Tesla plans to open-source its vehicle security software for free to other automakers for safer self-driving future

A leading New Zealand electricity generator and retailer, Contact Energy, is well on track to electrifying its fleet, with the charge being led by the organisation’s geothermal operations near Taupo.

“We have nine EVs at the moment,” fleet manager Chris Girling says.

These comprise four Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs, three Renault Zoes, a Hyundai Ioniq and a Gen 1 Nissan Leaf.

Professor John Goodenough, celebrated his 95th birthday last year An immigrant to the United States, a World War II veteran, a graduate from Yale University, a physics doctorate from the University of Chicago, a research scientist at MIT, a tenured departmental head at Oxford University, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, an emeritus professor at the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas, Austin, a multi-award recipient, and a multi-society active and honorary member, has been involved in lithium batteries since at least 1980 when he was 57-years of age. Now, at the tender age of 96-years old he continues to develop the field.

Battery Breakthrough

A low-cost, safe, high-energy-density, long-life, and low-degradation battery has been designed in a paper co-authored by John Goodenough, Maria Helena Braga, Chandrasekar M Subramaniya, Andrew J. Murchison (all four from the Texas Materials Institute and the Materials Science and Engineering Program at The University of Texas at Austin) and Maria Helena Braga (from LAETA, Engineering Physics Department, FEUP, at the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.)

It overcomes every single problem of current battery technology. In my (Eric Cosak) opinion, this happens as a result of overcoming both the lithium-ion SEI (solid electrolyte interphase) battery problem and material degradation due to volume expansion.

[Eric Cosak - EV Obsession - 23 July 2018]

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EVworld organiser Conferenz has announced the finalists for its ‘champions’ awards – set to be revealed at the August event.

The awards recognise the pioneering individuals, businesses and towns who are committed to championing the uptake of EVs in New Zealand.

[Richard Edwards - EV Talk - 18 July 2018]

We know electric cars make sense – but we need a financial push to buy one

From tax incentives to cash grants, ‘price signals’ are the key to increasing the uptake of electric vehicles in New Zealand, writes Victoria University’s Lisa Marriott. ...

"If we are genuinely committed to meeting our carbon targets, words need to be supported by action. Weak policy tools will not achieve strong behavioural change. The road transport sector is one where global experience shows that significant beneficial results are achievable when the tax system is used to influence the price of vehicles. What are we waiting for?"

[Lisa Marriott - The Spinoff - 16 July 2018]

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Network Tasman’s three public fast-charging stations in Nelson, Richmond and Golden Bay will become part of a linked national network of more than 100 fast chargers throughout New Zealand. 

The ChargeNet NZ phone app and website will display the availability of chargers and locations, allowing users to plan their route and to see the state of their vehicle charge in progress. 

EV owners will be able to pop away while their vehicles are charging and be notified by text when the charging session is finished, or if there is an interruption in the charging session. 

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Residents in a handful of Wellington's  inner-most suburbs have proved to be the most vocal in pushing for electric vehicle charging stations in their streets.

Over the past few months, more than 80 submissions have been received by the Wellington City Council in relation to its new EV initiative, set to be rolled out over the next several months.

[Ruby MacAndrew - Stuff Motoring - 2 July 2018]

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In a move that would make fellow Croatian Nikola Tesla proud, Rimac Automobili has stunned the automotive world at Geneva.

Of the six most important cars of 2018, the Rimac C Two (BEV) 2-door coupé, has just been voted the Most Important Car of 2018 by Top Speed, the veteran online reviewer of super-powerful and/or luxurious automotive technology. 

The Rimac C Two is at sort of a Eureka point of this year so far. The Croatians did the unfathomable and revealed a car that can rewrite the whole premise of a supercar, or a hypercar, whatever. 

Beating back the other five finalists from: Volvo, Mercedes, Aston Marton, BMW and Peugeot, the second offering from Croatian Rimac is officially the fastest Super Car in the world.

It will accelerate to 60 mph in 1.85 seconds, it will do 186 mph in 11.8 seconds, and at the top end, the speedo will say 256 mph. Plus an alleged range of 400 miles (643 km) and weight of 4,200 lbs. So impressive are these figures, that Porsche AG has invested in Rimac Automobili. All this with a move towards "manganese nickel" chemistry in its li-ion batteries makes the Rimac a deserving winner of the title "Most Important".

Presently keeping the name "Concept", the car is in fact a production model. Although deliveries won't start until 2020, the car is available for pre-sales. After showing it at the Geneva Motor Show, all 150 cars were sold within three weeks. With a starting price is $2.1 million, on average, buyers added $615,300 of options. Mad.

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[Safet Satara - Top Speed - July 1, 2018]

Since 1916, cars of all types and more recently motorcycles have been competing in this gruelling uphill race.

With an official time of 7:57.148, VW’s fully electric racer beat the previous EV record of 8:57.118 set in 2016, as well as the overall course record of 8:13.878 set in 2013.*

Overall winners can compete under any class of cars or motorcycles, although the majority come from the open wheel and more recently the unlimited classes. 

* Two previous faster times were on a shortened course.

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[Charles Morris - 2 July 2018 - Charged EVs Magazine, Newswire]