FPL to Power Miami ePrix

Joanna Schroeder

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) will be powering the electric vehicles (EVs) racing for first place with solar power. The inaugural event will take place in downtown Miami on March 14, 2015. Formula E is a new FIA single-seater championship and the first fully-electric race car series. It kicked off in Bejing last September and ends this June featuring …

Electric Vehicles, Racing, Renewable Energy, Solar

Electric Vehicle Charging Standards Needed

Joanna Schroeder

With the increase of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road, aka the burgeoning of the “Electric Highway,” unified standards for public EV charging are needed. In many states, this will fall on the weights and measures officials. As more plug-in EVS hits U.S. roads, charging stations will require inspection and testing for accuracy, just like a gas station today. As …

Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles

2015 Energy Industry Update Released

Joanna Schroeder

The 2015 edition of The Energy Industry Update has been released by ScottMadden, an energy consulting firm. The report points out as market changes, regulatory processes, and technology evolution unfold, energy and utility companies will face them and adapt. Themed “Changes: Turn and Face the Strange,” this issue surveys a broad array of strategic issues, including: Insights drawn from a …

Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles, Energy

PG&E Proposes Largest Cali EV Charging Network

Joanna Schroeder

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has asked California state regulators for approval to build out a 25,000 electric vehicle (EV) network throughout Central and Northern California. If approved, PG&E said this program will be the largest deployment of EV charging stations in the country. The chargers would be located at commercial and public locations, including multi-family dwellings, retail centers …

Alternative Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, Electricity

Electric Cars Gain Ground in Vehicle Rankings

Joanna Schroeder

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has released its 18th annual vehicle environmental ratings on greencars.org. The top rated vehicles for the year were Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo Electric Drive Convertible/Coupe with the highest score ever, Chevrolet Spark EV, Fiat 500E, Toyota Prius C and the Nissan Leaf. Six out of 12 places in this year’s Greenest List were …

Alternative Vehicles, automotive, Electric Vehicles, Environment

Southeastern Effort to Promote Alternative Fuels

Cindy Zimmerman

The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition has joined sister Clean Cities organizations in the Southeast to promote the use of alternative fuels and vehicles. The joint effort includes U.S. Department of Energy designated Clean Cities coalitions in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. “Drivers recognize that gas prices historically won’t stay at these lower prices for long,” said Mark Bentley, executive …

Alternative Vehicles, biofuels, Electric Vehicles

Clean Energy Investments Jump

Joanna Schroeder

According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), clean energy investment rose for the first time in three years in 2014. New funds for wind, solar, biofuels and other low-carbon energy technologies gained 16 percent to $310 billion last year. It was the first growth since 2011, erasing the impact of lower solar-panel prices and falling subsides in the U.S. and …

Electric Vehicles, offshore wind, Renewable Energy, Solar, Wind

Chevy Premiers Bolt EV Concept

Joanna Schroeder

Chevrolet has premiered its Bolt EV concept car, a long-range all-electric vehicle designed to offer more than 200 miles of range starting around $30,000. Leveraging the electrification prowess established by Volt and Spark EV, the Bolt EV concept is designed to offer long-range performance. “The Bolt EV concept is a game-changing electric vehicle designed for attainability, not exclusivity,” said General …

Alternative Vehicles, automotive, Electric Vehicles

ChargePoint Home Debuts in the New Year

Joanna Schroeder

The new year has brought drivers of plug in electric vehicles (EV) a new way to charge at home. ChargePoint Home is now available and according to the company some notable features include its size as well as at its ultra-sleek, durable design – about the size of an average tablet. “ChargePoint has spent years perfecting commercial charging stations, and …

Electric Vehicles