ICSS 2010 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE

June 9th, 2010

SAPIENZA UNIVERSITY OF ROME JUNE 23rd-25th 2010

The second edition of the International Conference on Sustainability Science will be held in Rome on June 23rd, 24th, 25th at Sapienza University of Rome, with the support of Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU ISP) of the United Nations University, Interuniversity Research Centre on Sustainable Development (CIRPS) Sapienza University of Rome, Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S) of University of Tokyo, School of Sustainability ... more

ELECTRIC PILL No 3

March 17th, 2010

Charge Systems for Electric Cars

Electric cars can basically be “filled up” by means of a standard charge or a “fast charge”. Standard Charge A standard charge supplies power without altering its flow as concerns the time taken for the charge or the charge level of the battery. As a rule, a standard charge system takes a lot of time to charge the batteries and it can also degrade them or even damage their capacity. This type of recharge can supply the battery either with a steady voltage ... more

SuperSports Hybrids at the Geneva Motor Show

March 16th, 2010

Icons like Ferrari, Lotus and Porsche exhibit their hybrid systems

The 2010 Geneva Motor Show is showing off a wide range of green technologies. Automakers, increasingly concerned with cleaner mobility, exhibit their cars and put their advanced technologies in the spotlight, which, instead, were confined to remote stands until a few years ago. Is it a sign that times are changing or a device to attract people’s attention?? Likely a combination of factors and the concurrence of different needs. That a strong technological ... more

ELECTRIC PILL No 2

February 16th, 2010

Supercondensers

Supercondensers, or supercapacitators, are electrophysical energy accumulators that have been long considered one of the most interesting options for electric or partially electric drive cars. Unlike conventional electro-chemical batteries, they have higher performance (they charge and discharge energy much more quickly) but, on the other hand, their capacity is lower (they store less energy though being the same size). The simplest supercapacitator is ... more

Better Place Raises US$350m As Operations Deadline Nears

January 27th, 2010

Electric vehicle infrastructure company Better Place said it had raised US$350m in fresh equity as part of a second round of financing. Better Place, founded by former SAP executive Shai Agassi, said its target was to begin full commercial operations at the end of 2011 when partner Renault plans to offer the first car with a replaceable battery. Better Place's role is to provide a network of battery-swapping stations and Agassi estimated that his company ... more

General Motors To Make Iits Own Hybrid Electric Motors

January 27th, 2010

Will be used in the next generation two-mode hybrids due out in 2013

General Motors last night announced plans to be the first major US automaker to manufacture electric motors and said it would spend US$246m on electric motor and electric drive facilities in the US. Its first electric motors will be used in the next generation of rear wheel drive two-mode hybrids due out in 2013. GM said bringing manufacturing in-house would lower costs and improve performance, quality, reliability and manufacturability of electric motors ... more

BELGIUM: Consortium seeks EC electric vehicle funding

January 19th, 2010

A consortium designed to secure funding from Europe for electric vehicle development says it expects a decision from Brussels by late spring. The Electric Vehicles for Advanced Cities (EVA) grouping is looking for European Commission (EC) cash to promote the adoption of continent-wide electromobility, with a potential start date of 1 January next year. Some 19 European cities and regions, together with 17 major European vehicle manufacturers and 12 electricity ... more

Detroit Show: Toyota Unveils A Li-Ion Hybrid

January 11th, 2010

Toyota's FT-CH dedicated hybrid 'concept' revealed in Detroit today (11 January) has the automaker's first generation lithium-ion drive battery. When fully charged, it has a maximum electric-only range of about 13 miles (21km) and can reach over 60mph (100km/h) in electric-only mode. "This ability to utilise all-electric power for short trips or hybrid power for longer drives alleviates the issue of limited cruising range encountered with pure-electric vehicles," ... more