Author: David Smith

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…