Electric Car On Front Burner

China has set up an electric-vehicles association in its latest effort to encourage wider commercialisation of the costly technology.

The new group, made up of state-owned automakers and other related manufacturers, will promote common standards and accelerate research among related state-owned companies, Li Rongrong, head of the government agency in charge of state assets, said in a speech Wednesday posted on the agency's website.

The 16 manufacturers and research institutes belonging to the new group include major automakers China FAW Corp, Dongfeng MotorCorp. and China Changan Automobile Group. Others include state-owned battery makers and main electricity distributor State Grid Corp.

Developments in the electrical-vehicle area so far have come through joint ventures with foreign automakers, such as General Motors Corp, or through independent automakers, like BYD Auto, a dominant battery maker that has successfully branched into car making.

China has sought to gain control over technology innovation through a slew of policies, and the new group appears to represent an attempt by the government to join forces to exert greater control over electrical vehicle development.

It also could enable automakers that lack the wherewithall to launch electric vehicles on their own to benefit from collaboration with state companies that dominate battery making and electricity distribution.

"The message is that the government really wants to boost the new energy-car industry," said Zhang Xin, an analyst at Guotai Junan Securities in Beijing.

Read more about this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/236#236

Brammo - A Viable Electric Bike?

Electric bikes have a few major shortcomings in comparison to their internal combustion brethren, perhaps the biggest one is range. Brammo has taken a pretty big bite out of this problem with their new model dubbed the Empulse. The bike was unveiled in their tent at Laguna Seca on July 24th, during the Red Bull Grand Prix weekend. The Empulse is available in three capacities, the highest (and of course most expensive) providing a claimed 100 mile range, which is in the ballpark of what a typical commuter bike will do. Weight is perfectly acceptable too, especially given that you don't have to add 40+lbs of fuel to the quoted weight of 420lbs. Power is acceptable (compared to commuter bikes) at a claimed 54hp, with good torque at 59ftlb. Top speed is listed at 100mph+, which is plenty for anything you _should_ be doing on the street. Thankfully you don't have to go flying by people in a blur to hide bad aesthetics, as this unit is actually a pretty good looking bike (even without the umbrella girls draped all over it).

You can get yours starting at $10G, though the full spec model with 100mile range will add an extra $4G whacking you with a bit of sticker shock at $14,000 for the top kit version. Brammo claims their may be significant Government incentives that might apply, bringing that price way down, but we'd recommend triple checking that before placing your order for one.

Read more about this bike @ http://www.evhub.in/news/235#235

With generating systems powered by sunlight, wind, waves and biomass, EV is a hot prospect in Hawaii

Not many years ago, Keawakapu beachgoers were startled one evening to see a portly man in a swimsuit wading through the shallows clutching a plastic box topped by a stubby antenna. The man was shouting into the box.

Bystanders didn't realize it at the time, but the guy wasn't just another Maui "lolo." He was an early adopter of a visionary new technology: personal telecommunications. His "box" was a prototype battery-powered satellite phone.

Fast-forward 20 years, and now everybody has one. Only today, that boxy, 10-pound phone has become a sleek, wafer-thin computer "platform" with seemingly limitless audio and video applications.

The cell, in other words, has landed.

Some of the same forces that drove the global satellite telecom boom are now pushing another technology - the battery-powered electric vehicle (EV). Like Maui's first satellite phones and kite surf rigs, these cars may seem odd and out of place. But if their backers are successful, EVs might become the next new normal.

A few early adopters can already be seen tooling around the island in economy-priced Chinese Flybos and American-made Wheego Whips. If you're in the right place at the right time, a high-end Tesla might even streak past, but those sightings are rarer. Whips and Flybos cost around $10,000; the Tesla runs into six figures.

Read more about this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/234#234

Spain's green scheme stalls as only 16 electric cars are sold

It was supposed to be the centrepiece of Spain's green agenda: within four years a million electric cars would take to the roads, with battery top-up points sprouting up in petrol stations and disused telephone booths across the country.

"Electric vehicles are on their way," said prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero as he unveiled the plans in April. "Let us get ahead and get them here sooner."

But figures released today showed that Zapatero's green dream is some way from realisation: in the first seven months of the year, only 16 electric cars were registered for use on Spanish roads. Even that was a sixteenfold increase on 2009, when just one electric car was registered.

Although the plan also includes subsidies for hybrid electric and petrol-driven cars, makers said they only planned to sell half a dozen of these in Spain this year, according to the ABC newspaper.

That makes the stated goal of having 2,000 electric vehicles circulating by the end of this year almost unachievable. Next year's target had been to get 20,000 electric and hybrid cars on the road.

The failed attempt to kickstart Spain's electric car market comes despite pledges of 80m euros of subsidies for those who buy by the end of next year – with the government funding 20% of the purchase, or up to 6,000 euros, on each car.

The government-sponsored Wind Power and Electric Vehicles group tried to put a brave face on the situation.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/232#232

Virtual Online showrooms exclusively for electric vehicles

Idea rules the world. Idea of  Virtual online showrooms is not a new but the way of showcasing a product is new, especially in Electric vehicle Industry where buyers require more clarity about the product they want to buy.

Virtual Online showrooms display your products in lucarative way with many value added features

1.     Best product presentation.

2.     Attractive and Trendy pages.

3.     Dealer locator for helping your customer reach directly.

4.     Prospective customer or business associate can contact you directly

5.     Product features comparisons between products.

6.     Helps to build your brand brand.

Read full press release @ http://www.evhub.biz/news/virtual-online-showrooms-exclusively-for-electric-vehicles

Introduction To EVHUB.IN For Press release

World is in crisis now due to lot of environmental issues, temperatures are rising in various parts of the world. Major contributors of this menace are Energy and automotive sectors. Since last 100 years the situation is accumulating and now we must do something for controlling the global warming.

Hence nowadays “Going Green” is the trend for many companies. Many automotive leaders are investing on R&D in Electric Vehicle sector and developed electric car prototypes. Still these vehicles are yet to be commercialized.

Electric bike concept is buzzing around in India for last 5 years. Currently in India there are more than 50 electric bike companies (Ref:EVHUB.IN web portal) distributed around India and operating locally. These companies includes both organized and unorganized sector. Post economy slump, electric bikes market is booming in India but rate of growth is less significant. There are various reasons effecting the e-bike market in India and are as follow

·         Costumers’ inertia to change from convectional automobiles.

·         Lack of knowledge on Electric Vehicles concept, working.

·         No common platform to represent Electric Vehicles companies.

                                                                                                                 

Read full press release at http://www.evhub.biz/news/introduction-to-evhubin

Information about the Free, paid, premium, Virtual online showroom and custom services of EVHUB.IN

EVHUB.IN has four types of memberships for promoting our registered companies 

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Register your basic information by clicking the " Free " tab in registration form @ http://www.evhub.in/register-your-company/

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2. You can add your company information and upto 5 products for free. 

3. When a potential costumer contacts you via EVHUB, free email alert for intimating the enquiry is given.

4. Contact information in your profile will not be displayed. ( this requires paid or premium memberships ) 

5. Enquiry information is shared on request or upgarding the account to paid/premium. 

Read about all the membership listing @ http://www.evhub.biz/services 

Contact us to mail@evhub.biz for any queries. 

Thanks and regards

Today India celebrates Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Day

This event has been held every 20 August since 2004 to raise public awareness about the use of new and renewable energy sources and their applications in daily life. On the first occasion of Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Day, a commemorative stamp (see inset) was released by the then Prime Minister.

Mankind is using up energy resources of mother earth in a way no other animal has ever done. The largest contributions to current energy sources in the world come from oil (31%), coal (26%) and natural gas (19%). At the present rate of consumption, oil reserves will last for 40 years, gas reserves will last for 60 years, coal reserves will last for 125 years and uranium reserves will last for 1000 years.

India has 17% of the world’s population, but only about 0.8% of the world’s known oil and natural gas sources. Our per capita coal reserves are much below Russia, USA and China. Based on the progress visualized for the nation during the next two decades, the power generating capacity has to increase to 4, 00, 000 MW by the year 2030 from the current 1,30, 000 MW in India. This takes into consideration of energy economics planned and the design and production of energy efficient equipments and systems. 

New and emerging technologies like hydrogen energy, fuel cells, biofuels, electric & hybrid electric vehicles, geo-thermal energy and tidal energy hold major promise for mitigating the energy crisis in the country, especially for power generation and transportation as such to achieve energy independence. These are renewable and do not get depleted with use like fossil fuels. Innovation in technology, development and applications has to drive the renewable energy (Green Power) marketplace.

Over 1.64 billion people world across lack access to electricity. For those people, who cannot be provided with electricity by extending the grid their hope rests in innovation and as such the emerging technologies? Presently installed generation capacity of renewable energy is 13,730 MW from various sources which is approximately 8% of total installed capacity in the country and contributing to around 3% of total national electricity generation. The stupendous growth stimulates enhanced energy requirements.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/228#228

State's first electric car charging station to be unveiled Aug. 27

On Aug. 27, Rhode Island will have its own electric car charging station. The station, which will be in West Warwick, is being built and paid for by Arpin Renewable Energy and Cardi’s Furniture Superstores.

This will be Rhode Island’s first public charging station for drivers of plug-in electric and plug-in hybrid electric cars. The charging unit itself is being provided by Coulomb Technologies.

The electric car charging station will be unveiled during a media event on Aug. 27, 10 a.m. at the Cardi's Furniture Superstore, 1681 Quaker Lane (Rt. 2) West Warwick.

The Coulomb electric charging station will have an outlet for what is known as a Level 1 charge at 110 volts (the same as common household outlets) and a corded plug delivering the faster 220-volt or Level 2 charge.

According to Robert Beadle, a Public Relations consultant for Arpin, the amount of time it takes to charge a car “depends on the car … but the level 1 takes about six to eight hours, and level 2 can charge your car about 80 percent in two hours.”

Only two cars can be charged at once, with only the two stations.

Within a year, a new design, called ARC (Auto Recharge Center), is expected, which an Arpin Renewable Energy affiliated partner is currently developing.

With this unit, Rhode Island will join a small but growing list of states and cities building infrastructure for the wave of new electric cars and plug-in hybrids, such as the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, which will enter the market later this year.

Read full news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/231#231

Sinopec to add electric vehicle charging to 41 service stations in Jiangxi

Interfax-China reported that China Petrochemical Corp plans to add electric vehicle charging facilities to 41 of its service stations in Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province.

According to the newsletter, the stations will also provide battery replacement services.

The company said that the plan has been approved by the local government, though it did not specify when the facilities would be put into operation.

Read full news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/230#230

Ace EV Are Bound For Europe

Tata Motors, India’s largest car manufacturer, has announced that its electric vehicles Indica and Ace EV are bound for Europe in the coming months, starting off with the United Kingdom as early as September.

The company is seizing the opportunity out of the UK government’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Grant Programme, a campaign to promote the use of electric vehicles in the country. Tata Motors European Technical Centre had received a £10-million (US$15.642 million) loan to develop the Indica Vista EV for the UK market. The company has invested £25 million ($39.105 million) into the project. Also, Tata Motors has a 72 percent share over Norway’s Miljo Grenland, which specializes in developing innovative solutions for electric vehicles.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/229#229

Electric vehicles compete in international rally

A host of electric vehicles from a variety of manufacturers showed off their abilities during the world's first international EV rally recently.

The E-Miglia required drivers to travel 560km over four days through five Alpine passes.

Makers including THINK City, Tesla, Citroen, Fiat, Tazzari, Smart and Jetcar all displayed their high performance features and zero carbon racing at the event in what Markus Spiekermann, who drove a THINK City, called "without question, the most gruelling EV rally in the world".

"We were competing against some serious competitors in a variety of weather conditions and the THINK City was more than able to hold its own," he added.

"Finishing in the top three is a really impressive achievement in a showroom standard urban EV, particularly against so many high performance race rivals."

Read this article @ http://www.evhub.in/news/227#227

China forms electric vehicle association

China has formed an electric vehicle industry association aimed at developing electric cars.

The 16 state-owned companies participating in the alliance -- including China National Petroleum Corp., China's largest oil and gas producer -- are expected to invest $14.7 billion in electric vehicles by 2012.

The Beijing Times reports that the association wants to integrate technological standards and help Chinese companies master technologies necessary for the production of electric vehicles

"The (Chinese) government could easily underwrite or subsidize the development costs and do it at a time when the global car industry is still reeling," Oded Shenkar, a professor of management at The Ohio State University and the author of "The Chinese Century," told The New York Times.

Read this news article @ http://www.evhub.in/news/226#226

Locally-developed fuel cell powered bike launched in South Africa

South Africa on Thursday launched its “Ahi fambeni” (or “A hi Fambeni”) hydrogen fuel cell powered bicycle. 

The bicycle was designed by South African motorcycle designer Pierre Terblanche, who was design director for renowned Italian marque Ducati from 1997 to 2007 and now has his own design company and is a design consultant for the Piaggio group, across all their brands, which include Moto Guzzi and Vespa.

The frame of the Ahi Fambeni – the name means “let’s go” in the Tsonga language – is made from light and strong advanced materials, and it was built by students from the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria.

E-bikes – that is, bicycles with electric motors – already exist in South Africa. What is special about the Ahi Fambeni is that its motor is not powered by a battery, but by a fuel cell.

“Hydrogen SA Systems developed the hydrogen storage technology,” for the bicycle, pointed out Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor at the launch of the Ahi Fambeni. “As space on the bike was limited, Hydrogen SA Systems had to innovate in customising the design of the hydrogen storage unit to increase heat-exchange efficiency.”

Read full news @ http://saaea.blogspot.com/2010/08/locally-developed-fuel-cell-powered.html

You might be interested 
M&M WINS BID FOR ACQUISITION OF SOUTH KOREAN SUV GIANT - SSANGYONG MOTOR C @ http://electricalvehicles.blogspot.com/2010/08/m-wins-bid-for-acquisition-of-south.html

Mahindra plans to launch new auto models in Sri Lanka @ http://electricalvehicles.blogspot.com/2010/08/mahindra-plans-to-launch-new-auto.html

ZERO RACE BEGINS - ELECTRIC VEHICLES RACE AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS @ http://electricalvehicles.blogspot.com/2010/08/zero-race-begins-electric-vehicles-race.html

Duke shows off sexy electric vehicle @ http://electricalvehicles.blogspot.com/2010/08/duke-shows-off-sexy-electric-vehicle.html

Top energy firms form electric vehicle industrial union with automaker @ http://electricalvehicles.blogspot.com/2010/08/top-energy-firms-form-electric-vehicle.html

China To Best U.S. in EVs But Not Hybrids @ http://electricalvehicles.blogspot.com/2010/08/china-to-best-us-in-evs-but-not-hybrids.html

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M&M WINS BID FOR ACQUISITION OF SOUTH KOREAN SUV GIANT - SSANGYONG MOTOR C

Mumbai - Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), India's leading manufacturer of utility vehicles, emerged as the preferred bidder for the acquisition of a majority stake in South Korean SUV maker, Ssangyong Motor Company (SYMC). The preferred bidder status would require it to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with SYMC, followed by a detailed due diligence process.

SYMC is a Korean manufacturer of auto and aggregates, with 7 models under 5 brands. The 7 models include 2 large sized sedans, 4 SUVs and 1 MPV. It also has a manufacturing plant for gasoline and diesel engines as well as axles. SYMC is a significant player in the SUV segment in Korea, having recorded 1.3 million SUV sales from 1990 to 2009. It has a strong brand and presence in Europe, Russia, South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Established in 1962, SYMC has more than 1,200 dealers globally. It has R&D manpower strength of around 600 people and modern R&D infrastructure for design, testing and validation.

This strategic acquisition, when concluded, would make Mahindra and SYMC together a force to reckon with in the global SUV space. It is intended that SYMC will continue to function as an independent entity with Korean management.

"Korea is one of the world's leading centres of automotive excellence and Ssangyong brings with it a rich legacy of R&D and innovation. Mahindra and Ssangyong will create synergy, which will make us significant global players," said Mr. Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/219#219

Mahindra plans to launch new auto models in Sri Lanka

The $7.1 bn Mahindra Group, one of India's leading business houses revealed its plans to launch new models to augment its presence in the automobile market in Sri Lanka.

"In keeping with our long term plans for this region, we are soon going to enhance our current product portfolio in the market with the launch of several new products, including the Maxximo, a technologically modern sub 1 tonne pick up and HCVs (Heavy Commercial Vehicles)", Group's Vice Chairman and Managing Director Anand Mahindra said.

Mahindra added the company was also studying the possibility of introducing an electric car, the Mahindra Reva, in Sri Lanka in future.

Mahindra has already established a base in Sri Lanka where it has been selling its range of tractors and utility vehicles for over a decade.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/220#220

ZERO RACE BEGINS - ELECTRIC VEHICLES RACE AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Although it may sound like a Hollywood movie, it isn’t. The first race for electric vehicles is finally underway. Touted as the “longest and greenest” race around the world, teams from four nations are travelling the world for 80 days in the first ever Zero Race.

On August 16th, three two-person teams departed from the United Nations Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. South Korea encountered technical problems over the weekend and was unable to start in Geneva but joined the others later.

The teams are required to produce their own electricity using renewable resources. According to the website, the electricity must be “fed into the grid system in the home country of each team, so that during the Zero Race, the equivalent can be harnessed to power the vehicles on their worldwide journey.”

Zero Race Teams:

1. Power Plaza Team from Seoul, South Korea – Power Plaza EV
2. Orlikon Solar Racing Team from Winterthur, Switzerland – Zerotracer
3. Team Trev from Adelaide, Australia – TREV
4. Vectrix Team from Berlin, German – Vectrix
    

Zero Race Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be able to carry at least two passengers
• Reach a maximum distance of 500 km each day with a recharge stop of 4 hours during lunch
• Must be propelled by an electric motor
• Drive at least 250 km at an average speed equal or above 80 km/h.

Vehicles will be judged on reliability, power and speed, energy efficiency, safety, design and popularity from the general public.



Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/223#223

Duke shows off sexy electric vehicle

Duke Energy is introducing its customers to electric vehicles with a $120,000 pocket rocket that shoots from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.

Duke leased its Tesla Roadster Sport about a month ago and will show it off to the public at community events, conferences and so on. The sleek sports car is at the luxe end of EV production that will include the Chevy Volt, to be released in October, followed by the Nissan Leaf rollout early next year.

Mike Rowand, Duke’s technology strategy director, guided the silver Tesla onto Interstate 240 this afternoon – then, ever so briefly, floored it. The car instantly leapt to full torque with a not-quite-silent whine, pressing a passenger’s back into the black leather seat.

“You come away with a Tesla smile” with that kind of acceleration, Rowand said. Regenerative braking quickly slowed the car, capturing the energy normally lost in braking and storing it in the lithium-ion batteries.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/225#225

Top energy firms form electric vehicle industrial union with automaker

Top energy firms in China, including CNPC, Sinopec, CNOOC, State Grid, China South Power Grid and other 11 big names in industries of auto-making, equipment manufacturing and information technology, are uniting themselves to form an industrial association for the development of electric vehicles (EVs) businesses.

Other big names include China FAW Group Corporation, Dongfeng Motor Corporation, China Changan Automobile Group Corporation Limited, Dongfang Electric Corporation Limited, China South Locomotive & Rolling Stock Corporation Limited, Beijing General Research Institute for Nonferrous Metals, Aviation Industry Corporation of China, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, China Potevio Corporation Limited and China Poly Group Corporation.

The EV related businesses cover electric vehicle manufacture, battery for EVs, and electric power recharging service stations.

China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China's largest oil and gas producer, for the first time becomes involved in the EV business.

CNPC has adopted a programmatic strategy when it faces temptation over the brilliant prospect of new energy sector.

The company has adhered to operations such as coal-bed methane (CBM), fuel ethanol, shale gas and oil sands, which are regarded as more relevant to its major operation as an integrated oil and gas company.

Prior to the release of such list, it has never shown much interest in electric vehicle operation.

However, as the second largest oil service station holder, CNPC runs some 18,233 oil service stations across China, while Sinopec, the largest oil refiner, owns 28,812 such stations, compared with the country's total 95,740 stations.

For oil companies like CNPC and Sinopec, they have very extensive service networks based on the existing oil service stations. It could be easier for them to spend less on equipping the current oil service stations with electric power recharging devices.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/224#224