Author: Christopher Harrison

Ola Electric, an Indian startup that has gained significant traction in the motorcycle industry, is poised to make a splash on the global stage. Known for its popular S1 electric scooter, which has brought electric mobility to the masses in India, Ola Electric has been making impressive strides in the country’s market. The company has established its Futurefactory production facility, a testament to its rapid growth. Ola Electric has invested heavily in developing the factory, with the ambitious goal of manufacturing up to 10 million electric vehicles annually. Currently, the company sells approximately 30,000 scooters each month, with an average…

Luminar has joined forces with Plus, a self-driving technology company, to develop technology for autonomous trucks. This collaboration aims to focus on the advancement of “highly automated driving and fully autonomous driving systems” specifically designed for commercial vehicle manufacturers. Under the terms of their agreement, Luminar, based in Orlando, will supply mid to long-range lidar sensors for PlusDrive, the factory-installed driving system for trucks. In return, Plus, headquartered in Cupertino, California, will provide Luminar with AI-based enhanced driver assist software. Luminar has gained prominence in the lidar industry and recently secured extended deals with renowned automakers like Polestar and Mercedes…

Opel has recently unveiled its plans for electrifying its model range by announcing that the successor to the Opel Crossland B-SUV, set to launch in 2024, will be available with an all-electric drivetrain. This strategic move is part of Opel’s commitment to sustainable mobility and represents a significant step towards embracing electric vehicles across its product portfolio. Opel’s CEO, Florian Huettl, highlighted the company’s dedication to providing customers with emission-free mobility, stating, “With the successor to the Crossland, we aim to offer battery-electric driving across our entire model range, enabling our customers to access locally emissions-free mobility in all our…

In a significant development within the automotive industry, Mercedes-Benz is reportedly contemplating the adoption of Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS). If the German automaker proceeds, it would join the growing list of major car manufacturers embracing Tesla’s charging connector. Recently, notable players such as Ford and General Motors announced their decision to adopt Tesla’s NACS connector for their vehicles starting in 2025. This move has triggered a ripple effect, leading charging companies like Blink and ChargePoint to follow suit. However, other prominent automakers are also exploring the possibility of incorporating Tesla’s connector. Earlier this week, we shared that Stellantis…

Brussels-based company Ahooga is revolutionizing the world of folding bikes with their latest offering, the Ahooga Max. With a mission to transform people’s perceptions of folding bikes, Ahooga has been dedicated to providing innovative solutions for urban commuters since its establishment in 2017. Now, expanding their lineup of three distinct bicycle models, Ahooga presents the Ahooga Max as their newest and most advanced product. Crafted in Brussels and built in Anderlecht, the Ahooga Max pushes the boundaries of what folding bikes can achieve. Boasting a robust double-tube frame, this bike prioritizes stability and agility without compromising on stiffness. Its 20-inch…

German automaker Volkswagen has unveiled its new strategy, “Accelerate Forward | Road to 6.5,” which prioritizes revenue growth to support future technology investments. As part of this plan, the company aims to streamline its vehicle lineup and reduce complexity. Unfortunately, this means discontinuing the Arteon model. During the works meeting in Wolfsburg, Volkswagen announced its ambitious performance program, targeting a return on sales of 6.5 percent and a €10 billion ($10.83 billion USD) improvement in earnings by 2026. CEO Thomas Schäfer emphasized that the program is the top priority for the entire Board of Management. The company aims to safeguard…

In a significant milestone for General Motors’ (GM) all-electric last-mile delivery unit, BrightDrop, the company is venturing beyond the borders of the United States and expanding its operations into Canada. FedEx, one of BrightDrop’s earliest and largest customers, will introduce an initial fleet of electric vehicles across major metropolitan areas in Canada, marking BrightDrop’s entry into the Canadian market. BrightDrop, established by GM in early 2021, focuses on developing electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs) for efficient last-mile deliveries, electric smart containers, and cloud-based software solutions. Currently, its product lineup consists of three offerings: Zevo 600 and Zevo 400 delivery vans,…

In the ongoing push for standardization and widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), Tesla CEO Elon Musk has extended an invitation to Toyota, urging them to join the coalition of automakers embracing the North American Charging Standard (NACS). This move comes after several major players in the automotive industry have already committed to adopting the NACS connector in recent weeks. Ford led the charge by announcing their plans to transition all their EVs to be compatible with Tesla Superchargers, starting in 2025 without the need for an adapter. By next year, Ford EVs will be able to access the extensive…

The San Francisco Bay Area has reached a significant milestone in the widespread adoption of electrified vehicles, becoming the first region in the United States where electric and hybrid vehicles account for over 50 percent of new car sales. According to recent research conducted by S&P Global, the San Francisco “Designated Market Area” (DMA) achieved this groundbreaking sales figure in March, and the trend continued in April with electrified vehicles comprising 53.1 percent of new vehicle purchases. The success of electrified vehicles in the region can be attributed to two primary factors. Firstly, the demographic composition of San Francisco aligns…

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to meet with Tesla CEO Elon Musk for the second time in just over a month. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the possibility of France becoming a site for one of Tesla’s electric vehicle (EV) factories, as well as to engage in conversations about technology regulation. France has been actively pursuing major players in the EV industry, including Chinese company BYD and Tesla, in an effort to attract them to establish factories within the country. However, they face competition from other European Union nations such as Spain, which is also…

At Toyota’s annual general meeting, shareholders voted against a resolution that called for greater transparency in the automaker’s climate lobbying efforts. This marked the first investor proposal to be presented at the meeting in nearly two decades. Despite concerns raised by prominent U.S. proxy advisers regarding board independence, all 10 members of the board, including Chairman Akio Toyoda, received shareholder support. The specific breakdown of the votes will be disclosed on Thursday. The climate resolution, put forth by Danish pension fund AkademikerPension and two other European asset managers, aimed to compel Toyota to provide more information about its lobbying activities…

California-based electric vehicle manufacturer, Telo Trucks, has recently introduced its latest creation, an all-electric compact pickup truck. With a price starting at $49,999, the Telo Truck offers impressive features and specifications. The vehicle is equipped with a 380 kW dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, providing excellent power and traction. Despite its compact size, measuring only 152 inches in length, the Telo Truck can comfortably accommodate five adult passengers, with the option to add extra seating for a total of eight occupants. The truck’s electric propulsion is enabled by a 106 kWh battery pack, offering an impressive range of up to 350 miles…

In a significant development for the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Volkswagen, Stellantis, and mining company Glencore have thrown their support behind the financial firm ACG’s plan to acquire two mines in Brazil. ACG aims to purchase a nickel sulphide mine and a copper mine for a total of one billion US dollars, further solidifying the growing demand for battery raw materials. To kickstart the transaction, Volkswagen’s subsidiary PowerCo will provide an upfront payment of 100 million US dollars for the nickel sulphide mine. Additionally, Stellantis, Glencore, and a mining investment fund will each contribute substantial amounts towards the purchase. The…

In a notable industry shift, electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment manufacturers Blink Charging, ChargePoint, and Tritium have announced their plans to offer chargers equipped with Tesla’s connector. This decision comes as the Combined Charging System (CCS) connector, previously considered the standard, loses favor among automakers. Recently, General Motors (GM) and Ford made headlines by adopting Tesla’s proprietary North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, signaling a significant change in the market. With these partnerships, the NACS port is projected to dominate approximately 60% of the U.S. EV market. Tesla’s NACS connector stands out for its compact and lightweight design, enhancing convenience…

ABM, the installer of electric vehicle (EV) chargers in the United States, has made a significant move by introducing its own branded lineup of EV chargers. Partnering with software developer Noodoe, ABM has taken the initiative to bring charger technology in-house, offering a range of outputs and charge speeds. With a strong presence in the parking and transportation services sector for the past five decades, ABM has expanded its operations into EV infrastructure over the last ten years. To date, they have successfully facilitated the installation of over 28,000 chargers across the US, working with various original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)…

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment and Chinese electric car manufacturer, Human Horizons, have entered into a momentous $5.6 billion partnership agreement, aiming to collaborate on various aspects such as vehicle development, manufacturing, and sales. This significant deal was announced by the Saudi state news agency, highlighting the growing synergy between the two countries. The agreement represents a substantial portion of the total investments of over $10 billion that were inked on the inaugural day of the Arab-China business conference in Riyadh. The sectors covered in these investments range from technology, renewable energy, agriculture, real estate, metals, tourism, and healthcare, among…

Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution have officially announced their plans to establish a 50/50 joint venture in the United States, dedicated to producing electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The South Korean companies have signed a memorandum of understanding, with the intention of constructing a 30-gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery factory in Bryan County, Savannah, Georgia, with an investment exceeding $4.3 billion (KRW 5.7 trillion). Construction of the battery plant is scheduled to commence in the second half of this year, at a location adjacent to the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America site, which is currently under construction. This strategic positioning will…

Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus has received a financial boost for its export strategy with a £50 million guarantee from UK Export Finance (UKEF). This guarantee ensures that 80 percent of the loan provided by Barclays Bank will be backed by the UK’s export credit agency. The financing will enable Wrightbus to fulfill orders in new markets, including Germany and North America, as well as expand its presence in existing markets such as Singapore and Hong Kong. The Minister for Investment, Lord Johnson, recently paid a visit to Wrightbus’ facility in Ballymena, County Antrim, where he engaged with investors and…

The construction of KORE Power’s electric vehicle (EV) battery factory in Buckeye, Arizona, has been fast-tracked thanks to an $850 million loan from the US Department of Energy (DOE). The funds will be allocated to the development of KOREPlex, the company’s battery cell manufacturing facility. While private financing, including an initial $75 million investment from Siemens Financial Services and Quanta Services, had already been secured for the factory, the injection from the DOE will accelerate the buildout process. KOREPlex, spanning an impressive 1.33 million square feet, will house multiple production lines dedicated to manufacturing batteries for EVs and battery storage…

India is set to offer incentives totaling 37.6 billion rupees ($455.2 million) to companies embarking on battery storage projects, with a combined capacity of 4,000 megawatt hours (MWh), according to government sources familiar with the matter. The scheme, which was revealed recently, aims to support battery storage initiatives that are crucial to India’s ambitious plan of expanding its renewable energy capacity to 500 gigawatts (GW) by 2030. Additionally, it seeks to reduce the current cost of battery energy storage, which ranges between 5.5 and 6.5 rupees per unit. Battery storage technology plays a vital role in stabilizing the power grid…