Author: Derick Munoz

Twenty-four owners of the Mercedes-Benz EQE electric vehicle in Korea have filed a class action lawsuit against the automaker following a fire incident in the underground parking lot of an apartment in Incheon this past August. The lawsuit, filed in the Seoul Central District Court, accuses Mercedes-Benz of false advertising regarding the batteries installed in the EQE, leading to substantial financial and emotional damages for the plaintiffs. Attorney Ha Jong-sun, representing the plaintiffs, stated, “We have filed a claim for damages with the Seoul Central District Court against seven sales companies, including the German headquarters of Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz Korea, and…

Environmental service provider PreZero is set to enhance its operations in the Netherlands by adding 30 electric rubbish trucks to its fleet, replacing traditional diesel vehicles. This expansion follows the introduction of ten electric trucks already in operation for PreZero in Duiven since 2023. The new electric trucks will collect commercial waste across various locations, including Amsterdam, Utrecht, Dordrecht, Berkel en Rodenrijs, Duiven, Helmond, Alphen aan den Rijn, Hengelo, and Apeldoorn. To support this initiative, six new charging stations will be installed at each of the nine depots in these cities, with Heliox acting as the technology partner. The charging…

China and the European Union (EU) are maintaining dialogue over the EU’s ongoing anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), following the EU member states’ approval of a draft final ruling on the case last Friday, according to a report by the Xinhua News Agency. This investigation is part of a broader trade discussion between China, the EU, and the US, with recent intensified communications focused on EV-related trade issues. Notably, the EU reportedly declined China’s proposal of setting a minimum sales price of 30,000 euros ($32,946) for EVs, although no official confirmation has been made from either side. Trade…

China has taken the first step in a trade dispute with Turkey at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over Ankara’s tariffs on electric vehicle (EV) imports, according to a statement from China’s diplomatic mission on Tuesday. This move comes as China faces increasing global pressure over its rising EV exports, which many nations allege are heavily subsidized by Beijing to bolster its slowing economy. “The discriminatory measure taken by Turkiye is against WTO rules and is protectionist in nature. We urge Turkiye to follow WTO rules and immediately correct its measures,” the statement read, using the Turkish spelling of the…

Toyota and Subaru are reportedly expanding their electric vehicle (EV) lineups with a new jointly developed SUV scheduled to launch in 2026. This upcoming model will be part of the brands’ efforts to strengthen their presence in the EV market, following the launch of the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra. While specific details about the new SUV remain limited, it is expected to share components with the bZ4X and other Toyota models to help reduce production costs. According to reports from Japan, production will take place at Subaru’s Yajima plant in the Gunma prefecture, with an anticipated output of between…

Chinese battery manufacturers CATL and BYD remained the world’s top electric vehicle (EV) battery suppliers from January to August 2024, although their market shares shifted during the period, according to data from South Korean market researcher SNE Research. Global EV battery usage reached 510.1 GWh in the first eight months of 2024, marking a 21.7% increase from 419.1 GWh in the same period in 2023. CATL, the largest supplier, installed 189.2 GWh of batteries, up 27.2% year-on-year. While CATL maintained its leadership with a 37.1% global market share, this figure represents a slight decline from its 37.6% share in the…

PwC Belgium has announced plans to add 200 Mini Cooper E electric vehicles to its fleet by the end of this year, replacing 200 diesel-powered BMW 1 Series models. The new cars will be provided to young professionals at the company as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce fleet emissions and promote sustainable mobility. With this move, PwC Belgium will have a total of 300 electrified Mini vehicles in its fleet. The decision to phase out diesel vehicles and adopt electric Minis aligns with the company’s broader sustainability targets. PwC Belgium committed in 2021 to cutting fleet emissions by…

24M has released new testing results for its innovative battery separator, Impervio, which addresses key safety concerns for electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems (ESS), and consumer applications. The data follows heightened concern over battery fires in the U.S. and abroad, underscoring the importance of improved safety measures in the industry. Impervio, first announced in January 2024, specifically tackles the risk of overcharging—a condition where a battery exceeds its safe charging limit, potentially leading to overheating and fires. Overcharging can cause dendrite formation, leading to internal shorts that may result in thermal runaway or even explosions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W01j0DzH3Y The Impervio separator…

Tesla has introduced a change in its latest software update, 2024.32, that restricts the use of the 12-volt and 16-volt sockets unless someone is occupying the vehicle or the car is in Camp Mode. This adjustment could make things more difficult for users who rely on Tesla vehicles for camping trips, where these sockets are used to power devices like refrigerators. The update disables the sockets when the vehicle is unoccupied, even if Sentry Mode is activated, a feature campers often rely on to protect their cars from animals. Previously, these sockets remained active under various conditions, providing continuous power…

Peugeot has officially unveiled the all-electric version of its 408 model, an innovative hatchback saloon featuring SUV-like elements. Previously available with combustion, mild hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains, the new e-408 is now open for orders, with a starting price of €46,600. First introduced in 2022, the 408’s electrification process has seen the rollout of various hybrid models, with the electric variant finally making its debut. The e-408 is equipped with a 157 kW electric motor and a 58.2 kWh NMC battery, marking its introduction alongside the Stellantis brand lineup. Peugeot describes the 408 as featuring a “fastback silhouette in…

The EU Council, representing member states, has voted in favor of imposing special tariffs on electric vehicle (EV) imports from China, according to a statement by the European Commission. The tariffs are part of a broader strategy to address concerns about subsidization of Chinese EVs, which the EU claims harms its domestic industry. “Today, the European Commission’s proposal to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China has obtained the necessary support from EU Member States for the adoption of tariffs,” the Commission said in its announcement. Negotiations with China remain ongoing to explore alternatives,…

Toyota Motor announced on Wednesday that it will invest an additional $500 million in Joby Aviation to further support the certification and commercial production of Joby’s electric air taxis. This new funding builds on the $394 million Toyota previously invested in the California-based company, solidifying their strategic partnership in the emerging urban air mobility market. The investment will come in two stages: the first tranche of cash for common stock will close later in 2024, and the second tranche will follow next year. Electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL), like those Joby is developing, are seen as a key…

Production of the all-electric Fiat 500e at Stellantis’ Mirafiori plant in Turin has been suspended since mid-September, and the halt will now be extended until early November due to weak demand for electric vehicles. The automaker had initially planned for a four-week pause, ending on 11 October, but has now pushed the production shutdown until 1 November. In a statement, Stellantis cited “the current lack of orders linked to the deep difficulties experienced in the European electric market by all producers, particularly the European ones.” The company faces a broader challenge as electric vehicle (EV) demand has slowed, compounded by…

LG Chem has announced a significant advancement in battery safety with the development of a temperature-responsive Safety Reinforced Layer (SRL), aimed at suppressing thermal runaway. In collaboration with Professor Lee Minah’s team from POSTECH’s Department of Battery Engineering and safety verification from LG Energy Solution, the findings have been published in Nature Communications. This novel composite material functions as a “fuse,” altering its electrical resistance in response to temperature changes. Positioned as a thin layer (1 micrometer) between the battery’s cathode layer and current collector, the SRL effectively blocks current flow during overheating. When temperatures exceed the normal operating range…

Turkey is nearing a potential investment agreement with Chinese automaker Chery, according to an anonymous official. This development follows Ankara’s earlier agreement with BYD, another Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, signaling Turkey’s commitment to enhancing ties with Chinese carmakers. The official did not disclose details about the investment discussions, including the specific financial terms or a timeline for a final agreement. This comes after Turkey announced in July that BYD would construct a $1 billion production plant in the country, designed to produce 150,000 vehicles annually. Recent meetings between Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Chery International President Guibing Zhang occurred during…

Be.EV, one of the prominent charge point operators (CPOs) in the UK, is set to install 38 ultra-rapid chargers across four retail centres, positioning many of these hubs as the largest of their kind in the respective regions. The new charging stations will be located in Northamptonshire, Birmingham, Kent, and South Gloucestershire, featuring Kempower chargers that offer power outputs of up to 150 kW. Although Be.EV has not specified the exact number of chargers at each site, it has emphasized the significance of the South Gloucestershire hub, which currently has one of the lowest proportions of EV chargers in the…

Audi’s development division is set for a significant restructuring as CEO Gernot Döllner seeks to implement the “model series principle,” a strategy aimed at expediting the transition from design to production for new vehicles. This initiative could enable the automaker to bring new cars to market more swiftly. The “model series principle” focuses on consolidating the development of vehicles that share substantial similarities. For Audi, this would involve grouping models like the A6, A7, and A8, all of which are luxury offerings, as well as the A3 and A4, which are compact vehicles. Each product group will be assigned a…

California has taken a significant step toward enhancing grid resiliency by passing a new law that could eventually require bidirectional charging capabilities in electric vehicles (EVs). Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill, known as SB 59, this week, but it does not include a specific timeline for implementation, leaving the California Energy Commission (CEC) to determine when it is appropriate to mandate the feature. Bidirectional charging allows EVs to not only draw power from the grid but also return electricity to homes or the grid itself. This technology, commonly referred to as vehicle-to-grid (V2G), vehicle-to-home, or vehicle-to-load, is already available…

Indian battery recycler Lohum has announced plans to establish a joint venture in the United States with partners ReElement Technologies and American Metals. This new company will focus on both battery recycling and supplying reconditioned battery materials to the market. The three companies recently signed a letter of intent outlining the primary objectives of the venture. Central to the plan is the construction of a plant at the Marion Advanced Technology Centre in Indiana, where ReElement Technologies already operates. This facility will serve as both a battery recycling and production hub, boasting a capacity of 15.5 GWh. According to the…

Tesla has been mandated by the Borgarting Court of Appeal to compensate four Model S owners in Norway following a controversial software update that reduced the vehicle’s charging speed in 2019. Each owner is entitled to a discount of 50,000 Norwegian kroner (approximately 4,300 euros), a ruling that could have wider implications for numerous other Tesla customers in the country. The decision stems from a larger legal battle involving 118 Tesla owners who are seeking compensation after the charging speed of their vehicles was throttled. The ruling suggests that any Tesla owner in Norway who purchased their vehicle during the…