Author: Christopher Harrison

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…