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8 automakers, 15 utilities collaborate on open smart-charging for EVs

We're going to lead with General Motors here. GM is one of eight automakers working with 15 utilities and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) at developing a "smart" plug-in vehicle charging system. Why did we start with GM? Because it's the first automaker whose press release we read that mentioned the other seven automakers. Points for sharing. For the record, the collaboration also includes BMW, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Chrysler, Mitsubishi and Ford. The utilities include DTE Energy, Duke Energy, Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric. The idea is to develop a so-called "demand charging" system in which an integrated system lets the plug-ins and utilities communicate with each other so that vehicle charging is cut back at peak hours, when energy is most expensive, and ramped up when the rates drop. Such entities say there's a sense of urgency to develop such a system because the number of plug-in vehicles on US roads totals more than 225,000 today and is climbing steadily. There's a lot of technology involved, obviously, but the goal is to have an open platform that's compatible with virtually any automaker's plug-in vehicle. No timeframe was disclosed for when such a system could go live but you can find a press release from EPRI below. EPRI, Utilities, Auto Manufacturers to Create an Open Grid Integration Platform for Plug-in Electric Vehicles PALO ALTO, Calif. (July 29, 2014) – The Electric Power Research Institute, 8 automakers and 15 utilities are working to develop and demonstrate an open platform that would integrate plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) with smart grid technologies enabling utilities to support PEV charging regardless of location. The platform will allow manufacturers to offer a customer-friendly interface through which PEV drivers can more easily participate in utility PEV programs, such as rates for off-peak or nighttime charging. The portal for the system would be a utility's communications system and an electric vehicle's telematics system. As the electric grid evolves with smarter functionality, electric vehicles can serve as a distributed energy resource to support grid reliability, stability and efficiency. With more than 225,000 plug-in vehicles on U.S. roads -- and their numbers growing -- they are likely to play a significant role in electricity demand side management.

Honda issues stop sale on 2016 Civic with 2.0-liter engine

Honda has issued a stop sale on the 2016 Civic with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder for a problem that might allegedly lead to engine failure. The company also plans to recall and inspect the examples already with customers. Honda spokesperson Chris Martin tells Autoblog that the issue doesn't affect any Civics with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. "While the specific details of this action are still being determined, American Honda has provided preliminary information to the NHTSA and intends to provide more details in a formal notification to NHTSA on Friday, February 5," Martin said. After the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration acknowledges the details, Honda will issue an official statement about the problem. A post on the CivicX forum purports to have a Honda document detailing the fault. Some of the 2.0-liter engines may have missing or miss-set piston pin snap rings, which could cause damage to the pistons and other internal parts. The issue reportedly affects roughly 34,000 examples of the 2016 Civic. If the document from the CivicX forum are accurate, dealers will use a borescope to inspect the pin snap rings on the potentially affected engines. According to the forum, replacement parts are not yet available, and Honda expects to notify customers about the recall in March. Autoblog drove the turbocharged version of the 2016 Civic late in 2015 and came away fairly impressed. We loved the new engine and quiet interior but weren't so enamored with the CVT. In any case, if you're in the market for a new Civic, you may now have one more reason to consider the new turbo mill. Related Video:

Honda invests $25m on hot-weather testing facility in Mojave

Situated in the Mojave Desert near Cantil, CA, the Honda Proving Center of California is a 4,255-acre facility incorporating a 7.5-mile high-speed oval and a 4.5-mile road course. The location also has a series of off-road routes for testing trucks, dirt bikes, and the like. It first opened in 1990 but ceased functioning twenty years later, after which we saw it listed for sale online. Honda evidently had a change of heart, and is now setting about refurbishing the facility and putting it back into active duty. Backed by an investment of $25 million, the warm-weather proving ground is set to reopen next April. Exact details of the renovation plan have not been announced, but the existing features are set to be refurbished and some new ones added to the site. Honda currently undertakes most of its vehicle testing in America at the Transportation Research Center located near its plants in East Liberty and Marysville, OH. It also operates to major proving grounds back home in Japan in Takasu and Tochigi, and a dedicated motorcycle R&D center with its own test track in Asaka. It also owns the Motegi complex, complete with road course and oval speedway, near its main facility in Tochigi. Related Video: Honda to Enhance California Proving Center in 2016 $25 million investment will renovate the warm weather testing facility Dec 8, 2015 - TORRANCE, Calif. Driven by the expanding responsibility for developing new automotive and power sports products in America and the related need for performance testing, Honda will invest $25 million to renovate the Honda Proving Center of California (HPCC) in the Mojave Desert near Cantil, California. The proving center, which was in operation from 1990 through 2010, is scheduled to reopen in April 2016. The 4,255-acre warm weather testing facility features a 7.5-mile high speed oval track and a 4.5-mile winding road course that will be completely refurbished. The renovations also will include the addition of some new vehicle test road enhancements to the property. "As we continue to accelerate our growth in the U.S. market with a competitive line up of cars and trucks designed and developed in the U.S., we are reinvesting in HPCC to create a world-class test facility," said John Mendel, executive vice president of the Automobile Division of American Honda Motor, Co., Inc.