News Roundup
News Roundup for May 27
SUN ROOF
Solar-assisted charging station being built
Employees at two Nissan facilities in Tennessee will soon be able to charge their all-electric Leafs using solar power. The automaker is installing 30 solar-assisted charging stations at its Franklin headquarters and its assembly plant in Smyrna. They’re expected to be in operation by July. “These solar-assisted charging stations demonstrate our dedication to a zero-emissions society, and our dedication to bringing innovation to our home in Tennessee,” said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas.
MY KINGDOM FOR A VOLT!
Finding a Chevy Volt at a dealer will be tougher before it gets easier. Next month, General Motors will close the Detroit area plant where the plug-in hybrid is built. During the four-week shutdown, the plant will be upgraded to increase Volt production. “By taking the time to reconfigure the plant, we will be better able to meet the tremendous consumer demand,” said Cristi Landy, director of Volt marketing. Following its debut in limited markets, GM still plans to have the car available in all 50 states later this year.
THINK ABOUT $73 MILLION
The head of lithium-ion battery maker Ener1 thinks battery leasing would be the best way to ensure a bright future for electric cars. Charles Gassenheimer said leasing the battery at $100 per month would lower the price of electric cars and make them more attractive. Gassenheimer’s observation came during a recent conference call in which he announced that Ener1 is taking a $73 million write-down on its 31 percent stake in electric car-maker Think.
WASTE NOT
Today’s grease will be tomorrow’s electricity in South Carolina. State-owned utility Santee Cooper has approved contracts with two companies, each planning to generate 1.6 megawatts of electricity from food waste, grease and similar sources. BioEnergy Technologies will deliver its electricity to Santee Cooper through Berkeley Electric Cooperative’s distribution system. W2E–Organic Power will transmit its electricity to Santee Cooper’s transmission grid.
—Based on news and wire reports