Blue Bird to offer electric repower option for school buses
Blue Bird Corporation will offer a factory-certified electric repower program on select gasoline and propane-powered Blue Bird school buses. The company is collaborating with Lightning eMotors to develop this repower electric vehicle (EV) powertrain system jointly. Blue Bird will launch the repower program in 2023 for gasoline and propane-powered Blue Bird Vision Type C school buses built after September 2021. The electric repower system will enable customers to expect the same performance and safety standards from OEM-built electric vehicles, the company says.
GM launches EV Live education platform
General Motors has launched EV Live, a virtual experience that allows participants to interact one-on-one with EV specialists and learn about electric vehicles for free. EV Live allows a user to connect with an EV specialist from any internet-connected mobile or desktop device, the company says. These EV specialists will answer EV-related questions in real-time and
GE Appliances deploying fleet of electric trucks
GE Appliances is deploying a fleet of electric freight vehicles on routes between the company’s inbound warehouses and its manufacturing facilities in Kentucky, Georgia and Tennessee. The move will increase efficiency, reliability and lower the cost of moving manufacturing materials and components in a critical segment of the company’s supply chain, the company says. GE adds
Toyota releases storage battery system for residential use
Toyota Motor Corporation has developed the “O-Uchi Kyuden System,” a home storage battery system, now open for preorders in Japan. The O-Uchi Kyuden System uses electrified vehicle battery technology such as Toyota’s battery control to provide a rated capacity of 8.7 kWh and a rated output of 5.5 kWh. By linking with a photovoltaic system,
Porsche invests in industrial eFuel production facilities
Porsche is strengthening its commitment to industrial production of eFuels, investing $75 million in HIF Global LLC. In return, the sports car manufacturer is acquiring a long-term stake in HIF Global LLC, a holding company of internationally active project developers of eFuel production facilities. Among other projects, the Santiago de Chile-based company is building the Haru Oni
InoBat Auto & Ideanomics plan to build R&D, battery production facilities
InoBat Auto, in cooperation with Ideanomics, plans to embark upon a phased investment project based in Indiana, in three stages. First, the companies open a new R&D and production facility for battery module and pack assembly with an initial annual production capacity of 100 MWh. Both parties then aim to construct a full commercial-scale battery module
DOE announces $96M to advance clean vehicle technologies
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $96 million funding opportunity to support decarbonizing the domestic transportation sector. The funding will focus on expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging accessibility, creating cleaner non-road vehicles through electrification and the use of alternative fuels, and developing electric drive components and materials to maximize EV efficiency and affordability.
Lightning eMotors electrifies gas, diesel vehicles in Bay Area
Lightning eMotors says it is giving gasoline and diesel vehicles a second, zero-emissions life by repowering a variety of passenger transit vehicles for shuttle service providers for tech companies located throughout Silicon Valley. The all-electric vehicles include Class 3 passenger vans and Class 7 motorcoaches, all of which are either in service already or soon
Leclanché to produce ‘non-flammable’ battery cells in 2023
By adding a fire-retardant additive to its electrolyte formula composition, Swiss Lithium-ion cells and energy storage solutions company Leclanché says it has lowered the risk of a thermal event in its battery cells by close to 80%. The company says this achievement has been validated by Intertek Germany, a third-party testing lab that conducted a
Zero-emission truck market is primed for growth
The limited sales penetration of zero-emission trucks in Western markets reflects a lack of available zero-emission trucks rather than a lack of demand, according to IDTechEx’s new report, “Electric and Fuel Cell Trucks 2023-2043.” Major corporations are clamoring for low-emission trucks (and greater support from governments) to help them meet their corporate pledges to reduce
WAE reveals prototype Triumph TE-1 motorcycle testing results
Final prototype test results have been announced for the Triumph TE-1 electric motorcycle, says Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE). WAE says the TE-1 has a 100-mile range, based on live testing and official projections. The bike also achieves 0-60 MPH in 3.6 seconds, and 0-100 MPH in 6.2 seconds. WAE adds the bike has a 20-minute
American Landmaster to release electric 4×4 UTV
American Landmaster has announced the release of its new 2022 Landmaster EV 4X4 Lithium-Ion UTV side-by-side. The Landmaster EV 4×4 is built on the same chassis as the original EV lithium side-by-side, launched in 2021, including fully independent L-ROSS suspension, automotive grade ball joints & bushings, and weather-sealed electrical connectors, the company says. The 2022
