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Fisker previews Orbit autonomous shuttle

Fisker Inc. isn't just working on an expensive performance EV. The manufacturer, headed by designer Henrik Fisker, is also working on a new " UltraCharger," and has filed patents for solid-state batteries. Now, the company has announced that it is partnering with China's Hakim Unique Group to build an autonomous shuttle for smart cities. Fisker says its Orbit self-driving electric shuttles will be ready by the end of 2018. Fisker hasn't provided a lot of specifics about the Orbit, but we do get a glimpse of it in the two images the company has released. The pod-like vehicle looks to be designed to maximize interior space. The side window has a display that shows the shuttle's next stop and departure time. There appears to be a door ahead of the rear wheels, but we can't really tell if it swings or slides open (we'd guess the latter). The partnership combines Fisker's automotive and design expertise with Hakim Unique Group's resources. Both partners have an interest in mobility and smart infrastructure. Fisker says the first Orbit autonomous shuttle will be deployed in a "Hakim Unique-implemented smart city." We hope to hear more details about this project soon. In the meantime, we can look forward to the public debut of the Fisker EMotion. The luxury EV, which boasts a range of 400-plus miles and a base price of $129,000, will be revealed next month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It also incorporates autonomous technology, but is more focused on a good driving experience. Related Video: News Source: Fisker Green Fisker Green Automakers Green Culture Technology Emerging Technologies Autonomous Vehicles Electric Future Vehicles Henrik Fisker fisker inc

Recharge Wrap-up: Fisker owner Wanxiang owns a lot of US real estate, carmakers gaming EU emissions system

Wanxiang Group says it might now be China's largest corporate investor in American real estate. The owner of both Fisker Automotive and battery company A123 Systems, and parts supplier to Mazda and Chrysler, Wanxiang has invested in over 60 projects in the US since 2010. Returns on those investments have been "very, very, very" high, according to Wanxiang America President Pin Ni. "We can invest in clean energy, auto, real estate or anything, but the key is pegging it well to the economic cycle," says Ni. Read more at Bloomberg. Cars sold in 2014 in Europe are exceeding 2015 targets for emissions, but not necessarily for the right reasons. The cars produce 2.6 percent (or 123.4 g/km) less CO2 than cars sold in 2013, which is nearly 7 g/km less than 2015 targets. Unfortunately, these results are influenced in part by manufacturers taking advantage of flaws in the EU testing procedures for better results. Real-world fuel economy is about 31 percent less than official ratings. "These figures need to be treated with extreme caution," says Greg Archer, clean vehicles manager at Transport & Environment. Most of the measured improvement is being delivered through manipulating tests, not delivering real-world improvements. We need the new test to be introduced without further delay." Read more at DieselNet, or from Transport & Environment. Ballard will supply fuel cell modules for eight hydrogen-powered buses in China. Shipping later this year, the FCvelocityTM-HD7 power modules will power buses in multiple Chinese for cities. "We are now beginning to see meaningful evidence of growing demand for clean energy mass transportation alternatives in China, including both buses and trams," says Ballard President and CEO Randy MacEwen. "This demand is being driven by a pressing need to address China's challenging air quality issues, for which fuel cell technology is seen as an emerging option." Read more from Ballard in the press release below. Ballard Inks Deal to Supply Next-Generation Fuel Cell Power Product For Eight Buses in China April 15, 2015 Vancouver, Canada – Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLD) today announced that it has received an order from a Chinese customer to supply its next-generation FCvelocityTM-HD7 power modules for 8 buses to be deployed in a number of Chinese cities. Ballard expects to ship all of the modules in 2015.

New Fisker Karma will look a lot like the old one

Fisker Automotive appears to be wrangling up its proverbial ducks and properly aligning them again after halting production nearly two years ago. After filing for bankruptcy, the Chinese company Wanxiang, like an angel made of money, scooped up the maker of the Karma range-extended electric sports car for the sizeable sum of $149.2 million. Now, Wanxiang is looking to relaunch the Karma by early 2015, and the car that we see upon its revival will likely look quite familiar. An insider who wished to remain anonymous told Automotive News the new Karma "will have to be nearly identical to the 2012 model." Hoping to relaunch quickly, the company doesn't have the luxury of undergoing new safety testing and certification that would be required if it made major changes to the car. Also, the less engineering that needs to be done and the more old parts Fisker can take advantage of, the better. However, another person close to the project paints a slightly different picture of the new Fisker Karma. "The new Karma will be different in many key areas," said the unnamed source, without giving specifics. "It will have noticeable upgrades." Throwing a possible wrench in the works are Fisker's old suppliers, who are none too pleased about being left behind when the automaker stopped making cars. Many ended up clearing out the tools they were using to make parts for the Karma. With the time that has passed, one critical supplier suggests that the new Karma might be a bit stale, stating, "You're not buying something that's considered 'state of the art' necessarily." Still, with only about 1,800 Fisker Karmas having been sold before the disruption, the renewed model, similar as it may be to the old, will still seem fresh to all those eyes that haven't yet beheld the sleek EV. Even if, as some worry, it takes a bit longer to get production back on track, there's sure to be many happy to see the new car (and even some of the old ones) on the road.