Author: David Smith

Kia is gearing up to introduce a series of affordable electric vehicles (EVs) in the US, believing it has an edge with its “secret sauce” technology. The company aims to capitalize on the growing demand for cheaper EVs, especially with competition from Chinese automakers like BYD on the rise. During its first annual EV Day in October, Kia unveiled a new range of low-cost EVs, including the EV2, EV3, EV4, and EV5. The lineup is part of Kia’s “EV for all” strategy, offering a wide range of EVs with prices ranging from $30,000 to $80,000. While the EV5 has already…

The ambitious plans for a battery cell factory in Blyth, Northumberland, are on the verge of being abandoned, with reports indicating that the site intended for the factory will be sold to a company planning to construct a large data center instead. The future of the Blyth site has been uncertain for several months, following the insolvency filing of battery startup Britishvolt in early 2023 and subsequent concerns regarding the new owner, Recharge Industries. According to reports from major British media outlets, Northumberland County Council is now considering selling the site to Blackstone, a company looking to develop a sizable…

In a bid to expand its electric vehicle lineup, Renault is contemplating a revival of its iconic Espace model, this time in a purely electric avatar with a retro design. The new electric Espace, if greenlit, would be based on the Ampr Medium platform (formerly CMF-EV), positioning it to compete with the likes of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz and other seven-seater electric vehicles. The original Renault Espace, introduced in 1984, revolutionized the European automotive landscape as the first large saloon with a ‘one-box’ design, essentially laying the groundwork for modern vans. The innovative seven-seat layout, with the ability to remove five…

BP, the global oil and gas giant, is restructuring its electric vehicle (EV) charging business, BP Pulse, and scaling back its presence in several markets after its ambitious plans for rapid growth in commercial EV fleets did not materialize as expected, according to company sources. In a bid to address investor concerns over its transition from traditional fossil fuels to green energy, BP CEO Murray Auchincloss is overseeing significant changes at BP Pulse. The company has exited eight of the 12 countries it operated in, focusing its efforts on the United States, Britain, Germany, and China, where it anticipates the…

Tesla, the electric vehicle pioneer, is set to reduce its global workforce by more than ten percent, including individuals in senior management roles. This decision comes as a response to the company’s rapid growth in recent years, which has led to duplicated roles and functions within certain areas. According to an internal email from CEO Elon Musk, as reported by US website Electrek, the move aims to streamline operations following a period of extensive expansion. While initial reports suggested a potential reduction of up to 20 percent, Musk’s email clarified that the actual figure would be “more than ten percent,”…

BASF’s plans for a new plant producing cathode material precursors in Harjavalta, Finland, have been halted following a recent court ruling, leading to the indefinite layoff of site employees. The construction of the plant has been on hold for several years pending authorization. After the Vaasa Administrative Court revoked a temporary permit for the plant in February, BASF announced that negotiations with employee representatives in Harjavalta would commence due to the uncertain timeframe for receiving a final, unappealable permit. The company expressed regret over the decision, stating, “BASF is forced to consider indefinite layoffs, potentially affecting all employees at the…

U.S. safety investigators are delving into two separate crashes involving Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, raising concerns about the technology’s role in these incidents. In the first crash on February 24, on Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio, Texas, a Ford Mustang Mach-E collided with a stationary Honda CR-V, resulting in the death of the Honda driver. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the Ford was utilizing “BlueCruise,” Ford’s advanced hands-free driving system, at the time of the crash. According to the NTSB, data from the vehicle indicated that the Ford driver had…

A groundbreaking study has shed light on how electric vehicle (EV) owners are not only benefitting from cost savings but also contributing to billions of dollars in savings for all electricity consumers, regardless of whether they drive EVs. The report, conducted by Synapse Energy Economics, analyzed the electricity costs for EV owners and compared them with the expenses incurred by utilities to generate, distribute, and manage that electricity. The findings were striking, showing that between 2011 and 2021, EV drivers contributed over $3 billion in net revenue to the grid. The study’s lead researcher stated, “EVs have contributed much more…

Go Fast Campers has unveiled a new rooftop tent system designed specifically for the Rivian R1T electric pickup truck, catering to adventurous drivers seeking off-the-grid experiences. The new system consists of two components: a platform topper and a platform camper, providing ample storage and sleeping space while enhancing the R1T’s rugged capabilities. The platform topper, which sits atop the truck’s bed, offers a spacious storage area shielded from the elements. With all three sides of the topper capable of being opened, accessing gear is convenient and easy. While Go Fast Campers has not disclosed the exact materials used, the topper…

EMT Madrid has completed a significant expansion of its electric bus charging infrastructure at the depot in the Carabanchel district of Spain. The third phase of expansion, recently finished, has added 118 new charging points, with further expansion planned for the fourth phase. These new charge points will allow 260 battery-electric buses to be charged simultaneously at the Carabanchel depot. The charging infrastructure features top-down pantographs, which are lowered from the roof of a fixed tent onto the pantographs on the roofs of the electric buses parked below. This system eliminates the need for drivers to plug in a cable…

The Tesla Cybertruck has garnered both supporters and critics since its unveiling, with the latter often questioning the durability and safety of the stainless steel all-electric pickup truck. One particular concern raised by critics is the potential for the Cybertruck’s steel body to become dangerously hot under the sun. However, a recent test by a Tesla owner suggests that this may not be the case. A user on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum, known as Stuck4ger, shared an intriguing experience involving a Cybertruck parked at the Merritt Island, FL Service Center. The Tesla owner, who also owns a Model Y,…

Fisker, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is facing mounting challenges as it grapples with misplaced customer payments and financial mismanagement. According to recent reports, the company misplaced millions of dollars in customer payments for its Ocean EV, leading to an internal audit that has yet to be resolved since its initiation in December. The situation worsened as Fisker struggled to track down deposits that customers had put down on its EVs. While some deposits were located, others were lost, forcing the company to ask customers to submit new checks or update payment methods to reobtain their deposits. Employees revealed the…

Chinese battery giant CATL is working closely with Tesla to develop new battery chemistries that enable faster charging of cells, according to CATL CEO Robin Zeng. Zeng confirmed the collaboration in an interview with Bloomberg, stating that they were researching “in particular on new electrochemical structures,” referring to cell chemistry. Zeng also sees significant potential for reducing costs in Tesla’s upcoming compact model, priced at $25,000. While he did not provide specific details, he mentioned that there is “always room for cost reductions.” Additionally, CATL is supplying machines to Tesla’s factory in Nevada. However, Zeng did not confirm reports suggesting…

Steve Burns, the former chief executive of Lordstown Motors, has settled with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over statements he made regarding demand for the electric Endurance pickup truck. The SEC had sued Burns for misrepresenting preorders for the EV, claiming the company had received 100,000 preorders from commercial fleets. Burns settled the lawsuit last week and agreed to pay a $175,000 penalty. He has also been banned from serving as an officer or director of a public company for two years. Lordstown Motors, founded in 2018, acquired GM’s former factory in Lordstown, Ohio, in late 2019. The…

Northvolt has commenced the construction of its battery cell factory in Heide, Germany. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, and other dignitaries, marks a pivotal moment for the region’s shift towards renewable energy solutions. Northvolt CEO and founder Peter Carlsson expressed gratitude for the support received from customers, investors, and the local community, emphasizing the project’s role in advancing the global energy transition. “Heide already feels like home to us. If you’re looking for a purpose instead of a job in the state with the highest quality of life, you’ve come to the right…

Hyundai Motor Group, encompassing Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, is set to recall more than 147,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States due to potentially damaged charging units. Following a recall of around 170,000 Hyundai and Kia EVs in South Korea announced by the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport last week, it was anticipated that a similar recall would occur in the US. The recall in the US affects nearly 114,000 Hyundai vehicles, including the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, Genesis GV60, GV70, and Electrified GV80 models. Additionally, Kia is recalling 56,016 EV6 models in Korea. The recall…

For those eyeing a Rivian electric vehicle, now might be the ideal time to make a move. Rivian is rolling out appealing lease offers on its R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV, starting as low as $559 per month. Rivian doesn’t just produce electric vehicles; its “Electric Adventure Vehicles” are crafted to traverse off-the-beaten-path terrain with style and comfort. The R1T, Rivian’s all-electric truck, is engineered to conquer challenging terrain, boasting the ability to wade through over 3 feet of water, tackle a 100% grade on rocky terrain, and tow up to 11,000 lbs. It also offers sports car-like performance,…

LG Energy Solution (LGES) has teamed up with Envirostream, a recycling branch of Lithium Australia, to establish a battery recycling initiative for lithium-ion batteries. This partnership aims to position Envirostream as a key player in Australia’s battery recycling market, with plans to recycle 770 tonnes of recalled lithium-ion batteries at Envirostream’s facilities. Envirostream’s exclusive management of recalled LG batteries in Australia, as per the agreement with LGES, is expected to bolster its revenue and market presence. Envirostream’s battery recycling technology boasts an impressive 95% recovery rate of battery resources. Despite projecting slow revenue growth for 2024, LG Energy Solution remains…

Flux Mobility, a Swiss developer of light electric commercial vehicles, has won a significant order from the Basel professional fire brigade for eight electric vans and emergency vehicles. This order follows an intensive testing phase, during which the fire brigade trialed a Flux vehicle, ultimately leading to the decision to expand their fleet with Flux electric vehicles. The initial trial vehicle, a fully electric all-wheel-drive vehicle designed for rescues from heights and depths, was delivered to the Basel professional fire brigade in mid-August 2023. The success of this vehicle paved the way for Flux to secure the order for eight…

Nikola has inaugurated the first of its HYLA hydrogen refueling stations, marking a significant step in its efforts to build a hydrogen refueling network for fuel cell trucks. The grand opening took place at the station located near the Ontario Airport, strategically positioned for trucking routes between the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and the distribution centers of the Inland Empire. The HYLA concept aims to address the challenge of rapidly expanding hydrogen refueling infrastructure, particularly in response to California’s new truck regulations. Unlike electric vehicle charging infrastructure, hydrogen refueling stations require more complex permitting and construction efforts.…