Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Lucid Group reported a decrease in deliveries and production during the fourth quarter of the previous year, leading to a significant drop in its shares to a record low. The decline in deliveries and production is attributed to weakened demand for electric vehicles (EVs) due to high-interest rates, causing customers to cut back on significant purchases. This trend has prompted major automakers like Ford and General Motors to delay their planned EV and battery factory expansion initiatives. See also: Lucid Aims to Launch Affordable Electric Car, CEO Clarifies Timeline Additionally, Lucid has been impacted by a price war initiated by…

Volkswagen (VW) is lowering prices on its ID range of battery-electric vehicles in specific European countries, including France, Belgium, Italy, Norway, and Sweden. This strategic move is aimed at stimulating sales, despite VW’s earlier stance that it would not engage in the pricing strategies reminiscent of Tesla’s approach in the previous year. VW stated that these adjustments “will enable us to achieve our ambitious business goals.” As a result of the new pricing, almost all versions of the ID.3, ID.4, and ID.5 now qualify for government electric vehicle incentives ranging from €5,000 to €7,000 (~$5,400 to ~$7,600) in France. VW…

Japanese automaker Honda has showcased two futuristic electric concept cars, named the Saloon and Space-Hub, at this year’s CES in Las Vegas. The designs provide a glimpse into Honda’s upcoming 0 Series of electric vehicles. The Saloon, drawing inspiration from 1970s wedge-shaped concepts, is set to influence the first production model of the 0 Series scheduled for a 2026 release. While the gull-wing doors showcased in the concept may not make it to the final product, Honda emphasizes the Saloon’s foundation on a new dedicated EV platform. The Saloon’s exterior, with its low and wide design, conceals a spacious interior…

Automakers Hyundai and Kia, in conjunction with US company W. L. Gore & Associates, are engaged in a collaborative effort to develop proton exchange membranes (PEM) for fuel cell systems. These membranes will subsequently be integrated into hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles. W. L. Gore & Associates, a materials technology firm based in Newark, specializes in products made from fluoropolymers, with notable contributions including the development of waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex fabrics. The partnership with Hyundai and Kia will specifically focus on key aspects of PEM development, which is a crucial component of fuel cells. See also: FirstElement Fuel and Hyundai Join…

Semiconductor manufacturer Onsemi has unveiled nine new versions of its EliteSiC Power Integrated Modules (PIMs), aimed at facilitating bidirectional charging for DC ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) chargers and energy storage systems. These silicon carbide-based solutions, deemed more efficient than traditional silicon-based semiconductors, offer potential cost reductions for IGBT power modules. See also: Onsemi Partners with Volkswagen to Supply Components for Next-Generation Electric Platform The technology boasts simplified cooling mechanisms, contributing to a 40% reduction in module size and a 52% decrease in weight compared to conventional silicon-based IGBT solutions. Utilizing Gen3 M3S SiC MOSFET technology, these PIMs feature improved switching…

Swedish automaker Volvo has entered into a €420 million ($460 million) financing agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) as part of its commitment to achieving a fully electric lineup by 2030. The funds will be dedicated to developing a new electric vehicle (EV) platform for the automaker’s next-generation models. The financing will support research and development efforts associated with the new EV platform, as well as the implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies for an efficient production rollout. See also: Volvo’s First Electric Sedan Set to Debut in 2025, Featuring a 111 kWh Battery The overarching goal is to enhance…

Smatrics EnBW, a joint venture, has unveiled plans for the construction of 200 new High-Power Charging (HPC) points in Austria with capacities of up to 400 kW in the coming year. These charging points are slated to be strategically located along the country’s road network and within urban supermarket parking lots. The expansion will focus on key areas along the west and south motorways, with the first large fast-charging parks set to become operational in 2024. Notable locations include Innermanzing in Lower Austria and Regau and Vorchdorf in Upper Austria, where charging parks featuring 16 fast-charging points each will be…

Fuel cell specialist Ballard Power Systems has entered into a substantial long-term supply agreement with North American bus manufacturer NFI Group. Under the initial firm order, Ballard will deliver at least 100 FCmove-HD+ modules in 2024 for integration into New Flyer’s Xcelsior Charge FC H2 buses, destined for deployment in the USA and Canada. The agreement extends Ballard’s collaboration with NFI, covering fuel cell modules for buses across major NFI brands, including New Flyer, Alexander Dennis, and MCI. The companies have a history of partnership, with Ballard previously supplying fuel cells for ADL’s Enviro400FCEV, unveiled in 2021. See also: Solaris…

In the year 2023, Nikola Corporation reported the production of 42 and the sale of 35 Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks. Out of the seven trucks not delivered, three are undergoing an extended field test with a fleet partner, two are in continued validation and engineering, and the final two are designated for service training and customer demonstrations. The assembly of the fuel cell trucks takes place in Coolidge, Arizona, with serial production commencing on July 31, 2023, and the commercial launch following on September 28. Nikola’s noteworthy year was marked by significant events, including the departure of…

General Motors (GM) has disclosed its Q4 sales figures, revealing a mixed performance in the electric vehicle (EV) segment. While the Ultium platform continues to experience steady growth, the overall EV sales have seen a decline, largely attributed to the phasing out of the best-selling Chevy Bolt. In the fourth quarter, GM reported the sale of 19,469 EVs, a modest decrease from the previous quarter’s 20,092 units but a notable improvement from Q4 2022, which recorded 16,266 EV sales. The Ultium-based models, particularly the Lyriq and Hummer EV, exhibited positive momentum with increasing sales figures, indicating a promising trend for…

A recent study conducted in the United States by Energetics has brought attention to the distinct charging behaviors of electric vehicle (EV) owners, shedding light on the prolonged durations spent at free charging stations compared to their paid counterparts. The analysis, encompassing 2.4 million charging sessions spanning three years until June 30, 2023, unveiled that the average paid fast-charging session at non-Tesla chargers amounted to 42 minutes. However, when incorporating Tesla Superchargers into the equation, the average charging time decreased to 31 minutes. See also: Study Estimates Need for 28 Million Charging Ports for 33 Million Electric Vehicles in the…

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has introduced new regulations aimed at enhancing the integration of new energy vehicles (NEVs) with the electric grid. As the global leader in electric vehicle (EV) adoption grapples with rising electricity demand amid a transition to renewable energy, the NDRC’s notice, published on Thursday, outlines the need for initial technical standards governing NEV integration into the grid by 2025. The directive emphasizes that by 2030, NEVs will play a crucial role in China’s energy storage system. With the surge in electricity demand attributed to the growing popularity of NEVs, governments and stakeholders are…