Fisker Automotive gave signs of ill health this week as its COO indicated that the electric vehicle company may file for bankruptcy. The New York Times concluded that the company has “broken down on the road to electric cars,” as the company skipped a large loan payment due last week, which led the federal government to begin seizing Fisker’s assets.

The road to electric vehicles itself continues despite the setback, though. This week, research and consulting firm Navigant released a new report predicting sales of electric vehicles will grow to 22 million by 2020. With wider availability, greater charging infrastructure, and falling prices, sales of EVs have already begun to break records. News this week from EV manufacturers show growth across the board: Tesla announced strong first quarter performance, and sales of both the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf are up compared to this time last year. All told, the three companies sold more than 12,500 electric cars in the first quarter of 2013.

Meanwhile, America's EV infrastructure is getting built out. In Pennsylvania, state officials announced that the Pennsylvania Turnpike would open four EV charging stations this summer, with plans to install charging stations at all 17 service plazas over time. As more EVs go online, utility companies will have to keep up with surging electricity demand. The New York Times wrote about possible solutions to the issue, including adaptable charging systems, while E&E News wrote about vehicle-to-grid technology, a system that allows EVs to give power back to the grid when needed. 

Offshore wind power was in the news again this week, as Atlantic Wind Connection declared its intention to focus exclusively on New Jersey as the anchor of its offshore transmission backbone, as the line could move conventional power around the congested Garden State, as well as collect power from multiple offshore wind farms. “It's very clear to us that the opportunity is in New Jersey,” said Atlantic Wind Connection CEO Bob Mitchell. “I don't know that the line will ever go beyond New Jersey.”

Staples joined IKEA, Walmart, and other big box stores in investing in advanced energy as it installed a major solar power system at its headquarters in Framingham, MA.

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