Author: Casper Benedict

The European Union has launched a new project called METALLICO, which seeks to develop sustainable and innovative ways of extracting battery metals such as lithium, cobalt, copper, manganese, and nickel from both primary and secondary sources. The project is a four-year consortium involving 23 partners from nine different countries, with IDENER Research and Development AIE from Spain acting as the coordinator. The main objective of the project is to optimize and demonstrate five sustainable processes for the extraction and recovery of these metals on an industrial scale in case studies. One of the project’s key features is to develop new…

As part of US President Joe Biden’s effort to shift half of the country’s new car sales to electric cars or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) by 2030, the US Treasury Department has updated the list of eligible electric car models. The new rules, published a fortnight ago under the Inflation Reduction Act, require electric cars in the US to meet specific requirements to qualify for tax incentives of up to $7,500. The updated rules apply to registrations on or after April 18, and electric and plug-in hybrid models from Volkswagen, BMW, Nissan, Rivian, Hyundai, and Volvo Cars will be…

Kodiak Robotics, a Mountain View-based autonomous trucking company, has unveiled its latest fifth-generation self-driving technology, which comes with several improvements and a more sophisticated appearance. The hardware platform upgrades are said to bring both functional and aesthetic improvements. One of the most significant changes is the removal of the roof-mounted center pod sensor suite. The front-facing LIDAR and cameras have been relocated to Kodiak’s proprietary SensorPods mounted on the sideview mirrors, resulting in a more streamlined and attractive appearance. According to Kodiak, this change also brings several benefits, including faster upfitting and easier maintenance, with repairs taking as little as…

Tesla has cut the prices of some of its Model Y and Model 3 electric vehicles in the United States for the sixth time this year, according to the company’s website. The move is believed to be a response to concerns about the effect on its profit margins. The company has lowered the prices of its Model Y ‘long range’ and ‘performance’ vehicles by $3,000 each, and that of its Model 3 ‘rear-wheel drive’ by $2,000 to $39,990. The Austin, Texas-based company has cut the prices of its base Model 3 by 11% and its base Model Y by 20%…

In a bid to tackle emissions in the construction industry, the Norwegian business development agency Enova has launched two programs. These initiatives aim to promote the use of emission-free construction machines and mobile charging stations to power them. As reported by Businessportal Norwegen, the programs will run for two years. Under the first program, the purchase of electric construction machinery will be subsidized up to 40% of the additional cost compared to a similar machine with a conventional drive. The subsidy is, however, capped at NOK 5 million, which is approximately €438,000. Under the second program, mobile charging stations with…

Tesla’s recent price cuts have sparked what some are calling an “EV price war” among automakers. With two significant price drops across its entire lineup since the start of the year, other manufacturers have followed suit, lowering prices on their electric vehicles. The latest price cut in Europe has led Renault CEO Fabrice Cambolive to issue a warning to other automakers. “It’s clear that Tesla cutting prices is a challenge, starting with the cost side of things. It’s a warning that we are looking at,” Cambolive said. While Renault has slightly discounted its electric Megane, it hasn’t gone as far…

Volkswagen has recently announced the arrival of its newest flagship electric sedan, the ID.7, in Europe and China this fall, with a North American release scheduled for 2024. The ID.7 comes in two trims: Pro and Pro S, both of which are equipped with an electric motor that can produce up to 282 horsepower (210 kilowatts). The Pro trim features an 82-kilowatt-hour gross rating battery (77-kWh net), with a WLTP-cycle range of approximately 382 miles (615 kilometers), and supports 170-kW DC charging. Meanwhile, the Pro S comes with a 91-kWh gross capacity battery (86-kWh net), providing an estimated driving range…

Geely’s premium electric vehicle brand, Zeekr, has announced the delivery of the Zeekr 009 MPV with CATL Qilin Battery to the general public, marking the first time that this ultra-long-range battery pack has been available outside of the company’s lab. The ME version of the Zeekr 009 MPV has been equipped with a battery pack of 140 kWh capacity that provides an impressive CLTC range of 822 km, the highest of any pure electric MPV. The Qilin Battery, also known as CTP 3.0, was officially launched by CATL in June 2022, with a claimed new level of battery system integration.…

Alfa Romeo is reportedly set to launch its first-ever series-produced electric vehicle in 2024, according to a recent report. While official details are yet to be announced, sources suggest that the EV will come in the form of a small crossover, aimed at entry-level buyers, and will share the same underpinnings as the Jeep Avenger. Despite the car being named after a city-friendly hatchback built on the Stellantis platform, the EV version will have a distinct design of its own, inspired by past and current Alfa Romeo models, including the iconic Giulietta from 1954. See also: Alfa Romeo to Launch…

Ram Brand CEO Mike Koval Jr. recently announced at the New York Auto Show that a mid-sized electric pickup truck could be on its way from the Dodge subsidiary. The concept for the vehicle was unveiled at a special dealer convention, and Koval revealed that the response was overwhelmingly positive. The potential for a smaller electric truck from Ram is crucial if the brand wants to expand to Europe. Large pickup trucks don’t sell well in the European market, so a mid-sized option would be essential for Ram’s success in the region. The last mid-sized truck Ram sold was the…

Octopus Energy’s roaming service, Electroverse, has introduced Plug&Charge technology to its charging network, making it easier for electric vehicle drivers to charge their cars without the need for charging cards, apps or websites. The UK-based company has surpassed the 40,000 charge-point mark globally, available from over 460 different charge point brands. With Plug&Charge, drivers can now use the standard ISO 15118 to securely verify their identity and process payments between enabled electric vehicles and charging points. See also: Octopus Electric Vehicles Announces Deal to Purchase 5,000 New EVs from BYD for UK Customers ISO 15118 not only facilitates identification and…

US snack company Frito-Lay North America has taken a significant step towards a more sustainable transportation future by partnering with trucking company Schneider to deliver its products via electric semi-trucks. This groundbreaking collaboration marks PepsiCo’s first-ever third-party EV transportation shipment globally, as the parent company of Frito-Lay is committed to reducing its environmental impact by reaching net zero emissions by 2040. Transportation and distribution account for 20% of PepsiCo’s emissions, making it a critical area for reducing the company’s carbon footprint. By collaborating with partners that distribute its products using EVs, PepsiCo can significantly reduce its environmental impact while ensuring…