Author: Christopher Harrison

Pony.ai, a self-driving startup, recently announced the departure of its CFO, Lawrence Steyn, who left in early March to join private equity firm American Industrial Partners. The company has confirmed that Wang Haojun, one of its founding members, will take over Steyn’s position. As a seasoned finance executive, Steyn previously held positions at Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and JP Morgan, where he worked with organizations such as General Electric, United Technologies, and Ford, as well as private equity firms like Blackstone and Carlyle. Meanwhile, Wang, who holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Southern California, has played…

Autel has recently opened a new training center in Munich, Germany. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with a range of Autel MaxiChargers, including both AC and DC chargers for electric vehicles, and is designed to help technicians gain a better understanding of Autel’s products through hands-on exercises. The new training center features a showroom and a practical training area where technicians can learn how to install and operate Autel’s EV chargers directly on vehicles. This practical approach is a departure from the traditional training methods of relying solely on Powerpoint slides. See also: Autel’s Expansion into Asia and Australia’s New…

BMW’s new electric sedans, the New Class, are set to feature round cells from Chinese supplier, Eve Energy, with a higher energy density than Tesla’s cells, according to a recent report by German technology news site Golem. The cells, with a format of 4695, are 15mm longer than Tesla’s cells with the same diameter, and are available in two variants with energy densities of 260 and 280 Wh/kg, compared to Tesla’s current 4680 cells, which have an energy density of only 234 Wh/kg. “This would mean up to 19.6% more energy content per kilogram of battery for the BMW round…

Volkswagen’s ID.3 has been making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) world since its world premiere, and now the revised version of the EV is available for order in Germany. The ID.3 Pro with the 58 kWh battery starts at list prices of €39,995, while the ID.3 Pro S with the 77 kWh battery starts at €47,595 for the four-seater model. Pre-sales for the ID.3 in other European countries will begin in April, according to Volkswagen. The new model boasts some improvements, including the introduction of Functions-on-Demand, which allows customers to book software afterwards. However, the prices for these Functions-on-Demand…

China’s lithium prices have taken a sharp tumble this year, falling by 34% in the last four weeks alone. The decline has been driven by a slump in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the world’s biggest market, which has led to an excess of the metal. Spot lithium carbonate prices assessed by Fastmarkets have dropped to CNY 260,000 ($38,079.06) per tonne this week, less than half the price quoted in November 2021. The falling prices come as China’s EV market faces slowing demand, following a cut in subsidies to the sector this year. In addition, EVs are facing stiff…

California, known for its progressive environmental policies, is on track to have cleaner air than the rest of the United States. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to approve plans that will allow the state to phase out diesel trucks earlier than the rest of the country and introduce stricter emission regulations. According to sources cited by The Washington Post, state regulators have already approved the rules, despite industry protests. The new “waivers” will enable California to enforce environmental regulations that are significantly stricter than those required nationwide. These regulations will include tighter pollution limits on heavy-duty vehicles…

Unico, an EV test solution provider based in Wisconsin, has recently introduced its latest innovation – the Quantum Drive Platform. While the name might evoke thoughts of drive systems, the platform is actually designed to assist companies in developing and validating batteries for electric vehicles. The goal of the platform is to reduce installation costs and operating expenses while simultaneously increasing testing efficiency. The Quantum Drive Platform, according to Unico, enables multiple pack, module, and cell test channels to be used in a single system for “back-to-back” battery testing. Furthermore, the discharge energy generated can be used as the charge…

Italian automaker Maserati is taking a significant step towards electric mobility with the launch of its new GranTurismo Folgore. The luxury car manufacturer has partnered with German supplier Bosch to offer access to the Bosch charging network, which includes approximately 700,000 charging points worldwide, by mid-2023. The Bosch charging network provides access to 450,000 charge points in 30 European countries alone, with the recent agreement explicitly mentioning the Asia-Pacific region. Maserati drivers who register for the service will be able to access charging information via the in-car navigation system or in the app. Bosch has promised to integrate and display…

Cycling enthusiasts will undoubtedly be familiar with Canyon, the popular German cycling brand known for its high-end bicycles for both novice and elite for-sport cyclists. One of the latest additions to their impressive lineup is the Pathlite:ON, an electric bike that is both rugged and versatile, suitable for both city commutes and off-road adventures. With the Pathlite:ON, Canyon has prioritized accessibility, offering step-through and step-over frame configurations to cater to riders of all shapes and sizes. In addition to this, the 2023 models have been improved with larger battery sizes and aluminum frames, designed to take you further off the…

The mining industry is experiencing a period of rapid change, with many players shifting to more sustainable production methods in order to provide metals with a lower climate footprint. Boliden, a Swedish mining group, is committed to reducing its CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030. Like many other mines, the majority of carbon dioxide emissions from Boliden’s mines are attributed to exhaust gases from diesel vehicles. In an effort to achieve its climate goals, Boliden has partnered with Volvo Trucks to introduce battery-electric trucks for heavy underground transport, starting in 2023. The electric trucks offer several significant advantages in mining…

Acer, the computer component maker, has branched out into the electric bike market with its innovative new product, the Acer ebii. Weighing in at just 35 lbs. (16 kg), the ebii boasts a range of features rarely seen in the e-bike industry. One of the most notable features of the Acer ebii is the built-in AI system, which predicts and controls transmission while also incorporating collision detection sensors to ensure a safer ride. In addition, the proximity unlocking feature automatically locks the bike when the rider leaves and unlocks it when they return, adding an extra layer of security. The…

Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket chain, has achieved a major milestone in its partnership with Volkswagen and Pod Point, with the installation of EV charging points at its 600th store in Kirkwall, Scotland. The charging points have already provided 43,218kWh of energy since the network’s launch in 2019 – enough to power more than 4,000 homes for a whole day. All electricity used to charge EVs at Tesco stores is generated from renewable sources. The network includes 2,500 EV charging bays and 129 rapid chargers, making it the largest retail EV charging network in the UK. The partnership was launched…

Itselectric, a Brooklyn-based company that offers curbside charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), has won the Innovation Award for Urban Infrastructure at the 24th annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Innovation Awards ceremony on March 13, 2023. The award recognizes Itselectric’s “Power From the People” initiative, which provides urban networks of Level 2 curbside charging posts at no cost to cities or property owners. Nathan King, CEO and co-founder of Itselectric, expressed his excitement about the award, stating that it “solidifies our conviction that urban charging networks are the key to unlocking a fully electric future.” With the U.S. on the…

Fastned, a Dutch electric vehicle (EV) charging company, has opened its 250th charging station in Europe and its 14th in the UK. The new charging station is located on the A12 motorway at Martlesham Park & Ride in East Anglia, and features six 300 kW charging bays that can provide up to 300 miles of range in approximately 20 minutes. The station also boasts a solar canopy to help EV drivers locate the site and stay dry while charging, as well as a variety of payment methods. Fastned plans to open two more sites in the UK later this summer.…

Tesla is rolling out its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta v11.3.2 update to a wider audience of Tesla-owning subscribers, marking a significant step in the deployment of its autonomous driving technology. The update features a single-stack solution that provides a more comprehensive suite of autonomous driving features to users, without the need to rely on separate systems for different driving environments. This latest version of FSD Beta brings a host of new features and improvements, such as an enhanced Autopilot visualization that prioritizes the automatic blind spot camera’s position when the FSD Beta is active. Users can also leave anonymous voice…

Indian electric mobility startup, Matter EV, has finally revealed its highly-anticipated first model, the Aera. The new electric motorcycle has been designed as a sporty naked streetfighter and is the latest addition to the world of performance-oriented electric two-wheelers, joining the likes of Ultraviolette F77. With a starting price of Rs 143,000, or approximately $1,732 USD, the Aera is aimed primarily at city commuters who are looking for a sporty twist to their daily rides. It will be available in four versions: Aera 4000, Aera 5000, Aera 5000+, and Aera 6000+. At present, the Aera 5000 and 5000+ models are…

Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will invest billions of dollars in modernizing its production facilities in China, Germany, and Hungary. The move comes as the German automaker prepares to transition to electric vehicles and reduce emissions in line with the European Union’s goal of halving CO2 emissions per passenger car over their life cycle by the end of this decade compared to 2020. According to a report by magazine Automobilwoche, Mercedes-Benz will invest a “three-digit million amount per plant for the run-up” to the transition to electric vehicles. The investments will be made at the plants in Beijing, Rastatt in…

LG Chem, one of the world’s leading battery makers, has announced that it plans to enforce its patent rights on high-nickel cathodes, a key component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This move comes as competition in the EV market continues to increase, and LG Chem aims to dominate the industry by protecting its patented technology. The demand for EVs is growing rapidly, and battery makers such as CATL, LG Chem, and Panasonic are set to benefit the most due to the need for high-quality cells. These companies have been met with significant demand for their products as they aim to…

Polestar, the premium electric vehicle manufacturer owned by Geely and Volvo Cars, has officially unveiled its first SUV in China, the Polestar 3. The launch comes with a significant price reduction of about RMB 200,000 yuan ($29,080) from the model’s global debut last year. The long-range dual-motor model will now start at RMB 698,000, and the long-range dual-motor with performance pack will start at RMB 798,000. The Polestar 3 is the company’s first all-electric model that will be produced in both China and the US. The vehicle will be on display at the Shanghai auto show next month, with expected…

J.D. Power recently released their third annual U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Home Charging Study, which analyzed the satisfaction levels of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) owners with their Level 2 home charging solutions. Conducted in collaboration with PlugShare, the study surveyed 13,860 owners of 2017-2023 model year BEVs and PHEVs between December 2022 and February 2023 on eight different factors including fairness of retail price, cord length, size of charger, ease of winding/storing cable, cost of charging, charging speed, ease of use, and reliability. Tesla came out on top for the third consecutive year,…