Author: David Smith

Volkswagen Group Components is taking a significant step towards the electrification of its vehicles by expanding its Kassel plant in central Germany. The new facility will serve as a competence centre for power electronics, bundling all areas relevant to the development of pulse inverters for e-drives. Volkswagen is taking the central components of the electric powertrain into its own hands, said Thomas Schmall, Member of the Board of Management for Technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components. The Kassel plant will become Europe’s largest electric motor centre and will slowly change its portfolio to produce more electric motors and components.…

Altilium Metals has recently shared new details about its planned EV battery recycling plant in Teesside, Northeast England. The company’s latest goal is to provide about 20% of the UK’s cathode active materials (CAM) demand by 2030. This comes as Altilium received approval from the UK Environment Agency to recycle ‘black mass’ from EV batteries on a large scale. The recycling plant in Teesside is expected to produce 30,000 metric tons of CAM per year, recovered from end-of-life batteries from electric vehicles and waste from battery factories. This will account for 20% of the estimated 150,000 metric tons of CAM…

Rock Tech, a Canadian mining company, has achieved a significant milestone in its lithium hydroxide conversion plant project in Guben, Germany. The Licensing Authority South of the Brandenburg State Office for the Environment has granted the company the first partial license (“TG1”) in accordance with the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG). The permit allows complete construction for all non-process buildings and site infrastructure and approves the general plant layout and functions for the spodumene to lithium hydroxide conversion. Rock Tech’s lithium converter is a crucial investment that will meet Europe’s increasing demand for critical battery raw materials. The converter will…

Electric vehicle (EV) startups face numerous challenges, with only a handful succeeding while the majority fail. However, Morris Commercial, a UK-based EV startup, appears to be one step closer to reality after a successful funding round. The latest investment should enable the all-electric Morris JE van to move from concept to production. Morris Commercial first showcased the Morris JE van in 2019, which was a modern interpretation of the affordable Morris J-Type van from the 1950s. The latest funding will allow Morris Commercial to further research and development while establishing production facilities, hiring new talent, and enhancing supplier partnerships. The…

Nikola Corporation has announced that it is ahead of schedule in its plans to transition battery manufacturing from its facility in Cypress, California to its manufacturing plant in Coolidge, Arizona. The transition is expected to be completed by April 2023, several months ahead of the original schedule. This move is part of Nikola’s efforts to streamline its operations and reduce costs by consolidating the production of its truck assembly, fuel cell power modules, and battery modules and packs under one roof. The transition will also involve the implementation of battery line automation to improve quality and efficiency. See also: Nikola…

General Motors CEO Mary Barra met with two prominent senators on Thursday to discuss the company’s push for legislation that would accelerate the deployment of self-driving vehicles on U.S. roads. Barra had a meeting with Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell and Senator Gary Peters, a fellow Democrat and Commerce Committee member, as confirmed by the company. The U.S. Congress has been stalled for over six years regarding legislation that would make it easier to deploy thousands of autonomous vehicles by easing regulations. Peters, who represents Michigan where GM is headquartered, said, “We must act to ensure U.S. manufacturers can…

The European Union has pledged a significant financial contribution of nearly €189 million towards the construction of 2,000 new charging points and 63 hydrogen refuelling stations along the trans-European transport network, known as the TEN-T. This move is part of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), which aims to encourage the adoption of sustainable solutions within the transport industry. The selected projects, spread across twelve member states, include four initiatives focused on the electrification of ground handling services in airports, in addition to the charging points and hydrogen refuelling stations intended for cars, trucks, and buses. See also: Jet H2…

Tesla has started the year off with a bang, dominating the US auto market with nearly 50,000 new registrations in January 2023. According to Experian data, this is a massive lead over second-place BMW, which had around 31,000 registrations. While some may argue that Tesla is not a luxury automaker due to its less fancy car designs compared to BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus, the US EV maker has long been considered a luxury brand due to its cutting-edge technology and high price points. Even with substantial price cuts on its EVs, Tesla’s prices are still comparable to luxury counterparts. Typically,…

Tesla has chosen to forego millions of dollars in public funding for the construction of Supercharger stations in California due to a payment system integration requirement. As electric vehicle charging infrastructure continues to receive public funding at all levels of government, Tesla faced a particular condition in California’s Clean Transportation Program Rural Electric Vehicle Charging program, where it was vying for $6 million in funding for four large Supercharger stations with 420 charge points. However, Tesla decided to withdraw its application due to the payment infrastructure requirements of the program. Some incentives mandate charging stations to have screens and credit…

Indra, a UK-based technology company, has announced that it has received over £20 million of fresh investment following its oversubscribed Series B funding round. The latest funding round was led by Gulf Oil International Limited, which significantly increased its equity stake in Indra. The investment is a vote of confidence in Indra’s pioneering bidirectional electric vehicle (EV) charging technology and its role in creating a sustainable energy ecosystem for the UK and beyond. The technology is designed to help EV drivers save money and the planet by accessing low-carbon renewable energy to charge their EV battery(ies), and then use any…

A collaboration between two revered brands, Airstream and Porsche, has resulted in the creation of a revolutionary camping trailer concept, designed to satisfy your wanderlust with its sleek aerodynamic design, optimized weight for EV towing, and convenient garage storage capabilities. Studio FA Porsche, the renowned design firm, has breathed new life into the classic aluminum “silver bullet” travel trailer. Airstream was founded by Wally Byam, a camping enthusiast who sought to enhance the camping experience by providing comfortable sleeping arrangements, a fully equipped kitchen, and ample storage space. See also: Mercedes-Benz unveils electric camper van based on EQV Byam’s unwavering…

Faraday Future may finally be nearing production of its much-anticipated flagship vehicle, the FF 91 Futurist. The company’s recently released Q4 and full-year 2022 financial report suggests production could begin as early as this month. However, the startup’s outlook and goals for 2023 depend heavily on the receipt of tens of millions in funding that were previously promised. Faraday Future’s journey has been marked by financial and internal ups and downs, serving as a tale of caution and perseverance in the EV industry. The company’s flagship vehicle, the FF 91 Futurist, debuted in 2017, but by the end of the…