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Volkswagen of America is this month starting a pilot scheme to test 20 prototype E-Golf battery electric vehicles (BEVs) over a nine-month period in the US in Detroit Metro, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. markets. Twelve of the E-Golf BEVs, will be allocated to selected Volkswagen employees during the time period. By studying E-Golf use across multiple geographical regions, Volkswagen will monitor the effect of climate conditions, driving patterns, and energy performance; the data and insights gained du

IBM has teamed with Zapadoslovenska energetika, (ZSE), the largest distributor and supplier of electricity in Slovakia, on a smart energy feasibility study that will help prepare the capital city Bratislava for electric vehicles (EVs). Using e-mobility technology, the study will help identify the possibilities of connecting two neighbouring metropolitan areas – Bratislava, Slovakia and Vienna, Austria with a ‘green’ highway that will interconnect the two cities with a network of public charging stations for

Ingenico, a French company specialising in payment solutions, has announced that its EFT930G wireless payment terminal has been selected by the Angolan Ministry of Home Affairs for the payment of traffic fines. Starting with a pilot in Luanda, this new payment method will allow drivers to pay fines with their own credit card, by authorising the amount, and then continue on their way. Currently, 120 officers have been trained on this new POS solution and the number is set to increase in the near future. This

Linde North America, a specialist in the design, construction and operation of hydrogen vehicle fuelling systems, has commissioned an installation at AC Transit, the bus operator for 13 cities in the East Bay Area, including Emeryville, Oakland and Berkeley, and also operates trans-bay service to San Francisco. The Emeryville hydrogen fuelling station, which is now fuelling 12 fuel cell buses and up to 20 passenger cars a day, is one of two Linde is supplying to AC Transit. The second, located at the Oaklan

Coulomb Technologies has announced the completion of more than 2,400 shipments of its public and commercial charging stations for electric vehicles through its ChargePoint America programme. The company claims it has seen exceptional demand in all 10 regions of the programme and is finalising the installation of charging stations within these regions.

Garmin International will provide a fully integrated, factory-installed infotainment system for most American 2013 model year Suzuki vehicles. The company’s system combines a 6.1-inch high-resolution touchscreen display with a full-featured infotainment platform, including AM/FM/CD radio, multi-media playback, backup camera support, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, Pandora internet radio and Garmin’s navigation. The intuitive user interface with advanced voice control makes it easy to operate the system a

China BAK Battery, a manufacturer of lithium-based battery cells, has announced that the company has received a US$1.9 million subsidy for its battery module project from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). Comprised of cylindrical cells that can be used in electric vehicles (EVs), electric motors, electric bicycles (e-bikes) and power storage, the government funds will be used to further develop the battery module's efficiency an

The organisers of the inaugural UrbanTec China Conference event, and held as part of the annual China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), from 28 May to 1 June, have announced that Siemens Infrastructure & Cities sector is participating as a full event sponsor. With special focus on the sustainable development of cities, the two-day conference is driven by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. The inaugural UrbanTec China Conference brings together