Elektromotive unveils billing system chargepoint for EVs at EVS24 conference

Ok I discussed electric vehicles earlier bt now there is a nice charging option available. This would be great if you havce your own home power plant (solar or wind energy, not nuclear). Then you can sell your own left over energy to car owners.

On the other hand this will be the next big employee benefit. Free charges for your EV:). Challenge is that you can easily do this at the ofice but in the new world of work it will get complicted (but I guess a subscription model will do)

this is the article, found at autobloggreen

Elektromotive unveils billing system chargepoint for EVs at EVS24 conference
by Sam Abuelsamid on May 13th 2009 at 4:15PM

Right now – and likely even more so in the near future – lots of localities and businesses are installing electric vehicle charging stations at selected parking spots for customers and employees. For now, many of those stations are providing free electricity in a bid to encourage adoption of zero emissions plug-in vehicles. That works fine as long as the number of EVs remains relatively low, which it certainly will for at least then next several years. At some point however, if EVs start to reach mass adoption rates, the economics of providing free juice to drivers will become unaffordable.

At that point, some sort of mechanism for identifying the car being plugged in and then billing the driver will become a necessity.At this weeks EVS24 conference in Norway, Elektromotive has announced what it calls the world's first billable three phase fast charge station. The ElektroBay can supply up to 32 amps at 240 V to allow for faster charging than what is possible with other charge points. There are already 160 existing ElektroBay stations in the UK that will be updated with the new communications capability. The ElektroBay is equipped with 2-way GSM mobile communications and users will get a key fob to identify themselves. The system will be able to handle multiple billing systems including cell phone-style pay-as-you-go and direct billing to the home utility bill.[Source: Elektromotive]

PRESS RELEASE:WORLD'S FIRST BILLING SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING POSTS REVEALED AT EVS 24

A ground-breaking tool for monitoring and invoicing electricity drawn from vehicle charging stations will debut at the Norwegian zero-emissions exhibition, EVS 24, today (Wednesday 13 May). Called 'EBConnect' – the latest technical innovation from British company Elektromotive – the system will make it easy to identify energy consumption and bill customers accurately. It will be installed in all Elektrobay charging stations, of which there are already over 160 across the UK.The sophisticated EBConnect software manages a two-way exchange of data via GSM and the internet to track electricity usage and invoice accordingly.

The system allows the possibility of a number of payment methods including a 'pay-and-go' service, where the user adds credits to their personalised Elektrobay keyfob. Alternatively, costs can be automatically added to the consumer's household utility bill, or the balance can be settled remotely with the user paying via SMS text messages, interactive voice recordings and automatic registration number recognition.

While the cost of charging electric vehicles is minimal in comparison to refuelling petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles, advancements such as EBConnect are essential to the development of a charging network. The intelligent Elektrobay is the world's only fully operational charging station that is compatible with all fully-electric and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles.

Another world first to be unveiled at EVS 24 is Elektromotive's Three-Phase 'Fast Charge' Elektrobay prototype. With a power supply of 32 amps, this charging station will reduce charging times, making it particularly suitable for heavier users of electricity and commercial vehicles. The single unit is the first of its kind to provide two separate five-pin power sockets, both able to accommodate the all-new Mennekes plug, which is anticipated to become standardised on all electric commercial vehicles.

Calvey Taylor-Haw, Managing Director for Elektromotive commented, "We are working hard to increase our network of charging stations around the globe. By offering new technologies, such as EBConnect and the Three-Phase 'Fast Charge' Elektrobay, we are helping to facilitate the transition to electric-powered passenger and commercial vehicles."For more information about Elektromotive, please visit www.elektromotive.com

GM goes down the drain while new promising car companies are rising

Ok, I've been looking at cars lately (since our baby was born we discovered the old car was way too small). And When looking at cars (we bought one already but still looking at what the future will bring) I noticed that the coolest cars come from new, innovative and relative small companies (in case of Tesla funded with dot com money). And at the same time the old dinosaures are going down (GM for example). I think the reason for going down is not being innovative and not listening to the world.

I searched a bit for electric or hybrid cars and what I found was horrible. No electric or hybrid car from one of the dinosaures is a true innovation compared to the cards designed by Tesla or Fisker (and others)

Why are the traditional car manufacturers not able to make the next step (some use a currect model and make it a hybrid like MB or lexus for example) and some create a new one (the prius or totally electric the Voltz) but still they have not been able to use the possibilities from an electric car and create a new car. I think Tesla and Fisker have demonstrated that a green car doesn't have to be ugly. As a matter of fact it can be green, good looking and sportive while at the same time being a nice familiy car (Tesla model S) with plenty space (2 trunks instead of 1 and an engine room)

At the same time I see some nice initiatives for public recharge stations and when on the move and a recharge takes a bit too much time you can simple swap the battery pack in 5 minutes. And in case of a big disaster we do have some spare enery in all car battery packs:)

When looking at this from a employability perspective companies will need to provide these stations in a few years from now and since governments are giving big tax savings on these electric cars it will be worth for employees to drive one (and companies, what about green image, cost savings etc)

So the next big thing in employee benefits is not a big bonus but free electicity to recharge your car

a nice link to more e-cars

segway 2.0

Segway allways has been an ubergadget but now with the crisis they came up with a great new model (together with GM). Actually you can sit in there (no more standing all day) and most important, useable when raining so it can be an alternative for commuting (when you travel less than 20 km before reloading)

So far it might not be the most sexy electrical vehicle but it is most likely cheaper and smaller which has great benefits as well if you can miss the leg room and trunk space

Tesla model S electric car

OK, Tesla already proved to be different by designing a good looking electrical car (not like the prius of honda, but good looking, just like the LoReMo) when they came up with their sports car. Now they created a car for the masses with the model S.

Besides being a 4 person affordable electric car that looks good it has some nice Convenience and utility bullet points:

• Up to 300-mile range
• 45-minute QuickCharge
• 5-minute battery swap
• Charges from 110V, 220V or 440V
• Seating for 5 adults + 2 child seats
• Unique hatch for oversized items
• 60/40 flat-folding rear seat
• 2nd trunk under hood
• EPA Roominess Index 121.6
• More room than station wagons
• 17-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 3G wireless connectivity

Tesla Model S powertrain includes a liquid-cooled 9-inch motor, floor-mounted battery pack and a single-speed gearbox, delivering effortless acceleration, responsive handling and quiet simplicity - no fancy clutchwork or gear-shifting required. Tesla Model S costs as little as $4 to fully charge - a bargain even if gasoline dropped to $1 per gallon. You can have affordable fun while being socially responsible.

Technical specs:

• 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds
• ¼ mile in 14 seconds
• 120 mph top speed
• Braking 60-0 mph 135 feet
• 42 kWh battery storage system standard
• 70 kWh and greater battery storage systems optional
• 9- inch liquid cooled electric motor
• Single-speed transaxle gearbox
• Curb Weight 3825 lbs
• Overall Length 196″
• Wheelbase 116.5″
• All-wheel-drive available (option available in future production models)
• Right hand drive available

The Tesla Model S Concept is a drivable vehicle that exemplifies Tesla’s “no compromises” philosophy - an elegantly refined luxury sedan delivering optimal performance without sacrificing efficiency. Designed by Franz von Holzhausen, the car’s aggressive stance gives way to a modern silhouette, with minimal front and rear overhangs for maximum space efficiency. The car’s mature face defines the future of the Tesla brand and incorporates the touches from the Tesla Roadster. Environmentally friendly materials are incorporated throughout, including water-based paint for the exterior, chrome-free vegetable tanned Italian leather on interior, and 100 percent recycled PET carpeting from Futuris.
Other details:

• Panoramic roof with sliding moon roof
• Retracting door handles for improved aerodynamics
• Full-time 3G connectivity with Internet, HD and satellite radio
• Push button “gear” selector
• Brembo brakes
• Automatic rear lift gate
• 21-inch wheels, Front Tires 245/35ZR21, Rear Tires 285/30ZR21
• 17-inch haptic touchscreen and customizable vehicle information display
• Fully digital instrument cluster
• LED and neon headlight and taillights, with xenon Hella low beams
• Smart-key power and push button gear selector
• Brembo brake system with new one-piece monobloc calipers and integral stiffening bridge to optimize performance
• Front brake system:o Brembo Gran Turismoo Brembo 6-piston Monobloc Caliperso Brembo 405×34mm 2-Piece Floating Slotted Discs with Billet Aluminum Hats
• Rear brake system:o Brembo Gran Turismoo Brembo 4-piston Monobloc Caliperso Brembo 380×28mm 2-Piece Slotted Discs with Billet Aluminum Hat

Please note the dashboard is not conventional as well. They did say touchscreen and customizable vehicle information display and let's hope you indeed can customize this (check the pics of the dash and you see what I mean). The idea is great and all tweakers love it (ok there are some minor details on reliability for example that you want to see answered)

So for the dashboard please look at the gallery at http://i.gizmodo.com/5185966/first-look-at-the-tesla-model-s-electric-cars-giant-touchscreen-dashboard

an energy friendly car can be cool, affordable and fast

Loremo (low resistance mobile), a German car manufacturer is redesigning cars. As a reasult they will enter the market with some traditional fueled cars but with an exceptional low fuel consumption and great looks and as a bonus (or main buying criterium) a low price.They claim to have a GT on benzine and an LS on diesel
The GT has an 850 cc engine delivering 61 HP but with a fuel consumption of about 1 liter on 33 km and a top speed of about 200 km/h (0-100 in less that 10 sec). All of this for only 20.000 euro

The LS version is a bit slower (top around 160 km/h, 0-100 under 20 seconds) but it has a fuel consumption of only 1 liter on every 50 km and it will costs you around 15000 euro

And this is not all. Wach the youtube video here and see how cool the car looks (love the entry)

Last but not least they are working on an electic version as well (this will finally kill the prius, love the concept but the looks are horrible, still don't know what the front or the backside is when looking at it from outside)