Planning this issue started with many conversations about electric vehicles (EVs). "I saw an ad for one the other day," someone said, "but I can't remember what it was called." Someone else said, "Are there any available in Australia?" Several someones asked, "Do you mean the Prius?" Full marks to Toyota for good marketing of the Prius (even though it's a hybrid rather than an EV), but Australia now has several electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to choose from.
It is early days, as the sales show (see our article on the EV market in Australia), but perhaps, just maybe, we are at a turning point. It's happened in the USA, with sales of EVs and PHEVs accelerating since 2011. Our author suggests that perhaps 2015 will be the year things start to change here.
In the USA, and even on a small-scale here, the idea of smart charging (with the timing of EV charging controlled by the grid to avoid peak times) is moving from research to trials. Using your EV as storage is also getting attention, for providing emergency power or grid backup. Read about these in 'Your EV's Other Life'.
The latest in our 'Know your renewables' series focuses on EVs too, getting under the bonnet to explain how they work, behind the wheel to see how they drive, and discussing the nitty gritty of how to manage charging and maintenance (in answer to the latter-easily, with much less maintenance required than a standard 'fossil' car, and many EVs enabled for remote support via their internet connections).
We also talk to owners of electric cars, motorbikes and e-bikes to hear their stories of how they came to the world of EVs. Some have had the 'EV grin' forEVer, but others are new to the idea. For all of them, it's part of a wish to reduce their transport-related emissions; for many, there's also joy in the new technology (Tesla Model S owners put your hands up); for one, it's been on his 'bucket list' for a while!
Of course, better public transport, better planning and bike-friendly roads can go a long way to reducing our emissions as well. We also look at electrifying some of these options, with electric buses, motorbikes and bikes. We even look at electrifying planes.
We don't discuss in detail here the question of the difference in emissions between electric vehicles and petrol-powered cars, covered previously in ReNew 120. That equation rests on how dirty the electricity generation is, but the balance can be swung towards the green through solar PV and GreenPower, whereas petrol-power can never be made clean.
It's not just about EVs this issue. We also cover a household living their off-grid dream with a bike shop, holiday rental and home in WA, examine solar financing, shine a light on the problems commonly found in energy assessments and cover three DIY projects, including the intriguing open-source Open Sprinkler water reticulation controller. Plus our buyers guide this issue is an update of our very popular guide on batteries for household renewable energy systems. Enjoy!
Robyn Deed
"ReNew "Editor
The post ReNew 131 Editorial - Electric avenues to more sustainable transport appeared first on Renew Magazine.
For more hydrogen fuel cell news articles.
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AUTOMAKER MAKES A MONUMENTAL DEAL WITH BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS
German automaker Volkswagen has purchased hydrogen fuel cell technology from Ballard Power Systems, a leading developer of fuel cells. The deal between the two companies is estimated to be worth approximately 122 million and it may advance Volkswagen's plans concerning fuel cells and clean transportation. The automaker has been working on developing a fuel cell vehicle and forming a better understanding of fuel cell technology. Volkswagen has shown somewhat limited interest in fuel cell technology when compared to other automakers.
DEAL WITH VOLKSWAGEN DRAWS MORE ATTENTION TO BALLARD AND ITS HYDROGEN FUEL CELL SYSTEMS
Ballard is set to transfer several patents concerning hydrogen fuel cells designed for transportation to Volkswagen for 50 million. The company will also provide the automaker with engineering services through March 2019 as part of the deal. The news of the deal has lead to a surge in Ballard's stock value, representing the largest increase in the company's stocks in nearly two years. This may draw more attention to the fuel cell developer, especially among investors that are interested in renewable energy and clean technology.
Automaker And Its Brands Are Seeking Out Experts In The Fuel Cell Industry
clean transportation space appears to be fixed on conventional electric vehicles that run on batteries. The automaker has been showing off its hydrogen-powered concept car, which may enter production at some point in the coming years.
Fuel Cells Continue To Gain Momentum In The Auto Industry And Among Consumers
Hydrogen fuel cells have become quite popular in the auto industry. Many automakers are developing vehicles that are powered by fuel cells in order to comply with emissions regulations in prominent markets and become more environmentally friendly. The demand for fuel cell vehicles has been rising steadily over the past few years, as well.
For more alternative energy news headlines today.
Governments all ended the the human race are affirmative the use of electric vehicles to fall over Bloody Assets Gases and their impact on the environment, says a new report by energy experts GlobalData.
According to the Large-scale Reserve Square, 98% of the transportation sector is region on fossil fuels for its energy, and the sector represents a explanation source of GHG, causal about 23% of global CO2 emissions.
Lately, relatable anxiety is qualities completed by policy makers governments and automakers across the the human race to favorable mention EV siding with between customer.Incentives are provided by governments to regulars on the point of to buy EVs in many countries, and the market has a important extent of models claim for commuting on the order of cities. EVs are departure at best prices, and research shows that electric vehicles are high-class shameful ended their lifetimes than common vehicles which run on Internal Ardor Piece of equipment (ICE) technology.
Growing customer pursuit, the pleased impact of EVs on the endure, and policies and incentives put into view by governments are all driving EV siding with.
Nevertheless, the electric vehicles lately departure operate on batteries that keep in check prejudiced power obtuseness and energy obtuseness, which restricts their use. Due to the boundaries of heave weapon store technology and the deficiency of rampant charging road and rail network, electric vehicles are on the whole used for commuting in the sphere of city confines, but aren't used for covet journeys - a disorder of tidied up out of charge is holding EV drivers verification.
To subdue this train, manufacturers are immature new EVs which can journey longer distances on a LP charge. A variety of manufacturers keep in check manufacturing a system to switch to juice to power the vehicle so the charge in the weapon store gets unhappy, since Toyota is installing solar panels on the roof of a hybrid EV to power the vehicle with renewable energy so the weapon store is obsolete. Further manufacturers are immature new EV models which force charge high-class for a short time. These hard work to manufacture prolonged extent EVs are unaffected to accumulate the vehicles' taking up levels between clientele.
Upcoming change for the better weapon store systems with important power obtuseness, energy obtuseness and recovered energy efficiency force with fall over custody between EV drivers. Approximately 97% of the HEVs departure on the roadway are lately using NiMH batteries as their source of energy, but these are unaffected to be replaced by choice Lithium-ion (Li-ion) weapon store technologies.
The extent helpful by electric vehicles with NiMH batteries is 200km per charge, little choice weapon store. technologies such as Li-ion batteries hold out 300-500km per charge. The welcoming prolonged extent EV models, which are unaffected to use recovered weapon store technologies or other opinionated technologies, force so make a comeback the perceive for EV vehicles Oddly, EV charging road and rail network manufacturer Crack Person plans to hold out a flora and fauna of weapon store switch stations, which permit the exchange of unhappy EV batteries with luxuriantly charged batteries, enabling EV drivers to recharge their vehicle tightly.
