Author: David Smith

German electric vehicle (EV) interoperability specialist Hubject has joined forces with Exicom, India’s largest EV charger manufacturer, in a strategic partnership aimed at revolutionizing the EV charging landscape in India. The collaboration, leveraging Hubject’s cutting-edge interoperability technology, seeks to address the challenges faced by EV drivers in India, particularly with the burgeoning adoption of electric cars and larger vehicles. Despite the prevalence of two and three-wheelers, which can be easily charged with conventional power sockets, the rapid growth of electric cars has been hindered by a lack of accessible charging options. Hubject’s ‘intercharge’ platform is expected to simplify the process…

MAN Truck & Bus is set to introduce a battery electric vehicle (BEV) version of its Lion’s Coach model, with production slated to commence at the Ankara factory next year. Barbaros Oktay, Head of Bus at MAN since 2023, revealed this development in an interview with the Sustainable Bus portal, hinting at further model expansions in the future. The Lion’s Coach BEV is expected to support charging up to 375 kW via a CCS plug. However, Oktay did not disclose details regarding the battery specifications or the range of the coach during the interview. Currently, the combustion model of the…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is encouraging Tesla employees to strive for excellence by hinting at a new stock option grant program for high-performing individuals. According to an internal memo seen by Reuters, Tesla is contemplating offering stock-based compensation to exceptional employees, who will be selected based on their performance. The memo stated: “Over the next few weeks, Tesla will be doing a comprehensive review to provide stock option grants for exceptional performance. There will also be an ongoing program to award spot option grants for anyone who does something outstanding for the company. Thanks for everything you’re doing to make…

Workers from General Motors (GM) Lordstown Plant in Ohio have ratified a deal between the United Auto Workers (UAW) union and Ultium Cells for the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, marking a significant development in the EV industry. Ultium Cells, a joint venture between GM and LG, produces batteries for GM’s EVs. The agreement, ratified over the weekend, covers 1,600 hourly workers represented by the UAW at the Lordstown Plant. Under the UAW deal with Ultium, workers will receive higher wages, overtime provisions, and 70 minutes of breaks per shift. General Motors will also implement health and safety programs…

Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) and ChargePoint have joined forces to integrate the ChargePoint network into the Porsche Charging Service, enhancing the EV charging experience for Porsche customers. This collaboration allows drivers to access the extensive ChargePoint network through the convenience of the My Porsche app. Expected to launch in the 4th quarter of 2024, this integration will significantly bolster the number of EV charging stations available to Porsche drivers in the US. PCNA estimates that the partnership will provide access to 86,000 charging stations. However, ChargePoint mentions that the app will offer access to around 100,000 chargers, including upcoming…

China has voiced its strong opposition as the European Union (EU) reportedly prepares to announce additional tariffs against Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). The move comes as part of the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation, which Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian criticized as a form of protectionism. “Protectionism has no future, openness and cooperation is the right way,” Lin stated during a regular press conference. He emphasized that China would take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests if the EU goes ahead with the tariffs. The Financial Times reported that the European Commission is expected to inform carmakers…

The Volkswagen Group has officially confirmed plans to invest 180 billion euros by 2028, with a significant portion allocated to the development of new electric models and digital services. According to CFO Arno Antlitz, two-thirds of this sum will be dedicated to electrification and digitalization, while the remaining third—approximately 60 billion euros—will be used to further enhance combustion engine technology. Antlitz emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining the competitiveness of its combustion vehicles, stating, “The future is electric, but the past is not over. It is a third and it will stay a third.” This investment strategy underscores Volkswagen’s dual…

Hyundai has announced its plans to introduce the Inster, a new electric SUV based on the Hyundai Casper, in international markets. The unveiling is scheduled to take place at the Busan International Mobility Show on 27 June. The Hyundai Inster is a variant of the petrol-powered Hyundai Casper sold in South Korea, positioned in the A-segment SUV category, directly challenging the Dacia Spring. While retaining the same shape as the original model, the Inster features a more technical design, highlighted by pixelated turn indicators reminiscent of the Hyundai Kona Electric’s DRLs, and new DRLs in the round headlamps, giving the…

Scania, a leader in sustainable transport solutions, has unveiled Erinion, a company specializing in private and semi-public charging systems, aimed at supporting customers in their transition to electric vehicles. This strategic move will involve the installation of 40,000 new charging points at customer sites, bolstering the Swedish group’s e-Mobility offering. Erinion will initially operate in Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, and Germany, with plans for a global rollout in the future. The company’s brand-agnostic approach ensures that businesses of all kinds, regardless of their vehicle brand, can benefit from Erinion’s charging infrastructure and operational services. By 2030,…

Global lithium production has more than tripled in the last decade, driven by the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries. However, current methods of extracting lithium from rock ores or brines are slow, energy-intensive, and environmentally costly. Additionally, these methods rely on sources of lithium that are highly concentrated and limited to a few countries. To address these challenges, researchers at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) have optimized a new method for extracting lithium from more dilute sources of the mineral, including seawater, groundwater, and “flowback water” from fracking and offshore oil drilling. The research, published…

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has unveiled new fuel economy standards for model years 2027-2031, aiming for a 2% annual increase for passenger cars and light trucks. NHTSA projects this will raise the average light-duty vehicle fuel economy to about 50.4 miles per gallon by 2031, saving owners over $600 in fuel costs over the lifetime of their vehicles. For heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans (HDPUVs), fuel efficiency is set to increase by 10% annually for model years 2030-2032 and 8% annually for model years 2033-2035. This targets a fleetwide average of around 35…

Rivian has recently revealed the specifications and features of its mid-cycle refresh for the Rivian R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV, boasting up to 420 miles of EPA range. The 2025 Rivian R1T and R1S facelifts showcase impressive specs, with the top R1T trim now outpacing Tesla’s Cybertruck in terms of speed. Equipped with a new 1,025HP quad-motor configuration, the top R1T trim can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds, faster than Tesla’s tri-motor Cyberbeast trim of the Cybertruck. While the starting price for the 2025 Rivian R1T is set at $69,990, it is expected that this price…

At the ACT Expo in Las Vegas, REE Automotive introduced the latest iteration of its P7-S stripped chassis, marking a significant advancement in electric vehicle (EV) technology. The company announced that customer delivery of the first next-gen P7-S demo will commence in June 2024. Developed in collaboration with a prominent delivery fleet, the class 5 P7-S chassis is designed to enhance delivery efficiencies and streamline fleet management. Part of REE Automotive’s P7 program, the P7-S chassis enables automotive body builders to create purpose-built electric vehicles, including step-vans, box trucks, and other specialized vehicles for various vocations. See also: Penske Partners with…

Factorial Inc., a Massachusetts-based solid-state battery developer, has announced the shipment of its energy-dense B-sample solid-state battery cells to Mercedes-Benz as part of their joint development agreement. This marks a significant step forward in the validation of Factorial’s solid-state battery technology for integration into future passenger electric vehicles (EVs) by Mercedes-Benz. The Factorial Electrolyte System Technology (FEST) solid-state cells, with a capacity of over 100 Amp-hours (Ah), are designed to be compatible with existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing equipment, streamlining their integration into EV production lines. The cells have already received UN certification, and A-samples were sent to original equipment manufacturer…

CharIN, the association dedicated to promoting the Combined Charging System (CCS) and Megawatt Charging System (MCS), has introduced the Open Plug & Charge Network Communication (OPNC) protocol. This protocol aims to enhance the plug & charge functionality of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and improve its interoperability globally. The OPNC protocol extends the existing OPCP protocol and is compatible with the PNCP protocol introduced by the French roaming platform Gireve in 2023. This development is seen as a significant step towards global standardization, addressing the absence of a common protocol among plug & charge providers. CharIN states, “In particular supporting…

In May, Norway saw a slight decline in new electric car registrations, totaling 7,893 vehicles, a decrease of 2,158 from April and 2,880 from the same period last year. Despite this, the Volvo EX30 maintained its status as the best-selling model in the country. The market share of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) fell from 80.8% to 77.0% compared to May 2023, when the figure was 89.4%. This decline is reflective of the overall Norwegian market, which experienced a 23.2% decrease in new registrations across all drive types compared to the previous year. In May, 23% of all new registrations in…

Tesla has expedited the launch of its updated Model 3 Performance in China, with deliveries now expected to start in mid-June, earlier than previously planned. The company announced on Weibo, “Effective immediately, the Model 3 Performance will move from pre-sales to formal sales, with first deliveries expected to begin in mid-June.” Listed on Tesla’s Chinese website since April 24, the Model 3 Performance was initially available for pre-sale with a starting price of RMB 335,900 ($46,380), which remains unchanged for the official sales phase. Previously, local deliveries of the updated Model 3 Performance were slated to begin in the third…

DHL Group has extended its Electric Vehicle (EV) Center of Excellence network to Continental Europe with the inauguration of its first facility in Pozzuolo Martesana, near Milan, Italy. This move underscores DHL’s commitment to supporting the automotive industry’s transition to electric mobility. The DHL EV Center of Excellence in Pozzuolo Martesana is designed to streamline the sourcing, warehousing, and delivery of EV components, ensuring a swift and efficient transport process for both suppliers and buyers. The facility covers an area of approximately 10,000 square meters and is operated by DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Express. See also: DHL Freight Launches Electric…

Truck buyers eyeing electric options for their fleets should take note: leasing a 2023 model year Ford F-150 Lightning is now more than $200 cheaper per month than its gas-powered counterparts. A recent analysis by Cars Direct revealed that a surge in incentives for the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning during Memorial Day weekend has made leasing the all-electric pickup more economical than leasing a traditional gas-powered F-150. See also: Ford Files Patent for Frunk-Mounted Projector Screen in F-150 Lightning According to Ford’s online payment estimator, a 2023 Ford F-150 XLT can be leased for $578 per month for 36 months with…

In its most recent Software Update, version 2024.20, Tesla has unveiled several new features aimed at enhancing safety and entertainment in its vehicles. Among these updates are the introduction of Adaptive Headlights and improvements to the Tesla Arcade. The Adaptive Headlights feature, initially rolling out in Europe for vehicles with Matrix design, aims to improve visibility and safety by better preparing for curves in the road. According to Not a Tesla App, this enhancement will enhance the driving experience by optimizing the headlights’ illumination pattern based on the road ahead. In addition, Tesla has made improvements to its gaming experience…