Author: Shaun Williams

Vietnamese automotive firm VinFast, a division of Vingroup, is poised to enter the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market with locally assembled cars, according to a new report from ET Auto. Initially contemplating the importation of Completely Built Units (CBUs), VinFast now plans to capitalize on cost efficiencies by assembling Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits within India. This strategic shift aims to mitigate steep tariff rates imposed by the Indian government, which can reach up to 100% for CBUs, reducing significantly to 15% for CKD kits. VinFast’s decision to assemble locally underscores its commitment to the Indian market and its local…

Stellantis, the automotive conglomerate behind brands like Peugeot, Fiat, and Chrysler, has announced a strategic partnership with the French state’s CEA research organization to innovate the next generation of battery cells for electric vehicles (EVs). This initiative reflects a broader industry effort to enhance battery technologies and reduce costs amid varying market dynamics. Global EV demand has faced challenges including high borrowing costs and consumer preferences for hybrid vehicles, slowing growth compared to expectations. In response, competitors like Tesla and other EV manufacturers have adjusted pricing strategies and offered incentives to stimulate showroom traffic. “We recognize that battery technology is…

Tesla has initiated a significant software update, version 2024.26, across its fleet, introducing a range of new features aimed at enhancing user experience. Among the notable additions are integration of YouTube Music and Amazon Music, expanding the music streaming options available in Tesla vehicles. In the release notes shared via Not a Tesla App, Tesla outlined the capabilities of the new music apps: “Listen to over 100 million songs with YouTube Music Premium. Access your Library to see all of your liked and added songs, playlists you created and artists and podcasts you subscribed to. Requires Premium Connectivity or an…

Nikola Motor has announced the sale of 72 Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell trucks through its HYLA brand in North America, marking nearly double the sales figures from the second quarter of 2024. Among the notable customers are Walmart Canada, IMC, and Ai Logistics, the latter ordering a fleet of 100 fuel cell trucks. The company has been steadily increasing its sales momentum this year, with second-quarter figures almost doubling those of the previous quarter, totaling 112 trucks sold in the first half of 2024. However, Nikola clarifies that detailed financial results for the second quarter are pending completion. “We…

Extreme H, the pioneering hydrogen off-road racing championship, has unveiled its inaugural racing machine, the Pioneer 25, set to debut at Extreme E’s Hydro X Prix in Scotland this month. Following the success of battery-electric vehicles in off-road racing, Extreme E is now pushing the boundaries with hydrogen fuel cell technology under the rebranded Extreme H. The newly revealed Pioneer 25 is a modified version of the Odyssey 21 from Extreme E, featuring a 75 kW hydrogen fuel cell by Symbio and a 36 kWh battery pack from Australian firm Fortescue. The vehicle boasts dual 200 kW electric motors—one at…

Luxury automaker Genesis debuted the new Electrified G80 at the Busan International Mobility Show (BIMOS) on Thursday, showcasing an updated version of its flagship luxury EV. The latest model, three years after its initial global launch, features significant upgrades aimed at enhancing both performance and aesthetic appeal. The Electrified G80, Genesis’ first foray into the electric vehicle market, now boasts a larger battery aimed at increasing its driving range amidst intensifying competition from rivals like the Tesla Model S. Genesis introduced the redesigned model in Korea during its premiere at BIMOS 2024. See also: Genesis to Introduce New Electric SUV, Aiming…

German automotive supplier ElringKlinger has announced plans to establish a new Group site in Easley, Pickens County, in northwest South Carolina. The facility will primarily manufacture battery technology products and is set to become a key battery hub for the American market. The initial phase of the project will cover an area of 21,000 square meters, with provisions for future expansion. ElringKlinger aims to gradually develop the site into its central battery center for North America, with operations scheduled to commence by mid-2025. The facility will initially produce cell contacting systems for an unnamed launch customer. The location in South…

Ascend Elements, a US company specializing in battery materials production, has delivered its first recycled cathode material to Freudenberg e-Power Systems’ US plant in Midland, Michigan. The material is currently undergoing validation for use in commercial vehicle batteries. The delivered precursor materials (pCAM) and cathode active materials (CAM) were obtained using Ascend Element’s “hydro-to-cathode” process. This process aims to reduce the carbon footprint of new cathode materials for electric vehicle batteries by up to 90% by 2030. An independent life cycle analysis showed a current reduction of up to 49%. See also: Ascend Elements and Call2Recycle Announce Partnership for Electric Vehicle…

Tesla is reportedly in discussions with Michelin to test the company’s next-generation airless tires, as confirmed by Michelin CEO Florent Menegaux in an interview with Not a Tesla App. Menegaux indicated that Michelin is considering testing the upcoming Uptis (Unique Puncture-Proof Tire System) tires on Tesla’s vehicles. These tires are expected to offer significantly longer lifespan than traditional tires and are designed to resist punctures due to their flexible, open-cell structure. See also: Michelin Unveils New Tire Ranges for All-Electric Porsche Macan The Uptis tires, which are currently in the prototype phase, have been undergoing testing on the Chevy Bolt. Michelin…

Transdev Blazefield has introduced its new Enviro400EV electric buses to shareholders and the public in North Yorkshire, UK. The buses, set to operate under subsidiary The Harrogate Bus Company, will serve the popular route 36, connecting Leeds, Harrogate, and Ripon. The company has invested in 19 electric double-deckers from Alexander Dennis, each equipped with a 472 kWh battery. These buses will join the fleet over the coming months, enhancing the region’s sustainable transportation options. To support quick charging, the buses feature roof-mounted charging rails, allowing for pantograph charging at the Harrogate bus station. See also: Alexander Dennis to Build Autonomous Buses…

Northvolt is currently reviewing its plans to build a new plant in Borlange, central Sweden, but has not yet made any definitive decisions, the company stated on Wednesday, in response to reports suggesting the project might be cancelled. A report by Swedish business daily Dagens Industri had earlier cited a municipal official claiming the cancellation of the project. Northvolt, however, clarified in a statement that it is engaged in a strategic review of the site and is in discussions with various stakeholders, including the municipality. See also: BMW Reportedly Cancels Two Billion Euro Battery Order with Northvolt “We are conducting a…

LG Energy Solution (LGES) is gearing up to commence production of Tesla’s 4680 battery cells at its Ochang Factory in South Korea by August 2024, industry sources revealed on June 24. This milestone positions LGES as the first global battery manufacturer to mass-produce the advanced 4680 cells. The Ochang factory is expected to achieve an initial annual production capacity of 8 GWh for 4680 cells, sufficient to power approximately 110,000 electric vehicles. LGES plans to supply these cells not only to Tesla but also to other automakers seeking to adopt the next-generation battery technology. According to LS Securities researcher Ahn…

BMW has reportedly canceled a two billion euro order for battery cells with Swedish company Northvolt, citing delays and quality concerns. The order, which was signed in July 2020 and was supposed to be delivered this year, has been withdrawn by BMW due to Northvolt being behind schedule in its production. According to German publication Manager Magazin, Northvolt informed its investors of the cancellation at the end of May. The decision was reportedly driven by two main factors. Firstly, the quality of the cells supplied by Northvolt did not meet BMW’s expectations. Secondly, Northvolt’s production capacity is currently limited to…

ChargePoint has unveiled a series of updates and expansions to its be.ENERGISED platform in Europe, alongside new software in North America that will be compatible with third-party manufacturers’ hardware. The charging infrastructure specialist acquired has-to-be three years ago, which included the backend be.ENERGISED. Since then, ChargePoint claims to have continually improved and developed the product. be.ENERGISED can now reportedly manage over 900 charging station models from more than 100 manufacturers. According to ChargePoint, the be.ENERGISED platform offers consolidated services for Charge Point Operators (CPOs) and eMobility Service Providers (eMSPs), including VAT handling and automated invoicing, streamlining financial operations for multinational…

The Ford Mustang Mach-E has experienced a remarkable 88.7% surge in U.S. sales during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year, driven by the introduction of enticing leasing deals and discounts for both the 2023MY and 2024MY models. Ford’s strategic move to unveil these new leasing deals has paid off, particularly with the outgoing 2023 Mustang Mach-E. Despite the 2024 model being in production for some time, a significant inventory of 2023 models remains. As of June 18, these models are available with up to $12,000 in lease cash, effectively bringing the EV’s starting price below $30,000…

Fisker, the electric car manufacturer, is facing a series of challenges, including financial difficulties and now recalls for its Ocean SUV in both Europe and North America. The most significant recall affects 11,201 Ocean SUVs in the US, Canada, and Europe. These vehicles have a potential safety risk due to a motor-control unit and vehicle-control unit software that may enter a safe-state protection mode, leading to a loss of power. Fisker plans to resolve this issue through an over-the-air update. See also: Fisker Faces Dire Straits: Offers Employees Steep Discounts on Remaining Ocean SUVs In a brief press release, Fisker announced…

Big Bus Tours, a global open-top tour bus operator, has bolstered its fleet with the addition of 40 electric sightseeing buses, just in time for the summer holiday season. The company is introducing 20 brand-new Ankai electric buses in Paris and Vienna, while also retrofitting 20 buses in London by converting existing diesel buses to electric. The new electric tour buses in Paris and Vienna are purpose-built and supplied by Ankai Anhui. They are equipped with 315 kW battery packs, powering the buses through a ZF hub-motor axle. These buses can DC fast charge in four to six hours, depending…

Volkswagen Group’s Elli, the brand specializing in charging and energy solutions, has entered into a strategic partnership with European solar platform Otovo. The collaboration aims to provide customers purchasing an Elli wallbox through VW sales channels in Europe with the opportunity to also purchase a photovoltaic (PV) system. This combined offering is expected to reduce the operating costs of electric cars by up to 40 percent, starting in the summer of 2024. Described as a “holistic solution,” the partnership’s goal is to merge clean solar energy with electromobility, offering tailored solutions for the growing electric vehicle market. Initially, the focus…

BMW Group and Pirelli have teamed up to develop a groundbreaking winter tyre that promises to extend the range of all-electric vehicles by up to 50 kilometers. The result of this collaboration is the new Pirelli 20-inch P-Zero Winter 2 winter tyre, specifically designed for the all-electric BMW i7. The key innovation in these tyres lies in their ability to compensate for the higher rolling resistance typically associated with winter tyres, which is due to their rubber compound and tread pattern. Rolling resistance directly impacts a vehicle’s range, making it a crucial factor for electric cars. The new tyre addresses…

Gotion, a Chinese battery manufacturer with Volkswagen as its largest shareholder, has made significant strides in fast-charging battery technology, as well as advancements in energy density, durability, and new factory developments. The company’s latest battery, named “G-Current,” boasts remarkable charging speeds, capable of reaching 80 percent capacity in under 10 minutes from a zero charge. Within just 5 additional minutes, it achieves a 90 percent charge, akin to the time needed for a quick refueling stop, enabling drivers to travel at least the next 300 to 400 kilometers (200 to 250 miles). To achieve this rapid charging capability, the battery…