HAAS Alert has introduced a system to notify drivers, cyclists and pedestrians that an emergency vehicle, such as firetrucks and ambulances, is approaching. The system is installed on the emergency vehicle, which then [highlight style=”default”]automatically sends out a notification to cell phones[/highlight]. The public can download the HAAS app to receive the notifications. The plan is to integrate with Apple Car Play and Android Auto so that drivers can be notified on their infotainment screens.
Though VW is still dealing with their diesel emissions problem, they are making [highlight style=”default”]ambitions plans for electric cars[/highlight]. They hope to sell a million electric cars per year by 2025, with 30 different models over their various brands. They have also stated that they hope some of the vehicles will be built in North America, though they have not stated where than means building in the US.
Toyota is changing its [highlight style=”default”]focus from hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to electric[/highlight]. Toyota’s battery research division is working on lithium-ion battery technology and hopes to develop longer range battery packs, so expect to see news on their developments. The company is expecting to debut an all-electric vehicle by 2020, in time for the Tokyo Olympics. CEO Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the company founder, has been appointed to lead its electric-car division.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) released a [highlight style=”default”]new report[/highlight] and interactive map to support and ease the installation of critical [highlight style=”default”]electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers in Northern and Central California[/highlight]. The utility collaborated with researchers at the Plug-In Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research Center at the University of California, Davis and other EV infrastructure experts to develop best practices for siting charger and also developed recommendations for locations of the chargers. PG&E also created an interactive map tool that can be used by PG&E and third party developers for exploring potential DCFC sites identified by PG&E.
[highlight style=”default”]US EV sales rose sharply[/highlight] in November. 13,337 EVs were sold, a 32.4% gain over the previous year. Tesla was not the top seller and in fact was 4th. The Chevrolet Volt was the best selling plug for the 2nd month in a row. Nissan’s Leaf had their best sales in a year and the Ford Fusion Energi set another year high. The new 2017 Toyota Prius Prime had the best all-time debut in the US, selling 781 units despite limited inventory.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) [highlight style=”default”]released[/highlight] its initial [highlight style=”default”]draft plan[/highlight] to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030—the most ambitious target in North America. The draft plan analyzes continuing the Cap-and-Trade program. The analysis shows how Cap-and-Trade provides more certainty that the state will meet the 2030 goals even if other measures fall short. The draft plan also includes two alternative strategies—one that relies on more direct regulations, and one that includes a carbon tax.