Author: Christopher Harrison

BYD is gearing up to manufacture sodium-ion batteries with an annual capacity of 30 GWh in China. Collaborating on this audacious venture is Huaihai Holding Group, with a substantial investment of ten billion yuan, aiming to position itself as the world’s leading supplier of Sodium-Ion (SI) batteries tailored for small cars. The unique advantage of Sodium-Ion batteries lies in their cost efficiency, attributed to the utilization of sodium, a more economical alternative to lithium. Notably, the recent price volatility of lithium has contributed to the appeal of Sodium-Ion batteries, particularly for Chinese manufacturers benefitting from enhanced access to resources in…

Kia has officially introduced the EV5 to the Chinese market at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition 2023. Initially showcased at the Chengdu Motor Show earlier this year, the electric vehicle was already available for order in China, with an original starting price of 159,800 yuan (~US$22,162). However, Kia has now announced a revised starting price of 149,800 yuan (~US$20,775), a reduction of 10,000 yuan (~US$1,387) from the initial expectations. The entry-level trim of the Kia EV5 in China features a 160kW motor paired with a BYD LFP Blade 64.2 kWh battery, providing an impressive range of up to 530 km…

Tozero, a battery recycling startup based in Munich, has forged a collaboration with Chinese company Huayou Recycling to address the growing challenge of battery waste. Under the agreement, Huayou Recycling will provide Tozero with battery waste, including used electric vehicle batteries and production scrap, for processing at Tozero’s German pilot plant near Munich. While specific quantities and sources of materials are not disclosed in the announcement, Tozero emphasizes that the partnership will have a significant impact on Europe’s battery industry. The cooperation is exclusive to the continent, and Tozero aims to revolutionize battery recycling by recovering critical raw materials essential…

Abellio London, a prominent bus operator contracted by Transport for London, has finalized an order for electric buses from Northern Ireland’s Wrightbus. The eco-friendly fleet is set to commence operations on various routes across the British capital in the coming year, featuring a mix of single and double-deck versions. Wrightbus will supply a total of 24 GB Kite Electroliner solo buses and 56 StreetDeck Electroliner double-deckers to Abellio London throughout 2024. Notably, the GB Kite Electroliner claims an impressive energy efficiency of 0.69 kWh/km, approximately half the energy consumption of its closest battery-electric double-deck counterpart in the UK. This remarkable…

Hyundai Motor Group is poised to achieve a historic sales milestone in the United Kingdom this year, a significant accomplishment considering the UK’s stature as a traditional hub for the global automotive industry. According to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on Monday, Hyundai Motor Group, encompassing Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Corp., and Genesis, collectively sold 173,428 vehicles in the UK from January to October. This represents an impressive 8.7% surge in sales compared to the same period last year, securing the group a 10.8% market share. Projections suggest that Hyundai Motor Group is on…

Zeekr, the electric mobility technology brand by Geely Holding Group, has announced the opening of its inaugural Zeekr Center in Europe, situated in Stockholm’s Norrmalm District at Gallerian, Hamngatan 37. This flagship location exemplifies Zeekr’s dedication to a customer-centric approach, providing a curated and exclusive brand experience. The establishment of the Zeekr Center in Stockholm signifies a key development in the brand’s global expansion, aiming to make luxury electric vehicles accessible to European customers. The center serves as a showcase for Zeekr’s first two all-electric models available in Europe: the Zeekr 001 luxury shooting brake and the Zeekr X urban…

As winter sets in, electric vehicle (EV) owners traditionally anticipate a reduction in range due to cold weather. However, a recent study by Recurrent, a battery health data startup, reveals that not all EVs experience the same degree of range loss during winter, with certain models from Tesla, Audi, and Nissan defying the norm. The comprehensive analysis, conducted on over 10,000 EVs during the 2022-2023 winter, indicates that, on average, these vehicles retained approximately 70% of their normal range. This insight underscores the variability in how cold weather affects different EVs, rooted in the chemistry of their batteries. Cold temperatures…

CEO Kyle Vogt of General Motors’ self-driving unit, Cruise, issued an apology over the weekend in response to the recent operational challenges faced by the company. The apology came after an accident last month led to a suspension of operations and triggered internal and external investigations. The CEO expressed regret for the impact on employees and pledged to address the situation in an email to staff. Following reports of Cruise suspending an employee share buyback program, Vogt announced the reinstatement of the program after employees raised concerns about tax obligations. In the email, Vogt acknowledged the need for improvement in…

Electric vehicle startup Canoo announced a significant order from Los Angeles-based company Prime Time Shuttle. The order involves Canoo’s Lifestyle Vehicle (LV), which will play a key role in Prime Time Shuttle’s expansion plans for its luxury vehicle and airport shuttle fleet, primarily serving the greater Los Angeles area. The brief press release did not disclose specific financial details, including whether Prime Time Shuttle is making a financial investment in the deal. However, it did highlight that the purchase agreement spans multiple years, indicating a sustained partnership between the two entities. Prime Time Shuttle, operating in 34 U.S. states, intends…

Audi, a prominent player in the electric vehicle market, is reportedly grappling with significant delays in the launch of key models, including the highly anticipated Q6 e-tron. Sources familiar with the matter informed Handelsblatt that the Q6 e-tron, initially slated for launch in summer 2022, is now expected to hit the market in the summer of 2024, marking a considerable two-year delay. This postponement is said to have a domino effect on Audi’s broader model offensive, impacting subsequent releases such as the A6 e-tron. Initially planned for an early 2024 unveiling, the A6 e-tron’s launch is now rescheduled for May…

Polestar, the electric performance car brand under Geely ownership, has commenced production of its latest electric vehicle, the Polestar 4, at Geely’s Hangzhou Bay plant in China. The dedicated electric SUV coupé, initially exclusive to the Chinese market, is expected to reach customers in the country by the end of the year, marking it as the “fastest Polestar production car to date,” according to Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath. Following its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023, the Polestar 4 is scheduled for global release in early 2024, with launches planned in Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific…

Redwood Materials has entered into a substantial long-term contract to provide recycled materials to Toyota Motor for its forthcoming $13.9 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery facility in North Carolina, the company announced on Thursday. Under the agreement, Redwood, renowned for its expertise in battery recycling, will repurpose EV battery components using materials sourced from Toyota and recycled from end-of-life vehicles, primarily hybrid-electric models like the Prius. The Nevada-based materials specialist did not disclose specific details regarding the value or timeline of the contract. In an interview, J.B. Straubel, Redwood’s Chief Executive and a co-founder of Tesla, expressed confidence that the…