The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Group(New York) announced that Layne Holley, editor of Electric Vehicle Progress was chosen by EVonyx Inc.(Hawthorne, NY) as their official impartial observer during a test drive of an electric vehicle powered by their new zinc-air Revolutionary Power Cell (RPC). The goal of the test drive was to set a record by […]
Texaco (White Plains, NY) and General Motors (Detroit, MI) announced Texaco's intent to acquire GM's share of a joint venture that has developed an advanced battery technology for the automotive market.Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, Texaco will acquire GM's 60 percent share of an existing joint venture with Energy Conversion Devices (ECD, […]
Darnell.Com Inc. (Corona, CA) announced the appointments of Dr. D. Bruce Merrifield and John C. Meldrum to the company's Board of Directors. Dr. Merrifield and Mr. Meldrum are the first outside directors appointed to the board.Dr. Merrifield is president and CEO of the Pridco Management Company (Washington, DC). He is Professor Emeritus of the Wharton […]
The first annual international Advanced Automotive Battery Conference will be held February 5-8, 2001 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Monte Carlo Hotel. The conference will bring together automakers and automotive systems suppliers from around the world for a thorough discussion with producers and developers about high-power batteries. It will feature speakers from leading Japanese, […]
PowerCache (San Diego, CA), a Maxwell Technologies company, announced the availability of the PC100, a 100-farad ultracapacitor. PowerCache claims that the new PC100 can increase battery operating life while reducing battery size in automatic meter readers; automotive applications; black box data recorders for commercial and military aviation; backup power for UPS applications; or any other […]
The EVictory, a fuel-cell-powered electric vehicle developed by EVonyx Inc. (Elmsford, NY), has been returned to New York after setting a new Guinness distance record for the longest run on a single charge by a modified production vehicle powered by a fuel cell.The car traveled 217 miles from West Orange, NJ, to Howard, PA, without […]
Electric and electric-hybrid vehicles performed well in the government's annual assessment of which new fuel-using vehicles get the best mileage. For the second consecutive year, Honda's electric-hybrid Insight took top honors, averaging 68mpg in the city and 61mpg on the highway. Coming in second was the electric-hybrid Prius by Toyota, which averaged just under 50mpg […]
Zapworld.Com (Sebastopol, CA) reported record production for the month of August and expects strong third quarter revenues as well as improved earnings compared to third quarter 1999. Zapworld CEO Gary Starr stated, "The electric scooter business continues to significantly exceed our expectations. New products such as our KICK and the incredible success and popularity of […]
Dynex Power (Boston, MA) will be exhibiting their eCycle hybrid motorcycle at the PCIM 2000 conference in Boston, MA. The company claims that their eCycle is the world's first commercially viable diesel-electric hybrid motorcycle.The eCycle features a computer control system and, according to Dan Sodomsky, director of engineering for the eCycle, "Dynex Power IGBT parts […]
Evercel Inc. (Danbury, CT) completed the installation of its first automated production line in the Newport News, VA, facility. The company expects to begin production of its Evertroll trolling motor battery in early October."This is probably the most significant milestone for the company," commented Robert L. Kanode, president and CEO. "We are beginning a production […]
TenderLand Power Co. (Truckee, CA) is increasing the scope of its $0.08 per kilowatt-hour flat-rate electric generation charge plan for electric vehicles (EVs). Expanding the program availability to more California electric service customers, TenderLand will offer free electric generation to owners of electric vehicles, good for up to 5,000 miles of usage during each year. […]
The California Senate (Sacramento, CA) has voted 29-8 to approve legislation authorizing state grants of up to $9,000 to encourage consumers to buy or lease electric vehicles (EVs). The proposal by Assemblyman Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, was designed to soften the impact of the higher prices of EVs. It would enable individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations […]
Vishay Intertechnology (Malvern, PA) and DaimlerChrysler (Auburn Hills, MI) have signed a licensing agreement that will enable Vishay to undertake the high-volume manufacture of semiconductor products using DaimlerChrysler's silicon carbide (SiC) technology.Under development at DaimlerChrysler AG since 1993, SiC technology enables the creation of semiconductor devices for compact power-conversion systems in electric cars, railways systems […]
The Electric Auto Corp. (EAC, Ft. Lauderdale, FL) announced that it plans to start production in California of a full-performance, zero-emission, electric "Silver Volt" Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) equipped with its new Apollo fuel cell and lead-cobalt battery, which will sell at about the same price as today's gas-powered SUV.The fuel cell being used is […]
The US Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) recently approved the formation of a new working group whose goal will be to guide a major change from 14V to 42V in the electrical architecture that powers the majority of American vehicles.Leaders from USCAR member companies, including DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors, have recognized that there is […]