Scientists at the German Aerospace Center, DLR have developed an entirely new kind of drive concept to extend the range of electrically powered vehicles. The free-piston linear generator is a combustion engine that generates electricity.

Looking toward improved batteries for charging electric cars and storing energy from renewable but intermittent solar and wind, scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed the first high-performance, nanostructured solid electrolyte for more energy-dense lithium ion batteries.

As a harbinger for the Paramount film "Star Trek - Into Darkness", starting in May in Europe's cinemas, last night a swarm of 30 mini-helicopters equipped with the LED lights drew the Star Trek logo in the skies over London.

A new National Research Council report finds that by the year 2050, the U.S. may be able to reduce petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent for light-duty vehicles, cars and small trucks via a combination of more efficient vehicles; the use of alternative fuels like biofuels, electricity, and hydrogen; and strong government policies to overcome high costs and influence consumer choices.

Supercapacitors replace lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries replace nickel metal hydride and lead acid batteries. There are side stories of course. Some supercapacitors replace electrolytic capacitors and others create new applications. However, in this article, we concentrate on replacing lithium-ion batteries.

As we make the transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy sources, one fact that becomes clear is that while fossil fuels provided both an energy source and a storage medium in one, in the new world of renewables, these two functions will have to be provided separately.

Beginning this month, the city of Rio de Janeiro enters the zero-emission mobility era with the launch of the electric taxi program, a partnership between the Rio de Janeiro City Government, NBA and Petrobras Distribuidora.

Boeing announced that a comprehensive set of improvements that will add several layers of additional safety features to the lithium-ion batteries on 787 commercial jetliners are in production and could be ready for initial installation within the next few weeks.

Scania and Siemens have entered into a partnership which involves the integration of Siemens technology to power vehicles with Scania's expertise in the electrification of powertrains in trucks and buses. The partnership means that Sweden may become the world's first country with electrically powered trucks and electrified roads for commercial use.

Applus+ IDIADA, a Spanish company specialising in engineering for the international automotive industry, has successfully completed a high performance, innovative electric prototype sports car that is comparable to or even better than other conventionally-powered sports cars.

Siemens has stepped up its involvement in electric vehicle (EV) technologies by buying Semikron International's VePoint subsidiary, which develops power electronic components and systems for the hybrid and electric vehicle market

BAE Systems has been awarded $43 million to lead the Army Research Laboratory's (ARL) Micro Autonomous Systems and Technology (MAST) Collaborative Technology Alliance for an additional five years to advance bio-inspired micro-robotics technology to extend the remote sensing capability of U.S. ground forces.

Toyota Material Handling UK gives a sneak preview of the brand new Toyota Traigo 80-volt electric-powered forklift at the IMHX from the 18th - 22nd March 2013 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Deepwater seabed surveying, navigation and control systems for field robots, and improving cyber security measures are among the 10 academic-led research and development projects receiving more than $1.7 million in total funding from the Research & Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador (RDC).

The GM development of a compact pure electric car is expected to bear fruit in 2013. The car could be based on the Electric Networked Vehicle (EN-V) concept electric car which GM showcased in China earlier this year.

Peter Stonham, Editorial Director of New Transit introduced the excellent 25 person London event then Dr Peter Harrop of IDTechEx scoped the total subject of electric vehicles, land, water and air - one industry now with best practice first occurring all over the place and rapid improvement with almost all components changing radically.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and California Lithium Battery, Inc. (CalBattery) have announced that they have signed a licensing agreement for an Argonne-developed, silicon-graphene composite anode material for high-energy lithium batteries.

The New Nissan LEAF has benefited from a raft of changes including an improved range of 199km and cut-in-half charging time that will only boost its popularity.

Axion Power International's Chairman and CEO Thomas Granville said that the first truck to be outfitted with a PbC battery string has been completed and is now on the road going through its final test procedures.