Author: David Smith

Nickel miner Vale Indonesia plans to secure between $1 billion and $1.2 billion in external financing over 2026–2027 to fund its expanding mining and smelter operations, a senior company official said on Friday. The initial round of funding, estimated at around $500 million, is expected to come from bank loans in early 2026, with a potential bond issuance planned for 2027, according to Andaru Brahmono Adi, Vale Indonesia’s head of corporate finance and investor relations. “This external funding will be used toward funding our projects. Now we are developing three mines… we are also building HPAL smelters with our partners,”…

Joby Aviation has expanded its pilot manufacturing facility in Marina, California, doubling the size and output capacity of the site as it moves closer to commercializing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The newly enlarged 435,500-square-foot facility will be capable of producing up to 24 aircraft annually—equivalent to nearly one every two weeks—once fully operational, the company announced. The upgraded facility is designed to serve multiple roles, including aircraft production, flight and ground testing, maintenance, pilot training, and supporting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification efforts. The expansion marks a key step in Joby’s plan to bring its electric aircraft…

A new initiative has been launched in Germany to fast-track the industrialization of sodium-ion battery technology. The Fraunhofer Research Facility for Battery Cell Production (FFB), in collaboration with the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University and mixing technology specialist hs-tumbler, has started the KOOP project, a three-year program aimed at developing scalable sodium-ion battery production. Backed by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, the KOOP project focuses on the development of a hard carbon anode using a method known as trajectory mixing. This technique has the potential to cut energy consumption…

Nio’s sub-brand Onvo has unveiled the interior of its upcoming full-size SUV, the L90, as it prepares for presales to begin on July 10 in China. The model marks the second entry from Onvo, following the L60 fastback SUV, and aims to compete in China’s growing premium electric SUV segment. The Onvo L90 features a three-row, six-seat (2+2+2) layout described by the brand as offering “six VIP seats.” The interior emphasizes comfort and convenience with full electric adjustment for each seat, zero-gravity modes in the first and second rows, and amenities such as a center touchscreen for rear passengers, folding…

Tesla delivered 384,122 electric vehicles globally in the second quarter of 2025, representing a 13% decline from the 444,000 units delivered during the same period last year, the company reported on Tuesday. The result narrowly missed Wall Street’s consensus estimate of 385,000 deliveries, which had already been lowered following a weaker-than-expected first quarter. Tesla’s production, however, rose to 410,000 vehicles, up from 362,000 in Q1, adding to the company’s growing inventory levels. The 25,000-unit gap between production and deliveries indicates that supply continued to outpace demand in Q2. See also: Tesla China Sells 71,599 Vehicles in June, Up 0.83% Y/Y…

Leapmotor’s new B01 sedan enters China’s compact electric vehicle segment with a strong focus on specifications and performance, offering a competitive mix of range, power, smart features, and practicality. Based on the automaker’s LEAP 3.5 architecture, the B01 is the first pure electric sedan in the B series and is now open for pre-sale in five trims priced between RMB 105,800 and RMB 135,800 ($14,760 – $18,950). The B01 offers two range options depending on the selected battery: a 56.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack enabling 550 km of CLTC range, and a 67.1 kWh version delivering up to…

BYD has begun loading approximately 7,000 electric vehicles onto its fifth car carrier, the BYD Xi’an, for shipment to multiple European destinations, the company said on Wednesday. The BYD Xi’an, which was delivered earlier this month in Yizheng, Jiangsu province, is embarking on its maiden voyage to the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Belgium. The 219.9-meter vessel has a capacity of 9,200 vehicles and features 16 decks. It is named after Xi’an in Shaanxi province, home to one of BYD’s largest automotive production facilities. Images shared by the company show NEV models including the BYD Seagull and the Song Plus…

ADS-TEC Energy has established a dedicated Austrian subsidiary to bolster its operations in the DACH region and meet growing demand for advanced battery storage and fast-charging solutions. The new entity, ads-tec Energy Austria GmbH, was formed in April 2025 and is headquartered in Kötschach-Mauthen, near Austria’s border with Italy. The move aligns with ADS-TEC Energy’s broader international growth strategy as it continues to scale up its presence across Europe. “The establishment of our Austrian entity is a strategically important step to be closer to our customers to make our technologies directly available locally,” said Thomas Speidel, CEO and founder of…

Tesla is set to begin its much-anticipated Robotaxi pilot in Austin, Texas, this weekend, though the launch is proving far more constrained than previously suggested. The service, part of Tesla’s broader push into autonomous driving, will operate within a defined area and under close human supervision, casting doubt on the company’s readiness to deliver fully driverless mobility. The pilot is restricted to a geo-fenced zone and limited to operating between 6 a.m. and midnight, excluding key areas such as airports. Despite earlier claims of driverless operation, each vehicle will include a Tesla employee in the passenger seat acting as a…

APM Terminals Pier 400 in Los Angeles has announced the deployment of the port’s largest fleet of electric terminal tractors (ETTs), marking a significant step toward its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030. The deployment began with 10 fully commissioned ETTs from U.S. manufacturer Orange EV, with another 10 set to arrive by the end of July. Once the second batch is delivered, nearly one-third of Pier 400’s diesel terminal tractor fleet will be replaced with electric alternatives. The initiative underscores APM Terminals’ commitment to decarbonising its operations and supporting cleaner air in surrounding communities. “This is not just…

French utility EDF said plans to acquire full ownership of Pod Point, the UK’s largest charge point operator, in a deal valuing the company at £10.6 million. EDF, which already holds a 53% stake, has offered 6.5 pence per share to buy out remaining shareholders. The proposed acquisition comes after a difficult year for Pod Point, which cited a “difficult market backdrop” and slower-than-expected electric vehicle (EV) adoption as key challenges. The company operates more than 250,000 charge points in the UK and additional networks in Norway and Ireland. EDF said the deal would offer “long-term stability” to the business.…

IM Motors, the electric vehicle division of China’s SAIC Motor Corp, has released an updated version of its LS7 electric SUV as competition in the sector heats up, with Xiaomi preparing to unveil its first sport utility vehicle later this month. The latest IM LS7 is now available in a single “Ultra” variant, priced at RMB 339,900 ($47,310). For buyers placing orders by July 31, a limited-time discount brings the price down to RMB 329,900. Customers are also eligible for up to RMB 42,400 in free configuration upgrades and RMB 3,000 off on exterior color options. The updated LS7 is…