Valence Technology may build new battery plant
Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Manufacturing/Plants , Ford , Europe/EU , USA As soon as we heard the announcement about Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp and Ford’s Smith-built Transit Connect coming to America , our minds soon turned to the battery supplier of that company, Valence Technology . The Austin, Texas-based firm keeps a lower profile than some of its competitors like A123 and Enerdel preferring, it seems, to quietly go about the business of being putting its batteries into vehicles as diverse as the Segway and the PV1 truck . Our curiosity was quickly rewarded by an article in the Austin American Statesman that says that Valence is considering building a new battery plant either in America or Europe. It has been making its batteries at two facilities in China but with Tanfield (Smith Electric’s parent company) and other customers asking about a U.S. factory and the possibility of government funding becoming available via the stimulus package, it is considering bringing production closer to home. They are hedging a little, mentioning Europe as a possible location as well, but it does seem they will thoroughly investigate the American option first. It is widely thought that increased domestic production of lithium ion batteries would be strategically prudent and, besides that, we could use the jobs. [Source: Austin American Statesman ] Valence Technology may build new battery plant originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green
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Leave a commentFord confirms Transit Connect EV with Smith Electric for 2010
Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Ford , Chicago Auto Show Click the Transit Connect for a high res gallery Ford has now confirmed that the new Transit Connect small van will form the basis for its first new battery electric vehicle that will launch in the second half of 2010. Ford is very excited about electric vehicles and we first learned that Ford planned to introduce a Transit Connect EV when the company’s viability plan was submitted to Congress in December. Since then, speculation has been rife about which vehicle would form the basis for the new EV, with most indicators pointing at either the Transit or Transit Connect. Part of the reason for that is that Smith Electric Vehicles of the UK has already developed battery-powered versions of both of those models. At a background briefing prior to the Chicago Auto Show, Ford’s VP of product development, Derrick Kuzak, revealed that Ford was working with Smith to bring the Transit Connect EV to market next year. While Kuzak declined to provide much detail on the vehicle specs, volumes or pricing, some hints can be gleaned from the Smith EV website . The model sold by Smith as the Ampere adds a 24 kWh lithiun ion-iron phosphate battery pack to the Transit Connect. The standard 2.0L four cylinder gas engine is replaced by a 50 kW electric motor. Together, these systems yield an expected range of about 100 miles on a charge and a top speed of 70 mph. The Ampere also has a payload capacity of 1,764 lbs. With that kind of payload, even a likely real world range that is considerably less than 100 miles shouldn’t do much to dampen the utility of such a vehicle for a lot of customers. At least at first the Transit Connect EV will only be offered to commercial operators. The rest of us will have to wait another year for the Focus-based EV . Gallery: 2010 Ford Transit Connect [Source: Ford] Continue reading Ford confirms Transit Connect EV with Smith Electric for 2010 Ford confirms Transit Connect EV with Smith Electric for 2010 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green
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Montana could follow California on greenhouse gas rules
Auto Blog: Legislation and Policy Montana could soon become the latest state to adopt California emissions rules if a recently-introduced bill becomes law. California still hasn’t received the go-ahead from the EPA to even regulate carbon dioxide emissions but Montana Senate Bill 180 would make CO 2 a regulated pollutant. If the EPA reverses a late-2007 ruling, automakers will have to achieve a fleet average of 44 mpg by the end of the next decade in order to meet the California standards. Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer supports the senate bill and sent a representative to testify at a recent hearing. While Montana would simply adopt the standards set by California, state regulators would have to ensure that automakers meet the standard in the state based on sales. The Montana bill would also extend beyond cars an regulate emissions from commercial and industrial sources. [Source: Green Car Congress ] Montana could follow California on greenhouse gas rules originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green
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Proterra touring California with fast-charging electric bus
Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Transportation Alternatives , Lightweight , USA Proterra has begun a 10-city “California Clean Bus Tour” with the unveiling of its EcoRide B35 all-electric transit bus in San Jose. The lightweight, composite-bodied people mover features the 10 minute recharge-capable TerraVolt[TM] Energy Storage System, said to be based around batteries from Altairnano , and motors from UQM Technologies . Its regenerative brakes can recapture up to 90 percent of the vehicle’s kinetic energy and help it achieve a range between 30 and 40 miles. Although, like many alternative drivetrains, it has a higher upfront pricetag than its diesel counterparts, the company estimates the difference can be absorbed well before the end of its expected 12-year life through lower energy and maintenance costs. Proterra also has a plug-in hydrogen fuel cell version of the bus that will begin service in Burbank this Spring. California has a mandate that dictates 15 percent of all buses added to fleets after 2011 be zero-emission vehicles. Founder and CTO of the Golden, Colorado company, Dale Hill says, “”The fact is, emissions free transit is not a ‘nice to have,’ it is a must have for clean, healthy communities across California and the U.S.” Indeed it is, Mr. Hill. Full press release after the break. [Source: Proterra ] Continue reading Proterra touring California with fast-charging electric bus Proterra touring California with fast-charging electric bus originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green
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UK company goes for converted electric Ford Transit vans for landscaping duty
Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Ford , UK Click above for high-res gallery of the converted Ford Transits If the smaller Ampere electric van (a converted Ford Transit Connect) just doesn’t offer enough carrying capacity for all your rakes and shovels, then take a page from Continental Landscapes. The UK-based company recently purchased four of the larger Transit vans for use in their landscaping business. Continental purchased two 4.6-ton Ford Transit beaver tail and two 3.5-tonne tippers, all of which were converted by the old hands at Smith Electric Vehicles and have lithium ion iron phosphate battery packs and a 90-kilowatt induction motor that provide a 100-mile range between charges. The vans have a top speed of 50 miles per hour. The reason for the purchases? A desire to reduce operating costs and emissions. The plan is to use these vans for about 5,000 miles each year, so the company should find out soon if this measure works. Gallery: Smith Electric Vehicles converted Ford Transits [Source: Nobull Communications] UK company goes for converted electric Ford Transit vans for landscaping duty originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green
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KTM puts a 2010 sale date on its electric dirtbike
Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , On Two Wheels , Racing Click above for high-res shots of the electric KTM dirtbike Sounds like KTM might beat Honda to market as the first major manufacturer with an electric two-wheeler on offer. Currently, there are a couple of players in the off-road EV market in Quantya and Zero Motorcycles , and KTM is set to join them in 2010 with what it’s calling a race ready dirtbike. With a weight of under 200 pounds, top-level suspension components and nearly 30 lb-ft of torque that will be available from a dead stop, we think they’re on to something here. Not only will the electric dual sport bike produce zero emissions, but it will also be nearly silent. These two important attributes will open the sport up to a ton of people that would otherwise be unable to enjoy the hobby. On-board lithium ion batteries will provide about 40 minutes of hard riding, and likely a good deal more if you’re just playing around. Next question: How much? Gallery: Electric KTM Enduro [Source: Hell For Leather ] KTM puts a 2010 sale date on its electric dirtbike originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green
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