Author: Shaun Williams

Mercedes-Benz has revealed that it is researching a groundbreaking solar power technology that could be integrated into future vehicles. Rather than using conventional solar panels, the automaker is working on ultra-thin “solar modules” that would be embedded directly into the paint of the vehicle. These modules are just 5 micrometers thick, far thinner than a human hair, and approximately the diameter of a red blood cell. This thin layer would allow for the generation of solar power while maintaining the vehicle’s aesthetic and aerodynamics. The solar module layers are incredibly lightweight, weighing just 50 grams (0.11 lbs) per square meter.…

Hitachi ZeroCarbon has formed a strategic partnership with COBUS Industries, a provider of airport mobility solutions. As part of the collaboration, Hitachi will equip 100 e.COBUS Extended Range (ER) buses worldwide with its ZeroCarbon BatteryManager solution by 2025. This system will monitor the performance and health of the buses’ EV battery assets, with the aim of reducing total cost of ownership (TCO), extending battery life, and improving residual value. The partnership will provide COBUS and its customers with detailed data on EV battery performance, helping to minimize degradation risk, optimize route planning, and support proactive maintenance. The solution offers real-time…

Hyundai Motor and its Chinese partner BAIC Motor announced on Wednesday a $1.1 billion investment in their joint venture, Beijing Hyundai, signaling a renewed commitment to the world’s largest car market despite declining sales and growing competition from domestic automakers like BYD. The investment, equally shared by Hyundai and BAIC, will raise the registered capital of the 22-year-old joint venture to $4.074 billion, according to a filing by BAIC. The move comes as Hyundai faces significant challenges in China, with its annual sales plummeting to 249,000 units in 2022—just one-fifth of its peak in 2016. Amid these struggles, Beijing Hyundai…

As competition in the electric vehicle (EV) battery market intensifies, BYD is gearing up to launch its next-generation Blade EV battery in 2025. The new battery promises enhanced driving range, faster charging, and a 15% reduction in cost compared to its predecessor. BYD, the world’s second-largest EV battery maker behind CATL, is positioning the new Blade batteries to offer higher energy density, up to 210 Wh/kg, and faster charging rates, with two versions expected to cater to different performance needs. According to Cao Shuang, BYD’s managing director for Central Asia, the next-gen Blade batteries will feature significant advancements. “In the…

Honda has unveiled its first production images of the Ye P7, a new electric crossover marking a significant step in the automaker’s strategy to strengthen its foothold in China’s electric vehicle (EV) market. The Ye P7 is the first of three planned EVs under the “Ye” sub-brand, reflecting Honda’s ambitions to accelerate its electrification efforts in the world’s largest car market. The Ye P7, co-developed with Honda’s joint venture partner GAC, is designed as a stylish yet performance-oriented crossover. Measuring 4,750 mm (187 inches) in length and boasting a long wheelbase of 2,930 mm (115.3 inches), the EV offers a…

Hyundai has officially introduced the IONIQ 9, its first three-row electric SUV, at the LA Auto Show, promising a bold step forward in electric vehicle (EV) design and technology. The IONIQ 9 boasts a futuristic look, spacious interior, and advanced tech features, making it a standout in the growing electric SUV market. The IONIQ 9 is powered by a 110.3 kWh battery, offering an estimated EPA range of 335 miles (620 km) for the Long-Range RWD model. This model features a 160 kW rear motor, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 9.4 seconds. A Performance trim,…

Opel will maintain its commitment to electrification despite the sudden departure of Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, according to Florian Huettl, Opel’s CEO. The German brand, a key player in Stellantis’ electric vehicle (EV) strategy, plans to stay on course toward a fully electric future. “Opel has a very clear path towards electrification, and the organization will not change these fundamental choices,” Huettl told Reuters. He added, “In 2025, which will be the next stage of electrification, it will be very important to be very agile, very close to the market, and very close to operations.” Stellantis, the world’s fourth-largest automaker,…

Tesla appears to be ramping up efforts to test its robotaxi and Optimus humanoid robot programs, as evidenced by a recent job posting on the company’s Careers website. The listing, seeking a C++ software engineer for its AI Teleoperation team, reveals Tesla’s plans to advance remote operation technology for these groundbreaking initiatives. The job description outlines that Tesla’s AI Teleoperation team is focused on enabling remote access to the company’s Cybercab robotaxis and Optimus robots. The company describes a cutting-edge teleoperation system using virtual reality (VR) technology to immerse operators in the environment of the devices they control. $TSLA Tesla…

A recent drone flyover of Tesla’s Fremont Factory has revealed eight covered vehicles near the facility’s test track, sparking speculation about potential new models from the electric vehicle manufacturer. The aerial footage, captured on November 24 by YouTube channel Met God in Wilderness, showcases vehicles of varying shapes and designs, igniting curiosity among Tesla enthusiasts and industry watchers. The covered cars appear to include a mix of low-slung, sleek designs and crossover SUVs, with some crossover-shaped vehicles featuring a squared-off rear that differs from the Model Y’s characteristic sloping design. This detail has fueled speculation that Tesla could be preparing…

Chinese automaker Chery has launched vehicle production in Europe, marking a milestone in its international expansion. The first vehicle, an S700 under the Ebro brand of Spain’s EV Motors, was completed at the joint venture plant in Barcelona on November 23, according to the company’s announcement. The Barcelona facility, Chery’s first European production base, is part of a €400 million investment to revive a former Nissan plant closed in 2021. Production is expected to reach 50,000 vehicles annually by 2027, scaling up to 150,000 units by 2029. This initiative aligns with Chery’s broader strategy to localize production and reduce exposure…

U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer Mullen Automotive has announced new orders for its Class 1 commercial EV cargo van, the Mullen One, from two prominent universities in California. This follows earlier deliveries to universities on the East Coast, signaling growing demand for clean mobility solutions on college campuses across the nation. The latest orders were placed by universities in Los Angeles and Berkeley, though Mullen did not disclose the exact number of vehicles ordered or specific delivery timelines. The company noted that these orders will be fulfilled through its commercial retail partners, National Fleet Auto Group and Randy Marion Automotive Group.…

Exxon Mobil announced on Wednesday that it has signed a non-binding agreement with LG Chem to supply lithium from its proposed Arkansas project. The deal involves up to 100,000 metric tons of lithium over several years, though final terms, including price, are still to be negotiated. Exxon is planning to extract lithium from the Smackover Formation, a brine deposit spanning from Florida to Arkansas and Texas, using direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology. This approach, similar to oil extraction, is being pursued by other oil companies, such as Occidental Petroleum and Equinor. This agreement will help LG Chem use the lithium…