Unpainted Mercedes Benz 07-12 W221 S Class Amg Type Trunk + Roof Spoiler ◎ on 2040-parts.com

SAE approves new fast-charging standard for EVs, plug-ins

SAE International said it has approved a new technical standard that will dramatically reduce charging times for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles. The global engineering group said the new charging standard, developed with the cooperation of more than 190 automakers, utilities and equipment builders, will allow charging times to be reduced from as long as eight hours to as short as 20 minutes. Automakers want DC direct charging to take less than 10 minutes, or roughly the time it takes to fill a tank with gasoline.The goal is to accommodate currents as high as 500 volts distributed from public charging stations.

Cadillac Presidential Limousine

President Obama arrived at his inauguration earlier this week in a new Cadillac Presidential Limousine, which includes many of the brand's signature design elements.   As the first all-new Presidential limousine since the 2004 Cadillac DTS built for President George W. Bush, the new car has roughly the same overall footprint as the previous model and similar proportions.

Autoweek in review: What you might have missed

Lotus has jumped on the trendy bespoke train and joined forces with controversial design firm Mansory. It sounds as if the two firms are conspiring to add weight and chavish cosmetic embellishments to the British performance cars. We hope they will prove us wrong.