Author: Shaun Williams

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation has announced a $43.7 million funding award to 25 innovative electric vehicle (EV) charging projects across the U.S. The funding, provided under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, aims to tackle critical challenges related to EV infrastructure, including expanding access to electrified mobility and improving grid reliability. Launched on April 16, 2024, the Communities Taking Charge Accelerator focuses on three primary goals: expanding access to home and shared charging options, accelerating fleet electrification, and advancing managed charging systems to optimize grid usage. The 25 awarded projects span 23 states, the District of Columbia,…

Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng has forecasted that competition within the automotive industry will intensify significantly over the next few years. In an internal letter to company staff last month, He stated that the period from 2025 to 2027 will serve as a critical phase in the industry, describing it as an “elimination round.” He further emphasized that 2025 will see an unprecedented level of competition. “Competition in 2025 will be fiercer than ever,” He wrote, signaling the escalating pressures companies will face in the rapidly evolving market. Xpeng, which delivered 190,068 vehicles in 2024—marking a 34% increase from 2023—continues to…

Suzuki Motor plans to establish India as its global production hub for electric vehicles (EVs), exporting them to markets including Japan and Europe, despite a global slowdown in EV sales, company President Toshihiro Suzuki said on Thursday. The decision highlights India’s strategic importance as Suzuki’s largest market by sales and revenue through its majority-owned subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki. On Friday, Maruti Suzuki will debut its first electric vehicle, the e Vitara, a mid-sized SUV that will be exported globally and supplied to Suzuki’s partner, Toyota Motor. Speaking in New Delhi, Toshihiro Suzuki emphasized India’s role in the company’s EV strategy: “For…

Electric vehicle startup Canoo has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and will cease operations immediately. The company has initiated a liquidation of its assets in Delaware Bankruptcy Court. In a press release issued on Friday, Canoo explained that it had been unable to secure the necessary funding, despite engaging in discussions with foreign sources of capital. Additionally, the company highlighted its inability to obtain support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Program Office, which has been providing loans to other companies in the sector. This filing follows a series of setbacks, including the furloughing of the company’s remaining workers…

Samsung is on track to meet its timeline for delivering an oxide solid-state battery with the highest energy density in the industry. Initially setting a goal of introducing prototypes in 2025, the company has confirmed that its solid-state battery technology is now ready ahead of schedule. The solid-state batteries, capable of achieving up to 500 Wh/kg energy density, are expected to deliver a significant capacity-to-size ratio, positioning Samsung to lead the industry in this area. With mass production facilities now in development, Samsung plans to integrate these batteries into devices, including wearables such as its Galaxy Ring fitness tracker, by…

Honda has confirmed that it will begin U.S. production of the Acura RSX EV in 2025, marking a significant development in the company’s electrification plans. The RSX EV will be the first vehicle to use Honda’s bespoke electric vehicle platform, built at the newly established EV Hub in Marysville, Ohio. Additionally, the model will feature Honda’s new ASIMO operating system, which will allow for continuous over-the-air updates, enhancing the driving experience and providing a more personalized ownership journey. The RSX EV brings back a beloved nameplate from Acura’s past. The original RSX was sold in North America in the early-to-mid-2000s…

Volkswagen is actively seeking buyers for its Osnabrück plant and a partner for its Dresden factory, as the automaker aims to avoid plant closures. According to a Reuters report, Chinese companies and authorities have shown interest in acquiring one of these Volkswagen facilities to expand their presence in Germany’s automotive industry. The motivation for this potential acquisition stems not only from considerations around EU tariffs but also from a strategic desire to enter the heart of Germany’s esteemed automotive sector. The plants in question include the Dresden facility, which produces around 6,000 ID.3 electric cars annually. Production at the site…

Although battery raw material markets have been dominated by oversupply and low prices this year, significant deficits are expected over the next decade, according to Benchmark. The forecasted deficits for lithium and nickel are particularly stark, with the markets projected to face shortfalls of 572,000 tonnes and 839,000 tonnes, respectively, by 2034. These deficits are expected to be about seven times larger than the current surpluses for each material. Benchmark’s analysis indicates that the investment required to meet battery demand in 2030 is estimated to reach $514 billion, with $220 billion needed for upstream projects. Among the materials, lithium and…

Cellcentric, the fuel cell joint venture between Daimler Truck and the Volvo Group, has signed an option agreement with the town of Weilheim/Teck to acquire land for its future large-scale fuel cell production facility. The plant is planned for the district of Esslingen in Baden-Württemberg. Development on the site has faced delays, with the initial groundbreaking originally set for 2023 and later pushed to autumn 2024. According to Cellcentric, the acquisition of the land had been a significant bottleneck. The joint venture now expects operations at the facility to commence “around 2030,” a substantial departure from earlier projections of a…

TomTom (TOM2) has upgraded its Orbis Maps by integrating 3D lane geometry with centimeter-level precision. This enhancement provides global coverage and continuous updates, supporting industries such as automotive, logistics, and urban planning. The technology uses AI-driven updates and data from sources including crowdsourcing, lidar surveys, and satellite imagery to ensure accurate and up-to-date mapping. The improvements are particularly beneficial for automated driving systems, offering support for navigation in complex environments like busy intersections and high-speed junctions. This development is expected to have applications across various sectors. In the automotive industry, it can improve advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for better…

Ford Motor’s Executive Chair, Bill Ford, expressed optimism about the incoming administration of President Donald Trump, emphasizing its potential to bolster the U.S. automotive sector. In a conversation with reporters, Ford highlighted Trump’s apparent focus on supporting domestic auto workers and industry growth. “This time he [Trump] understands the importance of our industry,” Bill Ford said, reflecting on his discussions with the president-elect earlier this month. The chair noted that while Trump’s first term required “education” on automotive issues, the former president is now well-informed and eager to engage with the sector. Trump’s plans to eliminate the $7,500 federal EV…

ACE Green Recycling, a US-based company, has signed a lease agreement to build India’s largest battery recycling plant in Mundra, Gujarat. This expansion, which builds on ACE’s existing operations in India, aims to meet the rising demand for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery recycling. The new facility is set to have an annual processing capacity of 10,000 tonnes of LFP batteries by 2026. ACE’s strategic choice of Mundra as the location for the plant benefits from its proximity to major ports, which handle over 10% of India’s maritime traffic. This location is expected to streamline the transport of raw materials…

Swiss microcar manufacturer Micro has debuted the Microlino Spider concept at the Brussels Motor Show 2025, marking the fourth model in its lineup after the Microlino, Microlino Lite, and Microlino Spiaggina. The company plans to roll out the Spider in Europe through its extensive dealer network and expand into the U.S. market by collaborating with dealer groups, leasing companies, and entrepreneurs. Designed with U.S. consumers in mind, the Microlino Spider blends the compact form of an L7e-class vehicle with an open-air design. It features no doors and a choice between a fully topless configuration or a fabric roof for sun…

Hyzon Motors, a US-based fuel cell commercial vehicle manufacturer, is preparing to dissolve and liquidate its operations following a decision by its board of directors. The company disclosed the decision in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), citing severe financial difficulties. This announcement comes shortly after Hyzon issued a warning to employees about impending redundancies under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act). The challenges faced by Hyzon have escalated significantly in recent months. In July 2024, the company exited its European and Australian markets, citing unfavorable market conditions. By December, Hyzon had notified…

Here Technologies and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have confirmed a significant mapping collaboration, valued at $1 billion, announced this week at CES in Las Vegas. The 10-year agreement combines Here’s precision location technology with AWS’ extensive cloud infrastructure to create AI-powered live maps for automakers developing software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The collaboration aims to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) expedite the development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Automated Driving (AD) technologies, potentially accelerating the introduction of semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles. As noted by Here, location technology is critical for SDVs but is also data-intensive, making AWS’ vast computing power…

Mercedes-Benz has postponed the production of its all-electric, long-wheelbase CLA sedan in China, originally scheduled for April 2024, to August 2024 due to software development challenges, according to a report by Chinese media outlet 36kr. The luxury carmaker confirmed that the model will enter production in 2025, following rigorous testing. “We are advancing our preparations for the production ramp-up as planned to ensure that this new product meets the needs of our Chinese customers,” Mercedes-Benz stated in response to the report. The CLA model, built on the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, reflects the automaker’s strategy to cater to China’s…

Hyundai’s new president and CEO, Jose Munoz, has downplayed any concerns over Elon Musk’s close relationship with former President Donald Trump, emphasizing the company’s commitment to investing in the U.S. market. Munoz, who assumed leadership of the automaker on January 1, stated that Hyundai views the U.S. as its “most important market,” noting that their substantial investments in the country are driven by strategic goals rather than government incentives, particularly those under the Biden administration. Musk, who has played a significant role in supporting Trump’s political endeavors, is expected to push for policies that could benefit Tesla while potentially limiting…

BYD has officially introduced the Xia, a new premium multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) within its Dynasty lineup. The Xia combines the company’s latest DM 5.0 hybrid technology with a standard DiPilot 100 driver assistance system, offering a modern approach to hybrid MPVs. The Xia is available in four variants, priced between RMB 249,800 ($34,070) and RMB 309,800. It features a three-row, seven-seat layout, with dimensions of 5,145 mm in length, 1,970 mm in width, and 1,805 mm in height, alongside a wheelbase of 3,045 mm. The size of the Xia is slightly smaller compared to BYD’s other MPV, the Denza D9.…

Zeekr, the electric vehicle (EV) maker, has teased the upcoming launch of its latest model, the Zeekr 007 GT, marking its continued push into the shooting brake segment. The company shared the first images of the vehicle today, revealing a sleek design that expands Zeekr’s lineup, following the successful introduction of the Zeekr 001 shooting brake model in 2021. The Zeekr 007 GT, which will be known as the Zeekr 7 GT in international markets, is positioned as a grand tourer. The company hinted at its release with a cryptic message on Weibo: “A great tour is about to start,…

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber Technologies Inc, has resigned from the board of autonomous vehicle technology company Aurora Innovation, citing a need to concentrate on his ongoing responsibilities at Uber. The resignation, effective as of Tuesday, was confirmed by a regulatory filing on Friday. Aurora stated that Khosrowshahi’s departure was not prompted by any disagreements with the company. Khosrowshahi, who had been on Aurora’s board since 2020, joined as part of a deal when Uber sold its self-driving unit, Uber ATG, to Aurora. Uber invested $400 million into Aurora at that time, acquiring a 26% stake in the combined company.…