Electric | Common News Update

Jan152019 by adminNo Comments

Start-up Bird backs down in electric scooter legal row

A scooter firm has apologised after issuing a journalist with legal threats over a blogpost about its scooters.Start-up Bird offers electric scooters in around 40 US cities, which are hired via an app.Bird accused Cory Doctorow of copyright infringement for linking to a forum about a device which enables abandoned scooters, bought at auction, to be fitted with a new motherboard.This means they can then be used without the Bird app.Mr Doctorow's blogpost, published on the website Boing Boing, was about the number of Bird scooters that are being abandoned or badly parked, then removed by local authorities and legitimately sold.It described a $ 30 (£23) motherboard which replaces the scooters' existing hardware but does not alter either the hardware or...

Nov292018 by adminNo Comments

Electric vehicles send real-time data to Chinese government

Technology

When Shan Junhua bought his white Tesla Model X, he knew it was a fast, beautiful car. What he didn't know is that Tesla constantly sends information about the precise location of his car to the Chinese government. Tesla is not alone. China has called upon all electric vehicle manufacturers in China to make the same kind of reports — potentially adding to the rich kit of surveillance tools available to the Chinese government as President Xi Jinping steps up the use of technology to track Chinese citizens. "I didn't know this," said Shan. "Tesla could have it, but why do they transmit it to the government? Because this is about privacy." More than 200 manufacturers, including Tesla, Volkswagen, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan, Mitsubishi and U.S.-listed electric vehicle s...

Nov62018 by adminNo Comments

Bell, Electric Power Systems partner on hybrid-electric aircraft engines

Business

Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Bell Helicopter on Monday announced an agreement with Electric Power Systems to develop energy storage systems for Bell vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. "This relationship aligns with our vision as well as Bell's vision to advance electric aircraft for commercial and military aviation applications," Nathan Millecam, CEO of EPS, said in a press release. "Our Energy Storage System leverages advanced active battery management technology that enables our battery module to improve life, reduce cost, and meet stringent FAA safety requirements around cell containment in thermal runaway at a very light weight," Millecam added. Bell is also partnering with Safran for development of hybrid engines for VTOL aircraft, as well as fully electric engines, and Garmin for work on nav...

Oct232018 by adminNo Comments

London Uber drivers to charge electric car fee

Technology

Uber is planning to add a surcharge to all fares booked via its app in London to help its drivers buy electric vehicles.The fee, expected to be 15p per mile, will be introduced "early" in 2019.Uber said drivers working for 40 hours per week could get cash help of about £1,500 a year from passengers via the top-up fee.The ride-hailing firm said the scheme would also contribute towards plans to curb air pollution in the capital.Uber said it expected the scheme to raise more than £200m ($ 260m) over the "next few years" to help drivers swap vehicles. It said the fee would add about 45p to the average London journey. It hopes to hand cash to 20,000 drivers to hel...

Aug242018 by adminNo Comments

Electric version of classic Jag to go into production

Technology

Jaguar's classic E-type sports car is set to make a comeback with a new electric version approved to go into production. The E-type Zero, notably driven by Prince Harry as he whisked Meghan Markle away to their wedding reception earlier this year, will be available to buy from summer 2020.Carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) announced that Jaguar Classic - a unit of the British-based firm which restores vintage models - will convert E-types to electric power at its Classic Works facility in Coventry.Details on how much the revamped car could cost remains tightly under wraps for now. 1:42 ...