Author: Christopher Harrison

British supermarket chain Tesco is set to introduce 151 all-electric Iveco eDaily vans into its delivery fleet, with the first vehicle already in service at the Horwich store. Equipped with two batteries, the eDaily can be fast-charged with up to 80 kW, providing an additional 62 miles (about 100 kilometers) of range in approximately 30 minutes. While the eDaily will primarily rely on local AC infrastructure at Tesco stores for charging, the retailer boasts 2,700 charging bays across its 619 UK locations. Tesco plans to have the remaining 150 EVs deployed by the end of the year, all featuring the…

A European consortium, spearheaded by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, has launched the STREAMS research project, aiming to bolster sustainability and enhance the robustness of supply chains for battery raw materials. The EU-funded project, officially titled ‘Sustainable Technologies for Reducing Europe’s bAttery raw MaterialS dependance,’ seeks to fortify the European battery production supply chain by developing adaptable and scalable technologies. The project also aims to diminish reliance on imported raw materials and promote circular economy practices in battery production, with a particular focus on sustainable production of anode and cathode active materials. “The fragility of current supply chains and…

Tesla’s Cybertruck has achieved a new peak charging speed using the NxuOne Charging Station from Nxu, a tech company specializing in EV charging and energy storage solutions. The test, conducted earlier this week with several Cybertruck units and a NxuOne Charging Station, saw the Cybertruck reach a peak charging rate of 327kW, surpassing the previous record of 253kW. The Cybertruck’s revolutionary 800-volt architecture, designed for faster charging speeds, allowed it to peak at 327.67 kW, 814 volts, and a peak current of 462 amps. See also: Tesla Cybertrax: The Insane Snow-Ready Cybertruck Modification That Broke the Internet Charging speed is a…

Nissan and the IRS announced today that the Leaf has once again become eligible for the federal tax credit for electric vehicles, now offering a $3,750 tax credit. This tax credit brings the starting price of the Leaf down to just $24,400, positioning it as one of the most affordable EVs in the US market. Nissan, like many other automakers, has faced challenges in meeting the battery component requirements necessary to qualify for the up to $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles in the US. The Leaf, which is manufactured in Tennessee, has previously gained and lost eligibility for the…

The British government is allocating funding for eMobility projects through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), with four projects in the e-mobility sector set to receive a total of around £35.7 million. The largest portion, £15 million, will be granted to a consortium led by Nissan. The consortium aims to advance technologies for the reuse, recycling, and energy balancing of electric vehicle batteries. Additionally, funding will be allocated to JLR, Yasa, and Empel Systems, all specializing in electric drive systems. See also: UK New Car Sales Surge in February, Boosted by Electric Vehicle Growth JLR will receive the second-largest sum, £9.94 million,…

BMW has initiated the electrification of deliveries around its Regensburg plant, integrating the first three fully electrically powered trucks to transport parts between different areas of the site. Two of the electric trucks are tasked with transporting high-voltage storage systems, while the third handles floor paneling for BMW vehicles. Although BMW has not specified the models involved, press photos show at least one DAF CF Electric, indicating that one or all of the vehicles may be from DAF. See also: BMW Starts Construction of High-Voltage Battery Production Facility in Thailand The duo transporting batteries shuttle between EV component production at Plant…

Waymo announced on Tuesday that it will commence autonomous passenger services for its employees in Austin, Texas, starting Wednesday. The services will cover 43 square miles of the city, including downtown Austin, Barton Hills, Riverside, East Austin, and Hyde Park. The company plans to extend its ride-hailing program, Waymo One, to the public in Austin at a later date. This move will make Austin the fourth city to offer Waymo One, following San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. See also: Waymo Publishes Safety Data, Claims 85% Reduction in Crash Injuries for Autonomous Vehicles “Our disciplined deployment in Texas’ capital brings us…

If you’ve been following the latest Tesla Cybertruck news, you might have caught a glimpse of the jaw-dropping sight of a Cybertruck equipped with snow tracks tearing through the snowy hills of Colorado. The mastermind behind this beastly creation, known as the Cybertrax, recently unveiled a video showcasing the incredible modifications made to the electric pickup, and it’s nothing short of mind-blowing. See also: Tesla Rolls Out Cybertruck Online Service and Owner’s Manuals https://twitter.com/heavydsparks801/status/1764519657695019059 The man behind the Cybertrax is none other than Supercar Ron, an avid car collector based in Utah renowned for owning an impressive fleet of high-performance vehicles,…

Toyota has announced an agreement with Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Panasonic HD) to acquire the remaining stake in Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd. (PEVE) in order to make it a wholly owned subsidiary. This move is aimed at bolstering Toyota’s capabilities in mass-producing automotive batteries. The acquisition is scheduled to be completed by the end of March. Currently, among Toyota-affiliated companies, PEVE, Toyota Industries Corporation, and Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, Inc. (owned 51% by Toyota and 49% by Panasonic HD) are involved in mass-producing batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, Inc. also manufactures batteries for…

Shares in Tesla fell more than 7% on Monday following a decline in sales in China in February. The Lunar New Year holidays likely contributed to the slowdown in China, a key market for the electric vehicle (EV) maker. The drop in sales in China has dimmed the outlook for Tesla’s global deliveries. The company is currently facing challenges including a decline in demand, rising competition, and a lack of entry-level vehicles in its product lineup. According to data from the China Passenger Car Association, Tesla sold 60,365 China-made vehicles in February, down 19% from a year earlier and the…

Decathlon has introduced its latest hybrid e-bike, the Rockrider E-ACTV 500, in the European Union. Designed for both road and trail riding, the low-frame model boasts a range of up to 150 km (~93 miles) on a single charge, thanks to its 504 Wh battery. The battery fully recharges in seven hours, making it convenient for daily commutes or long rides. The E-ACTV 500 is equipped with a mid-mounted PW-C2 Yamaha motor, delivering up to 250W of power and 55 Nm of torque. Adhering to EU regulations, the e-bike has a top speed limited to 25 kph (~16 mph) and…

Heavy equipment innovator Firstgreen made waves as the first construction OEM to unveil battery swap technology, showcased in its electric skid steer two years ago. Now, as the technology moves into production, the company claims it can keep a job site operational around the clock. Formerly known as Kovaco Electric, Firstgreen caught our attention earlier this year with the introduction of the Elise CBL, touted as “the world’s first cabinless, remotely operated electric skid steer.” The Elise 900, a mechanical sibling to the CBL, appears more ready for real-world use, particularly with its battery swap feature. See also: Skanska’s Volvo Electric…