Mason School of Business who studies the auto and gasoline industries.

The recession made people hold on to their old cars longer, Hewitt said, so more people are in the market for a new car. At the same time, $4-a-gallon gas, which seems to be the tipping point for changing consumer behavior, has come at a time when wider rollouts of electric vehicles are expected, she said.

"The key point is whether (gas prices) will stay high long enough to have a significant impact," she said.

Juan Flores, automotive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book, said it is too early to conclude that higher fuel prices for six months will be the panacea for electric vehicle demand. Even with gas prices at $4 per gallon, Flores said, it would take an electric vehicle owner more than 10 years to offset the additional cost of the vehicle over a comparable gas-powered vehicle.

But if consumers are considering a plug-in, for environmental or technology reasons or to reduce dependency on foreign oil, high gas prices could push them into making a purchase. Data from Yahoo shows that spikes in searches for gas prices are closely followed by spikes in searches for hybrid and electric vehicles.

"The consumer that purchases an electric vehicle today is making this purchase not so much for financial reasons," Flores said.

jwernau@tribune.com

Twitter @littlewern

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Group backs perks for electric vehicles

The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (eVAP) said it fully supports the Electric & Hybrid Vehicles Incentive Act of 2011 which would provide incentives for the manufacture, assembly and importation of electric and hybrid vehicles.

Yvonne Castro, executive director of eVAP, said the government is now ready to take a closer look at the viability of electric vehicles especially with the rising prices of oil.

The group said granting of tax incentives for both imported and local EVs is pursuant of eVAP’s vision of a zero emission transport system.

But eVAP is batting for additional incentives to local manufacturing which includes priority in granting of franchise for locally manufactured EVs to be used for mass public transport system like e-jeepneys and e-buses and exemption to color coding and free parking.

The group also seeks the grant of incentives to supporting infrastructures like charging stations.

eVAP said these should be part of a more comprehensive national program for electric, hybrid and other alternative fueled vehicles.

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Polaris Buying Chrysler’s Electric Vehicle Holding

Press Release Source: Reportlinker On Wednesday April 27, 2011, 6:31 am EDT

NEW YORK, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

China Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market Report, 2010

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0486872/China-Electric-Vehicle-Charging-Station-Market-Report-2010.html

In 2010, with the intensive implementation of policies on new energy vehicle industry in China, the electric vehicle charging station debuted and mushroomed. Over 40 cities, such as Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen, started the construction of electric vehicle charging station and charging pile projects. As of 2010, 76 charging stations were built in 41 cities in China, most of which were located in east China including Shanghai, Shandong, and Jiangsu provinces.

This report introduces the pilot construction projects, enterprises involved and related industry policies of electric vehicle charging station in China, meanwhile, it analyses the capacity of Chinese market in the future and related beneficial enterprises.

According to the State-owned Enterprise Electric Vehicle Industry Alliance established in 2010, the related enterprises of electric vehicle recharging station industry include State Grid, China Southern Power Grid, PetroChina, Sinopec, POTEVIO, and China Poly Group. Among these 6 enterprises, State Grid and China Southern Power Grid are the two enterprises with faster progress in charging station construction. In accordance with the construction planning of State Grid, till 2020, its total investment in electric vehicle charging station and charging pile will reach RMB 32.3 billion and RMB 12.5 billion respectively.

Table of Contents

1. Overview of Electric Vehicle Charging Station

1.1 Definition and Classification

1.2 Structure

1.3 Charging Modes

1.4 Working Principles

2. Development of Global Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market

2.1 USA

2.2 Japan

2.3 Germany

2.4 France

2.5 UK

3. Policy Environment for the Development of Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market in China

3.1 Policies

3.1.1 Policy on New Energy Vehicle Development

3.1.2 Standards for Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.2 Construction Plan of Key Enterprises

3.2.1 State Grid Corporation of China

3.2.2 China Southern Power Grid

New uses for exhausted electric vehicle batteries proposed

 

Enlarge

Image credit: Jeremy Neubauer

(PhysOrg.com) -- In a move with far and wide consequences for the automobile industry, many groups are banding together to study the two-pronged problem of high initial costs for lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries for electric vehicles, and then what to do with those batteries once they lose their ability to hold a strong enough charge to keep motorists moving. Most proposed solutions center around reusing the batteries in applications that don’t require a battery to be fully chargeable, such as battery backups for an electrical grid; thus allowing the initial cost of the batteries to be spread out over a much longer lifespan.

Currently, customers who are looking to buy an electric car are told that they can expect the battery pack in their new car to last eight to ten years; at which time, they’ll have to replace it at a significant cost to them; no plan has yet been put in place however, regarding what to do with the removed battery packs from the millions of cars that will likely someday be traversing the roads of the world.

Governments, public companies and private environmental groups have all jumped into the fray, each with a different agenda it seems. Governments seek to find alternatives to burning gasoline to relieve their constituents from the vagaries of relying on foreign oil, public companies (particularly those who make cars) want to sell cars (or batteries) at prices customers can afford, and environmental groups want gasoline cars off the road, but at the same time shudder at the thought of mountains of dead batteries littering the landscape.

To deal with this issue, General Motors has forged an agreement with ABB, an energy technology company while Nissan has joined forces with 4R Energy; both hope to find solutions to both problems.

Also the U.S. Department of Energy’s, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is teaming up with various academic groups (one of which is the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE)) to find so-called “second life” opportunities for not yet dead batteries. Current possibilities include using them to provide backup support for an electrical grid, or to use them as accessories in capturing power from alternative energy sources such as wind or solar arrays. In such a scenario, it’s suggested that consumers could perhaps lease the batteries in their cars from the manufacture’s, which would mean they’d only have to pay for the useful time they had then; the manufacturer’s could then sell the batteries to utility companies once they’ve been removed from such automobiles, all of which should, in theory, reduce costs for both parties.

Of course in all this, there does exist the possibility that a new battery could be developed; one that might last much longer and would be much cheaper; or another technology, such as hydrogen fuel cells could emerge which would make the whole exercise moot.

Regardless of how the current type of batteries are used, however, there will still come a time when they will eventually become useless to anyone, which will mean tearing them apart to recycle the viable pieces for recycling purposes; yet another piece of the puzzle that will need to be worked out as the numbers of dead batteries begins to climb.

More information: http://www.nrel.go … cations.html

? 2010 PhysOrg.com

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Nathan Fillion checks out Arcimoto’s new EV

Oregon-based electric vehicle manufacturer Arcimoto recently unveiled its SRK prototype called the Red 5 in Eugene.

We’ve been covering news of the company since a version of the Pulse first made a visit to Portland back in 2009. ??The three-wheel, two-seater electric vehicle is available for pre-order reservation with a $100 deposit, and comes in a variety of options including open, fabric, and hardshell enclosures.

With the 144 volt lithium-ion battery pack upgrade, the SRK has a range of 80 miles on a full charge, and is equipped with an 83 horsepower, synchronous DC brush motor.

It has a top speed of 60 miles per hour. It’s hard to say whether or not drivers will embrace the somewhat strange design and tandem-seating style. ??

As far as pricing goes, Arcimoto told us it doesn’t have a final price set right now, but the target base price is $17,500.

The car has at least one major supporter, television actor Nathan Fillion, who drove one of the electric vehicles to the Video Game Awards last year. ??As you can also note from the photo above and video below, which Red, Blue and Green mentioned, he was present at the vehicle’s unveiling and had this to say to the crowd gathered:

"Thank you. Thank you so much for simply yet so radically revolutionizing the auto industry, an industry that has seen so little change in the last century. Thank you for making a cleaner vehicle for which the energy infrastructure already exists.

"Thank you for seeing a need facing a mere 90% of the population, and filling it. Thank you for giving me a way to stick it to big oil and big auto companies. Because… I am a vengeful man. And they’ve been sticking it to me for a long time. No matter how old I get, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the fact that it looks a little like a spaceship. I’m kind of into spaceships, so thanks for that.

"Thank you for keeping it in Eugene. Thank you for taking this venture upon yourselves, through the long hours of hard work, the sacrifices that you and your families have endured. Ladies and Gentlemen, you of Arcimoto have done something amazing and I hope that you are proud. P.S. Last time I was here I think I left my iPhone charger in your offices, give me a call if you find it."

*Aaron Colter, EarthTechling?

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BYD Announces EV Fleet Results at Anniversary of Green-Taxi Project

Today marks the one year anniversary of the world?s largest all-electric vehicle Taxi fleet, manufactured by BYD. In conjunction with this anniversary, BYD announced results of several of its electric vehicle pilots ? the F3DM, e6 and eBUS-12 which are in fleet testing across the world. Fifty of BYD?s e6, five-seat crossover vehicles, each with a range of over 160 miles (up to 300 Km) and a top speed of 88 mph (140km/h), have been in service at Shenzhen-based Pengcheng Electric Taxi Company since April 29, 2010. The Shenzhen e6 Taxi fleet has now accumulated ~1,730,000 all-electric miles (or 2.77 million kilometers). The distance traveled for single fleet vehicles has reached ~63,000 miles each (>100,000 km). "This fleet of 50 e6 taxis has survived the very harsh operating conditions of hot Shenzhen summers and a very cold winter this year, and drivers and passengers alike have been extremely satisfied with their ride experience,? according to Stella Li, Senior Vice President. 250 more eTaxis are being delivered to the International University in Shenzhen before August this year. According to collected data, the per-car-fuel-savings is over $1167 per-Taxi-per-month (driving an average of 400Km per day). BYD?s all-electric Taxis are expected to help Shenzhen avoid about 133 lbs (or 60.4Kg) of carbon-dioxide pollution per day per Taxi. This is an equivalent of 2,425,060 lbs (or 1.1M kg) of carbon-dioxide pollution saved by this fleet in the first year.

BYD electric Taxi in Shenzhen (Photo: Business Wire)

The most important finding in the e6 fleet testing was that there has been no noticeable energy drop ? both driving range and battery performance has been stable in rapid-charging conditions over the 1.73M miles tested ? a breakthrough in EV rapid-charging. BYD has been challenged by the media about its claims of long-range electric vehicles and superior battery longevity in rapid-charging regimes since launching its first dual-mode, electric and plug-in-hybrid electric vehicles in December 2008. With the results of the e6 fleet, which was continuously rapid charged in 20- 30 minutes, BYD now has a proven track record for its Iron-Phosphate battery technology. The data is there to show vehicle charging efficiencies, consumption efficiencies, and EV ranges over time-- all with rapid-charging regimes.

BYD also reported on its F3DM fleet which BYD launched in its first US tests at the Housing Authority of Los Angeles (HACLA). The F3DM can travel over 40 miles all-electric but can be engaged to act as a Hybrid-Electric (HEV) to extend its range up to 300 miles. The HACLA fleet has now accumulated ~10,430 miles all-electric and 14,430 total miles (4,000 fuel-driven miles when extended range was necessary). The fleet is achieving an equivalent of 88 mpg and BYD estimates the per-car-savings---even netting out EV charging and electricity costs-- is ~70%. BYD?s dual-mode cars are expected to save HACLA about 37 lbs of carbon-dioxide per-day-per-auto when driven to the EV range.

In China, BYD launched an all-electric bus fleet with the eBUS-12 (click for video link) in Shenzhen and Changsha, China in January 2011. These fleets have already accumulated 28,802 all-electric miles (46,380 Km) while undergoing a 3-hour-charge of the 324 Kwh FE battery. An example of the per-eBUS-savings for Shenzhen?s Bus Line 202 (driving only 200Km per day) is about $2833 monthly per eBUS. 300 more buses will be delivered to Shenzhen in August of this year. BYD?s all-electric eBUSes save about 708 lbs (or 322Kg) in carbon-dioxide emissions per eBUS per day.

In total, BYD EVs have accumulated over 1.769 million all-electric miles and have seen no diminished range or capacity due to rapid-charging. BYD vehicles are estimated to have already saved $360,000 in fuel costs and over 2.776 million lbs of carbon-dioxide. BYD launched consumer sales of the F3DM in September 2010 and anticipates very good demand for the BYD e6 and all electric vehicles in China, fueled in part by government incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles. "Consumers that purchase pure electric vehicles will also enjoy the special privilege of "license-plate-lottery-free, no traffic restrictions and tax-free exemptions (paid by the government)." (LINK: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/98649/7344880.html)

About BYD

BYD is ranked #1 at the top of Bloomberg?s and BusinessWeek's 2009 Tech 100 List (http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100520006751/en/BYD-Tops-Bloomberg-Businessweek%E2%80%99s-12th-Annual-Tech) and is the leading manufacturer of advanced, environmentally-friendly battery technologies like the BYD?s Iron Phosphate battery. BYD?s solar panels and LED lighting systems have TUV/CE and UL listings, and the company enjoys rapid growth in consumer electronics space and automobile manufacturing under its BYD brand. With investments from Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway) and MidAmerican Energy Holdings, today, BYD is the fastest-growing Chinese automotive and green energy technology manufacturer. The Company trades on the Hong Kong exchange (HKE) under the ticker numbers (HK.0285 ? BYD Electronics) and (HK.1211 ? BYD Company Ltd). For more information, visit www.bydit.com or email pr@byd.com.

Photos/Multimedia?Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6702788&lang=en

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Firm importing electric buses

Firm importing electric buses
By Amy R. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 08:09:00 05/01/2011

Filed Under: Environmental Issues, Road Transport, New Products, International (Foreign)Trade

MANILA, Philippines?Daring the huge risks in investing in an infant Philippine electric vehicle industry, transport firm Green Frog Zero Emission Transport is bringing in 38 electric buses within the year.

Green Frog director Philip Go Apostol told reporters the company plans to roll out the first 10 electric buses within the third quarter of this year.

The buses will initially ply a route that goes along Buendia from Edsa to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx). Eventually, they will be available to commuters within the whole of Makati.

Apostol said the project is being jointly undertaken with Makati City and should it prove to be successful, the company would operate 3,000 electric buses within seven years? time.

He admitted that the cost of bringing in these buses was ?high.? He added, ?But we?re hoping that the government would work with us.?

Green Frog is seeking tax perks, among other incentives, and a pioneer status from the Board of Investments, to make the project economically viable.

Apostol did not disclose how much the electric buses will cost but said that normally, the bigger electric buses cost $300,000 (P13.5 million) each. Green Frog?s buses, which will be sourced from China, will, however, be smaller and would cost less.

The company has already begun negotiations with commercial banks and government financial institutions for the best financing package. Green Frog is also seeking some guarantees from the Philippine Export Import Credit Agency (PhilExim) to get lower interest rates.

Green Frog?s electric bus will have a capacity of 36 passengers, 16 of them seated. Fares would be initially pegged at P8. According to Apostol, half of the revenues will be coming from advertising income to help keep fares at reasonable levels during the initial roll-out.

The government has begun to advocate more aggressively for the use of electric vehicles to ensure a sustainable, environment-friendly and energy-efficient transportation system in the country.

Emissions from the transport sector currently represent 30 percent of all pollution in the country, and about 80 percent of air pollution in Metro Manila. A sizeable proportion of vehicle emissions is attributed to inefficient public vehicles, particularly tricycles, jeepneys and buses.

View the original article here

Reportlinker Adds China Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market Report, 2010

Press Release Source: Reportlinker On Wednesday April 27, 2011, 6:31 am EDT

NEW YORK, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

China Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market Report, 2010

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0486872/China-Electric-Vehicle-Charging-Station-Market-Report-2010.html

In 2010, with the intensive implementation of policies on new energy vehicle industry in China, the electric vehicle charging station debuted and mushroomed. Over 40 cities, such as Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen, started the construction of electric vehicle charging station and charging pile projects. As of 2010, 76 charging stations were built in 41 cities in China, most of which were located in east China including Shanghai, Shandong, and Jiangsu provinces.

This report introduces the pilot construction projects, enterprises involved and related industry policies of electric vehicle charging station in China, meanwhile, it analyses the capacity of Chinese market in the future and related beneficial enterprises.

According to the State-owned Enterprise Electric Vehicle Industry Alliance established in 2010, the related enterprises of electric vehicle recharging station industry include State Grid, China Southern Power Grid, PetroChina, Sinopec, POTEVIO, and China Poly Group. Among these 6 enterprises, State Grid and China Southern Power Grid are the two enterprises with faster progress in charging station construction. In accordance with the construction planning of State Grid, till 2020, its total investment in electric vehicle charging station and charging pile will reach RMB 32.3 billion and RMB 12.5 billion respectively.

Table of Contents

1. Overview of Electric Vehicle Charging Station

1.1 Definition and Classification

1.2 Structure

1.3 Charging Modes

1.4 Working Principles

2. Development of Global Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market

2.1 USA

2.2 Japan

2.3 Germany

2.4 France

2.5 UK

3. Policy Environment for the Development of Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market in China

3.1 Policies

3.1.1 Policy on New Energy Vehicle Development

3.1.2 Standards for Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.2 Construction Plan of Key Enterprises

3.2.1 State Grid Corporation of China

3.2.2 China Southern Power Grid

3.2.3 Sinopec

3.2.4 POTEVIO

4. Construction of Electric Vehicle Charging Station in Key Cities of China

4.1 Northeast China

4.1.1 Changchun

4.1.2 Harbin

4.1.3 Dalian

4.2 North China

4.2.1 Beijing

4.2.2 Tianjin

4.2.3 Other Cities

4.3 East China

4.3.1 Shanghai

4.3.2 Hangzhou

4.3.3 Hefei

4.3.4 Jinan

4.3.5 Nanjing

4.3.6 Other Cities

4.4 Central China

4.4.1 Wuhan

4.4.2 Changsha

4.4.3 Zhengzhou

4.4.4 Other Cities

4.5 South China

4.5.1 Guangzhou

4.5.2 Shenzhen

4.5.3 Other Cities

4.6 Southwest China

4.6.1 Chongqing

4.6.2 Kunming

4.6.3 Chengdu

4.6.4 Other Cities

4.7 Northwest China

4.7.1 Xi'an

4.7.2 Lanzhou

4.7.3 Taiyuan

4.7.4 Yinchuan

4.7.5 Urumqi

5. Prospect of Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market in China

5.1 Growth of New Energy Vehicle Market

5.1.1 Status Quo

5.1.2 Ownership Forecast

5.2 Growth of Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market

5.2.1 Investment Scale and Structure

5.2.2 Market Capacity Forecast

6. Key Enterprises

6.1 NARI Technology Development Co., Ltd.

6.1.1 Profile

6.1.2 Charging Station Equipment Business

6.2 XJ Electric Co., Ltd.

6.2.1 Profile

6.2.2 Charging Station Equipment Business

6.3 Rongxin Power Electronic Co., Ltd.

6.3.1Profile

6.3.2 Charging Station Equipment Business

6.4 Henan Senyuan Electric Co., Ltd

6.4.1 Profile

6.4.2 Charging Station Equipment Business

6.5 Shenzhen Auto Electric Power Plant Co., Ltd.

6.5.1 Profile

6.5.2 Status Quo of Charging Station Equipment Business

6.5.3 Prospect of Charging Station Equipment Business

6.6 Sieyuan Electric Co., Ltd

6.6.1 Profile

6.6.2 Charging Station Equipment Business

6.7 Guodian Nanjing Automation Co., Ltd.

6.7.1 Profile

6.7.2 Charging Station Equipment Business

Selected Charts

Main Functional Modules of Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Enterprises Involved in Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market in USA

Planning of New Energy Vehicle and Electric Vehicle Charging Station in Japan, 2020

Enterprises Involved in Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market in Japan, 2009

Policies on New Energy Vehicle in China, 2009-2010

Supporting Program for New Energy Vehicle in Pilot Cities in China

Allowance Standards for Demonstration and Promotion of New Energy Vehicle (PCV & Light-duty Commercial Vehicle)

Allowance Standards for Demonstration and Promotion of Bus over 10 Meters Long

Standards for Electric Vehicle Charging Station in China

State-owned Enterprise Electric Vehicle Industry Alliance, 2010

Construction Planning of Electric Vehicle Charging Station of State Grid, 2009-2020

Distribution of Electric Vehicle Charging Station Projects (by Region) in China, 2010

Demonstration Cities and Local Manufacturers of New Energy Vehicle in China, 2010

Potential Cities for Promotion of New Energy Vehicle in China

Main New Energy Vehicle Models

Sales Volume and Ownership of New Energy Vehicle in China, 2009-2015E

Ownership of New Energy Vehicle in China, 2009-2015E

Investment Percentage of Electric Vehicle Charging Station and Charging Pile

Investment Scale of Electric Vehicle Charging Station and Charging Pile of State Grid, 2010-2020

Typical Configuration and Cost Estimation of Bus Charging Station and Public Charging Station

Forecast on Market Capacities of Shenzhen and China Charging Station, 2010-2013E

Forecast on Market Capacities of Shenzhen and China AC Charging Pile, 2010-2013E

Beneficial Enterprises in China's Charging Station Equipment Market

Income of Charging (Replacement) Station System Integration Business in China, 2011-2014E

Orders of Main Products of Rongxin Power Electronic Co., Ltd., 2010

Market Shares of Top 4 Enterprises in China's High-end DC Power Supply Market, 2009

Income and Profit of Charging Station (Pile) of Shenzhen Auto Electric Power Plant Co., Ltd., 2010-2013E

To order this report:

: China Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market Report, 2010

More ?Market Research Report

Check our ?Company Profile, SWOT and Revenue Analysis!

Nicolas Bombourg
Reportlinker
Email: nbo@reportlinker.com
US: (805)652-2626
Intl: +1 805-652-2626

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Electric vehicles take over Grand Prix track

Building on last year's inaugural season, Purdue's Electric Vehicle Grand Prix will continue to grow and educate students about the potential of electrical energy.

From last year's 17-vehicle race held on the Grand Prix track, EV Grand Prix has expanded to include nearly a dozen universities. Some cars are from U.S. states as far away as California, and others cars are from countries such as England and Ireland. The race will also feature a secondary component that will take place on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of the Indy 500's 100th anniversary celebrations.

Purdue's Electric Vehicle Initiative was founded in 2010 and funded by a $6.1 million grant from the Indiana Advanced Electric Vehicle Training and Education Consortium and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Professor Jeff Richardson teaches in the department of electrical and computer engineering technology. He teaches electric vehicle design and fabrication, and the final project of this course is a race-ready vehicle - three of which will participate in this year's race.

"These are the technologies that could grow into prominence in the coming years," Richardson said. "Events like these help fight the consumer stigma that electric vehicles compromise performance for efficiency."

Much of the growth the EV Grand Prix is experiencing can be attributed to increased industrial interest as word has gotten out about the event.

"Companies like GE and General Motors try to connect with these students right away," said Steve Shelby, EV Grand Prix's director of strategic engagement. "They have real-world experience with the technology and that can be a strong asset during their professional careers."

The race itself consists of 100 laps around the same course used for the traditional Grand Prix.

EV Grand Prix has features that differ strongly from its famed counterpart. Prior to racing, teams give presentations to a panel of judges to highlight various engineering and technological aspects of their vehicle. These presentations are the way teams receive their seeding. During the race itself, teams are judged not only on speed, but on the amount of energy they use per lap. At the end of the day, awards are presented to teams with the best presentation, fastest race time and most efficient vehicle, and an overall winner is named as well.

"EV Grand Prix is an outlet for all the knowledge that the students acquire in the classroom," Richardson said. "They end up with a real car they can take out to the track and race. That's just cool."

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BMW CEO apologizes for electric vehicle comments

Last Updated: April 30. 2011 1:00AM

Washington — BMW's North American chairman and CEO apologized for critical comments about the future of electric vehicles.

In a statement posted on a company website Friday, CEO Jim O'Donnell apologized for comments first reported on April 18 by The Detroit News. In a meeting with reporters in New York, O'Donnell said the U.S. government should end the $7,500 tax credit for EVs. He also questioned how quickly EVs will be adopted.

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"From a practicality point of view, (EVs) won't work for most people," O'Donnell said on April 18. "For at least 90 percent and maybe more of the population, (an EV) won't work (at the current battery range)."

On Friday, he backtracked from those comments after several automotive blogs picked up on his comments. "I sincerely apologize if I have offended the strong network of electric vehicle advocates whose support has been deeply meaningful to us at BMW," O'Donnell said in his statement, adding he is "100% behind our company's plans to design, develop, lease and sell electric vehicles."

O'Donnell had expressed skepticism about EVs in a talk with reporters.

"I believe in a free economy. I think we should abolish all tax credits," O'Donnell said on April 18, adding it was his personal opinion. "What they are doing is putting a bet on technology, which is not appropriate. As a taxpayer I am not sure this is right way to go."

O'Donnell said BMW will accept tax credits for EVs, but he wants a "level playing field" between different technologies, like clean diesels, which he said are "slightly disadvantaged" by tax policy.

In his statement Friday, he sought to clarify his remarks.

"We also understand that we are a country of diverse living and driving conditions and that electric vehicles may not be the natural choice for all drivers, many of whom will want to choose other advanced technology vehicles. That's why BMW Group is investing in the broadest possible range of future innovation — gas and diesel engines that significantly improve performance, cleanliness and efficiency, hybrids, BEVs and even hydrogen. We strongly believe all these technologies have a role to play in a sustainable future," O'Donnell said. "It is still too early for governments to pick winners and losers, which is why incentives should be aimed at a range of innovative actions that can meet diverse needs, rather than only one or two technologies. This is what I was trying to convey with my comments — consumers are smart enough to decide the best vehicle for their particular needs, so if incentives are applied, we should be mindful of market dynamics."

The German automaker is moving ahead with its electric vehicle and will unveil two EVs in 2013. The company will lease 1,100 of its next-generation electric vehicle — the ActiveE — this fall. BMW said it will lease about 700 of the ActiveE in the United States in six markets: the New York metropolitan area, Boston, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego and Los Angeles.

When it begins leasing the ActiveE this fall, the two-year-lease will cost $499 a month with a down payment of $2,250. This is the second-generation electric vehicle BMW is leasing as it prepares to sell its i3 — a pure EV — in 2013. It also will sell a small number of i8 vehicles — a super car with an electric motor and a hybrid gasoline engine — for more than $100,000.

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Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Briefing Features City of Saint Paul and PG&E

PALO ALTO, California, April 28, 2011 – AltaTerra Research is pleased to announce the final speaker line-up for its online briefing, “Solutions for Sustainable Cities: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planning and Deployment,” on Thursday, May 12. During the 90-minute online session, participants will hear from representatives of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The briefing will begin at 9:00 a.m. Pacific / 12:00 noon Eastern. Government employees are invited to register free-of-charge.

Anne Hunt, environmental policy director for the City of Saint Paul will discuss the business case for municipal investment in plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) infrastructure, including stakeholder buy-in and funding strategies. She will speak to the benefits of such an investment for city government, citizens, and the local economy, as well as the cost structure of the program Saint Paul adopted and how they were able to justify the expense.

Merritt Clapp-Smith, senior city planner for the City of Saint Paul, will discuss the practical steps for implementation, including urban planning issues, developing utility partnerships, and developing supporting permitting processes.

Reiko Takemasa, senior product manager at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), will discuss the impact of PEV charging infrastructure on the utility electric grid, the use of rates to influence charging behavior, how utilities will respond to PEVs, and other related issues, such as problems with clustering phenomena and challenges of installing chargers at multi-unit dwelling complexes.

Don Bray, president of AltaTerra Research, will open the session with a brief overview of PEV technology and trends; he will close the session with a moderated question-and-answer period.

“Consumer demand for plug-in electric vehicles is growing,” said Bray, “and we’re seeing a number of cities, such as Saint Paul, beginning to install charging stations to help support demand from their employees and citizens. Other cities are struggling with how to move forward in the current economic environment. In this briefing, we’ll walk through the decision-making process for municipalities interested in PEV infrastructure, and review key questions that must be answered along the way.”

Participants will come away from the session with an understanding of the key factors a municipality must examine in determining whether to invest in PEV charging stations, how to make the business case, which departments should be involved, planning requirements, permitting considerations, and impacts on the electric grid and utilities.

Participants will receive a compilation of presentations from the briefing, which will be useful in building the business case to key stakeholders. ?An on-demand recording will be available after the event.

Further information about this online briefing and registration are available online at www.altaterra.net/event/evinfrastructure.

A limited number of press passes are available. Press pass requests may be submitted at www.altaterra.net/?presspass.

This online briefing is the third in the three-part series, "Solutions for Sustainable Cities: Clean Technologies in Municipal Practice." Information about the entire series is available online at www.altaterra.net/event/sustainablecities.

###

About AltaTerra Research
AltaTerra Research is a research consultancy specializing in sustainable business and the commercial marketplace for clean technology solutions. Through research reports, executive events and advisory services, AltaTerra helps forward-looking organizations improve resource efficiency in their operations and capitalize on new 'green' market opportunities. From our headquarters in Silicon Valley, we have been serving a global base of corporate, institutional, and government clients since 2007. More information is available at www.AltaTerra.net.

Contact:
Anneke Hohl
AltaTerra Research
Anneke.Hohl [at] AltaTerra.net
+1 (720) 989-1640

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2011 Electric Vehicle Grand Prix

Posted by: purdueexponent | Runtime: 3:5

The 2nd annual Electric Annual Grand Prix race took place on April 30th, 2011. Seventeen teams from across the nation and Europe raced in electrically powered go-karts built by teams of student from many different universities.

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Tiny NmG Electric Vehicle Wows Them

 Daniel J. Shanahan, director of sales and marketing of Enfield-based Control Module Industries, instructed the media on the workings of the GM produced Volt outside the state Capitol Tuesday afternoon. In the background is an electric vehicle by Myers Motors, out of Ohio. (Richard Messina, Hartford Courant / April 26, 2011)

See ya, gas station. Buh-bye, gas. Hello cheers, honks and hollers.

If you're smarting from high gasoline bills (and with the statewide average for regular at $4.15 per gallon, who isn't?) or you suffer from major depressive disorder, then Myers Motors, an independent Ohio automaker, has a so-ugly-it's-beautiful electric vehicle for you.

Lawmakers held an electric vehicle forum Tuesday attended by representatives from Northeast Utilities, General Motors, Nissan and manufacturers of electric vehicle charging stations, but the real fun was to be had outside the Capitol.

General Motors brought a Chevrolet Volt to the forum, which drew the attention of those-in-the-know who recognized that wasn't just any new silver Chevy parked in front of the Legislative Office Building, but GM's plug-in electric hybrid.

And Nissan would have liked to have brought its all-electric Leaf to show lawmakers Tuesday, but demand for the all-electric sedan has been so high, especially in California, that it couldn't find a spare. The Leaf won't be available in Connecticut until the fall, said Ken Tenure, Nissan's electric vehicle operations manager.

The real attention-getter, however, was a lime-green NmG, the "No more Gas" personal electric vehicle, a 1,300-pound, one-seat wonder designed and manufactured by Myers Motors, a small Tallmadge, Ohio, electric automaker. The NmG plugs into a regular 110-volt socket, the same type of outlet you'd use for a toaster, and has a range of 60 miles per charge and a top speed of 70 mph.

Depending on how you scored on Rorschach tests, the all-electric vehicle, which sells for about $30,000, resembles either a banana, wooden shoe, Wienermobile, lime-green thumb or the Flintmobile, Fred Flintstone's family car.

There are two speeds, forward and reverse, the driver door opens on the right, the lithium battery makes about as much sound as a trio of bumblebees and there's enough room in the trunk for a couple bags of groceries. Having a bad day? Boss got you down? Hop into this car and you can toss your anti-depressants. Expect to get thumbs up, big smiles and lots of attention.

Since 2006, Myers Motors has sold about 50 of the three-wheeled NmG models, which measure 52 inches wide by 114 inches long. The single-seat vehicle, originally called the Sparrow, was developed by Mike Corbin of Corbin Motors in the Somersville section of Somers. When Corbin Motors closed in 2003, the company assets were purchased by Myers Motors. Myers used the Sparrow as a prototype to perfect the company's electric vehicle technology.

"We redid the electrical and mechanical and brake system and replaced the original lead acid batteries with a lithium battery," said Dana Myers, the company's founder. "But they have the same shell, the same look, if you will."

And that "look" is what catches the eye and makes onlookers stop, gawk, smile, giggle and pull out their smartphone cameras.

"One guy said to me, 'I get more looks and more smiles than if I was driving a $100,000 sports car,'" Myers said.

This year, Myers Motors introduced a two-seater, the DUO, which stands for "Doesn't Use Oil." The goal, said Myers, is to price the car at less than $25,000, and that's without a federal tax credit available to the buyers of specific electric vehicles.

"Now with the two-passenger vehicle we're using the electric drive technology that we've developed to ramp up production. The NmG was not designed for [mass] production," Myers said. The Duo is 70 inches wide and is 140 inches long.

Since last summer, the number of electric vehicles registered in Connecticut has more than tripled. In June 2010, there were 21 electric vehicles in the state — 13 independent brands or do-it-yourself conversions, eight Tesla electric sports cars (starting at $100,000). This month, the Department of Motor Vehicles put the tally at 70 — 13 do-it-yourself or other vehicles such as the NmG, 22 Teslas and 35 Chevrolet Volts.

Currently, there are 11 charging stations at garages, parking lots, The Hartford Financial Services Group and other locations. The state Capitol is among 18 sites for proposed charging stations.

Lawmakers, including members of the energy and technology committee, say they hope to make Connecticut the electric-vehicle capital of the Northeast.

"There are a number of things we can do as a state government to encourage and support the growth of this market," said Sen. John Fonfara, D-Hartford, who gathered with other lawmakers outside the Capitol on Tuesday afternoon to view the Chevrolet Volt, the NmG and a demonstration of Enfield-based Control Module Industries charging equipment.

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As electric vehicle chargers come to Macy's, battery swapping hits China

US electric vehicle charging firm ECOtality announced this week that it would install chargers at Macy's department stores, the latest in a series of moves which will make chargers more accessible to the public.

Shoppers at the popular stores in the San Diego region will be able to charge their electric vehicles while they shop at the popular outlet, the first department store chain to sign up ECOtality's EV Project.

Installation will kick off in the coming months and if the scheme is popular, ECOtality says that it will be expanded to other locations.

Charging stations are rapidly popping up at big name outlets as more and more electric vehicles hit the road in the US -- ECOtality already offers stations at Best Buy, while its competitor ChargePoint opened the first charging point at a McDonald's restaurant last year.

Nonetheless, not everyone is convinced that EV charging is a panacea for electric motoring -- so far the rapid growth of chargers has failed to dampen fears over the relatively short range and long charge times of electric vehicles.

Better Place, a company which is betting that drivers would prefer to battery swap, rather than battery charge, announced it was moving into China this week after signing a deal with the world's eighth largest utility firm.

Better Place and China Southern Power Grid Co. are set to build a battery switch station in Guangzhou before the year is out, in an attempt to "further advance electric cars with switchable batteries in China."

The firm, which opened its first European center in the Danish capital Copenhagen March 3, also released figures that suggested it's not the only one with a strong interest in battery-swapping technology -- some 100,000 visitors every year have visited its "education" center near Tel Aviv, in Copenhagen, and Toronto.

http://www.ecotality.com
http://www.betterplace.com

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China's Electric Car Drive: Impressive, But Not Enough

This story is part of a special series that explores energy issues. For more, visit The Great Energy Challenge.

Rapid motorization in China has made it the world's largest auto market, and government support for plug-in vehicles has made the nation a target for the electric vehicle ambitions on display at this week's Shanghai auto show.

But China's impressive efforts on electric cars do not necessarily put the nation on the road to an environmentally sustainable transportation system, concludes a study released today (pdf) by the World Bank.

As more people in China swap their bikes, scooters, public transit and walking for passenger cars, the World Bank is stepping back to plot its strategy for helping China improve its transportation system.

(Related: "Guangzhou, China, Wins Sustainable Transport Prize")

The World Bank has lent $46 billion globally in the transport sector since 2000, including $9.4 billion in the 2010 fiscal year, mostly to build roads. Recognizing transport as crucial for economic growth and trade, the World Bank seeks to help countries develop safe transport services that produce minimal carbon emissions, and are accessible to the poor.

When it comes to electric vehicles, "A lot of people talk about China leading and running away with it," said Oliver Hazimeh, director of the management consulting firm PRTM, which has just completed the study for the World Bank on China's New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Program. The report hails China's pursuit of "the most ambitious electrification program in the world." But at this early stage, said Hazimeh, long-term leadership and a truly sustainable transportation system are far from guaranteed.

(Related: "On China's Roads (and Rails), a Move Toward Greener Transit")

In a statement about today's report, Ede Ijjasz, sustainable development manager for the World Bank in China and Mongolia, called China's plan to invest $15 billion in vehicle electrification "remarkable and second to none."

Yet according to Shomik Mehndiratta, who commissioned and oversaw the report last year as senior transport specialist in the World Bank's sustainable development unit for China and Mongolia, Chinese mayors have been "doing what U.S. mayors did from the 1960s." They are generally "trying to accommodate" growing numbers of vehicles by building infrastructure and roads. "That cannot be the only response to motorization." It's also important to manage the shift, he said, and treat electric vehicles as only one piece of a system that incorporates car-free modes of transportation.

Mehndiratta said his team's overriding goal is to help China and Chinese cities improve their transport, often focusing on walking, cycling, and public transport. "More and more our role is how to deal with climate change," he said.

When it comes to "green transport," Chinese leaders "think almost exclusively about going toward EVs," said Mehndiratta. The widespread notion that "technology is the answer to everything" is like the American mindset 50 years ago. He warned against focusing too much on electric vehicles in China today as "a panacea."

That is something electric vehicles do not offer. Urban congestion, sprawl, inefficient land use, and other problems correlate to the large number of private vehicles, regardless of whether they plug in or gas up. Addressing these issues will require "a more radical reinvention of urban personal mobility systems," according to today's study.

Even some environmental benefits are not a sure thing. According to the World Bank study, "The biggest challenge faced by China is that the current Chinese electricity grid produces relatively high GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions." And the "long remaining lifetime" of existing coal plants means the country's electricity generation will likely remain greenhouse-gas-intensive "for a significant period of time."

As a result, the study authors say "a new framework for maximizing GHG benefits" must be developed in order for China to realize the full emission benefits possible with electric vehicles.

(Related from National Geographic magazine: "China's Middle Class: Gilded Age, Gilded Cage")

Plug-in vehicles can result in lower carbon emissions even when drawing electricity from a grid that relies heavily on "old coal" power plants, the researchers note. However, "Absent a sustained focus on environmental outcomes," they conclude, "the various policies to promote NEVs could result in substantial economic and energy benefits but fall short of the hoped-for reductions in greenhouse gas and urban air pollution."

Will China lead the world in private purchases of electric vehicles? At this point, said Hazimeh, the "economic equation is not there." More affluent consumers are seeking higher-end vehicles from established luxury brands as status symbols. "Will they buy a BYD?" he asked, referring to the Chinese battery giant and plug-in vehicle developer. "Probably not. Maybe a Volt." Chinese consumers just transitioning from scooters to their first passenger car, meanwhile, won't be able to afford most electric models.

The report identifies several areas where the World Bank could work with China's central and local governments to support deployment of "new energy" vehicles, and maximize their environmental benefits. For example, the World Bank's experience with large-scale infrastructure projects could be put toward development of a carbon emission pricing and monitoring system, as well as standards for vehicle charging equipment. World Bank loans could help finance infrastructure and a "comprehensive electric vehicle-ecosystem" pilot project that would include investment in battery "swap" stations, batteries, and development of software and hardware for managing loads on the grid caused by an influx of plug-in cars.

(Related: "Chinese Air Pollution Deadliest in World, Report Says")

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