Since 1999, ultra-lightweight design has been playing a central role with Audi’s Le Mans prototypes (LMP). Audi said that materials, such as CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic), harbor major potential for optimizing weight. “In the space of 15 years, we’ve also achieved major progress in the area of ultra-lightweight design,” stresses Head of Audi Motorsport
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ECOtality, Inc. has announced the summer launch of Blink HQ, its new family of electric vehicle (EV) charging products for the home. The Blink HQ suite of products is adding two new programmable Level 2 home chargers to consumers’ charging options; the first to launch is a 30-Amp home charger with delayed start options to
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After two years of on-the-ground testing the Ricardo-engineered Fuel-Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (FED) has proven to be as good as the simulation models projected. The analysis released May 23 proves that when compared to the US military’s regularly outfitted M1151 HMMWV, the FED experienced a 72 percent improvement in fuel economy. The FED’s performance was
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Nissan’s alliance partner, Renault, has been confirmed as official Technical Partner of Spark Racing Technology to supply the Formula E cars to be entered in the FIA Formula E Championship. The agreement was signed by Patrice Ratti, Renault Sport Technologies Managing Director and Renault SAS representative; Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings; and Frédéric
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Tesla Motors announced yesterday, May 22, that it has paid off the entire loan awarded to the company by the Department of Energy in 2010. In addition to payments made in 2012 and Q1 2013, Tesla said May 22′s wire of almost half a billion dollars ($451.8M) repays the full loan facility with interest. According
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BMW UK revealed its network of dealers that will supply and support BMW i, the company’s new sub-brand featuring electric drive systems and premium mobility services. From launch, 46 sales agents across the UK will offer the BMW i range. Each will have specialist technical capabilities allowing them to carry out repairs to the vehicles’
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Ford is seeing a strong demand for many of its products, including its hybrids, and will increase production accordingly. Ford said it will add an additional 200,000 units of annual straight-time capacity this year. In addition, Ford said it will produce an extra 40,000 units by idling select plants for only one week during what
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The Nissan Leaf has won the Environment Award at the 2013 Fleet World Honours awards at a ceremony held at The Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall. The Leaf fended off competition from rival electric and hybrid manufacturers to win one of the most significant UK fleet awards. The Fleet World Honours Car Awards are open
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China has been pushing the production and adoption of electric vehicles and is set to continue doing so. By 2012, 25 pilot cities had promoted 27,432 new energy vehicles totally within two years after the subsidy policy was implemented, including 23,032 ones used in public services and 4,400 ones bought by individuals. In March, 2013,
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Xchanging announced that Jaguar Land Rover has been collaborating with Xchanging and Arynga to create a proof of concept that allows remote software and firmware updates to be sent to vehicles over standard network protocols. This solution was revealed at the GENIVI All Member Conference in Barcelona, Spain held end of April 2013. Xchanging said
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