Japan is scrambling to ensure it has a future in an electric-car world

The energy transition covers many aspects. The rise of electric vehicles has an impact in many ways. Jonathan Soble writes in the New York Times about Japan’s concerns to be ready. As Electric Cars’ Prospects Brighten, Japan Fears Being Left Behind At a factory near the base of Mount Fuji, workers painstakingly assemble transmissions … Continue reading Japan is scrambling to ensure it has a future in an electric-car world →

Issues that need addressing before full roll out of electric cars

Increasingly we are reading about the bright future for electric cars. Electric vehicles have only a tiny market share, but the auto industry is betting billions that they will soon be as cheap as conventional cars. Jack Ewing gives a good account in the New York Times of the next steps that are needed. … Continue reading Issues that need addressing before full roll out of electric cars →

The challenge to increase the number of electric vehicles

There certainly is a lot written about the age of the electric vehicle. Yet, they still represent such a small share of total cars sold. That does not come as a surprise, given the charging infrastructure needed and the continuing developments of the vehicles and batteries. Jonn Axsen, Associate Professor of Sustainable Transportation at Simon … Continue reading The challenge to increase the number of electric vehicles →

An example of the energy transition in two countries

Electric vehicles are really changing the automobile markets globally. Keith Bradsher provides a good article in the New York Times comparing China and the United States in how they are addressing electric vehicles. China Craves Electric Cars, While U.S. Flirts With Ending Tax Credit In the United States, politicians voted on Thursday for a … Continue reading An example of the energy transition in two countries →

Positive interest in electric vehicles but where to charge them is less obvious

Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation and a regular contributor to EiD, questions why EU member states - including the UK - are blocking attempts to require new buildings to be equipped with fast charge points for EVs. This article first appeared on the Business Green website. EV charge points are … Continue reading Positive interest in electric vehicles but where to charge them is less obvious →

Thoughts about grid modernisation

Our energy transition has many implications for our electrical systems, as we are increasingly aware of. Peter O’Connor, a Kendall Science Fellow, writes an important article on the Union of Concerned Scientists website about grid modernisation and the role of electric vehicles. What Is Grid Modernization—and What’s the Role of Electric Vehicles? Utilities around … Continue reading Thoughts about grid modernisation →

The environmental impact of mining the materials for electric vehicle batteries

We have given much attention to the developments in batteries for electric vehicles as we try to increase their range. Max Opray provides an important article in The Guardian about the environmental impact from nickel, one of the major materials used in lithium ion batteries. Having grown up in a mining community and having seen … Continue reading The environmental impact of mining the materials for electric vehicle batteries →

Electric vehicles in Norway

Lars Bevanger writes on the Deutsche Welle website about latest developments in Norway. It is encouraging to see how the country is promoting electric vehicles. With more than 100,000 electric cars already on the road, oil and gas-rich Norway aims to phase out fossil fuel cars altogether by 2025. How electric cars take over oil-rich … Continue reading Electric vehicles in Norway →

Innovative approach to re-charging electric vehicles

As more and more electric vehicles are deployed, there is a greater need to find effective ways to have them re-charged. Harry Hoster, Director of Energy Lancaster and Professor of Physical Chemistry at Lancaster University writes on The Conversation website about recharging possibilities through the wireless transmission of power. Wired-up roads will soon charge … Continue reading Innovative approach to re-charging electric vehicles →

The pace of innovation in electric mobility is having an impact

Regularly we are reading about the new advances in electric vehicles. Stephen Hall, a Research Fellow in energy economics and policy at the University of Leeds, writes on the Conversation website about the pace of change will lead to significant impact sooner than many expected. What do you think? Five reasons why you might … Continue reading The pace of innovation in electric mobility is having an impact →