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Recharge Wrap-up: Innova EV Car Share, Mercedes to use CO2 A/C

Innova UEV will launch its carsharing program at the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education 2015 Conference & Expo. Called Innova EV Car Share, the program is designed for college campuses, and uses the Innova Dash neighborhood electric vehicle and solar charging stations. "The Innova UEV team is excited to introduce this innovative sustainability program to universities across the country as a way to reduce CO2 output as well as decrease congestion," says Innova UEV Founder and CEO Roman Kuropas. "Visionary schools that make this level of commitment to the environment are sure to add to their sustainability prestige as leaders in higher education." Read more in the press release from Innova UEV. Microsoft and ABB are launching a new EV fast-charging services platform. ABB chargers will connect to the Microsoft Azure cloud, allowing for smarter charging as infrastructure expands. "Platform performance and stability are critical differentiators for the successful operation of a modern, data-dependent EV charging station," says ABB's Pekka Tiitinen. "By partnering with Microsoft, ABB will be able to offer best-in-class operations as well as innovative advanced services - what we call the Internet of Things, Services and People." Perhaps we'll hear more specific details following the platform's launch at eCarTec in Germany. Read more from Microsoft. Honda is testing solar-powered EV charging in the Marshall Islands. The AC charging stations, called the Honda Power Chargers, will help power a fleet of Fit EVs on the remote islands as part of a pilot test. The Marshall Islands must import most of their energy supplies, so solar-powered mobility would help provide some self-sufficiency and cost savings. Honda, the Marshall Islands government, and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will use the experiment to determine if it would be worthwhile to expand the solar-powered charging infrastructure. Read more at Green Car Reports. Mercedes-Benz will use CO2 air conditioning to help meet the EU's 2017 environmental requirements. The European offerings of the S-Class and E-Class will be the first to use a CO2-based air conditioning system. The use of CO2 requires a redesign of much of the system, as it requires a much higher pressure than other refrigerants. The automaker will use the HFO-1234yf refrigerant in its other vehicles.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class First Drive

I recently waxed poetic about the interior of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. In short, it's a class above the rest, simply because of the craftsmanship lessons Mercedes learned from its flagship S-Class. The new GLS-Class SUV doesn't have an interior like this. Normally that wouldn't be a big deal – adding "S" to the "GL" name is a marketing move to better tie Merc's largest SUV to its S-Class sedan. But it's more than just a letter; "S" adds a whole lot of responsibility in the world of Mercedes-Benz. Let me be clear: The GLS is a damn good product. It's supremely luxurious and immensely capable. An while it's not quite a luxury behemoth worthy of an S-Class name – that's probably in the works, by the way – it's still the best thing you can get this side of a Bentley Bentayga. And that's just fine with me. What you're looking at here is essentially a midcycle refresh of the existing GL, with some heavy massaging done to the exterior styling, interior design, and some mechanicals. Outside, the front fascia has a more upright appearance, with a wider grille that pushes the redesigned headlights farther out to the sides. Around back, there's a new bumper and LED taillamps. Otherwise, it's business as usual, though I do like the Sport exterior pictured here, only available on the GLS550. It comes with larger front air intakes and a tweaked rear apron, not to mention 21-inch AMG wheels. Certain elements like the mirrors and lower lip are blacked out with the addition of the Night pack, also seen here. "S" adds a whole lot of responsibility in the world of Mercedes-Benz. Because this isn't a clean-slate refresh, many of the SUV's interior bits carry over unchanged. No, it doesn't have the ultra-premium feel of an S-Class, but every surface is still wrapped in fine leather, the hard plastics genuinely feel premium, and on the go, road and wind noise are pretty much unnoticeable. Older bits like the HVAC controls at the bottom of the center stack and the old-style phone keypad above give away the GLS' age, but there's still plenty to boast about inside. The eight-inch infotainment screen houses all the latest COMAND features, controlled by the touchpad on the center console or redundant rotary knob. Compared to what you find in the Cadillac Escalade or Land Rover Range Rover, COMAND easily wins in terms of ease of use and the overall level of functionality.

Recharge Wrap-up: Venturi seeks funding for speed record, Kia partners on V2G

Venturi Automobiles has started a crowdfunding campaign to help break an EV speed record. Venturi's goal, with the help of The Ohio State University, is to set a new FIA World Speed Record for Battery Powered Electric Vehicles of over 7000 pounds with its VBB-3. Venturi set the current record at 307 miles per hour, but wants to exceed that this September at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Funders can score merchandise like T-shirts, miniature models, and even their name on the side of the car. Learn more at Venturi Automobiles' Kickstarter page. Kia is providing six Soul EVs to UC Irvine's Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP). APEP is using the electric vehicles for the development of vehicle-to-grid technology and smart charging systems. Kia says the collaboration is helpful in its goals of expanding EVs over the next five years. "Grid-connected electric vehicles offer tremendous potential in terms of energy storage and dispersion during high-demand periods," says Kia VP of Product Planning Orth Hedrick, "and Kia is excited to collaborate with APEP in the study and development of advanced smart grid technologies." Read more from Kia, or at Green Car Congress. Daimler is launching its Mercedes-Benz Energy brand for stationary energy storage. Taking on the likes of Tesla with its Powerwall, Daimler began shipping battery packs for residential energy storage in Germany in April, with an eye toward solar systems. Now, with its new brand, the company looks to expand to the global market. "By founding Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH, we are underscoring our ambition to be a technological and market leader in the field of highly efficient storage systems," says Daimler's Harald Kroger. "With our unique combination of high standards of quality and safety and positive economies of scale, we are supporting the success of the new energy era while helping to make electromobility affordable." Read more in the press release below. Daimler Establishes Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH for Stationary Energy Storage Daimler AG is continuing to expand its network of expertise in the field of lithium-ion battery applications. Within this innovative line of business, the newly established Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH is assuming the development and global sale of Mercedes-Benz brand stationary energy storage with immediate effect. Thus, Daimler is focusing even more on the growing market for stationary batteries.