Industry News

Included will be brief NHTSA presentations outlining current agency research and activities related to Li-ion batteries and Li-ion battery-powered vehicles, as well as presentations by the Department of Energy, voluntary standards bodies, and automotive and battery manufacturers.

Tags: electric vehicle, lithium-ion batteries, NHTSA, plug-in electric vehicles

A fee-based charging network will consist of at least 200 publicly available fast-charging stations — installed in the San Francisco Bay area, the San Joaquin Valley, the Los Angeles Basin and San Diego County.

Tags: DC fast charger, electric vehicle, EV charging station, plug-in electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid

The highway is expected to ultimately stretch along Interstate 5 from the Canadian to Mexican borders.

Tags: AeroVironment, DC fast charger, electric vehicle, EV charging station, Oregon

The Sales NetWork launched a new website for customers looking to buy and sell used alternative-fuel vehicles and equipment.

Tags: alternative-fuel vehicles, biodiesel, CNG vehicles, electric vehicle, Ethanol, hybrid sales, hybrid vehicles, propane autogas, The Sales Network

AAA’s TripTik Travel Planner and TripTik Mobile app help to alleviate range anxiety for electric vehicle drivers.

Tags: AAA, electric vehicle, EV charging station, mapping

By March 8, businesses and residents in the 21 new markets will be able to place a reservation for Nissan Leafs. Deliveries will start taking place in these new markets this summer.

Tags: 2012-MY, electric vehicle, Nissan Leaf, plug-in electric vehicles

CAMBRIDGE, MA - Using electric vehicles can markedly lower the costs of a fleet of delivery trucks. Electric vehicles can cost 9-12 percent less to operate than trucks powered by diesel engines.

Tags: electric truck, electric vehicle, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

In partnering with three technology companies, Nissan’s goal is to evaluate the use of its lithium-ion battery beyond the lifetime of the vehicle for applications such as smart-grid community energy management systems or battery energy storage.

Tags: battery re-use, electric vehicle, lithium-ion batteries, Nissan Leaf

The program was given an additional $150,000 and has a new deadline for rebates on new electric or plug-in hybrid EVs set at March 31, 2012.

Tags: electric vehicle, EV charging station, Hawaii, Hawaii EV Ready Grant Program, Nissan Leaf, plug-in hybrid, Rebate

The Mitsubishi i has a range of about 62 miles from a fully charged lithium-ion battery pack and 112-combined MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent).

Tags: 2012-MY, Eckhaus Fleet, electric vehicle, Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Letter to the Editor: A Business Fleet reader submitted this opinion piece on electric vehicle manufacturing, demand and infastructure.

Tags: Daimler AG, ECOtality, electric vehicle, EV charging station, General Motors Corp., THINK electric vehicle

The electric-car charger tax break for individuals and for businesses was not renewed by Congress, while the Department of Energy gives grants to companies to develop low-cost chargers, according USA Today.

Tags: battery charger, electric vehicle, taxes

DETROIT - NHTSA said it intends to continue to test the lithium-ion battery in the Chevrolet Volt but that based on the available data, the Volt is as safe as a gasoline-powered vehicle.

Tags: Chevrolet Volt, electric vehicle, General Motors Corp., lithium-ion batteries

DEARBORN, MI - The automakers include Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche, and Volkswagen.

Tags: Audi, BMW, Daimler AG, electric vehicle, EV charging station, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Porsche, Volkswagen

In a survey from advocacy group Small Business Majority, one in 10 businesses report utilizing at least one alt-fuel vehicle; those without say they are interested in purchasing one in the future.

Tags: alternative-fuel vehicles, electric vehicle, fuel economy standards, hybrid, poll, small business owners