CleanTech OC Weekly

All eyes on Tesla as it inches toward profitability in 2013
Forget about the recent New York Times’ negative review of Tesla’s Model S. The real story is the fact that Tesla is moving closer to profitability, and it could happen this year. Analysts expect the company to move in to the green as early as June. Watch for Elon Musk to at least tweet the news as Tesla will reveal its Q4 and full year 2012 earnings today.

 

$17 Million In California Put Towards Green Transportation

As a part of the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology program, the California Energy Commission awarded over $17 million to eight different companies pursuing alternative fuel and zero emission technologies:

• AeroVironment received over $2 million to establish electric vehicle charging units throughout the state.
• Blue Line Transfer was awarded slightly over $2.5 million to build a bio-waste recycling units up in San Francisco.
• CALSTART was awarded over $3.5 million to continue work on electrified and CNG utility trucks.
• Eslinger Biodiesel, Inc., received $6 million to build a commercial biodiesel plant in Fresno.
• University of California, Irvine, received $765,000 to continuing developing its software program in alternative fuel management and planning.

Report: China’s Geely Seeks Majority Stake in Fisker
Following Wanxiang taking the controlling stake in U.S. battery maker A123, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group has its eye on struggling plug-in hybrid electric car maker Fisker Automotive. Geely, which also bought Swedish automaker Volvo in 2010, is leading other potential buyers in offers ranging from $200 million to $300 million for a controlling share of the Anaheim-based startup.