LG Energy Solution will invest approximately KRW 7.2 trillion (US$5.5 billion) to construct a battery manufacturing complex in Queen Creek, Arizona. The complex will consist of two manufacturing facilities—one for cylindrical batteries for electric vehicles (EV) and another for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pouch-type batteries for energy storage systems (ESS).... Read more →
The results of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of greenhouse gas emissions and primary energy demand of the cars tested by Green NCAP in 2022 show that the current and continuous trend towards larger and heavier cars, significantly increases the negative impact on climate and energy demand. This drives not... Read more →
Porsche will manufacture the future all-electric version of the fourth-generation Cayenne at Volkswagen Slovakia’s multi-brand location in Bratislava. After the Taycan (since 2019), the Macan (in 2024) and the 718 (middle of the decade), the Cayenne will become the sports car manufacturer’s fourth model line with an all-electric powertrain. Prototype... Read more →
Archer Aviation and United Airlines plan to launch the first air taxi route in Chicago, between O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Vertiport Chicago. Vertiport Chicago, North America’s largest vertical aircraft take off and landing facility, is located in the Illinois Medical District near the Chicago Loop. This site was selected... Read more →
Amprius Technologies, developer of the Silicon Anode Platform for batteries, has verified a lithium-ion cell delivering energy density of 500 Wh/kg, 1300 Wh/L, resulting in unparalleled run time. At approximately half the weight and volume of state-of-the-art, commercially available lithium-ion cells, the new battery cell delivers potential industry-disrupting performance with... Read more →
The city of Moscow has signed a contract for 1,000 electric buses from KAMAZ. There are also plans to purchase another 200 electric buses from GAZ Group, said Maksim Liksutov, the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport. The vehicles will come to the capital over the next 2 years. Moscow... Read more →
Cirba Solutions announced today a phase I investment of more than $300 million into a lithium-ion electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling facility in South Carolina. With more than 30 years of experience, Cirba Solutions has paved the way for a sustainable closed-loop battery supply chain. The company is investing more... Read more →
For Europe, Ford revealed the new all-electric Explorer—the first in a series of new electric vehicles from Ford. The mid-size crossover, engineered and built in Germany, uses Volkswagen’s MEB platform (earlier post) and has seats for five across two rows. Ford and the Volkswagen Group announced an expanded e-mobility partnership... Read more →
Volvo Trucks and mining company Boliden are joining forces to implement electric truck transport in underground environments. The Swedish mining group Boliden is becoming one of the first in the world to start using battery-electric trucks for heavy underground transport starting 2023. In mining environments, the electric trucks can deliver... Read more →
China-based Dongfeng Motor (DFM) has launched two new passenger cars powered by ProteanDrive Pd18 in-wheel motors. The two models were showcased at a ceremony in Wuxi, held by DFM and Weifu Electric Drive Technology (WFDT)—the joint venture between Weifu and Protean Electric (earlier post). Unveiled at the event was the... Read more →
BMW i Ventures announced a co-lead investment in the $16.1-million Series A round for startup DeepDrive. DeepDrive has developed a cost- and resource-efficient dual-rotor motor, extending the range of electric vehicles. Other investors include UVC Partners, Bayern Kapital with Wachstumsfonds Bayern, and Continental’s Corporate Venture Capital Unit. The company is... Read more →
Hyundai Motor Group has developed an automatic charging robot (ACR) for electric vehicles (EV). The ACR for EVs is a one-arm robot capable of plugging a cable into an EV’s charging port and removing it again once charging is complete. The ACR will help to make EV-charging easier and more... Read more →
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption has accelerated faster than many predicted. Globally, EV sales doubled in 2021 and jumped 55% in 2022 to account for 13% of all vehicles sold. If this trend is to continue, however, the eMobility ecosystem must collaborate around ‘Six essentials for mainstream EV adoption’, according to... Read more →
Based on comparison tests between a Tesla Model Y and Kia Niro full hybrid, independent emissions testing company Emissions Analytics (earlier post) is suggesting that at present full hybrids are the win-win, do-no-harm option for decarbonizing transportation, while BEVs are a win-lose option, hampered by a “vexatious” trade-off between CO2... Read more →
Microchip Technology introduced the MPLAB SiC Power Simulator that quickly evaluates Microchip’s silicon carbide (SiC) power devices and modules across various topologies before committing a design to hardware. Microchip’s MPLAB SiC Power Simulator is a PLECS (Piecewise Linear Electrical Circuit Simulation)-based software environment designed in collaboration with Plexim (the providers... Read more →
CISSOID and Silicon Mobility have partnered to introduce a complete and modular Silicon Carbide (SiC) inverter reference design, providing customers with an innovative and customizable solution for electric motor drives up to 350kW/850V. The reference design includes a high voltage SiC-based power module, integrated Gate Driver board, Control board, DC... Read more →
Kia Corporation unveiled the Concept EV5 at Kia Chinese EV Day. The Concept EV5 provides a preview of a production all-electric SUV model that will be launched first in China later this year; details regarding any future plans for the other global markets will be made in due course. The... Read more →
Large-scale deployment of battery electric vehicle (BEV) and photovoltaic (PV) electricity technologies could raise electricity costs by increasing peak evening electricity demand and causing overgeneration of electricity during midday. A new study by MIT researchers examines these risks and how they amplify or mitigate each other. The researchers used data... Read more →
Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein GmbH (VHH) is ordering up to 100 electric buses from MAN Truck & Bus. VHH also recently ordered 95 Mercedes-Benz Citaro E electric buses, with an option for 155 more. (Earlier post.) VHH has already called for the first 48 eBuses from the new framework agreement with MAN.... Read more →
Volvo Trucks has delivered its first heavy electric truck to Rabat, Morocco. The customer is the refuse collection company Arma, and this is the first heavy battery-electric truck from a global manufacturer to be in commercial operation in Africa. The truck is a Volvo FE Electric, one of six all-electric... Read more →
Public transport provider Verkehrsbetriebe-Hamburg-Holstein GmbH (VHH) has ordered 95 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro/eCitaro G buses. The first of the fully electrically powered and locally emission-free buses is expected to be delivered by the end of this year, while the other vehicles will be delivered in the first half of 2024. In addition,... Read more →
Blink Charging, a manufacturer, owner, operator and provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment and services, was awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to sell up to 41,500 EV charging units to support EV charging infrastructure for the USPS as part... Read more →
Nikola Corporation said that its move to transition battery manufacturing from Cypress, Calif. to its Coolidge, Ariz. manufacturing facility—following the acquisition of Cypres-based Romeo Power (earlier post)—is expected to be complete by April 2023, months ahead of the original schedule. T he ability to expedite this process further supports Nikola’s... Read more →
Mercedes-Benz Trucks development and test engineers tested the operational readiness of the eActros LongHaul and eActros 300 as a tractor unit under extreme conditions at temperatures down to minus 25 degrees Celsius in Rovaniemi, in northern Finland. (In Rovaniemi, the Arctic Circle (66°33′45.9″ N) runs through Santa Claus Village, 8km... Read more →
The Volkswagen brand provided a first glimpse of an all-electric Volkswagen with a starting price of less than €25,000: the ID. 2all concept car. The electric vehicle features front-wheel drive, range of up to 450 km, innovative technological features such as Travel Assist, IQ.LIGHT or Electric Vehicle Route Planner and... Read more →
BMW’s upcoming eigth generation of the 5 Series will offer all-electric and plug-in hybrid variants as well efficient gasoline and diesel engines with 48V mild hybrid technology. At the BMW Group Annual Conference 2023, Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, announced further details of the... Read more →
Volvo Penta and leading North American telescopic boom excavator manufacturer Gradall Industries are showcasing the latest development in their partnership at CONEXPO this week—an electrified version of the OEM’s XL 4100 V highway speed wheeled excavator. The zero-emissions concept machine, named EL41H4, is on display at the Gradall Booth, W41500.... Read more →
The Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) of RWTH Aachen University has successfully completed the anfaHair research project after two years. The goal of the project, which was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, was to make the production of new types of electric motors... Read more →
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company introduced the Powerload lineup to the North America construction, loading, logistics support and landscaping markets. The new Powerload lineup, now available in North America, has advanced features and technologies specifically designed to deliver traction and durability for compact wheel loaders and graders, regardless of... Read more →
Sumitomo Rubber Industries will launch FALKEN e. ZIEX as a new line of replacement tires for electric vehicles (EV) in Europe, where the market for EV has been growing rapidly. Featuring the highest level of fuel (energy) efficiency of any tire that the company has offered to date, e. ZIEX... Read more →
Kia Corporation released full images of the exterior and interior design of the Kia EV9, its first three-row electric flagship SUV, prior to the vehicle’s full digital global premiere in late March. Built on Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV9’s long wheelbase, low beltline, and completely flat electric... Read more →
Honda announced key next steps in the establishment of its EV Hub in Ohio. In October 2022, Honda announced that it would invest $700 million to retool several of its existing auto and powertrain plants to establish the new EV Hub in Ohio, to prepare for the production of battery... Read more →
The first round of funding of up to $700M from the US Department of Transportation’s new $2.5-billion Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program has opened. The $700 million is allocated for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022 and 2023 to deploy EV charging and other alternative vehicle-fueling infrastructure projects strategically... Read more →
Lexus has introduced the all-new, all-electric Lexus RZ 450e—the brand’s first globally available, purpose-built battery-electric vehicle. (Earlier post.) The RZ is the latest electrified vehicle in the Lexus lineup, which includes seven hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and will start in the US at $59,650 MSRP. With its new lightweight... Read more →
Rio Tinto has begun underground production from the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in the Gobi Desert. (Earlier post.) Oyu Tolgoi is expected to become the fourth-largest copper mine in the world by 2030, operating in the first quartile of the copper equivalent cost curve. Since the agreement between the Government... Read more →
Volta Trucks has received European Whole Vehicle Type Approval for its 16-tonne all-electric Volta Zero truck. (Earlier post.) The European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) certification allows Volta Trucks to produce and sell the all-electric Volta Zero in volume. It’s the process used to ensure that all vehicles meet... Read more →
The Government of Canada will award more than $344 million in funding to suport five new critical minerals programs and initiatives. The five are: Critical Minerals Technology and Innovation Program. $144.4 million for the research, development, demonstration, commercialization and adoption of new technologies and processes that support sustainable growth in... Read more →
Aluminum is a critical element used in thousands of important products, but it can often interfere with quick and effective extraction of valuable rare earth elements (REEs) from coal waste byproducts. Because aluminum interferes with the recovery of REEs from some sources, NETL researchers developed an effective, renewable, technology that... Read more →
ACC (Automotive Cells Company), a joint venture of Stellantis and TotalEnergies (together with its subsidiary Saft), joined by Mercedes-Benz, and strongly supported by France, Germany, and the European Union, said that its planned €2B gigafactory in Termoli, Italy was expected to start operations in 2026. (Earlier post.) The Termoli plant... Read more →
The Berlin police are adding four all-electric BMW CE 04 scooters to their motorcycle squadron, joining 45 BMW R 1200 RT motorcycles individually tailored to the needs of the government operation. BMW CE 04 The BMW CE 04 is equipped with a motor with a maximum output of 31 kW... Read more →
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) unveiled its next Mid-Term Business Plan (MTP). This three-year plan, dubbed “Challenge 2025”, sets out MMC’s corporate direction in reinforcing the company’s environmental commitment toward a carbon-neutral future, laying the foundation for how MMC will work within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and other global alliances, and discussing... Read more →
Adamas Intelligence has published its 8th biannual State of Charge: EVs, Batteries and Battery Materials report. The report provides an overview of the global EV market’s performance over the past half-year (in this case 2022 H2) and its implications on the ever-evolving battery and battery materials supply chains. The public... Read more →
A global Automotive Manufacturing Outlook survey commissioned by ABB Robotics and industry publication Automotive Manufacturing Solutions found that more than half (59%) of respondents believe the shift to pure electric vehicle production is not achievable within current legislative timelines. The respondents surveyed highlighted challenges in adapting to a new battery... Read more →
Purolator, Canada’s leading integrated freight, package and logistics solutions provider, expects to invest approximately $1 billion to electrify its Canadian network over the next seven years. This includes a plan to purchase more than 3,500 fully electric last-mile delivery vehicles and the electrification of more than 60 terminals across Canada.... Read more →
In a new roadmap launched by the International Copper Association (ICA), members have aligned on an ambition to reach net zero in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2050, and work toward the same goal for Scope 3 emissions. The Copper—The Pathway to Net Zero roadmap builds on previous... Read more →
The Stellantis Cassino Assembly Plant in Italy, producer of vehicles for the premium and luxury brands, Alfa Romeo and Maserati, will add production of vehicles, to be shared at a later date, based on the flexible, BEV-centric STLA Large platform. Cassino is the second Stellantis plant publicly named to produce... Read more →
Mack Trucks revealed its Mack MD Electric, the company’s first electric vehicle in the medium-duty segment of the trucking industry. The MD Electric will complement its highly efficient, diesel-powered MD model sibling, which has experienced growing customer demand since its introduction in 2020. The addition of a zero-tailpipe emissions battery-electric... Read more →
During a press conference at NTEA Work Truck Week, Hino Trucks announced an expansion of its product range to include electric vehicles. Hino Trucks will offer an electric version of their M- and L- Series medium duty trucks branded Me Series and Le Series available in 2024. Hino Trucks will... Read more →
The all-new EQE SUV (earlier post) is the second fully-electric SUV from Mercedes-Benz based on the premium-class electric architecture (EVA2), following the EQS SUV. Starting from $77,900, the 2023 EQE SUV will arrive in US dealerships in spring. The EQE SUV is produced in the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama,... Read more →
Nissan unveiled its new approach to electrified powertrain development, which it calls “X-in-1”. Under the approach, core EV and e-POWER powertrain components will be shared and modularized, resulting in a 30% reduction, compared to 2019, in development and manufacturing costs by 2026. Through the X-in-1 approach, Nissan aims to increase... Read more →
