Author: David Smith

Nissan is aiming to launch its first electric vehicles powered by all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) by the end of fiscal year 2028, a senior executive said, as the Japanese automaker moves closer to commercializing next-generation battery technology. “That’s our ambition,” said Shunichi Inamijima, vice president of Nissan’s powertrain and EV engineering division, speaking through a translator during a technology preview event in Japan. He added that the company is in the “climax” of engineering the battery pack and will soon begin work on integrating the technology into vehicles. See also: The Nissan Leaf is Now a Crossover, Offering 373 Miles of…

U.S. automakers including Stellantis and Ford Motor Co are rolling out expanded incentives to attract buyers, as consumers rush to purchase vehicles ahead of expected price increases linked to new tariffs. Chrysler-parent Stellantis said on Friday it would extend employee-discount pricing to the general public on select 2024 models, including Jeep, Ram and Dodge vehicles, following a similar move by Ford earlier this week. The incentive program, dubbed “America’s Freedom of Choice,” gives consumers the option of receiving employee pricing or existing cash incentives and will run through April 30, the company said. See also: U.S. President Trump’s Auto Tariffs…

Chinese automakers Dongfeng Motor and Chongqing Changan Automobile are in advanced discussions to merge their operations, the New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The two state-controlled companies have reportedly engaged in detailed negotiations regarding the structure of a potential merger and have informed their foreign joint venture partners of the ongoing discussions. See also: Electric SUV Deepal S07 Marks Changan’s European Entry The move comes as Beijing encourages its state-owned automakers to reduce reliance on foreign partners and strengthen their technological capabilities, particularly in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector. Market data from LSEG…

Nissan will no longer be required to invest in Renault’s electric vehicle subsidiary, Ampere, as part of an amendment to the New Alliance Agreement between the two automakers. The companies announced the change as part of a broader restructuring of their partnership. The amendment effectively nullifies a July 2023 agreement in which Nissan had committed up to €600 million to Ampere. Neither Renault nor Nissan disclosed whether any portion of this investment had been made. Renault expects the revised agreement to take effect by May 2025, pending unspecified conditions. Renault stated that the amendment would not affect its Nissan shareholding,…

At the 2025 Airbus Summit, Airbus provided an update on its plans for hydrogen-powered aviation, announcing a revised roadmap for its ZEROe project and unveiling key technological advancements toward fuel-cell propulsion. The company confirmed that the first test flight of a hydrogen-powered aircraft has been postponed to the latter half of the 2030s. Airbus introduced a refined concept for a hydrogen-powered aircraft utilizing four 2-megawatt electric engines. Each engine will be powered by a dedicated fuel cell system, drawing liquid hydrogen from two storage tanks. This approach, the company said, will be further developed in the coming years. See also:…

Italian bus manufacturer Rampini has unveiled its new H2EU Power division, which will develop and supply hydrogen fuel cell systems for commercial vehicles, off-highway applications, and stationary energy solutions across Europe. The division will operate independently but benefit from Rampini as an anchor customer. The hydrogen fuel cell systems will cover a power range from 30 to 140 kilowatts, aiming to accelerate the development and market entry for commercial vehicle manufacturers. The technology is designed for a wide array of applications, including midi-buses, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, and stationary energy storage. See also: Hyundai Motor Group Launches Energy Hydrogen Business…

US-based battery swap startup Ample announced plans to deploy a network of battery swapping stations in Tokyo, partnering with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to support the city’s push for commercial fleet electrification. The initiative aims to enhance logistics efficiency while contributing to Tokyo’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. The project is backed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Public Corporation. See also: Ample Secures $25 Million to Scale EV Battery Swapping Technology for Fleets “Tokyo is one of the world’s most advanced cities in sustainable urban development and one…

Leapmotor has opened orders for its T03 and C10 electric vehicles in the UK, with prices starting at £15,995 and £36,500, respectively. The Chinese automaker, supported by Stellantis, has already established 44 dealerships across the country, with plans to expand to more than 80 locations by the end of 2025. The T03, a compact five-door hatchback in the A-segment, features a 37.3 kWh battery offering a 165-mile range under WLTP standards. Leapmotor describes it as a “compact hatchback that delivers B-segment space and practicality at an A-segment price.” The C10, a D-segment SUV, is equipped with a 69.9 kWh battery…

Tesla stated on Monday that it will launch its Full Self-Driving (FSD) trial in China after completing regulatory approval, following reports that the limited-time free trial had been temporarily paused. “All parties are actively advancing the relevant process and we will push it to you as soon as it is ready. We are also looking forward to it, please wait patiently,” Tesla’s customer support said in a statement on Weibo, responding to concerns about the delay. See also: Tesla China Developing Lower-Priced Model Y to Address Market Competition  The comment appeared under a post from Tesla Vice President Grace Tao’s…

Japanese automaker Nissan has entered a strategic partnership with Stena Recycling to repurpose used electric vehicle batteries for stationary energy storage in Norway. With over 80,000 Nissan Leafs on Norwegian roads, the collaboration presents a significant opportunity to give retired EV batteries a second life. See also: Next-Gen Nissan LEAF Spied in Europe, Inspired by Ariya’s Design Under the agreement, Stena Recycling will receive a steady supply of used batteries from decommissioned or insurance-written-off vehicles. These batteries will be evaluated at the company’s facility in Ausenfjellet, near Oslo, to determine whether they can be repurposed for energy storage or require…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) , the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturer, announced a net profit of RMB 14.74 billion ($2.04 billion) for the fourth quarter of 2024, marking a 13.62% increase compared to the same period the previous year . This quarterly performance contributed to a total annual net income of RMB 50.75 billion, reflecting a 15.01% year-on-year growth. Despite the rise in net income, CATL’s annual revenue decreased by 9.7% to RMB 362.01 billion . The company attributed this decline to adjustments in product pricing in response to lower raw material costs, particularly lithium carbonate .…

Stellantis and its Chinese partner Leapmotor plan to invest $200 million in a Spanish factory, Reuters reported, citing China’s embassy in Spain, as the automakers prepare to produce the Leapmotor B10 electric crossover for the European market from 2026. A person with direct knowledge of the matter said Spain is the leading candidate for the production site, with Stellantis’ factories in Germany and Slovakia also previously considered. The planned investment would be in a facility in Zaragoza, in northeast Spain, though further details were not disclosed. See also: Leapmotor International Considers Spanish Plant for B10 Production Amid Political Uncertainty Both…