Author: Christopher Harrison

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has tested the readiness of its eActros LongHaul and eActros 300 electric trucks in extreme conditions at temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius in Rovaniemi, northern Finland. Development engineers examined all the functions and systems of the vehicles in practical use during the trip. They evaluated aspects such as support when changing lanes, active lane guidance and the comfort of the driver’s seat. The experts paid particular attention to the battery properties and the electric drivetrain of the eActros LongHaul and eActros 300 Tractor in adverse weather conditions. They tested the starting properties and drive components’…

Volvo Trucks has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable transportation by delivering its first heavy electric truck to Morocco. The recipient of this remarkable feat is the waste collection firm Arma, making it the first heavy battery-electric truck from a global manufacturer to be utilized in commercial operations in Africa. As the world progresses towards more sustainable means of transport, the use of heavy electric trucks is now expanding worldwide, with Europe and the US leading the way. Now, the city of Rabat in Morocco is set to benefit from the delivery of the first heavy electric truck on the…

Pelican, the Yutong UY dealer, has completed delivery of an additional 41 zero-emission vehicles to McGill’s Bus Group. This marks the second tranche of vehicles and increases the Yutong fleet in McGill’s to 96 vehicles, following the delivery of 55 vehicles prior to COP 26 in November 2021. The Scottish Government’s SCOTZEB scheme funded these vehicles, which took less than 12 months from order to delivery. It is worth noting that Yutong secured first place in the European electric bus market for 2022. Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK, remarked that “these deliveries are a very important milestone for Pelican…

The automotive industry is fiercely competitive, with companies often vying for the same customers and market share. However, two unlikely partners have emerged in recent years: Tesla and BYD. While they were not always on friendly terms, the two companies have developed a close relationship that has led to several successful collaborations. It was not long ago that Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, publicly laughed at BYD’s electric vehicles, but both companies have since emerged as EV powerhouses. While they were initially seen as competitors, the two companies began to work together last year when Tesla started purchasing battery cells from…

BP Pulse has unveiled its most substantial and commanding electric vehicle (EV) charging hub to date in the United Kingdom. Constructed by The EV Network and run by BP Pulse, the new Kettering hub has an incredible installed capacity of 3 megawatts and boasts ten 300 kW chargers, making it a robust and state-of-the-art facility. This new hub has the ability to charge up to twenty vehicles at once, with a capacity of 150 kW. According to BP, this is sufficient to power up to 100 miles, equivalent to the distance from Kettering to London, in as little as 15…

Rivian recently unveiled a new software build for its electric vehicles – the R1S and R1T. The company made sure to enhance both the convenience and safety of its electric cars with this update. The latest software update has improved the functionality of the key fob’s proximity lock and unlock feature. Previously, this feature was only available through mobile phones, and the key fob was unreliable. The company has now improved this function, and drivers will receive a prompt on their display when the key fob’s battery requires replacing. This upgrade is a minor one, but it undoubtedly adds more…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is set to make a major push into the battery-electric commercial vehicle market, according to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal. Over the next three years, BYD plans to introduce a series of new BEV commercial vehicle models in markets such as China, Europe, and Japan. The company has set a budget of more than $20 billion for its commercial vehicle division through 2025, with a significant portion of spending planned on research, product development, and expanding production capacity. See also: BYD Plans Acquisition of Seized Insurer for EV Insurance Business BYD’s decision…

US semiconductor manufacturer Onsemi has recently signed a long-term agreement with BMW for the supply of its EliteSiC silicon carbide power module to be used in the German car manufacturer’s future electric vehicles. The announcement did not disclose the exact number of units, the financial implications of the contract, the start of delivery, or the duration of the supply agreement. Nonetheless, Onsemi revealed that the EliteSiC 750 V M3 module will be utilized in the electric vehicles’ drive trains, operating at 400 volts. It is noteworthy that this technology is not intended for BMW’s New Class, which operates on an…

Mercedes-Benz has announced the US pricing for its upcoming EQE SUV, set to hit dealerships in spring. As the all-electric luxury SUV will be manufactured at Mercedes’ production facility in Alabama, some trims may qualify for federal tax credits under new terms outlined in the Inflation Reduction act. The EQE SUV is part of Mercedes-Benz’s EQ line of all-electric vehicles, which has grown in popularity and size with some of the most luxurious and best-performing models on the market. Mercedes-Benz began its journey towards becoming an entirely electric brand with the launch of its EQS sedan, followed by a smaller…

Tesla has released a new video showcasing its avant-garde real-world crash test safety system, claiming that it is unparalleled in its design. Tesla has always taken pride in its safety standards and has established itself as a leader in the field. In addition to the inherent safety advantages of electric vehicles, such as a lower center of gravity and more space for crumple zones, Tesla has dedicated itself to advancing its testing procedures. The company’s Japanese Twitter account recently released a video that takes viewers behind the scenes of Tesla’s crash safety system. https://twitter.com/teslamotorsjp/status/1631814565209202688 The video showcases Tesla’s triumphs in…

Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly becoming a part of communities across the United States, but not all communities have equal access to them. To address this issue, Electrify America, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America, has invested more than $13 million in community-based organizations to promote EV education and access in low-income and disadvantaged communities, as well as support critical workforce development programs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Electrify America’s investments in these initiatives are making tangible progress toward driving EV adoption, particularly in underserved communities. The company has celebrated the success stories of real-world impact…

ARST S.p.A., Sardinia’s largest public transport company, has placed an order for 100 low-emission Urbino 12 hybrid buses with Solaris, the European leader in the sale and production of low- and zero-emission buses. This purchase is a continuation of the 2021 framework agreement with Consip, a joint-stock company owned by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). The contract allows public transport companies (TPL, Italian: Trasporti Pubblici Locali) to directly order vehicles or issue a call for tender targeting chosen suppliers. The Urbino 12 hybrid buses, which will arrive in Cagliari, Sardinia in 2024, are equipped with a new…

The global electric vehicle (EV) industry has been growing rapidly in recent years, with China leading the way as the largest market for EVs. However, according to Li Xiang, founder, chairman, and CEO of Li Auto, the demand for lithium carbonate, a key raw material for EV batteries, is far less than expected. As a result, the price of lithium carbonate has been falling, dropping more than 30 percent from its high last November. The weak demand for lithium carbonate is mainly due to the underperformance of the Chinese auto market in the first two months of this year. Total…

Swiss e-bike manufacturer Stromer has unveiled their latest offering, the ST2 Pinion. This cutting-edge electric bicycle is designed to be the successor to the ST2 Belt, and boasts a range of impressive features that make it stand out from the crowd. One of the most striking features of the ST2 Pinion is its use of a Pinion gearbox. This internally housed gearbox sits inside the bottom bracket, and works in a similar fashion to the gearbox found in automobiles. The result is a much smoother pedal feel, and the ability to shift gears regardless of whether you’re in motion or…

At its Investor Day event, Tesla made an exciting announcement that has the potential to change the EV industry’s landscape. The company revealed that it is planning to release an electric motor that eliminates the need for rare earth elements. This is a significant development, considering the impact rare earth elements have on EV production and the environment. While rare earth elements may not be a common topic of discussion among the general public, they are crucial in EV production. Rare earth elements such as neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium are found in EV motors and are used to create strong…

Italian automation specialist, Comau, has teamed up with the EU-funded Spinmate project to develop scalable manufacturing techniques for solid-state battery cells. The aim of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of a scalable pilot line, as a first step towards large-scale manufacturing of Generation 4b cells and modules for solid-state batteries that will support the electrification of the automotive sector. Comau will help create large-scale manufacturing processes for next-generation solid-state batteries and develop advanced equipment for solid-state cell assembly. The company will also develop new proprietary algorithms for the design and optimisation of cell manufacturing equipment and apply its…

Rad Power Bikes™ has recently unveiled the RadRunner 3 Plus. This latest model caters to the needs of riders who are looking for a high-performance electric utility bike. The RadRunner 3 Plus comes with a range of new features, including enhanced comfort, upgraded technology, and superior rideability. The bike has been expertly engineered to meet the unique needs of an ever-growing community of electric bike enthusiasts. Phil Molyneux, CEO of Rad Power Bikes, stated that the latest additions to the company’s lineup of ebikes and accessories are as versatile as their riders. The RadRunner 3 Plus is an all-purpose utility…

Tesla has officially announced the construction of its latest Gigafactory in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. The announcement, made at Tesla’s Investor Day, follows months of speculation about the automaker’s plans to build a new factory in the country. Mexico’s President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, confirmed the plans earlier this week. The new factory will be called Gigafactory Mexico, and Tesla has released a render of the facility. Details about the factory are scarce, but Tesla has said that it will be used to produce vehicles based on the automaker’s new vehicle platform. It’s not yet clear when the factory will…

Hyundai has finally lifted the curtain on the highly anticipated electric version of its popular Kona model. Joining its ICE and hybrid siblings, the new Kona Electric boasts a unique and modern styling that sets it apart from other vehicles on the market. What sets the Kona Electric apart from its predecessors is its larger size – it’s 15 cm longer than the outgoing model. The electric version also features the Light Pixels that we’ve seen in the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, which give the vehicle a distinctive appearance. There are decorative pixels in the front bumper and LED…

Evonik, the German chemical company, is set to make its first foray into Asia with a mid-double-digit million euro investment in a fumed aluminium oxide plant in Yokkaichi, Japan. The facility will focus on producing specialty solutions for lithium-ion battery technologies used in electric vehicles. The plant is expected to begin construction in the summer of 2023, with operations set to commence in 2025. The new facility will generate additional job opportunities, although no specific numbers have been announced. Evonik’s new product, Aeroxide, will be used to coat separator foils in ultra-thin coatings for lithium-ion batteries. The company claims that…