Author: Christopher Harrison

The Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) has released a comprehensive overview of the current and planned battery recycling capacities in Europe. The study emphasizes the importance of proximity to car and battery manufacturers as a key factor in determining the locations of recycling facilities, while also noting significant growth in recycling capacities across the continent. The Fraunhofer ISI projects that the recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) will become increasingly crucial in Europe, with numerous expansion projects and new recycling plant announcements observed throughout the region. An interactive map included in the report showcases the expected battery recycling…

Rivian’s upcoming R2 five-seater SUV will be equipped with a charging port on the rear driver-side of the vehicle, enhancing its compatibility with Tesla Superchargers. The move comes as Rivian continues to align with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), which the company announced it would adopt last year. While Rivian gained access to the Tesla Supercharger Network earlier this year, one ongoing challenge for non-Tesla electric vehicle (EV) owners has been the varied placement of charging ports. Tesla’s standardized port location on the rear driver-side is designed to work seamlessly with the Supercharger stalls and their cable lengths. However,…

Hyundai Motor Group has confirmed that series production of the Kia EV4 electric saloon will commence in South Korea in March 2025. Additionally, rumors suggest a special European version of the EV4 may be produced locally. During the EV4’s initial reveal, production was slated for 2024. However, Hyundai has since postponed the timeline. According to the Korea Times, this delay is attributed to “falling EV sentiment triggered by a temporary demand stagnation before widespread adoption.” The EV4 will be manufactured at the Gwangmyeong plant in South Korea, sharing a production line with the EV3, which launched domestically in May. Both…

General Motors (GM) has implemented a new employee performance rating system, offering significant bonuses for top performers. The revamped system aims to attract and retain talent critical for the automaker’s electric vehicle (EV) production goals. “To ensure GM has the talent needed to achieve our ambitious goals, a more intentional process is required that sets clear expectations for performance and holds people accountable,” stated a GM memo. The new rating system transitions from three rankings to five, ranging from “does not meet expectations” to “significantly exceeds expectations.” Employees in the top 5% will receive a 150% bonus, while those in…

Audi’s new electric car series, developed specifically for the Chinese market, will not feature the brand’s iconic four-ring logo, according to two sources familiar with the plans. This decision by the German automaker, part of Volkswagen Group, stems from “brand image considerations,” one source said. The move also reflects the use of automotive architecture co-developed with Chinese partner SAIC and a greater reliance on local suppliers and technologies. It remains unclear whether the new series, internally codenamed “Purple,” will have a different logo or simply carry the Audi name. A concept car for the series is expected to be unveiled…

Xpeng Aeroht, the flying car subsidiary of Xpeng, has announced the successful closure of a $150 million Series B1 funding round. This marks its first major financing effort since securing over $500 million in Series A funding nearly three years ago. The company has also launched a Series B2 round. The new funding will be directed towards the development, mass production, and commercialization of Xpeng Aeroht’s flying cars. The company plans to build the world’s first factory capable of mass-producing flying cars using assembly lines in the Guangzhou development zone. Initially, this facility will focus on producing the flying body…

Alpitronic is set to reduce production of its charging stations due to declining demand, according to CEO and co-founder Philipp Senoner. While an official statement has not been released, the adjustment is considered certain based on Senoner’s remarks to the German publication WirtschaftsWoche. Senoner revealed that the company had anticipated revenue growth of around 80 percent for 2024, mirroring previous years’ performance. However, actual growth is now expected to be significantly lower, with Senoner projecting an increase of “ten to 20 percent” for 2024. He described the first half of the year as “very strong” but noted that production in…

Hyundai Motor India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Charge Zone to enhance its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the country. Under the agreement, Charge Zone will install DC fast chargers at 100 Hyundai dealerships nationwide. The DC fast chargers, offering up to 60 kW, will be accessible to all EV brands. Users will need the ‘myHyundai’ or ‘Charge Zone: EV Charging India’ apps, available on the App Store and Google Play, to utilize the chargers. Currently, Hyundai operates 34 EV fast-charging stations in India, with a peak output of up to 180 kW. The automaker has…

Hertz has unveiled a new strategy to rapidly offload its Tesla rental cars in an effort to mitigate financial losses. This move follows the company’s realization of the challenges associated with maintaining a large inventory of electric vehicles. The initial announcement of Hertz purchasing 100,000 electric cars from Tesla significantly boosted Tesla’s market capitalization to $1 trillion. However, Hertz encountered difficulties as Tesla’s frequent price cuts accelerated the depreciation of its fleet, impacting Hertz’s financial health. The electric vehicle deal, initially hailed as historic, resulted in the departure of former CEO Stephen Scherr. In the first quarter of 2024, Hertz…

Nio reported delivering 20,498 vehicles in July, marking the third consecutive month with deliveries above the 20,000-unit threshold. The company’s monthly deliveries were marginally higher by 0.18% compared to the 20,462 units delivered in the same month last year but decreased by 3.35% from 21,209 units in June. The company’s SUV models accounted for 11,964 units delivered in July, a 3.31% increase from the 11,581 units delivered in June. In contrast, deliveries of Nio’s sedan models totaled 8,534 units, reflecting an 11.36% decline from 9,628 units in June. Nio’s current lineup includes eight models: the ES8, ES7, ES6, EC7, EC6,…

Tesla has achieved a significant milestone, producing its 10 millionth drive unit. The announcement was made by the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer on the social media platform X, where a photo was shared showing the drive unit team posing with the 10 millionth unit. While Tesla did not specify the production location, it is believed that the unit was manufactured at Giga Shanghai. Tesla CEO Elon Musk congratulated the drive unit team on X, stating, “Congrats to the Tesla drivetrain team!” https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1818667670449144308 This milestone follows closely on the heels of Tesla’s announcement less than two months ago that Giga Nevada…

Audi has introduced its latest electric vehicle, the A6 e-tron, available in both Sportsback and Avant versions, marking a significant expansion in its electric vehicle (EV) offerings. This move aligns with the German automaker’s revised naming strategy, where even numbers designate electric models and odd numbers represent internal combustion engine vehicles. Following its primary focus on electric SUVs such as the Q4, Q6, and Q8, Audi is now shifting attention to sedans, with the A6 e-tron set to join the existing e-tron GT. This new model is the second Audi EV built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, developed…