Author: Christopher Harrison

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…

Ride Share Bulgaria, an electric car rental service under the Spark brand, announced on Tuesday that it has added 100 Dacia Spring electric vehicles (EVs) to its fleet. This move brings the company’s total number of electric vehicles to 650, according to a Facebook post by Spark. The Dacia Spring EV can travel between 150 and 200 kilometers on a single charge, according to Spark’s website. The company plans to offer the vehicles at the lower end of its rental service’s price range. In addition to expanding its fleet, Spark partnered with French energy management and automation corporation Schneider Electric…

Nissan announced on Monday its plan to increase its production of power trains in the United States and raise its sales targets for electrified cars, as it tries to catch up in a market currently dominated by newer and more agile automakers, including Tesla. Despite being one of the pioneers in electric vehicles with the all-battery-powered Leaf, Nissan has struggled to keep up with its competitors in the industry, which is experiencing increasing competition from new players in the market. See also: Brussels gets €475 million in funding to procure 94 electric buses (plus 90 trams and 43 metro trains)…

Mercedes-Benz has announced that its autonomous driving system, DRIVE Pilot, will soon be available in China, directly competing with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving offering. Markus Schaefer, the Mercedes CTO, confirmed the news to Reuters, but did not reveal the launch date. Earlier this year, Mercedes became the first automaker certified to operate level 3 autonomous driving vehicles in the US, starting in Nevada, and it plans to expand nationwide with an 80mph top speed. While the regulatory environment in the US has varied by state, it is unclear how China will handle the new technology. See also: Mercedes-Benz Becomes First Carmaker…

UK-based electric vehicle manufacturer Arrival has secured up to $50m of new equity capital through the sale of new common stock to Antara Capital Master Fund LP, marking an important milestone in the company’s fundraising process. The funds will be used to support the development of Arrival’s electric vans and buses. As part of the agreement, Arrival will exchange $121.9m of 3.50% convertible notes due in 2026 held by Antara for additional equity. This will significantly reduce the company’s debt and improve its liquidity position. The face amount of Arrival’s remaining principal of convertible notes outstanding will be reduced by…