Author: Shaun Williams

The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) has been hailed as a major step forward for the environment. However, a significant problem has arisen that threatens to derail the progress that has been made. The proprietary battery systems used in EVs make repairing even minor faults extremely difficult and costly. This has led to a situation where numerous insurance companies are simply scrapping EVs with only minor faults, which is problematic not only for insurers, but owners and the environment as well. Even vehicles involved in minor accidents whose battery packs have only a small amount of damage are being scrapped.…

Statkraft, the Norwegian energy company, has announced plans to seek investors for its EV charging infrastructure subsidiary, Mer. The move comes as part of Statkraft’s efforts to expand its presence in the growing market for carbon-free transportation solutions. However, Statkraft has also made it clear that it intends to retain a controlling stake in the company, with the majority of shares remaining in its hands. To facilitate the process, Statkraft has enlisted the services of financial advisors Carnegie and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken. While a partial sale of the company has not yet been confirmed, Statkraft is exploring all options for…

California-based Sakuu, a developer of 3D-printed solid-state batteries, is set to become a publicly traded company. Sakuu plans to merge with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Plum Acquisition Corp. I, and the combined company will be known as Sakuu Holdings. It is expected to be listed on a US national exchange under the ticker symbol “SAKU” by Q3 2023, with an enterprise value of approximately $705 million. Sakuu has reportedly received purchase orders totaling over $300 million from 2023 to 2025, and its manufacturing platform, Kavian, was designed to produce solid-state batteries on a commercial scale. While Sakuu does not…

SoftBank has confirmed that it has commenced testing of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in Tokyo in collaboration with May Mobility, a self-driving company based in Michigan. The partnership was announced last year in June. The field tests began in January and are being conducted in the Takeshiba area of Minato-ku in Tokyo, covering busy locations like the InterContinental Tokyo Bay Hotel, Takeshiba Station, and Takeshiba passenger ship terminal. SoftBank’s trials are specifically designed to comply with the legislation that will come into force in April, permitting driverless vehicles on Japanese roads. See also: Tsinghua University’s Breakthrough in Autonomous Driving: Vehicles that…

FirstElement Fuel and Hyundai Motor Company have partnered to drive innovation in the logistics and transport sector. The two companies are testing Hyundai Motor’s XCIENT Fuel Cell Heavy Duty trucks in California with the goal of bringing high-volume hydrogen refueling infrastructure to the heavy-duty fuel cell truck market. The partnership involves FirstElement Fuel’s True Zero network of hydrogen refueling stations, which are used to fuel three XCIENT Fuel Cell prototypes at full 700 bar pressure. Additionally, FirstElement Fuel has developed a high-capacity mobile refueler in collaboration with Taylor-Wharton and Nikkiso, which is capable of fueling at 125 kilograms per hour.…

Porsche is entering into an all-new tech joint venture with its partner, UP.Labs, called Pull Systems. Thanks to its impressive sales figures and a successful IPO, Porsche is in a strong financial position and is now looking to invest in the latest technologies. The Pull Systems venture offers a “machine-learning-as-a-service” business, selling analytics software to automakers that provide critical data and analysis through the use of AI. This platform gives automakers insight into electronic components and batteries, although Porsche has not provided specific use cases for the technology. See also: Porsche in Talks with Google for Infotainment System Software Solution…

Michelin, the French multinational tire manufacturer, has announced a CAD$300 million (€204 million) investment in its Canadian operations. The investment will be directed towards accelerating sustainable mobility and reducing the company’s environmental impact. As part of the investment, Michelin’s three Nova Scotia production facilities will receive new technologies and equipment. The units are responsible for manufacturing tires for the electric vehicles (EV) sector, larger-rim size tires for passenger and light truck vehicles, and commercial truck tires. The company plans to electrify parts of the manufacturing process in order to reduce carbon emissions at the facilities. See also: Hyundai partnership with…

Finding a charging station for your electric vehicle (EV) while on the go just got a whole lot easier. Google has announced a new update to its navigation app, Waze, that will provide EV drivers with locations of charging stations tailored to their specific car. While Waze has offered the ability to find charging stations since the end of 2021, this new update is a game-changer. Users simply need to share their car model and charging connectors with Google, and Waze will show charging stations that are compatible with their EV’s specific requirements. No more driving around with a dangerously…

The Biden-Harris Administration has recently launched a program that will fund the expansion of battery electric vehicle charging stations and alternative fuel infrastructure in the United States. The program, known as the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program, is worth $2.5 billion and falls under the U.S. Department of Transportation. The program was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The CFI Discretionary Grant Program will finance the installation of electric vehicle chargers and alternative fuel infrastructure on public roads, highways, interstates, major roadways, parking lots, public schools, public parks, and other publicly accessible locations. It will provide $2.5…

US engine builder Cummins has unveiled Accelera, a new brand under its New Power business unit, to address industries with zero-emission solutions. According to a press release, Accelera will provide hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, e-axles, traction systems, electrolyzers, and other products for commercial transportation, chemical manufacturing, and other industries. The purpose of Accelera is to secure a sustainable future for the industries that keep the world running, according to Amy Davis, who will lead the new unit after heading the New Power business unit since 2020. Cummins makes it clear in the release that it will continue to focus on…

New York-based boutique electric motorcycle maker Tarform has surprised the industry with the release of its latest creation, the Tarform Raye personal watercraft. Departing from the brand’s usual two-wheeled designs, the Raye is a sleek, hull-style craft with an aesthetic inspired by the manta ray. Though the Raye is still in the rendering phase, Tarform claims it will reach speeds of up to 50 mph (43 knots or 80 km/h). The company has a reputation for bringing striking designs to market, with the release of the Tarform Luna electric motorcycle in 2019 being a prime example. The Luna’s unique and…

Singapore is committed to reducing its domestic emissions by introducing various green initiatives across land, air, and sea transport sectors. The country’s Transport Minister, S. Iswaran, announced a series of environmental measures aimed at tackling climate change. One of the measures includes the electrification of public transport. The Singaporean Land Transport Authority (LTA) will issue a tender for 400 new battery-electric buses in March, with plans for them to replace diesel vehicles in the fleet by December 2024. Singapore aims to electrify half of its public bus fleet, consisting of 5,847 vehicles, by 2030. In 2021, the country also announced…