http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news Hybrid-EV news provides in-depth discussion of recent developments in the automotive supplier industry worldwide. It is written for senior executives interested in trends and issues for the international supplier industry. en-uk Sun, 19 May 2013 23:57:03 GMT Sun, 19 May 2013 23:57:03 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news 5 http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35090/lexus-launches-new-is-hybrid-variant-in-japan Toyota's luxury unit, Lexus, today (16 May) launched its new "IS" sports sedan series in Japan, comprising the redesigned IS 350 and IS 250, along with the addition of the IS 300h hybrid to the line-up. The IS 350, priced between JPY5.20m (USD50,810) and JPY5.95m (USD58,140) is powered by a 3.5L, V-6 engine mated to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift (SPDS) transmission. Fri, 17 May 2013 10:46:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35090/lexus-launches-new-is-hybrid-variant-in-japan http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35089/north-carolina-considering-banning-direct-oem-sales-to-consumers-report North Carolina is the latest US state to consider banning automakers from directly selling vehicles to consumers. According to a report in BizJournals, the state senate’s commerce committee recently passed a bill, sponsored by Republican senator Tom Apodaca and supported by the state dealer association, in an attempt to prevent ‘unfair competition’ between car manufacturers and auto dealers. The bill, if passed, will also make it illegal to facilitate online purchase of vehicles directly to consumers. It will now be open for vote in the full senate and house. Fri, 17 May 2013 08:10:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35089/north-carolina-considering-banning-direct-oem-sales-to-consumers-report http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35088/volvo-to-start-field-tests-of-plug-in-hybrid-buses-in-sweden- Volvo will begin the field test of its plug-in hybrid buses in Gothenburg (Sweden) this month, reports Green Car Congress Fri, 17 May 2013 07:59:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35088/volvo-to-start-field-tests-of-plug-in-hybrid-buses-in-sweden- http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35087/bmw-to-launch-i3-electric-car-in-south-korea-next-year BMW plans to launch the i3 electric car in South Korea during the first half of 2014, reports the Korea Herald. The BMW i3, whose price in the South Korean market has not yet been disclosed Fri, 17 May 2013 07:50:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35087/bmw-to-launch-i3-electric-car-in-south-korea-next-year http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35086/byd-begins-production-of-new-engine-in-china BYD’s plant in Shenzhen in China’s southern Guangdong province BYD has started production of its 2L turbocharged Fri, 17 May 2013 07:47:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35086/byd-begins-production-of-new-engine-in-china http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35085/over-10-million-ev-charging-stations-could-be-installed-globally-by-2020report- The number of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is set to soar globally by 2020, supporting a shift Fri, 17 May 2013 06:08:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35085/over-10-million-ev-charging-stations-could-be-installed-globally-by-2020report- http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35084/hybrid-ev-insight Editorial: DoE shifts stance on fuel cell technology Thu, 16 May 2013 12:58:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35084/hybrid-ev-insight http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35083/editorial-doe-shifts-stance-on-fuel-cell-technology Recent initiatives by the US Department of Energy (DoE) leaves one wondering if the US federal government is changing its stance on fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Thu, 16 May 2013 12:13:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35083/editorial-doe-shifts-stance-on-fuel-cell-technology http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35082/sim-drives-new-prototype-ev-features-dsms-polyamides-to-reduce-weight SIM-Drive has unveiled its latest prototype electric car, SIM-CEL, highlighting lightweight parts based on DSM’s Stanyl and EcoPaXX polyamides, says a press release. Thu, 16 May 2013 10:27:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35082/sim-drives-new-prototype-ev-features-dsms-polyamides-to-reduce-weight http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35081/hefei-to-build-5km-charging-ring-with-260-charging-piles-five-charging-stations Hefei, with state-owned enterprises, plans to establish 260 charging piles and five large charging stations this year, according to a report in local newspaper Anhui Business. Thu, 16 May 2013 10:25:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35081/hefei-to-build-5km-charging-ring-with-260-charging-piles-five-charging-stations http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35080/honda-to-build-nsx-hybrid-in-ohio Honda plans to build Acura NSX hybrid at its new production plant in Ohio (US), reports Hybrid Cars. Thu, 16 May 2013 10:14:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35080/honda-to-build-nsx-hybrid-in-ohio http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35078/altair-nanotechnologies-reports-usd34m-net-loss-in-q1-fy2013- Altair Nanotechnologies has lowered its net loss to USD3.4m in the first quarter (Q1) ended 31 March 2013 compared Thu, 16 May 2013 10:06:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35078/altair-nanotechnologies-reports-usd34m-net-loss-in-q1-fy2013- http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35077/ecotality-reports-usd06m-net-loss-in-q1-2013 ECOtality has reported a net loss of USD0.6m in the first quarter ended 31 March 2013 compared to a net income of USD1.2m during the same period a year ago, the San Francisco, California (US)-based electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure supplier said in a press release. Thu, 16 May 2013 09:54:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35077/ecotality-reports-usd06m-net-loss-in-q1-2013 http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35076/tesla-plans-to-raise-usd830m-through-stock-offering-and-convertible-notes Tesla has announced plans to raise capital through stock offerings and convertible notes, the automaker said yesterday in a press release. The announcement comes a week after Tesla recorded its first-ever quarterly profit. Thu, 16 May 2013 09:52:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35076/tesla-plans-to-raise-usd830m-through-stock-offering-and-convertible-notes http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35079/porsche-to-offer-hybrid-version-of-every-model All future Porsche models will be available in hybrid drive versions, according to the company's head of hybrid powertrain, Daniel Semmer, who was speaking to Autocar at Porsche's Panamera Hybrid technology workshop. The company's new hybrid module, which combines an electric motor and clutches Thu, 16 May 2013 09:48:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35079/porsche-to-offer-hybrid-version-of-every-model http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35075/infiniti-q50-production-starts-in-japan The first production model of the Infiniti Q50, Nissan's all-new premium sports sedan, rolled off the assembly line at the Tochigi production plant on 14 May, says a Nissan press release. Thu, 16 May 2013 09:42:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35075/infiniti-q50-production-starts-in-japan http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35074/nissan-crosses-25000-units-sales-milestone-for-leaf-in-us- Nissan’s all-electric LEAF hatchback reached an important milestone this week by crossing the 25,000 sales threshold in the US market, says the company’s press release Thu, 16 May 2013 09:17:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35074/nissan-crosses-25000-units-sales-milestone-for-leaf-in-us- http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35073/byd-electric-taxis-begin-operations-in-hong-kong BYD’s e6 electric taxis have become operational in Hong Kong, reports Reuters. The Chinese automaker has signed an agreement with Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association to rent 45 electric e6 sedans for a monthly price of HKD8,000 (USD1,000) each, out of which six have been licensed and put to use. BYD expects to expand the electric taxi fleet to over 5,000 vehicles over the next three years. The e6 is also available for sale in Hong Kong for around HKD448,000 (USD57,700) and is exempted from first registration tax. Thu, 16 May 2013 08:40:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35073/byd-electric-taxis-begin-operations-in-hong-kong http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35071/us-advanced-battery-consortium-to-get-doe-grant-for-ev-battery-research The US Advanced Battery Consortium will receive USD12.5m annually for five years from the US Department of Energy (DoE), Thu, 16 May 2013 08:14:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35071/us-advanced-battery-consortium-to-get-doe-grant-for-ev-battery-research http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35070/californias-long-beach-opts-for-wireless-induction-charging-of-electric-buses California’s Long Beach transit authority has decided to use induction charging technology for recharging its electric buses, PluginCars reports. WAVE Inc, a company spun off from Utah Thu, 16 May 2013 07:44:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35070/californias-long-beach-opts-for-wireless-induction-charging-of-electric-buses http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35068/infiniti-planning-to-launch-hybrid-sports-car-within-three-years Nissan's Infiniti brand is planning to launch a new sports car using hybrid powertrain technology within the next three years, reports Autocar. Wed, 15 May 2013 10:59:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35068/infiniti-planning-to-launch-hybrid-sports-car-within-three-years http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35067/toyota-upgrades-auris-hybrid-to-reduce-emissions-to-84g-km Toyota has upgraded the Auris hybrid in Europe to reduce its CO2 emissions to 84g/km, from the current 87g/km, reports the automaker in a press release. The new version will go on sale starting from June 2013. Wed, 15 May 2013 10:47:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35067/toyota-upgrades-auris-hybrid-to-reduce-emissions-to-84g-km http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35066/worlds-first-electric-long-distance-transportation-route-starts-in-china With the opening of 2013 World Landscape Art Exposition in Jinzhou, China, the world’s longest electric transportation route was put into operation on freeways from Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province, to Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, reports China Economic Times. Wed, 15 May 2013 10:28:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35066/worlds-first-electric-long-distance-transportation-route-starts-in-china http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35065/knapheide-to-install-and-distribute-xl-hybrids-class-1-3-hybrid-electric-powertrain XL Hybrids is collaborating with Knapheide Manufacturing Company, a commercial vehicle equipment provider in the US, for installation and distribution of its class 1-3 hybrid electric powertrain, says a press release. Wed, 15 May 2013 10:18:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35065/knapheide-to-install-and-distribute-xl-hybrids-class-1-3-hybrid-electric-powertrain http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35064/faw-toyota-to-promote-prius-hybrid-nationwide-in-china FAW Toyota plans to promote Prius throughout China to increase the hybrid’s sales volume in the country, according to a report in auto.qq.com. Wed, 15 May 2013 10:13:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35064/faw-toyota-to-promote-prius-hybrid-nationwide-in-china http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35063/nissan-partners-with-carcharging-to-expand-charging-network-in-us Car Charging Group (CarCharging) and Nissan plan to jointly determine the placement of the new electric vehicle (EV) chargers in key markets throughout the US by the year end, says a company press Wed, 15 May 2013 09:55:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35063/nissan-partners-with-carcharging-to-expand-charging-network-in-us http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35062/nissan-to-transmit-telemetry-data-from-leaf-ev-to-software-firms Nissan plans to make telemetry data from its LEAF electric vehicles (EVs) available to software companies to aid development Wed, 15 May 2013 09:40:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35062/nissan-to-transmit-telemetry-data-from-leaf-ev-to-software-firms http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35061/tesla-reiterates-plans-to-build-battery-swapping-capabilities-in-future-evs Tesla, in its latest quarterly report, has specified plans to integrate battery swapping capabilities in electric vehicles (EVs) in the ‘near future’. The 10-Q filing done on 10 May states, “Other factors that may influence the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles, and specifically electric vehicles, include ... our capability to rapidly swap out the Model S battery pack and the development of specialized public facilities to perform such swapping, which do not currently exist but which we plan to introduce in the near future.” Sarah Meron, VP, Communications at Tesla, has declined to confirm any development to AutoBlogGreen Wed, 15 May 2013 08:51:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35061/tesla-reiterates-plans-to-build-battery-swapping-capabilities-in-future-evs http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35060/byd-sells-165-e6-evs-in-april BYD sold 165 units of its e6 electric vehicle (EV) in China in April 2013. Wed, 15 May 2013 07:45:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35060/byd-sells-165-e6-evs-in-april http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35059/higer-buss-new-energy-buses-to-be-introduced-in-inner-mongolia- Higer’s 14 gas-electric hybrid buses, called Higer KLQ6109GHEV1A, will go into services in Tongliao city, Inner Mongolia Wed, 15 May 2013 06:52:00 GMT http://www.hybrid-ev.com/news/35059/higer-buss-new-energy-buses-to-be-introduced-in-inner-mongolia-