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Duke Energy and ITOCHU to assess second-life applications for Li-ion automotive batteries

Green Car Congress

According to some auto industry estimates, electric vehicle (EV) batteries that can no longer charge to approximately 80% of their original capacity may be candidates for replacement. Duke Energy will provide engineering design support for battery installations, as well as supply test sites and personnel.

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False Starts: The Story of Vehicle-to-Grid Power

Cars That Think

It occurred in the wake of the California electricity crisis of 2000 and 2001, when mismanaged deregulation, market manipulation, and environmental catastrophe combined to unhinge the power grid. Once electricity is generated and passes into the grid, it is typically used almost immediately.

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The Staggering Scale of the EV Transition

Cars That Think

Take power-grid transformers. These essential voltage-converting components are designed to cool down at night, when power consumption is typically low. Transformers can cost more than US $20,000 each , and they’re already in short supply in many countries.

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The EV Transition Is Harder Than Anyone Thinks

Cars That Think

EV owners should be urged to charge at night to save not only money and the power grid but “ the world ,” a news headline cries out. Not so fast, exclaim researchers at Stanford University, who state that charging EVs during the day is actually cheaper, better for the grid, and healthier for the environment.

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Expert panel report finds achieving 1M plug-in vehicles in US by 2015 would require concentrated action to overcome barriers

Green Car Congress

A new study sponsored by Indiana University concludes that President Obama’s vision of one million plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) on US roads by 2015 will require concentrated efforts action from all stakeholders— the auto industry, federal government, the scientific community, and consumers—to be realized.

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EV myths busted: Are electric vehicles actually good for the environment?

Drive Electric

If it’s manufactured on a ‘dirty’ power grid it becomes a major source of emissions over the EV lifecycle. Fortunately, to improve this issue, battery makers are working towards more responsible supply chains , and have the potential for cheaper, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly energy storage in the near future.

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EV myths busted: Are electric vehicles actually good for the environment?

Drive Electric

If it’s manufactured on a ‘dirty’ power grid it becomes a major source of emissions over the EV lifecycle. Fortunately, to improve this issue, battery makers are working towards more responsible supply chains , and have the potential for cheaper, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly energy storage in the near future.