Author: David Smith

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.…

Waymo has officially launched its full self-driving taxi service to the public in Los Angeles. The company’s announcement, confirmed in a blog post, marks the commencement of operations on March 14, following approval from the California Public Utilities Commission earlier this month. The service will cover a 63-square mile area of the city, extending from Santa Monica to Downtown and including neighborhoods like Century City, Westwood, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Koreatown. Initial rides will be free, with Waymo planning to transition to a paid model in the near future. Waymo has already garnered significant interest, with over 50,000 people…

Rivian has followed in Ford’s footsteps by adopting Tesla’s NACS plug, marking a significant step in standardizing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. This move has paved the way for other major EV manufacturers to follow suit. Rivian has become the second automaker, after Ford, to offer its customers access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. Notably, Supercharger locations are now integrated into the Rivian app and navigation system, simplifying trip planning with charging stops at these stations. Tesla opened its Superchargers to third-party EVs in North America in early 2023, using a special adapter called Magic Dock on selected chargers. Initially, Rivian…

Stockholm’s public transport company, SL, is set to significantly expand its electric bus fleet, signaling a major commitment to sustainable urban mobility in the Swedish capital and its surrounding areas. SL has announced plans to launch three tenders for a total of 380 new electric buses, which are scheduled to enter service from 2026 onwards. This ambitious initiative aims to transition all public transport buses in Stockholm and several neighboring municipalities to electric vehicles within the next few years. Currently, there are only 29 electric buses operating in the SL area. According to bussmagasinet.se, approximately one-third of SL’s fleet will…

JAC Motors and Volkswagen China are gearing up for a significant capital increase in their joint venture, Volkswagen Anhui, with plans to invest approximately 826 million euros over the next two years. Currently, Volkswagen holds a 75 percent stake in Volkswagen Anhui, while JAC Motors holds the remaining 25 percent. This ownership structure will remain unchanged after the capital increase, with both companies investing at the same ratio. Volkswagen is set to invest 4.875 billion yuan, while JAC will invest 1.625 billion yuan, totaling 6.5 billion yuan or approximately 826 million euros. According to reports from Gasgoo, citing official statements…