The Renault-Nissan Alliance and the Portuguese consortium MOBI.E Tech have partnered for the promotion of electric mobility in Portugal, one of the first countries in the world to adopt a countrywide electric mobility policy.  MOBI.E will include charging stations accessible to all electric vehicle brands. The stations will be installed all over [...]]]>

Nissan Leaf EV

The Renault-Nissan Alliance and the Portuguese consortium MOBI.E Tech have partnered for the promotion of electric mobility in Portugal, one of the first countries in the world to adopt a countrywide electric mobility policy.  MOBI.E will include charging stations accessible to all electric vehicle brands. The stations will be installed all over Portugal, in places such as public car parks, shopping centers, hotels, airports and gasoline stations. Electric vehicle users will require only an identification card to access the network, regardless of the charging station location, providing a quick and seamless experience.

The network will have normal charging points which will be able to charge an electric vehicle in 6 to 8 hours, using wind energy produced during the night, as well as rapid charging points which will charge an electric vehicle in less than 30 minutes. 

“The Renault-Nissan Alliance believes that the true measure of electric mobility success is total customer satisfaction. Our partnership with MOBI.E Tech will ensure that all electric vehicle customers in Portugal are given the highest-quality charging experience possible,” said Emmanuel Delay, Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance at Nissan International SA.

“We congratulate the Portuguese government and the MOBI.E Tech consortium that were able to develop this project which we expect to become a world-class benchmark. We are commited to jointly studying the best way to promote this project for the success of electric mobility in Portugal,” said José Caro de Sousa, General Manager of Renault Portugal.  MOBI.E Tech is actively working towards deploying the MOBI.E model and underlying technology in other countries. “We do believe that the creation of an integrated, fully interoperable pan-European charging system, open to multiple energy providers, network charging operators, automobile constructors and other added-value service providers, will be one of the key challenges to the adoption of EVs on a massive scale.

MOBI.E Tech software platform was architected from the beginning to support such a multiple-entity complex environment”, said Fernando Baptista, General Manager of MOBI.E Tech. The LOI follows the Agreement signed between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Portugal in 2008 for the implementation of a nationwide electric mobility program in the country. The agreement calls for 1,300 vehicle charging points by 2011 and the supply of electric vehicles by the Renault-Nissan Alliance, starting with the Nissan LEAF in December 2010.

Press Release. To make electric car charging cleaner and less expensive, industry pioneer ZAP (OTC BB: ZAAP) has licensed the Smart Charger Controller technology developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The technology allows customers to minimize the cost of charging electric vehicles by automatically recharging a vehicle’s battery at times of least demand on the [...]]]>

Source:PNNL

Press Release. To make electric car charging cleaner and less expensive, industry pioneer ZAP (OTC BB: ZAAP) has licensed the Smart Charger Controller technology developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The technology allows customers to minimize the cost of charging electric vehicles by automatically recharging a vehicle’s battery at times of least demand on the grid and subsequently, least cost to the consumer.

Battelle, an international science and technology organization that manages and operates PNNL for the U.S. Department of Energy, also has granted ZAP the right to sublicense the technology to ZAP Hangzhou. ZAP plans to distribute the new technology as part of its electric vehicle business plan, including through its strategic investor and distribution partner Samyang Optics (008080.KS) of Korea.

How it Works: ZAP Licenses Electric Car Smart Charger Control Technology from Battelle.

“We believe this will put us at the cutting edge of charging station technology,” said Samyang Optics CEO, Christopher Kang. “I feel that this technology is one of the most critical pieces to make electric cars viable on a large scale.”

“ZAP believes the patented smart car charging technology is an important feature to ensure the environmental viability of electric cars,” said ZAP Founder and Director of Business Development, Gary Starr.

PNNL publicly announced the Smart Charger Controller technology last year after completing an earlier assessment that showed America’s existing power grid could meet the needs of about 158 million vehicles, or 70 percent of all U.S. light-duty vehicles, if battery charging was managed to avoid new peaks in electricity demand.

“If a million owners plug in their electric vehicles to recharge after work, it could cause a major strain on the grid,” said PNNL engineer Michael Kintner-Meyer. “The Smart Charger Controller technology could prevent those peaks in demand from plug-in vehicles and enable our existing grid to be used more evenly.”

Owners program the controller to charge at a specific time of day or night or at a set price point. The controller uses a low-range wireless technology to communicate with the power grid and determine the best and cheapest time to recharge vehicles. By charging vehicles during off-peak times, the controller saves consumers money and helps maximize the capacity of the electrical grid during periods of peak demand.

The PNNL smart charge controller has been licensed by ZAP for its electric car charging program in the US, China and Korea.

Previous PNNL studies with household appliances show that “smart” technologies also save the grid from brown-outs with little impact to the consumer. Grid Friendly™ technology inside the Smart Charger Controller senses stress conditions on the grid. When the grid says more power is needed, the controller can temporarily stop charging the vehicle until the stress subsides.

This instant reduction in charging load, multiplied on a large scale with many vehicles, could serve as a shock absorber for the grid and help to incorporate renewable energy like wind and solar. The technology could relieve load instantly and give grid operators time to bring new power generation sources on line to stabilize the grid – a process that usually takes several minutes.

ZAP intends to use the technology for its electric car charging program in the USA, Korea and through its JV in China, ZAP Hangzhou later in 2010.

About Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is a Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory where interdisciplinary teams advance science and technology and deliver solutions to America’s most intractable problems in energy, national security and the environment. PNNL employs 4,700 staff, has an annual budget of nearly $1.1 billion, and has been managed by Ohio-based Battelle since the lab’s inception in 1965. Follow PNNL on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Engineer Michael Kintner-Meyer of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory helped create smart electric car charging control technology

About ZAP Hangzhou

ZAP Hangzhou is a joint venture with Holley Group, the world’s largest volume producer of electric power meters. With backing from venture capital firm Better Worlds International and Cathaya Funds, the goal of the company is to develop electric vehicle and infrastructure technology. With close relationships to public utilities in China, ZAP believes Holley’s leadership will accelerate the adoption of controlled electric car charge technology.

About Holley Group

Holley Group is the parent of Holley Metering Limited, a global leader in electric metering with diversified businesses spanning pharmaceuticals, real estate, telecommunications and IT. Holley employs more than 12,000 people and over 800 R&D personnel worldwide. Headquartered in Hangzhou, Holley operates manufacturing in China, Thailand, Argentina and Uzbekistan. Holley products are sold through offices in major cities throughout China, India as well as South East Asia, and the European markets. For more information, visit http://www.holleymeter.com/en.

About ZAP

ZAP is one of the world’s oldest consumer electric vehicle providers, having delivered over 117,000 of a broad range of electric vehicles to more than 75 countries since 1994. ZAP supplies electric trucks and vans to military and government fleets and is an innovator of electric motorcycles, scooters and ATVs. ZAP supplies some of the only electric city-speed cars and trucks in production today and is leveraging its accrued technology know-how in developing a cost effective high-speed electric car called the ZAP Alias. For further information visit http://www.zapworld.com.

About Better World International, Ltd.

Better World International, Ltd., funded by Cathaya Funds Company, is a BVI company with headquarters in Hong Kong focused on infrastructure technology and services for electric vehicles. It is focused on joint partnerships with the power grid companies in China to build out the recharge station networks for the electric power infrastructure for electric vehicles, and on opportunities with companies that provide the core technologies to enhance electric power train conversion and support of fast charging stations.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company’s products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company’s dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should consider the risk factors described in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2009, as well as other filings.

Nissan North America has announced its selection of AeroVironment to supply electric vehicle home-charging stations and installation services supporting the introduction of the zero-emission, all-electric Nissan LEAF later this year.

The Nissan LEAF five-passenger electric car will be powered by an advanced, lithium-ion battery pack that will [...]]]> Agreement part of one-stop shop experience for EV purchase process

Nissan North America has announced its selection of AeroVironment to supply electric vehicle home-charging stations and installation services supporting the introduction of the zero-emission, all-electric Nissan LEAF later this year.

The Nissan LEAF five-passenger electric car will be powered by an advanced, lithium-ion battery pack that will provide a drive range of 100 miles on a full charge, as measured by the LA4 test cycle. AV’s Nissan-branded charging stations will be available at the sale of each Nissan LEAF as part of the vehicle’s total driving system. The home-charging stations are designed to provide a safe and reliable charge when installed with a connection to a 220-volt line. It will take eight hours to fully charge the Nissan LEAF from a fully discharged state.

Home charging will represent a highly convenient charging method for the Nissan LEAF customer. AV’s nationwide network of qualified, licensed electricians will offer pre-installation home assessment services prior to vehicle delivery, and will install the charging stations.

“Nissan is committed to bringing zero-emission mobility to the United States, and around the world,” said Carlos Tavares, Chairman, Nissan Americas. “A part of that commitment is delivering a one-stop shop experience for the new car owner, which is why we chose AeroVironment. As a result of our selection, drivers of the Nissan LEAF will be able to charge their vehicles safely overnight at their own homes.”

“By introducing a practical electric passenger and fleet vehicle, Nissan is moving boldly to link driving with zero emissions and energy independence,” said Tim Conver, AV’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Our selection as Nissan’s preferred charging equipment and service provider, for what we believe will be the largest adoption of battery electric cars in history, represents a great opportunity to apply our nationwide EV charging infrastructure solutions to the successful introduction of the Nissan LEAF. We are committed to making those who purchase a Nissan LEAF and our universal home charging system successful in the use of clean, electric vehicles.”

Nissan announced this supply agreement at the North American International Auto Show, where the Nissan LEAF was being displayed for international media Jan. 11-12. Nissan, along with its alliance partner Renault, is the only automaker committed to making all-electric vehicles available to the mass market on a global scale. The Nissan LEAF will go on sale in select markets in the United States in December.

In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car.

About AeroVironment (AV)

Building on a history of technological innovation, AV designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s battery-powered, hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. AV’s clean transportation solutions include power cycling and test systems and industrial electric vehicle charging systems for commercial and institutional customers, as well as EV home chargers and EV fast chargers for consumers. More information about AV is available at www.avinc.com.

The [...]]]> Ricardo, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Ricardo plc, the leading independent provider of technology, product innovation and engineering solutions to the world’s automotive, defense, transport and new energy industries, has in collaboration with PEP Stations LLC, unveiled a new electric vehicle charging station at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Detroit’s Cobo Center.

The new PEP Station is aimed at building a solid charging infrastructure as the electric vehicle market begins to grow. Similar to a standard fuel pump, the PEP Station allows drivers of electric vehicles to access electricity via an access card or credit card. When a vehicle connects to the PEP Station’s 220V power supply, the PEP Station recognizes a connection and the LCD screen prompts the user to accept the price per hour of connectivity, if payment by credit card is desired, or swipe an access card. The station then asks the user to select the amount of charging time required and will begin charging or ask for a credit card to be swiped for authorization. When the vehicle’s battery has been fully charged, or the time selected elapses, the station automatically discontinues the electricity. If the user does not desire to fully charge the vehicle, or wishes to discontinue the charge prior to the selected time expiring, they simply disconnect the power cord. The entire process is as easy as traditional methods of fueling vehicles, but done in a clean, eco-conscious manner.

At the 2010 NAIAS the PEP Station is the exclusive recharging station provided for EcoXperience, the high profile showcase of electric vehicles and green technologies which features a quarter-mile indoor ride-and-drive test track surrounded by landscaped and forested terrain. Two PEP Stations have been installed at the test track and are being used as charging points for the many electric vehicles being actively demonstrated, and a further three units will be available for display and demonstration purposes. More than 50,000 NAIAS visitors are expected to visit the EcoXperience display, at which PEP Station staff and Ricardo engineers will be on hand to explain the development of this state-of-the-art electric vehicle charging system.

The PEP Station has been developed to compliment the release of electric vehicles in the second half of 2010. Although electric vehicle owners can charge at home, in order for the owner to roam with total confidence, an infrastructure for out of home charging must be developed to make charging easy. Beautifully designed and easily identifiable by its stainless steel exterior, the PEP Station was designed to be a smart, stylish, and simple charging station for the electric vehicle driver of today and tomorrow.

“The first question most people ask when they begin to toy with the idea of owning an electric vehicle is, ‘How much will I save in gas?’ says PEP Stations President, James Blain. “Equally as important as the first question, the second question is, ‘Where will I charge my vehicle?’ That’s where we come in. As the electric vehicle market begins to flourish, consumers will need a convenient, reliable and easily accessible way to charge their vehicle outside of the home. It’s that simple. The PEP Station does just that in a safe, reliable, user-friendly, 220V charging station that can easily be installed at commercial destinations.”

“With CO2 emissions reduction targets being adopted around the world with the aim of mitigating the effects of man-made climate change, we believe that the increasing electrification of new vehicles – be it through hybridization, electric vehicles or range-extended plug-in hybrids – is a trend that will continue to grow,” explains Ricardo global director of controls & electronics Karina Morley. “The creation of a commercially viable and effective recharging infrastructure will be a key enabler to the achievement of such climate change goals, allowing electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle users to maximize their zero-emission mileage. Ricardo has been a proud partner in the engineering development of the PEP Station, helping to create a world-class vehicle recharging product. It is great to see it unveiled for the first time in action, supporting the high profile EcoXperience exhibit at this year’s NAIAS.”

The SunPods SP-300 EV Plug-N-Go designed specifically for companies, institutions and public agencies that need an instant [...]]]>  San Jose CA. SunPods announced today the first public demonstration of their revolutionary SunPods’ EV Plug-N-GoT Solar Powered EV Charging System. The world’s first transportable, modular, integrated solar powered electric vehicle charging station, ready to power up on delivery.

The SunPods SP-300 EV Plug-N-Go designed specifically for companies, institutions and public agencies that need an instant solar powered infrastructure solution for on-road electric vehicles (EV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and electrical industrial utility vehicles. The SunPods EV Plug-N-Go deploys rapidly, building a lasting green power infrastructure solution for today’s electrical powered vehicles.

The final scope [...]]]> Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec), a subsidiary of ECOtality, Inc., a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies,  announced that it has officially signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy for a grant of exactly $99.8 million to undertake the largest deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure in history.

The final scope of work for The Electric Vehicle (EV) Project will include the deployment of 10,950 Level 2 (220V) chargers, 260 Level 3 fast-chargers and 4,700 Nissan LEAF zero-emission electric vehicles in five states: Arizona, California, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington. In conjunction with the contract signing, The EV Project officially commenced on October 1, 2009.

“Today marks a significant day for America – with the contract officially in place with the U.S. Department of Energy, eTec can formally begin its work to implement the largest transportation electrification project in history,” said Don Karner, President, eTec. “We would like to thank the U.S. Department of Energy and the Obama Administration for investing in clean energy programs such as The EV Project. With the support of our Project partners, we look forward to a successful Project that will change the way America drives for the better.”

To mark the commencement of the Project, ECOtality and eTec today also announced the official website for the Project: www.theEVproject.com. The site is designed to provide general information about The EV Project and provides information about how to purchase a Nissan LEAF and sign-up to receive free charge infrastructure at a home or business. The interactive site also offers real time maps to show where current charge stations are located, allows visitors to track the deployment of charge infrastructure and provides the public the ability to suggest new charge locations in the markets infrastructure will be deployed.

“With the contracts in place and The EV Project officially launched, we can now work to make widespread electric vehicle use a reality by studying lessons learned from this Project and providing a blueprint for other cities to adopt electric vehicles,” said Jonathan Read, President and CEO, ECOtality. “The EV Project will have a tremendous impact on the country by creating new jobs, bolstering America’s energy independence, and promoting clean electric transportation that will significantly reducing carbon emissions and protect our environment.”

The EV Project will collect and analyze data characterizing vehicle use and charging patterns in diverse topographies and climate conditions, evaluate the effectiveness of charge infrastructure, and conduct trials of various revenue systems for public charge infrastructure. By testing and analyzing electric vehicle usage and charging patterns in a simulated mature charging environment, The EV Project will foster the expansion of EV infrastructure that will be available for widespread EV use throughout the country.

The announcement was made during the Clinton Global Initiative’s (CGI) fifth annual meeting in New York City.

The joint commitment represents more than 10,000 vehicles and potential revenues of at [...]]]> September 24, 2009–NEW YORK –FPL Group, Inc. and Duke Energy  today announced a commitment to transition their company cars and trucks to plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicles.

The announcement was made during the Clinton Global Initiative’s (CGI) fifth annual meeting in New York City.

The joint commitment represents more than 10,000 vehicles and potential revenues of at least $600 million for manufacturers who can produce viable plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). The conversion has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 125,000 metric tons over the next 10 years.

Duke Energy and FPL Group will begin this transition in the coming years – with the goal that 100 percent of all new fleet vehicles will be plug-in electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by 2020. In announcing their partnership, FPL Group and Duke Energy called for a wide variety of organizations to commit to greening their vehicle fleets, including corporations, governments, universities and other agencies.

“The more organizations that join this initiative, the more we can develop a sustainable transportation future,” said Lew Hay, FPL Group chairman and CEO. “The Clinton Global Initiative continues to serve as a catalyst for bold commitments to address serious challenges such as energy security and climate change. This commitment will help lead the way to carbon reductions in the second largest source of emissions in the U.S. economy.”

The FPL Group/Duke Energy commitment will positively impact millions of people in the regions served by the two companies through cleaner air, reduced noise pollution and less dependence on foreign oil.

Plug-in electric vehicles reduce overall carbon emissions by up to 70 percent (100 percent if charged by zero-carbon renewable energy sources), and lower fuel costs by about 80 percent. If PEVs replaced all gasoline-powered vehicles in the United States, they would reduce the need for foreign oil imports by nearly two-thirds.

The initiative will begin Jan. 1, 2010, when both companies will begin tracking their commitment. While passenger vehicles and smaller trucks are already planned, Duke Energy and FPL Group will work closely with manufacturers to test and measure the effectiveness of prototype bucket trucks in 2011 and 2012. The remainder of the commitment period will be spent transitioning vehicles, educating the public, soliciting additional partners, and providing periodic progress updates. The project is scheduled for completion Dec. 31, 2020.

“A 10-year commitment gives us time to adopt, test and integrate new technology into fleets as a wider range of vehicles are developed,” said Jim Rogers, chairman, president and CEO of Duke Energy. “Currently, the only near-term options for available PEV supply are sedans, minivans, vans and a few bucket trucks. Over a 10-year horizon, it is expected that options will be available for most utility service categories.”

Said Hay: “This commitment will provide the transportation industry the evidence that a robust market for PEVs exists. FPL introduced the technology for medium duty hybrid bucket trucks and developed the concept of using biodiesel in hybrids, and we hope this initial joint commitment will encourage corporations, governments, universities and other non-profit organizations to join us in converting their fleets to plug-in hybrid or all electric vehicles by 2020.”

The FPL Group/Duke Energy initiative was developed following the March 2009 Clinton Global Initiative Planning Retreat, a forum for building industry leadership.

“Through discussions with CGI’s innovation team, Duke Energy and FPL Group took this spark of an idea and ignited it into a full CGI commitment, inviting others to join,” Hay said.

“The opportunity for the transportation sector to transition from gasoline or diesel fuel-powered vehicles and trucks has never been greater,” Rogers added. “As global climate change and energy security loom large as some of the greatest issues faced by our generation, electric-powered vehicles hold great promise as the means to significantly reduce carbon emissions and reduce the U.S. dependence on foreign oil.”