Author: David Smith

Polish charging infrastructure manufacturer Ekoenergetyka has introduced its Megawatt Charging System (MCS) solution at the IAA Transportation event. The new system features an optional MCS and CCS connection on a satellite unit, enhancing its versatility for electric vehicle charging. The MCS is designed to work with a power unit-satellite combination, utilizing the Axon Side 360 DLBS power supply unit, which was announced earlier this year. This configuration allows for the delivery of a total output of 1,440 kW through four power units, according to Ekoenergetyka. The Axon Side 360 DLBS distributes charging current to multiple satellites via dynamic load balancing,…

Volkswagen’s Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz is reportedly considering substantial cuts to the Group’s investment plans, which could include shelving a billion-euro update to its MEB electric modular system. The German automaker, which initially aimed to refresh its electric ID.3 and ID.4 models, may instead opt for a direct transition to the delayed SSP platform by 2028. According to a report by Manager Magazin, Volkswagen is evaluating a reduction of approximately €20 billion in its upcoming five-year investment plan. The budget could decrease from €180 billion to €160 billion, with savings likely to impact development and administrative areas. The MEB+…

Hyzon Motors, a U.S.-based manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cell systems, has commenced the production of its Class 8 200kW Fuel Cell Electric Truck (FCET). This achievement marks a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to provide zero-emission alternatives for heavy-duty industries, with production taking place in collaboration with Fontaine Modification in North Carolina. “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for ‘hard-to-decarbonize’ heavy-duty industries, as Hyzon sets the standard for high-performance, zero-emission alternatives to diesel,” said Parker Meeks, Hyzon’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our Class 8 200kW FCET is the culmination of years of engineering, and today we are proud…

Daimler Buses has introduced the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro K, a 10.63-meter all-electric bus designed for navigating narrow streets and urban routes. The new model, launched at the IAA Transportation 2024 event, is aimed at areas with fewer passengers and confined spaces, expanding the eCitaro lineup alongside the 12.14-meter eCitaro and the 18.13-meter eCitaro G. The eCitaro K offers flexible battery configurations, ranging from four to six packs, with a total capacity of up to 588 kWh. The maximum setup allows the bus to travel over 300 kilometers under optimal conditions. The model also supports pantograph charging for longer routes. “Despite its…

General Motors’ self-driving unit, Cruise, announced plans to begin supervised testing of its autonomous vehicles in California’s Bay Area this fall. The company will initially deploy manual mapping vehicles in Sunnyvale and Mountain View, followed by the testing of up to five autonomous vehicles. Cruise shared the update on the social media platform X, outlining its preparations for resuming operations after previously pausing its self-driving car program. The company halted operations in October 2023 after an incident in San Francisco, where a pedestrian hit by another vehicle was dragged by one of its robotaxis. “Resuming testing in the Bay Area…

Volkswagen Group is facing significant financial challenges as the company reportedly falls short of its savings targets by several billion euros, prompting top management to consider drastic measures, including potential plant closures and job cuts. The automaker, which has been struggling with rising material costs and weak market performance, is now confronted with a financial gap that could amount to as much as five billion euros. Initially reported as a three-billion-euro shortfall, the situation has escalated, with Der Spiegel revealing that the financial plan for Volkswagen and VW Commercial Vehicles brands is currently missing between four to five billion euros.…

Li Auto reported 48,122 vehicle deliveries in August, reflecting a 5.64% decrease from 51,000 units in July, though this figure represents a 37.83% increase compared to the 34,914 vehicles delivered in August of the previous year. As of the end of August, the company’s cumulative deliveries since inception totaled 921,467 vehicles. Established in July 2015, Li Auto has emerged as a leading player in China’s extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) market. The company’s first model, the Li One EREV, debuted in October 2018 with deliveries starting in December 2019. Since then, the Li One has been discontinued, and the company now…

A large-scale vehicle-to-grid (V2G) initiative has been launched in Jiangsu Province, China, engaging more than 1,200 electric vehicles (EVs) in a project designed to feed energy back into the grid. The project, reported by the state news agency Xinhua, allows these EVs to charge during off-peak hours and then discharge electricity back to the grid during times of high demand, helping to alleviate potential energy bottlenecks. State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power, the grid operator behind the project, successfully enlisted 1,277 electric vehicles across 482 charging stations by offering discount vouchers to participants. The initiative reflects a growing interest in V2G…

Revel, the Brooklyn-based electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure company, is expanding its operations to Los Angeles, where it plans to build a fast-charging Superhub with 42 stalls. The new facility, located in Downtown LA, is expected to open in 2026 and will operate 24/7, serving the public around the clock. Currently, Revel’s charging infrastructure is concentrated on the East Coast, with three sites in New York City offering a total of 54 fast chargers. Two of these sites are in Brooklyn, including the company’s flagship Superhub in Bed-Stuy, while the third is in Queens. Originally, Revel aimed to have six locations…

Xpeng has undergone a significant restructuring of its organizational framework, aligning with a broader industry trend towards end-to-end artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This move parallels recent organizational changes made by local competitors Nio and Li Auto, as reported by local media outlet Redplanx. The restructuring primarily affects Xpeng’s technology development department, which is responsible for algorithm development related to perception, planning, control, and localization. The department has been reorganized into three distinct divisions: AI end-to-end, AI applications, and AI efficiency. This shift aims to streamline the focus on AI models and enhance the efficiency of technology delivery. The reorganization involves…

Hansea, a private bus operator in Belgium, has placed an order for 181 electric buses from MAN Truck & Bus, bringing its total fleet of fully electric city buses to 271, all supplied by MAN. The new order includes the MAN Lion’s City E model, which has been in operation since 2021 on Antwerp Line 36. Hansea initially acquired 90 Lion’s City E buses, which have now been delivered. This latest order is part of Hansea’s broader strategy to electrify its entire bus fleet by 2035. Barbaros Oktay, Head of Bus at MAN Truck & Bus, remarked, “This is a…

African electric vehicle manufacturer Spiro has begun operations in Ogun State, Nigeria, offering its electric motorbikes across up to eight major Nigerian provinces. Spiro’s electric bikes feature both slow and fast charging capabilities. The company has established strategic partnerships to expand Spiro’s charging network, facilitating the transition to electric mobility. Additionally, Spiro provides battery swapping services for its motorcycles. Initially, three swapping stations will be set up in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, with plans for additional stations in the future. “Our expansion marks a new chapter for Spiro and the broader EV ecosystem in Nigeria,” said Spiro CEO…