Envia Systems claims energy density record for lithium-ion batteries

- Two to 3 times times current energy density
- testing by ARPA-E
- $7 million from GM

Ticks all the boxes for a serious effort with good prospects for real world production.

Hopefully, all the above & the, "should cost less than half the price of existing li-ion batteries", makes it into production soon.

More at:

http://www.gizmag.com/envia-systems-record-lithium-ion-battery/21653/

Silicon Valley is the new Detroit (video)

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2012/01/silicon-valley-new-detroit/47076/

Monsanto’s transgenic drought tolerant maize approved

http://blogs.nature.com/news/2012/01/monsantos-transgenic-drought-tolerant-maize-approved.html

Giant car-dispensing claw game is a projection

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/12/giant-car-dispensing-claw-game-is-a-projection/

BMW & GM on the brink of fuel cell partnership?

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1070556_bmw-and-gm-on-the-brink-of-fuel-cell-partnership

GM offers loan cars to Chevy Volt customers while crash fires are investigated

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1069928_gm-offers-loan-cars-to-chevy-volt-customers-while-crash-fires-are-investigated

“Often wrong, but seldom in doubt.”

"Often wrong, but seldom in doubt." – Bob Lutz, former executive at BMW, Ford, Chrysler & most recently, General Motors.

Linked below is an interesting book review, cum history, of Bob Lutz' time at GM, starting in 2001.  This period includes the "death throws" of the old GM & its rebirth, financed by public money, as well as development of the Chevrolet Volt, which Lutz championed.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/06/08/autos/bob_lutz_book_review.fortune/index.htm?iid=EL

Does GM have a Chevrolet Volt sales problem?

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1066882_electric-car-sales-does-gm-have-a-chevy-volt-sales-problem

GM riles Californian electric car world (again) over AB475 "charger sharing" ban

California has had public charging stations since 1996.  Relevant state legislation makes no provision for plug in hybrids, which didn't exist at the time.

Should a plug in Prius or Chevrolet Volt be allowed to use such a charging station & it's associated parking spot?  Should the owner ensure that the EV is moved after it is finished charging?  Or is it OK to continue to use the parking spot after the battery is charged?

The item below discusses some issues which will be of importance in other jurisdictions in years to come.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1065314_gm-riles-ca-electric-car-world-again-over-ab475-charger-sharing-ban