Germany Doubles Electric Vehicle Research and Development Aid

Bloomberg reports, “the German government announced an additional 1 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in research and development aid for electric vehicles, doubling its budget by 2013 in a bid to position itself at the technology’s vanguard. Tax rebates, dedicated parking spots and measures aimed at promoting government use of electric cars are among the other [...]

GM Ventures Makes Strategic Investment in Envia Systems

The press release states, “General Motors Ventures LLC invested $7 million in Newark, Calif.-based Envia Systems to provide GM’s battery engineering team with access to advanced lithium-ion cathode technology that delivers higher cell energy density and lower cost. In a separate agreement, GM has secured the right to use Envia’s advanced cathode material for future [...]

Autos would get up to 62 mpg under U.S. plan

According to Reuters, “Automakers would be required to nearly double fleet efficiency to 62 miles per gallon by 2025 under the most ambitious scenario of a U.S. government outlook on fuel economy and emissions released on Friday. Gasoline and electric hybrid vehicles and electric cars would play a crucial role in meeting the top range [...]

GE and Better Place Partner to Accelerate EV Infrastructure Deployment

According to the press release, “GE  and Better Place, a leading electric vehicle (EV) services provider, today announced a technology and financing partnership to accelerate the global deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure through collaboration in four key areas: standards-based technology development, battery financing, joint fleet electrification programs and consumer awareness. The partnership combines GE’s global [...]

Carmaker Tesla’s stock zooms 40 percent on first day

According to Reuters, “Electric carmaker Tesla Motors Corp’s initial public offering zoomed ahead on Tuesday with shares rallying more than 40 percent as investors bet that electric cars would define the future of transportation. Tesla’s shining debut came despite weakness in the broad market and as other auto stocks were hit by concerns of a [...]

Better Place Applauds Bipartisan Effort to put US into the Global EV Race

According to a Better Place Press Release, “Better Place today announced its support for federal legislation aimed at catalyzing electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the US, the Electric Vehicle Deployment Act (EVDA), introduced today by a leading bipartisan group of members of the Senate and House. “The bills, introduced by Senators Dorgan (D-ND), Alexander (R-TN), [...]

Better Place Takes First Step in China

According to the Press Release, “Better Place took a first step today in China by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Chery Automobile Co., China’s largest independent auto producer and exporter, to collaborate on electric vehicle technology in the world’s largest auto market. As part of the collaboration agreement, the Chery exhibit at Auto [...]

CalCars: PHEVs are the Future

Based out of Palo Alto, CA, CalCars is a nonprofit organization comprised of engineers, environmentalist and entrepreneurs. While a majority of people are looking to invest in the EV market, CalCars believe that plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs) are the best of both worlds. To them, PHEVs are not simply a transition from traditional internal-combustion engine [...]

GM To Be First Major U.S. Automaker to Manufacture Electric Motors

According to the press release, “GM will expand its in-house electric vehicle development capabilities by becoming the first major U.S. automaker to design and manufacture electric motors, a core technology for hybrids and electric vehicles. By doing so, GM will lower costs and improve performance, quality, reliability and manufacturability of electric motors by controlling design, [...]

ZAP, Jonway Partner to Target China Electric SUV Market

According to the press release, “US electric vehicle pioneer ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) and China auto manufacturer Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co. Ltd. announced a commercial agreement to produce electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs), cars and other electric vehicles in China for domestic and global distribution. ZAP and Jonway partnered on the production of the 5-door Jonway [...]