Green

Recharge Wrap-up: Nissan and Endesa launch V2G project; BMW denies Apple will use i3

BluepointLondon Takes Over Chargers; EDI Converts Pickups To PHEVs

Nissan and Endesa will work together to deliver a mass-market vehicle-to-grid (V2G) system. The technology would allow users to charge their vehicle during off-peak hours, and sell energy back to the grid during periods of high demand. The two companies are looking to launch V2G technology in Europe, as well as exploring second-life projects using retired EV batteries for stationary energy storage. V2G allows users to lower the cost of ownership of their EV, and also helps stabilize the grid, particularly in countries that use a large amount of renewable energy. Endesa will demonstrate its V2G technology system in Madrid on March 12. Read more from Nissan.

BMW denies reports that Apple will build a car based on the i3. German magazine Auto Motor und Sport said that such a deal was in the works, and that the Apple car could be sold by Apple and serviced by BMW. "We are in regular talks with companies from the IT and telecommunications sector, including Apple, concerning topics like connected vehicles," says BMW. "Developing or building a car is not a topic of these discussions." Anonymous sources say that Apple could have a car available for production in 2020. Read more at Automotive News Europe.

BluepointLondon will take over the management of 60 EV charging stations from Transport for London. The 60 chargers are in the boroughs of Southwark and Sutton, and Bluepoint expects to take over management of charging infrastructure in other London boroughs as well. "A better maintained and more extensive charging infrastructure will mean more drivers are able to use electric vehicles and join the early-adopters who are already helping London reach lower emissions level," says BluepointLondon Director Christophe Arnaud. "We are very excited to be playing our part." BluepointLondon aims to manage 6,000 charging points in London by 2018. Read more in the press release below.

Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI) offers plug-in hybrid conversions for GM light-duty trucks. The PHEV drivetrain offers all the performance of the original model, but reduces consumption and emissions by as much as 80 percent. It offers 30 to 40 miles of all-electric range plus enough energy to act as an idle-free power supply for tools and the like without depleting range. The EDI drivetrain can even be used to charge other EVs. Says EDI's Charlie Travis, "The light duty truck class is an important and high-volume vehicle category for fleet owners. The creation of a PHEV version with power export is an integral step towards significantly reducing emissions and fuel consumption for the utility and telecom industries." Read more at Hyrbid Cars, or get more details directly from EDI.

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BluepointLondon reaches a key agreement to manage the first 60 Electric Vehicles (EV) charge points in London to improve the Source London network

BluepointLondon Ltd, the operator of Source London since September 2014, is delighted to announce that it has finalised an agreement with Transport for London ("TfL"), the London Borough of Sutton and the London Borough of Southwark. The agreement makes BluepointLondon responsible for the management of an initial 60 electric vehicles (EV) charge points, which represents 13% out of the 460 charge points in London boroughs as part of the scheme. This agreement will ensure these points are fully functional and compliant with EU standards as well as overseeing any necessary repairs for the benefit of the growing number of EV users across London.

BluepointLondon currently has over 3,000 members, 1,400 EV charge points in 27 London boroughs and 39 private partners.

Since taking over from TfL, BluepointLondon has undertaken an in-depth audit and will start implementing a live monitoring solution for all charge points which were part of the scheme. This agreement will start the deployment of a mobile maintenance team to assess the faults and start the necessary works. In the future, the points in the London Boroughs of Sutton and Southwark, as well as the TfL charge points, will now be serviced regularly to minimise faults and downtime.

In due course, other boroughs will be announced and, in consultation with local authorities, new charge points will supplement the network to ensure greater coverage and availability.

By 2018, BluepointLondon's target, via the Source London scheme, is to have 6,000 charge points under management across London to oversee the growth of electric cars in London.

Christophe Arnaud, Director of BluepointLondon, said: "We are delighted to be responsible for these 60 EV charge points in London. This means we are finally in a position to offer electric vehicle users in the London Borough of Southwark and the London Borough of Sutton a better charging infrastructure and experience. This agreement is a key step in providing all Londoners with a sustainable alternative to traditional transport means. A better maintained and more extensive charging infrastructure will mean more drivers are able to use electric vehicles and join the early-adopters who are already helping London reach lower emissions level. We are very excited to be playing our part."

Councillor Mark Williams, Cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport, London Borough of Southwark, said: "We fully support sustainable transport so welcome the opportunity to work with BluepointLondon to improve the management of electrical vehicle charge points locally. With better maintenance, we want more people to switch from petrol and diesel to electric cars. This will help reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality not just in Southwark but across the capital. Over 120 people die prematurely each year in our borough due to air pollution and we must do all we can to eliminate this silent killer."

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