Author: Shaun Williams

Freewire Technologies is expanding its unique approach to EV light charging infrastructure to Europe with a second headquarters. The company, which was founded in 2014, is expediting the world’s transition to electric vehicles by providing turnkey infrastructure to grids around the US. Freewire has created a lineup of turnkey battery-integrated piles it calls Boost Chargers, which utilize integrated battery storage and proprietary management software to operate using existing low voltage and low-power grid connections while still delivering DC charging capabilities. The Boost Charger 200 features a 160 kWh battery capacity and only needs an eighth of the input power of…

Strasbourg’s public transport operator, CTS (Compagnie des Transports Strasbourgeois), has recently announced a major framework agreement with Portuguese bus manufacturer, CaetanoBus. The deal, which is reportedly the largest of its kind ever signed with a single French bus company, will see the delivery of up to 60 hydrogen buses to the city over the next five years. The H2.City Gold buses, which will feature the latest generation of Toyota’s fuel cell system, are set to be used for public transport in Strasbourg from 2024 onwards. The lightweight, standard low-floor buses have an aluminium body, and the new fuel cell system…

A team of material scientists at the University of Texas at Austin has made a significant breakthrough in solid-state battery technology, which could revolutionize the electric vehicle industry. The researchers have succeeded in creating a solid-state battery without an anode-cathode pair, a development that could lead to lighter and more compact batteries with increased energy density. Previous attempts to eliminate the graphite anode and replace it with a current collector made of copper foil failed due to the reactivity of the solid electrolyte, which caused quick material degradation. However, the scientists discovered that by coating the copper foil with lithium-activated…

South Korean battery manufacturer, LG Energy Solution, has announced its plans to produce lithium hydroxide in Morocco in partnership with the Chinese Yahua Industrial Group. The location was chosen strategically due to the North African country’s free trade agreements with both the US and the EU, making it an attractive destination for investors. While the details on the schedule and volume of the planned production of lithium hydroxide are unknown, LG Energy Solution representatives have indicated that the company aims to strengthen its supply chain for the material with the letter of intent. The move to Morocco is particularly significant…

Kia has announced that it will be recalling 2,689 of its Soul EVs from the 2015-2019 model years due to a potential fire risk stemming from a short circuit within the battery pack. While the automaker has confirmed that three related incidents have been reported, it also states that no injuries have been sustained. The first incident was reported in May 2022, when a dealer noted smoke rising from the battery vents during the diagnosis of a 2017 Soul EV. While the heat damage was limited to the vehicle’s high voltage battery, the second incident took place in Canada in…

Volta Trucks, the Swedish electric truck start-up, has received a significant boost after securing funding of 24.6 million euros from the German Federal Ministry of Transport to subsidize vehicle costs for 151 units of its Volta Zero. The all-electric Volta Zero, which received European type-approval for its 16-tonne model in mid-March, plans to deliver the first of the subsidized electric trucks to customers before the end of 2023. “We are delighted that the Volta Zero has been successful in securing the subsidy funding from the Federal Ministry in Germany. This is a major achievement and enormous recognition for our all-electric…

Hyundai is breaking new ground with an unprecedented collaboration that brings together the innovative minds of Hyundai engineers and the creative wizards of Walt Disney Imagineering. Together, they have created a Disney-inspired IONIQ 5 electric SUV concept that includes a range of visual elements, accents, music, and lightning. This visionary partnership is in celebration of Disney’s 100th anniversary, with Hyundai unveiling the IONIQ 5 Disney100 Platinum concept at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday. The IONIQ 5 is Hyundai’s first dedicated electric vehicle, which made its debut in 2021. It has been widely acclaimed for its progressive approach and…

General Motors (GM) is celebrating its compliance with the new Treasury guidelines on the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. The company’s investment in American battery factories and mining deals is paying off, as its electric vehicles built on the Ultium platform will take full advantage of the federal tax credit subsidy. These vehicles, including the Cadillac Lyriq and upcoming Chevy Blazer, Equinox, and Silverado, will have subsidy-compliant batteries assembled in the Lordstown or Spring Hill factories with materials from approved sources. GM’s preparedness is no coincidence but rather a strategy that has been aligned with the US government’s goals…

Electra Meccanica (EMV), a Canadian electric vehicle manufacturer, has recently announced that it will no longer produce its three-wheeled EV, the ‘Solo,’ and instead will focus on a new electric car with four wheels, currently known as ‘Project E4.’ EMV CEO Susan E. Docherty stated in a blog post to shareholders that the decision was made because of challenges ranging from the Solo’s exclusion from government rebates to difficulties consumers face when insuring, financing, and servicing a three-wheeled vehicle. “We believe that major opportunities remain for an experienced maker of smaller, nimbler EVs with eye-catching design and personalized features,” Docherty…

Rivian has announced that it remains on track to meet its annual production target of 50,000 vehicles for 2023, according to its Q1 production and delivery figures released on Monday. The announcement comes after a challenging year for the young company, which experienced some production and supply chain issues in 2022. CEO RJ Scaringe has described 2022 as a challenging year for the company, but added that the production ramp-up had equipped the team with valuable manufacturing operations and product development experience in a short period of time. Despite the challenges, the company managed to produce 24,337 vehicles last year,…

Spain is gearing up to launch two new tenders worth €2 billion in July 2023 for the production of electric vehicles and batteries under its eMobility funding programme PERTE. In the first round of funding, Volkswagen received almost half of the funds. Jose Maria Lopez, the government official in charge of the funding programme, revealed to Reuters news agency that there will now be a double tender in July instead of two separate tenders in June and September. This represents an accelerated, more comprehensive push to promote the country’s electric vehicle industry. The Volkswagen Group has already announced its intention…

According to Bloomberg, Tesla is reportedly in talks with Chinese battery giant CATL to build a battery factory in the US. The facility will be similar to the one CATL recently built with Ford in Michigan. Tesla representatives have already discussed their plans with the US government, seeking clarity on the Inflation Reduction Act rules that the government is finalizing this week. Rohan Patel, Tesla’s senior director of global public policy, was involved in these discussions. Tesla is said to be planning to build a plant wholly owned by it in partnership with CATL, with Texas being considered as a…