Author: Shaun Williams

Arriva, the former Deutsche Bahn subsidiary, has introduced 21 electric buses from Chinese manufacturer BYD into service in the town of Móstoles, near Madrid. The move marks a significant step toward the full electrification of the local public transport system, which will become 100 percent emission-free by October. To support the new fleet, Arriva has electrified a bus depot in Móstoles, installing 22 charging points with plans to expand to 44 in the future. The electric buses boast a range of 350 kilometers, allowing them to operate throughout the day without intermediate charging. Charging will be completed overnight at the…

Stellantis has extended the production halt of the Fiat 500e until November 1, citing sluggish demand for the small electric vehicle. Despite the lack of sales, the 2024 Fiat 500e is now available for lease at an attractive price point, with deals starting at $199 per month for 36 months, plus $2,999 due at signing. This brings the effective cost to $282 per month, including a mileage cap of 7,500 miles annually. The current leasing offer is notably cheaper than previous deals and makes the 500e more affordable to lease than the Nissan Versa, which is regarded as America’s cheapest…

US fast-charging provider EVgo and Taiwanese charging station manufacturer Delta Electronics have signed a letter of intent to co-develop a new charging architecture aimed at enhancing cost efficiency and reliability. The partnership focuses on creating cheaper, more reliable charging stations while improving the customer experience. The joint effort will leverage “advanced firmware and hardware design,” allowing EVgo greater control over both hardware and software development. The collaboration seeks to address key challenges in the charging industry, such as increasing peak power output by up to 400 kW, implementing contactless payment interfaces, and designing longer charging cables for flexible vehicle access.…

BYD has announced its entry into the Tajik passenger car market, furthering its expansion in Central Asia after Uzbekistan. The Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer held a brand launch event in Tajikistan on October 4, where it detailed its strategy for the region. At the event, BYD introduced four models for the Tajik market, which include two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), the Song Pro DM-i and Chazor DM-i, as well as two battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the Song Plus EV and e2. “The Central Asian automotive market is promising and an important part of BYD’s global footprint,” said…

China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao expressed “serious concerns” regarding U.S. policies on semiconductors and restrictions on Chinese-connected vehicles during a call with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Tuesday. Wang called for the removal of sanctions imposed on Chinese companies, stressing the importance of clarifying national security boundaries in trade. Wang emphasized the need for stability in global supply chains and highlighted China’s desire for improved bilateral business cooperation. “China urges the U.S. to address the specific concerns of Chinese companies, lift sanctions as soon as possible, and improve the business environment for Chinese firms in the U.S.,” Wang said,…

Despite a recent slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) sales, demand for metals like copper, critical to the EV industry, remains strong, according to Tom Mackay, head of refined metal at commodity trader IXM. While the EV market continues to grow, forecasting metal demand remains challenging due to the industry’s evolving nature and various factors affecting it. “The electric vehicle industry is new. There are a lot of variables, including penetration rates and battery chemistries, which makes forecasting demand a guessing game,” Mackay said, pointing to uncertainties around EV sales growth, charging infrastructure, and resale value concerns. However, he emphasized that…

Genesis Energy, one of New Zealand’s leading energy companies, has acquired a 65% stake in ChargeNet, the country’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging network, as part of a major investment aimed at expanding the nation’s EV infrastructure. The $64 million NZD ($36 million EUR) investment will enable ChargeNet to accelerate its network expansion, with plans to more than double its existing infrastructure by 2030. ChargeNet currently operates 250 public charging sites and 430 individual charging points nationwide. The company aims to play a pivotal role in supporting New Zealand’s transition to cleaner transport by scaling up its network over the…

Eaton has joined forces with Munich Electrification to develop and market a battery configuration switch (BCS) designed for 400-volt/800-volt dual string battery packs in electric vehicles (EVs). This advanced bi-stable device offers a unique solution for 800-volt vehicles, allowing them to efficiently charge using a 400-volt charger while providing significant advantages over traditional systems. Eaton’s BCS reduces the number of components in a battery disconnect unit by up to 12, streamlining the system and simplifying packaging and assembly. Additionally, it minimizes contact resistance, improving overall system performance and efficiency. “Our BCS offers a more efficient and reliable alternative to conventional…

Hyundai has officially begun operations at its new $7.6 billion electric vehicle (EV) plant in Bryan County, Georgia, with the first U.S.-made Ioniq 5 rolling off the assembly line. The vehicle is scheduled to arrive at American dealerships by the end of 2024. The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), which broke ground in October 2022, completed construction in less than two years. Hyundai fast-tracked production to gain a competitive edge with U.S.-made EVs. “After validating its production processes to ensure its vehicles meet Hyundai Motor Group’s high standards, (the Savannah plant) has started initial production of customer vehicles ahead…

As of October 1, Paris has implemented a new parking tariff targeting heavy vehicles, including SUVs and large electric cars. The new rule, dubbed the ‘SUV tariff,’ applies to visitor vehicles weighing over 1.6 tonnes for combustion and hybrid models, and over two tonnes for electric vehicles, with fees rising sharply in both the city center and suburbs. The Paris city government’s initiative aims to discourage the use of large vehicles in urban areas. Parking fees for these heavier vehicles have increased significantly—from €6 to €18 per hour in central Paris and from €4 to €12 per hour in the…

Tesla’s Cybertruck has frequently attracted attention, often for negative reasons. Despite its futuristic design, the electric pickup has faced multiple challenges related to range, build quality, and other concerns. Recently, Tesla announced another recall for the Cybertruck, marking its fifth recall to date. This recall addresses an issue with the rear-view camera, affecting all Cybertrucks manufactured between November 13, 2023, and September 14, 2024, which encompasses every unit produced so far. The problem arises when the reversing camera can go blank for up to eight seconds, while regulations stipulate that the camera should be operational within two seconds. In response…

Toyota Motor Corporation has decided to delay the production of electric vehicles (EVs) in North America to the first half of 2026, as reported by Nikkei, in response to a slowdown in sales within the critical U.S. automotive market. Originally, Toyota had planned to begin assembling a new three-row electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) at its Kentucky facility in 2025, investing $1.3 billion in the project. However, the company recently informed suppliers that the start date will now be pushed back by several months. This marks the first production delay announced by a Japanese automaker in North America. The automaker…