Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Transportation Alternatives, Chevrolet, GMC, Honda, Legislation and Policy, Europe/EU, North America, Pacific Region, UK, USA, BYD



BYD has debuted a 60-foot electric bus at the American Public Transportation Association Expo in Houston, TX. The Lancaster bus, as it is called, has a 120-passenger capacity and can drive over 170 miles on a single charge. The articulated bus features low floors and no steps, thanks to in-wheel hub motors. BYD also displayed a 40-foot electric bus that drove the 1,500 miles to the show under its own power (recharging along the way, of course). Read more in the press release below.

Honda says it will continue to sell hybrids in Europe, despite the fact that it has stopped selling the CR-Z and Insight due to slow sales. "Our focus at the moment is on our 1.6-liter diesel but we haven't forgotten about hybrid technology," says Honda Europe's Philip Ross. Honda will sell the next-generation Fit (badged as the Jazz) in Europe when it launches next summer, and will sell the next-gen hybrid version beginning in 2016. Honda sold 4,500 of the Jazz hybrid in Europe last year. Read more at Automotive News.

XL Hybrids is selling its XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System in California. The news comes after the California Air Resources Board issued an executive order allowing the aftermarket hybrid conversion for 2012-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans. The XL3 Hybrid regenerative braking conversion increases real-world mpg by about 25 percent. Read more in the press release below.

NRG eVgo has finished installing 60 charging stations at the Sony Pictures Entertainment studio lot and offices in Culver City, California. The Level 2 chargers, which will be managed by NRG eVgo, allow employees to charge their EVs during the workday. An average of 90 EVs and PHEVs park at the studio headquarters every day, thanks in part to Sony Pictures' Alternative Vehicles Incentive program for its employees. Learn more in the press release below.

Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission will allow operators of EV charging stations to set prices based on kilowatt hour usage. This change ensures that drivers pay for the actual energy they use, rather than the time they spend charging, since different cars can charge at different speeds. Car Charging Group has already begun using the per-kWh fee structure at its charging stations throughout the state. Other states that allow kWh pricing are California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Washington. Read more in the press release below.

The UK is putting £11 million (about $17.6 million US) toward getting hydrogen cars on its roads. The money will be used to create a network of hydrogen fueling stations by the end of next year, and for public sector fleets of hydrogen vehicles. Business Minister Matthew Hancock announced the funding, which will come from the government and from industry. "Hydrogen cars present us with a huge economic opportunity and can bolster our internationally renowned automotive industry," says Hancock. "We want to make the UK one of the best places in the world to design, manufacture and sell ultra-low emission vehicles." Learn more in the press release below.Continue reading Recharge Wrap-up: BYD unveils 60-ft electric bus, Honda sticking with hybrids in Europe

Recharge Wrap-up: BYD unveils 60-ft electric bus, Honda sticking with hybrids in Europe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 16 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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