Author: Christopher Harrison

Not all electric vehicles (EVs) come equipped with heat pumps, but they should, especially in areas where temperatures drop. Traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars can reuse exhaust heat for heating, but EVs do not have that capability. Therefore, the options for heating are either a conventional system or a heat pump, with the latter being more energy-efficient. Recognizing that this information may not be widely known, Tesla recently released a promotional video on its official YouTube channel highlighting the benefits of heat pumps, specifically its own. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyGgrkeds5U The video explains that a heat pump functions as an air conditioner…

German officials met with representatives of the IG Metall labor union to discuss the Tesla Giga Berlin facility, and according to the Economic Minister of the state, Jörg Steinbach, the facility is ready for a dramatic increase in production. Steinbach stated, “Production has to grow up a bit more.” The facility, which currently produces the Tesla Model Y, has been expanding rapidly in recent months, with a growing number of staff and a physical expansion of the plant. The facility has onboarded roughly 200-300 people per week, reaching a total workforce of 9,000. Tesla has also cleared sections of forest…

As Nio announced its expansion into the European market for electric vehicles, the company was met with legal action from Audi. The automaker argued that Nio’s naming conventions, specifically the Nio ES8, were too similar to Audi’s S8 model. After a prolonged legal battle spanning over a year, a German court ultimately ruled in favor of Audi, finding that Nio had infringed upon Audi’s naming rights. The judge acknowledged that the names Nio ES6 and ES8 were distinct from Audi’s S6 and S8 models, but ultimately determined that simply adding the letter “E” to the name was insufficient to differentiate…

Last week, Tesla lowered prices in key markets such as the United States, European Union, and China by up to 20%. In response, competitors are beginning to strategize countermeasures. One such competitor, VinFast, a Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer currently selling in the US and Europe, is planning to launch promotions to maintain the competitiveness of its models, according to Reuters. The VinFast VF8 has a starting price of $59,000 in the US, while the 7-passenger VF9 starts at $83,000. The VF6 and VF7 models, which have not yet been priced, will soon be added to their lineup. In comparison, the…

The plans for a fourth electric vehicle battery plant from the partnership between General Motors (GM) and LG Energy Solution have been put on hold indefinitely, as executives ended discussions without agreeing to proceed. GM is now exploring options with other battery suppliers for its next facility in the United States. The partnership, called Ultium Cells, is responsible for GM building the packs and LG handling the battery cell production. The partnership between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, Ultium Cells, began with a large-scale battery factory in Warren, Ohio, measuring 2.8 million square feet, or the equivalent of around…

Lucid is providing a $7,500 discount on the purchase of a new Air through leasing with Lucid Financial Services, following Tesla’s recent price reduction on their vehicles. “Starting now, customers who lease any Lucid Air through Lucid Financial Services will receive an automatic $7,500 saving in the form of a capital cost reduction,” the automaker wrote in a message to buyers posted to Lucid-Forum. “By taking advantage of this savings, customers get a lower monthly payment for their new Lucid Air. As always, we’re thrilled to be dreaming ahead with you.” Lucid Motors has recently raised prices on their Air…

VDL Bus & Coach, a Dutch company, has received its largest order for electric buses to date from the Dutch public transport company EBS. EBS has ordered 193 new-generation VDL Citeas to operate the Zaanstreek-Waterland concession starting December 2023. The vehicles will be delivered starting September, with 60 LE-122 models and 135 LE-135 models, each equipped with battery packs of 490 kWh and 552 kWh respectively. The LE models offer a different seating position due to their low entry and raised interior floor, while the LF models offer a continuous low-floor concept. The numbers in the model designation represent the…

Swiss battery manufacturer Leclanché claims to have achieved a major advancement in the eco-friendly production of G/NMCA cells. They say they have developed a water-based process that reduces the cobalt content in NMCA electrodes from 20% to just 5%, while maintaining the same level of performance and safety. Leclanché has developed a new process for producing G/NMCA cells that eliminates the use of highly toxic organic solvents, such as N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), typically used in the production process. The new cells have 20% higher energy density than conventional NMC cells, with the same size, weight and performance, the company said. The…

StoreDot’s fast-charging battery cells, made primarily of silicon, are currently undergoing real-world testing by 15 car brands from various regions including Europe, Asia, and the USA. The Israeli battery developer has reported that initial testing has confirmed the cells’ fast-charging capability. While StoreDot did not mention specific car brands, a world map was released to show the locations where the cells are being tested. These locations include Sweden, India, and Vietnam, where known collaborations with car brands such as Volvo, Polestar, Ola Electric, and VinFast exist and some of these companies also have a financial investment in StoreDot. Other markers…

Proterra has begun assembly at its battery production facility, called Powered 1, in Greer, South Carolina. The facility will immediately manufacture battery systems for electric vehicles, with customer deliveries set to start this quarter. As Proterra’s first high-volume battery production facility in the eastern United States, Powered 1 has a planned annual production capacity of several gigawatt hours. The facility will also produce powertrains and other auxiliary systems for medium- and heavy-duty electric utility vehicles. The assembly of Proterra’s battery production facility, Powered 1, in Greer, South Carolina, began in January, delayed from its original start date in the second…

Chinese automaker BYD, supported by Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett’s company), will begin selling vehicles in the UK this quarter. The company has chosen four UK dealer partners, Pendragon, Arnold Clark, Lookers and LSH, to sell its debut model, the Atto 3 SUV. Further dealer partners and pricing information will be announced in the near future. Last year, BYD began expanding in Europe and plans to introduce the Tang EV, Han EV and Atto 3 in the region. Despite the UK being a significant car market in Europe, automakers have faced difficulties in increasing sales since the outbreak of the pandemic,…

Hertz and Uber announced an expansion of their partnership to provide 25,000 additional electric vehicles for rent to Uber drivers across Europe. This builds upon their previous program, which began in the United States in 2021 and aims to increase the number of electric vehicles in their fleets. As part of the program, Uber drivers in Europe will be able to rent Tesla or Polestar EVs for $260 per week to use for their ridesharing service. “By making EVs available to rideshare drivers, we will not only contribute to reducing emissions in European cities but also expand opportunities for people…

The Candela C-8, a product of a partnership between Candela and Polestar, is the first electric hydrofoil boat powered by Polestar’s technology. The partnership, announced in August 2022, involves Polestar supplying batteries and technology for Candela’s boats. The C-8 is equipped with the same 69 kWh battery pack and DC charging technology as the Polestar 2, and has a range of up to 57 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 22 knots, making it more efficient than internal combustion engine boats and longer ranging than traditional electric speedboats. “With batteries from Polestar, the Candela C-8 becomes the first electric…

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 has earned a spot on Car and Driver’s 10Best Trucks and SUVs list for 2023, which recognizes the top trucks, SUVs, and crossovers. This award adds to the vehicle’s already impressive list of accolades, including being named Car and Driver’s 2022 EV of the Year. “We are honored that the IONIQ 5 received a spot on Car and Driver’s 10Best List,” said Olabisi Boyle, vice president of product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. “Its impressive range, sleek design, relevant technology and best-in-class ultra-fast charging capabilities have sustained the IONIQ 5’s momentum as a…

French automotive supplier Plastic Omnium is partnering with Shenergy Group to establish a joint venture in China for the mass production of high-pressure hydrogen tanks for commercial vehicles. The venture plans to produce up to 60,000 tanks per year starting in 2026, with a pilot production line set to be built in Shanghai in 2025, followed by a larger plant the following year. The joint venture, which will be owned equally by both partners, has yet to be named and will be based in Shanghai, responsible for both marketing and manufacturing the H2 tanks. Shenergy Group calls the venture a…

Fisker has released a comprehensive new configurator for the all-electric Ocean SUV, following the start of production in Austria. This 3D configurator is more detailed than the previous basic one, and allows for customization of various features such as the exterior color, wheels, and interior of the SUV. Initially, three versions of the Ocean are available to customers in the US: the Sport, Ultra, and One. However, the Sport and Ultra models are sold out for the 2023 model year. The Ocean Sport starts at $37,499, the Ocean Ultra starts at $49,999, and the Ocean One starts at $68,999. However,…

Zeta Energy has been awarded $4 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) as part of the EVs4ALL program. This program aims to improve electric vehicle batteries by making them more affordable, efficient, and resilient. Zeta Energy’s technology offers a breakthrough in the field of battery development by providing high-performing batteries at a lower cost. Their batteries have a high energy capacity, specific power, and shelf life, and do not contain cobalt or nickel. The technology combines a carbon nanotube anode with a sulfurized carbon cathode, utilizing sulfur which is a known potential…

SK Energy, a leading South Korean oil refiner, announced on Friday that it will partner with a state-run electric power supplier to construct electric vehicle charging infrastructure at existing gas stations throughout the country. The company will collaborate with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) to establish “energy super stations” that offer both refueling for internal combustion engine vehicles and charging for EVs, in an effort to promote the use of eco-friendly car charging systems, according to a statement released by SK Energy. “Energy super stations” represent a new business model in which solar panels and fuel cell systems…

The U.S. Energy Department announced on Friday that it will provide a loan of up to $700 million to Ioneer Ltd for the construction of the Rhyolite Ridge lithium mining project in Nevada. This is a significant advancement in President Biden’s strategy to establish a domestic electric vehicle supply chain. Ioneer’s shares rose 16.3% to $16.30 on Friday afternoon in New York. The loan, authorized by Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, will be the first provided by the U.S. government for a lithium mining project in the country. Lithium is a crucial component in the production of electric vehicle batteries. This…

Elinor Batteries and Norway-based research organization SINTEF have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together towards building a large-scale, sustainable battery factory in Central Norway, following the official launch of Elinor Batteries on January 12th, 2023. Elinor intends to construct the factory in stages to minimize financial and technical risk. Once fully operational, the factory will have the capability of producing approximately 40 GWh of batteries. The collaboration with SINTEF has provided Elinor with the necessary resources for research and development to advance the project. SINTEF’s battery lab will open around the same time as Elinor’s factory plans are…