Author: Shaun Williams

V4Smart, the battery company acquired and renamed by Porsche in March 2025, has unveiled its second-generation cylindrical battery cell, aiming to broaden its customer base with two performance-focused versions that incorporate new silicon-based anode technology from Porsche partner Group14 Technologies. The German sports car maker purchased Varta’s battery subsidiary V4Drive on March 4, taking a majority stake and renaming it V4Smart. Varta AG retains a minority interest but no operational control. The company, founded in 2022, previously offered a single product — the V21700 UHP-26 booster cell — designed to provide high power for short bursts rather than serve as…

Toyota plans to introduce three battery electric models in South Africa in 2026, a senior company executive said on Thursday, marking the Japanese automaker’s entry into a nascent market where Chinese and European rivals are stepping up competition. Volvo currently leads electric vehicle (EV) sales in South Africa, followed by BMW and Mercedes-Benz, while Chinese manufacturers such as BYD are rapidly increasing their footprint. Toyota, which dominates the country’s hybrid and plug-in hybrid market with a 67% share in 2024, currently only sells hybrid models locally, including the Corolla Cross. “We’re launching battery electric vehicles at the beginning of 2026,…

Daimler Truck, Volvo, Paccar and International Motors have filed a lawsuit against the state of California, challenging the strict emissions regulations that they say conflict with federal standards and hinder production planning. The move coincides with the dissolution of the Clean Truck Partnership, a coalition formed in 2023 to comply with California’s tighter vehicle standards. The lawsuit, submitted to a federal court in Sacramento on Monday, comes after President Donald Trump revoked California’s exemption for stricter emissions rules in June. The manufacturers said they are now “caught in the crossfire” between state and federal authorities, creating regulatory uncertainty. The Clean…

Greenlane has launched its second commercial electric vehicle charging corridor in the United States, connecting Southern California and Arizona along Interstate 10, one of the nation’s busiest freight routes. The corridor is designed to support medium- and heavy-duty logistics fleets, with stations located in Colton and San Bernardino, as well as Blythe, California, and Greater Phoenix, Arizona. The move comes through a new partnership with truck equipment manufacturer Windrose Technology, aimed at enabling single-charge freight journeys. To test the corridor’s performance, Windrose deployed its R700 Class 8 electric semi from the Colton location carrying a gross combined weight rating (GCWR)…

GAC Group will introduce a new extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) system, named “Xingyuan,” on Aug. 19, alongside the launch of the EREV version of its Hyptec HL SUV. The company said the system is designed to address performance limitations when the battery is low, a common challenge for EREVs. The Xingyuan system incorporates GAC’s in-house developed range extender, which the company claims achieves industry-leading power generation and fuel-to-electricity conversion efficiency. It is designed to maintain strong performance even in low-battery conditions, while reducing fuel consumption, noise, and vibration. An AI-powered energy control platform will manage intelligent energy recovery and real-time…

Electrify America has opened a large electric vehicle charging station in Santa Monica, California, featuring 20 “Hyper-Fast” chargers capable of delivering up to 350 kilowatts each. For compatible EVs, the system can add roughly 20 miles of range per minute, the company said. The station, located at 1802 Santa Monica Boulevard near the I-10 freeway, operates around the clock, has on-site security cameras, and is powered by 100% renewable energy through renewable energy certificates. The facility is part of Electrify America’s strategy to build larger charging hubs with higher capacity, following recent openings in San Francisco and San Diego. Since…

GreenWay plans to deploy 368 new high-power charging (HPC) points in Poland and Slovakia by the end of 2025 under the EU-funded Cross-E initiative, in what the company calls one of the largest charging infrastructure investments in its history. The project will double the network’s capacity to 75 megawatts once complete. Of the total, 279 charging points will be installed at 48 locations in Poland, while 89 will be set up at 20 sites in Slovakia. GreenWay said 80% of the new stations will be capable of delivering up to 400 kW, enabling faster charging for electric vehicles. The company…

Wacker has unveiled a new silicone rubber designed to insulate busbars in high-voltage batteries used in electric vehicles, aiming to enhance both safety and cost efficiency in component manufacturing. The product, marketed as ELASTOSIL R 531/60, can be processed through extrusion, allowing for streamlined production of sheathing for aluminum or copper busbars that distribute current between battery cells and modules. According to the company, ELASTOSIL R 531/60 offers a unique safety feature in the event of fire. When exposed to extreme heat, the material undergoes ceramification, forming an electrically insulating protective layer that can withstand temperatures ranging from 800°C to…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has introduced its Super E-Platform 3.0 Evo, a next-generation electric car architecture featuring a 1,000-volt system capable of delivering charging power up to 1,000 kW. This advanced platform allows for rapid recharging of up to 400 kilometers of driving range in just five minutes under optimal conditions, significantly surpassing current industry standards. The architecture includes a newly developed powertrain utilizing silicon carbide inverters, a 1,000-volt battery pack, and a highly efficient “hairpin” electric motor that can reach speeds up to 30,000 rpm — a figure previously seen only in motorsports or prototype vehicles. The platform…

Tesla’s retail sales in China declined in July, marking the fifth month of year-on-year decreases so far this year, as the electric vehicle maker navigates shifting demand in the world’s largest new energy vehicle (NEV) market. The U.S.-based automaker sold 40,617 vehicles in China last month, down 12.14% from 46,227 units a year earlier and down 33.94% from 61,484 units in June, according to data released on Thursday by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Despite a brief rebound in June, Tesla has recorded annual declines in Chinese retail sales for five out of the past seven months. Tesla’s Shanghai…

Hyundai’s Inster EV, the company’s most affordable electric SUV, has quickly gained popularity in Germany, emerging as the best-selling small electric car in the country during the first half of 2025. The compact SUV recorded over 1,130 new registrations in July alone, bringing its total registrations in Germany to approximately 6,300 for the first seven months of the year. “We’re delighted that Germany’s best-selling electric small car is a Hyundai,” said Ulrich Mechau, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Germany. He added that the Inster EV hits the right balance of affordability and performance, meeting growing demand for cost-effective electric…

South Korea’s SK On is positioning itself for a future dominated by solid-state battery technology, forecasting its early advantage in pouch-type cells could give it a competitive edge as global automakers and suppliers intensify efforts to commercialize next-generation electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Solid-state batteries, which replace liquid electrolytes in conventional lithium-ion cells with solid alternatives, are widely seen as a game-changer for the automotive industry due to their potential for greater energy density, faster charging times, longer lifespan, and improved safety. However, their commercial debut remains several years away. “When the world of solid-state batteries arrives, it will definitely be…

Tesla is dissolving the team behind its Dojo supercomputer project, effectively ending its in-house chip development efforts aimed at powering autonomous driving systems, according to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter. Peter Bannon, who led the Dojo initiative, is leaving the company, while remaining team members will be reassigned to other computing and data center projects within Tesla. The decision comes in the wake of the departure of around 20 Tesla employees who recently launched a new AI startup, DensityAI. The company, founded by former Dojo head Ganesh Venkataramanan along with ex-Tesla engineers Bill Chang and Ben…

A European research consortium led by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology is developing a new class of battery anode material that blends recycled silicon with tin sulphide to boost energy density and improve sustainability in next-generation lithium-ion batteries. The RESTINA project—short for Recovered Silicon / Tin Sulphide Nanocomposite Anode Materials for Generation 3b Lithium Ion Batteries—seeks to create an anode material that combines the high specific capacity of silicon with the strong electrical conductivity of tin compounds. The goal is to achieve higher energy density, improved cell chemistry, and longer cycle life compared to current electric vehicle batteries. “In…

WeRide has received approval to conduct late-night Robotaxi testing on public roads in Beijing’s High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., marking a step toward round-the-clock autonomous ride-hailing services in the city. The company said the Robotaxi GXR is equipped with more than 20 sensors, including high-dynamic cameras and high-line LiDARs, integrated with a multi-sensor fusion algorithm and high-performance computing platform to provide 360-degree coverage with a detection range of up to 200 metres. See also: WeRide Secures Saudi Arabia’s First Robotaxi Permit, Expands Global Reach https://twitter.com/WeRide_ai/status/1952908301068583395 The system is designed to navigate low-light conditions and…

German grocery chain Rewe has expanded its electric delivery service with 64 new Mercedes‑Benz eSprinters, deploying 40 vehicles in Berlin and preparing to launch 24 more in Neuss in September. The company said the move supports its wider goal of reaching net‑zero emissions by 2050. Rewe is investing about €5 million in vehicles and supporting infrastructure. At its Fulfilment Centre in Berlin’s Tempelhof district, 42 charging stations with up to 22 kW capacity have been installed to support the fleet. The eSprinters are expected to handle local delivery routes while maintaining zero tailpipe emissions. “In terms of their efficiency and…

Honda Motor reported a 50% drop in first-quarter operating profit on Thursday, citing the combined effects of a stronger yen and elevated U.S. import tariffs, but raised its full-year forecast as the estimated impact from trade duties eased. The Japanese automaker posted an operating profit of 244.2 billion yen ($1.66 billion) for the April-June quarter, down from 489.5 billion yen a year earlier and below the 311.7 billion yen average estimate from a poll of seven analysts by LSEG. The 27.5% tariff on U.S. vehicle imports, which includes the previous 2.5% rate and an additional 25% levy introduced by U.S.…

Hyundai Motor said on Monday its U.S. electrified vehicle sales jumped 50% in July from a year earlier, making up 32% of the company’s retail sales for the month, as strong demand for the Ioniq 5 electric SUV pushed volumes to record levels. The South Korean automaker sold 79,543 vehicles in the United States in July, up 15% year-on-year, marking its best July since entering the market in 1986. Electrified models, which include battery electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids, drove much of the growth. Sales of the Ioniq 5 rose 71% to 5,818 units, its best monthly result to date.…

Hesai Technology said it is supplying its JT series 3D lidar sensors to California-based Agtonomy and Austria’s Alpha Werke for use in autonomous farming robots, aiming to improve precision and efficiency in agricultural operations. The partnerships are part of Hesai’s push into the agriculture sector, which is facing labor shortages, rising costs, and climate-related challenges. The JT series lidar is designed to deliver wide-area 3D perception, compact integration, and durability in harsh environments, the company said. The sensors, 70% smaller than similar products, offer an ultra-wide field of view covering the equivalent of two football fields and have no minimum…

Scientists at Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratory for Material Science and Technology, are developing graphene-based supercapacitors designed for industrial-scale production, aiming to deliver higher energy density and conductivity than current carbon-based devices. The project seeks to create printable electrodes suitable for roll-to-roll manufacturing for applications such as electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and industrial machinery. Supercapacitors store energy electrostatically, enabling rapid charge and discharge cycles, but typically offer lower energy density than batteries. “Supercapacitors store energy electrostatically by depositing as many charged particles as possible on the surface of the electrode,” said Jakob Heier, head of Empa’s Functional Thin Film…