Latest Updates: electric vehicle RSS

• Battery Specialist A123 Systems To Go Public
  Srikant Rajan 07:04:42 am on September 4, 2008 | 0 | # |
  Tags: Chevy Volt, cleantech ipo, electric vehicle, ev, general motors, gm, lithium ion, think

  Lithium ion battery manufacture A123 Systems filed for an IPO for raising an estimated $175 million.The specifics regarding the number of shares , price range were not revealed but A123 systems plans to invest a major chunk of the capital garnered in upgrading manufacturing capability and R&D activities.

  A123 has emerged as a key player in the advanced battery technology  for the EV sector.It has also attracted deals with Norwegian EV manufacturer Think and has also teamed with General Motors for battery packs for Chevy Volt.With such major deals under its belt it may also be possible that A123 could enter into some acquisitions to gain a strong foothold in the booming EV sector.

   

• Google Sees a Bright Future for Electric Vehicles
  Srikant Rajan 04:23:04 pm on August 10, 2008 | 1 | # |
  Tags: acta cell, aptera motors, electric vehicle, google, plug in, rechargeIT

  Google’s initiative RechargeIT ,  has put in a $10 million to promote development of plug in hybrid vehicle technology.The recipients of its plug in vehicle program are Acta Cell – a battery developer and Aptera Motors – an electric vehicle maker.This initiative of Google has further lead credence to the viability of electric vehicles for mass uses.

  Through such ventures Google is not only scripting the future but also looking to play a major part in it.Given the  advanced level of technology currently employed in electric vehicles , Google’s expertise as a software developer can surely come in handy for designing the IT needs of such vehicles.As Rolf Schreiber – engineer Recharge IT says , beyond the se initial investments Google is also looking to backing companies that control the rate of plug in vehicle charging rate.The future of transportation seems to be software controlled and maybe manipulated via the internet . (Trust Google to come up with something of that sort ! )

   

• Ultracapacitors or Batteries for Electric Vehicles ?
  Srikant Rajan 07:18:05 am on May 25, 2008 | 0 | # |
  Tags: batteries, electric vehicle, ev, gm, maxwell, ultracapacitor, volt, wagoner

  The main limitation of an electric vehicle is he cost of the battery used by it.GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner ,has recently revealed that the company aims to launch its Chevy Volt by 2010.However Wagoner highlighted that the main challenge currently being faced  is the high cost of the battery which is threatening to push he cost of the Volt beyond GM’s projection of $30,000/vehicle.Ultracapacitors provide an alternative to the use of batteries as they are more durable and less expensive.Maxwell Technologies is currently the largest enterprise in the Ultracapacitors segment.Maxwell’s affordable Energy Line series and the  Power Line series provide an attractive alternative to batteries in virtually any application.