Energy storage batteries face biggest test in California

Tesla and SolarCity energy storage array on Ta'u, American SamoaFrom the perspective of both renewable-energy advocates and electric utilities, grid-scale energy storage offers many potential benefits. By storing energy in battery packs for later use, energy storage can make intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind into more reliable forms of power. It also helps utilities "balance" the gird by...

Four large West Coast cities unite to buy 24,000 electric cars

Seattle Center as night falls (photo by Jeffery Hayes)When it comes to policy efforts aimed at promoting electric cars, the focus is usually on private passenger vehicles. But to cut carbon emissions in a meaningful way, policymakers will have to look at other types of vehicles as well. That includes the thousands of cars and light trucks in the municipal fleets of large cities. DON'T MISS: BYD...

California’s PG&E utility now offers $500 rebate for electric-car use

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EVIn certain states, electric utilities are getting into the business of installing and operating electric-car charging infrastructure. They may build public charging stations, or work with other entities that operate them, but that's usually as far as their efforts to promote electric cars go. But one California utility is now taking direct action...

BlueLA expands French electric-car sharing service to California

Bollore BlueCars recharging at Paris curb for the Autolib electric-car sharing service, Sep 2016First there was AutoLib, a French electric-car sharing service operated by the Bolloré Group. Then came BlueIndy, the first U.S. franchise of the service, which put the same BlueCars onto the streets of Indianapolis. Now Bolloré is expanding its car-sharing operations to a second U.S. city, one that may be much more in the public...

First 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell sedans delivered in California

First 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell customers, Torrance, CaliforniaThere's a new hydrogen fuel-cell kid in town. Well after Hyundai and Toyota launched their own fuel-cell cars in California, the first 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell sedans to be leased to retail customers were delivered yesterday in a small ceremony. Like the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell and Toyota Mirai, the Clarity Fuel Cell is available only...

Far more Chevy Bolt EVs likely to be sold than compliance requires

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EVFor the past few years, several of the electric-car models on sale in the U.S. have been "compliance cars." That means they are built primarily to satisfy California's zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, and are generally only available in that state and perhaps a few other electric-car friendly markets. General Motors is aiming for more...

Will California lead the green-car resistance?

2017 Chevrolet VoltWhen it comes to green cars, California leads the nation—and has done so for decades. California residents buy more hybrids and electric cars than those of any other state, and it is also the only state with fueling infrastructure to support the sale of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. Consumer enthusiasm is underpinned by strict regulations...

Tesla jobs at Fremont could exceed those in GM-Toyota days with Model 3

Tesla factory, Fremont, CaliforniaTesla CEO Elon Musk has said he wants his company to be building 500,000 electric cars a year by 2018. That's an ambitious goal, but at least one necessary piece of the puzzle is already in place. Tesla's factory in Fremont, California, previously produced that many cars when it was a joint operation of General Motors and Toyota. DON'T MISS...