Author: David Smith

South Korean chemical company, LG Chem, has teamed up with Chinese company, Huayou Cobalt, to construct a new factory for nickel, cobalt, and manganese cathode precursor materials in South Korea. The factory, which is set to be built at the Saemangeum National Industrial Complex, will commence construction this year with the first phase, an annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes of precursor material, scheduled to be commissioned by 2026. The second phase will see production doubled to 100,000 tonnes, which is sufficient for the cathodes of more than one million electric vehicles. This letter of intent will enable LG Chem…

ScottishPower has joined forces with the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HiTrans) to increase the number of rapid charging stations across western Scotland. The collaboration aims to install 24 new charging points in underserved areas, focusing on Argyll and Bute, the Highlands (Skye, Lochaber and Lochalsh), and the Western Isles. See also: Blink Charging Secures $7 Million Grant to Bring Electric Ride-Sharing to Underserved Communities in New Jersey The Scottish utility will manage the installations using Raption 50 chargers, which provide 50 kW of charging capacity. The technology has already been tested and used in ScottishPower’s existing charging network, which…

SAIC brand MG has revealed the production version of its Cyberster electric roadster at Auto Shanghai, and it is set to launch in mainland Europe and the UK in the summer of 2024. The two-seater features scissor doors that open to the top at an angle, giving it a sleek and modern design. According to Carl Gotham, Advanced Design Director of the responsible MG design studio in London, the focus was to create a design that paid homage to the brand’s past and to bring back the sporting bloodline while also being modern and forward-facing like the MG of today.…

Italy’s antitrust authority has launched an investigation into Enel, the country’s largest utility company, over its potential abuse of its dominant position in the electric vehicle (EV) charging market. The probe covers all of Enel’s EV charging businesses, including Enel X Way and Enel X Way Italia, and could have implications for Volkswagen, which recently launched a joint venture with Enel X to build HPC posts in Italy. See also: Enel X Way Plans to Install 10,000 Public Charging Stations and 2 Million EV Charge Ports by 2030 in North America Enel has stated that it has always acted within…

BYD, the Chinese automaker, has officially unveiled its latest model, the Song L concept, on the first day of the Shanghai auto show. This premium all-electric SUV is part of the Dynasty series and is designed with a coupe-crossover stance, catering to young users who are seeking a stylish and sporty vehicle. The Song L combines BYD’s pioneering technology with a breakthrough design that redefines the aesthetics of the next generation of Dynasty products. Based on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0, the Song L incorporates CTB (cell-to-body) technology and intelligent electric four-wheel drive. It features an electric rear wing and electronic mirrors,…

Toyota has revealed two new electric vehicle concepts at this year’s Auto Shanghai, which are set to become part of the brand’s bZ lineup. The bZ Sport Crossover Concept and the bZ FlexSpace Concept are not part of Toyota’s planned ten new EV models for the next three years, but they will precede two production models designed for the Chinese market. The bZ Sport Concept is a joint venture between Toyota and BYD, but Toyota will produce and sell it. The sporty concept has been designed with the younger Generation Z in mind, featuring an active style and evolving capabilities…

Ikea Canada has announced plans to add 25 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to its stores in Ontario and Quebec, as it continues its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. The company invested $305,000 of its own money and received an additional $300,000 from Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) to fund the initiative. The Level 2 and Level 3 chargers will be installed at stores in Montreal, Boucherville, Quebec City, and Ottawa, as well as its distribution centre in Beauharnois, Que. “At Ikea Canada, we have a simple yet powerful vision to create a better everyday…

Polestar, the Swedish electric vehicle (EV) automaker, has announced the production start date for its new production facility in South Carolina, which it will share with its parent company, Volvo Cars. The move is seen as a crucial step for the brand to become eligible for EV incentives in the United States, which require that EVs must be manufactured in North America. According to a recent report from Reuters, Polestar’s “new” production facility will begin producing the brand’s all-electric vehicles in 2024, starting with the Polestar 3 full-size SUV. This marks a significant change for the brand, whose production has…

Volkswagen’s subsidiary PowerCo is reportedly seeking partnerships to build an ecosystem for electric vehicle batteries in Indonesia. The move is part of the company’s efforts to expand its EV production globally. PowerCo will work with companies such as Ford, Vale, Huayou Cobalt, Eramet, Merdeka Gold Copper, Merdeka Battery, and the Kalla Group to establish the ecosystem. The partnership was announced by Indonesian Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia during his visit to Germany with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. According to Lahadalia, the investment will be made by PowerCo, but no further details have been provided. See also: Volkswagen’s PowerCo Begins Construction on…

Vietnamese automaker VinFast has announced that its new VF 8 electric SUV has been added to the list of eligible vehicles under the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) created by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), allowing both new and existing VinFast customers to qualify for up to $7,500 in tax rebates in California, which can extend to other participating states. VinFast is a relatively young electric vehicle (EV) automaker that has caught the attention of many due to the speed at which it has developed, announced, and begun delivering its first all-electric models. Despite several hurdles slowing down its…

Velotric has announced the release of their latest electric bike design, the Thunder line, which features two lightweight models optimized for city riding. The Thunder 1 and Thunder 1 ST are pedal assist e-bikes that weigh just 36 pounds, making them some of the lightest budget e-bikes on the market. Despite their low weight, both models offer numerous features to enhance their functionality. Both the Thunder 1 and Thunder 1 ST come with hydraulic disc brakes, adjustable brake levers, torque sensors for highly responsive pedal assist, 8-speed transmissions, automatically activating LED headlights, thru-axle hubs for increased strength and ruggedness, and…

NFI, a major third-party supply chain solutions provider in the US, is accelerating its commitment to sustainability by expanding its fleet of Class 8 battery-electric trucks (BETs) in Southern California. The move is part of the Joint Electric Truck Scaling Initiative (JETSI) project, which aims to demonstrate that fleets can scale up their BET fleets successfully. Under the project, NFI plans to deploy and operate 30 electric Freightliner eCascadias and 20 Volvo VNR Electric trucks from its warehouse facility in Ontario, California. These trucks will support its dedicated port drayage services for customers spanning from manufacturing to retail. The company…

Skanska is making construction history by testing the world’s first plug-in electric drilling rig on Europe’s largest infrastructure project. The construction giant’s piling and ground engineering arm, Cementation Skanska, is trialling the Bauer eBG 33 on the UK’s new high-speed rail line, HS2. This is the first time the rig is using its own on-site electric substation and marks a significant milestone in the industry’s journey towards zero-emission construction sites. The Bauer eBG 33, which has a drive power of 405 kW, was previously piloted on HS2 in Birmingham using fuel generators to test its power cord on a live…

Polestar, the high-performance electric vehicle manufacturer, revealed their newest creation at the Shanghai Auto Show, the Polestar 4. The Swedish automaker is calling it an “SUV Coupé,” and it sits between its predecessors, the Polestar 2 and 3, in terms of size. The Polestar 4 is the fastest car the company has ever produced, with dual-motor configuration delivering 400kW (544hp) of motor power and 0-60 in just 3.8 seconds. In the single-motor configuration, the car can provide up to 300 miles of range from the 102kWh battery, while the dual motor version has a range of 270 miles, with the…

Smart, the all-electric pioneer, has introduced its first-ever sports utility coupe, the Smart #3, at the Auto Shanghai show. The model’s European premiere will take place at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung in Munich this coming September, with sales starting in early 2024. While Smart has not released any powertrain details or information about the battery pack of the #3, the company is committed to providing a top-quality experience for its users. “We are proud to finally present our first-ever sports utility coupe, the all-new smart #3 to the world. As an all-electric pioneer, Smart is committed to uncompromising quality of experience…

Porsche is no stranger to pushing the limits of what a luxury vehicle can do, and it seems that their next foray into the world of electric vehicles (EVs) will be no different. The K1, a three-row all-electric SUV, is currently in development, and Auto Motor und Sport has recently shared some insider information about the highly anticipated vehicle. Firstly, it’s worth noting that the K1 is set to be the biggest vehicle in Porsche’s range, even larger than the upcoming Macan electric SUV and the next-generation Cayenne. It will be built on the Volkswagen Group’s upcoming SSP architecture, but…

As governments worldwide continue their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Toyota and ExxonMobil have joined forces to develop a new fuel blend that could significantly cut emissions from combustion engines. The blend, which is still in the testing phase, has the potential to reduce lifetime emissions by up to 75%, according to the two companies. Toyota, which has been skeptical of an all-electric approach, is now testing Exxon’s synthetic fuel blends that use existing feedstock and ethanol. The company claims that the fuel could be used in existing and older vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. Toyota also argues…

B-ON has recently announced its partnership with EO Charging, one of the UK’s electric vehicle charger manufacturers. This partnership will allow B-ON customers to access EO’s commercial charging infrastructure and services in Europe, enhancing the EV charging capabilities for B-ON’s clients running its proven, all-electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs). As part of the agreement, EO’s charging hardware, installation, and support services will be available alongside electric vans directly through B-ON. This integration allows EO to integrate with B-ON’s existing EV fleet, energy, and charge management software, providing real-time data to customers on both their vehicles and their energy access through…

Faraday Future has announced the completion of its first production build vehicle, the FF91 Futurist, which has rolled off the production line at its FF ieFactory in Hanford, California. The company recently announced the official start of production for the all-new Ultimate Intelligent TechLuxury FF91 Futurist Alliance. This marks a historical milestone for Faraday Future, as it transitions from testing and tooling to realizing the dream of producing the first true all-in-one vehicle that breaks new boundaries in the ultra-luxury car market. The completion of the first vehicle marks a key manufacturing highlight for Faraday Future, verifying the company’s production…

Solaris, a leading European manufacturer of electric buses, has been added to the procurement list of the French Union of Public Purchasing Groups (UGAP). The announcement comes after UGAP added Solaris’ two Polish electric bus models, the Trollino 18 and the Urbino 18 electric, to its list of available vehicles. As a result, Solaris is now a potential supplier of electric buses and trolleybuses for public transport projects in France, without the need for an additional tendering procedure. See also: Solaris launches new hydrogen articulated bus with a length of 18 meters, capable of carrying 140 passengers According to Solaris,…