Author: Alexander Reed

The U.S. Department of Energy’s loans office has granted a conditional loan of up to $1.2 billion to ENTEK Lithium Separators LLC for the establishment of a new manufacturing plant in Terre Haute, Indiana. The facility aims to produce lithium-ion battery separators, essential for enhancing the performance and safety of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. According to ENTEK CEO Larry Keith, “There has never been a more exciting time to be a manufacturer in the battery industry.” The project is expected to support the production of separators capable of servicing approximately 1.9 million mid-size EVs or 1.3 million electric SUVs, based…

Volkswagen (VW) and Rivian have announced a strategic partnership to integrate Rivian’s software into VW’s electric vehicles (EVs). The venture includes an initial investment of $1 billion from VW, with the potential for an additional $4 billion by 2026, depending on certain milestones. Rivian, currently striving for profitability, has substantial cash reserves but is expending them rapidly. Each quarter shows financial improvement, yet significant efforts remain. See also: Rivian Implements Cost-Saving Measures with Plant Retooling In a recent cost-saving move, Rivian postponed the construction of its Georgia plant, saving over $2 billion. Today’s announcement of the partnership with VW offers further…

Spanish utility company Iberdrola plans to install 1,000 new electric vehicle (EV) charging points across eleven autonomous communities in Spain as part of a partnership with supermarket chain Eroski, the companies announced on Tuesday. The new charging points, to be operational over the next three years, will be located at around 300 of Eroski’s locations and will include workplaces, supermarket car parks, and petrol stations. The rollout will begin with equipping Eroski petrol stations with charging points in the project’s first phase. See also: Iberdrola Expands EV Charging Network with 2,000 Points at Mercadona Supermarkets The charging points will offer a…

Fisker, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, filed for bankruptcy protection late on Monday, initiating plans to sell its assets and restructure its debt. The move comes as the company faced challenges related to cash flow, particularly in delivering its “Ocean” SUVs in the United States and Europe, leading to rapid cash burn. Alongside Fisker, other EV makers such as Proterra, Lordstown, and Electric Last Mile Solutions have also declared bankruptcy in recent years. These companies have struggled with depleting cash reserves, difficulties in fundraising, and challenges in scaling up production, exacerbated by global supply chain disruptions. See also: Fisker Faces Ocean…

Tesla is facing criticism from a customer over the return and resale policy for its highly anticipated Cybertruck. Blaine Raddon, the owner in question, booked his Cybertruck back in late 2019 but found himself in a predicament upon its delivery a few weeks ago. Raddon, who has since split from his partner and moved to a new apartment complex, discovered that the vehicle did not fit comfortably in his parking space, leaving him unable to open the doors easily. See also: Tesla Cybertruck to Receive Full Self-Driving in Version 12.5, Says Elon Musk Raddon’s attempts to return or sell the Cybertruck…

In a pioneering move towards sustainable energy practices, Select, a subsidiary of Laing O’Rourke, has forged a strategic partnership with Zenobē, an energy storage specialist. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the construction industry by repurposing second-life batteries into portable energy storage units, offering a cleaner alternative to diesel generators. Under this partnership, Zenobē will supply Select with 20 portable batteries converted from electric bus batteries. These units are designed to store approximately 150kWh of energy each, providing a robust and eco-friendly power source for various applications such as construction, lifting solutions, and electric vehicle charging. Notably, these batteries can also…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has formally closed its preliminary investigation into seat belt issues in the Tesla Model X, following a recall affecting about 16,000 Model S and X units last July. The agency stated that it will monitor the situation and take further action if necessary. “In its recall filing, Tesla stated that effective June 22, 2023, it had updated procedures requiring a first-row seat belt to be disconnected from- and reconnected to- its pretensioner anchor to include additional visual aids to assist technicians and require a pull test-step to confirm that the seat belt was…

U.S. automaker Ford (F.N) plans to begin production of a new partly electric vehicle at its plant in Spain’s Valencia region starting in 2027, a company spokesperson announced on Friday. In March, Ford indicated it was considering manufacturing a new, multi-energy passenger car at the Valencia facility. Spain’s Industry Ministry confirmed the plans, stating the automaker intends to produce 300,000 units of the new model annually. “It is a model that will guarantee the workload for this factory and prepare it for the future,” the ministry said in a statement. Currently, Ford’s Valencia plant assembles the Kuga SUV and employs…

Mercedes-Benz has decided to halt the development of its electric platform “MB.EA-Large,” which was intended for the electrification of its largest saloons and SUVs starting from 2028. This change comes as the company faces disappointing sales figures for its current luxury electric cars, prompting the need for “tough cuts,” according to a report by the German Handelsblatt newspaper, citing insiders. The decision to pause the development of “MB.EA-Large” reflects a broader reorientation at Mercedes-Benz, driven in part by a misjudgment by Group CEO Ola Källenius regarding the pace of sales growth for electric vehicles. The company had previously aimed to…

Electric vehicle (EV) maker Fisker has alerted its employees about the looming possibility of layoffs and the closure of its facility within the next two months if the company fails to secure its financial footing. In an email seen by Insider and reportedly confirmed by several Fisker Inc. employees, the EV startup acknowledged its ongoing efforts to tackle cash flow challenges. These efforts include engaging in discussions with potential buyers and investors, as well as exploring potential restructuring options. However, the email also cautioned that “there is a possibility… that these efforts will not be successful.” See also: Henrik Fisker’s Los…

Tesla released its first-quarter earnings report today, following a challenging quarter marked by production and delivery hurdles. The electric vehicle (EV) maker produced 433,371 vehicles and delivered 386,810 vehicles during Q1, falling short of Wall Street analysts’ expectations of 449,080 deliveries and 452,976 vehicles produced. The difficulties faced by Tesla in Q1 were attributed to various factors, including the initial stages of the updated Model 3 ramp-up at the Fremont factory, shipping disruptions caused by the Red Sea conflict, and an arson attack at Gigafactory Berlin, as stated in the Q1 vehicle delivery and production report. Tesla reported total revenues…

Sony has expanded its line of in-car audiovisual receivers with the introduction of the XAV-AX3700, a compact and affordable model packed with features typically found in higher-end receivers. The new receiver boasts support for FLAC audio files, LDAC codec, and Apple CarPlay, making it a versatile and user-friendly option for car audio enthusiasts. Priced at $399.99, the XAV-AX3700 offers a more budget-friendly alternative to Sony’s AX8500 sibling, which is currently priced at $898 on Amazon. Despite the lower price, both receivers feature iDatalink Maestro and 3-pre out links, ensuring high-quality audio output. One of the standout features of the XAV-AX3700…