Haye Kesteloo

The batteries in EV’s are heavy, expensive and in many cases slow to charge, this results in many affordable EV’s having a limited range. Obviously, this reduces the usefulness of EV’s for many potential buyers. For EV’s to really take off, we need an extensive network of public fast charging stations (DCFC’s). However, the current fee structure of utility companies, especially the additional peak demand charges during hot summer months, can make up a substantial part of the electricity costs of a charging location, forming a significant roadblock for the future of EV’s.

In a recent study for EVgo, analyzing data from every charging session in 2016 from all 230 of EVgo’s DC fast charging stations in the state of California where half of all the nation’s EV’s are being used, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) found that with today’s EV market penetration and current public DCFC utilization rates, demand charges can be responsible for over 90% of electricity costs, which are as high as $1.96/kWh at some locations during summer months.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Spring has sprung and a new 2018 Nissan Leaf popped up in Germany. As you can see in the photos the next generation model looks refreshed and more modern.

Las month, we reported on the first sightings of the much anticipated next generation LEAF, but it was covered with a garbage bag-looking type of camouflage. These new photos of the next-gen Leaf, which surfaced on this German forum site, shows a still heavily camouflaged car, but we get a better look than last time.
Expand
Expanding
Close