Author: Derick Munoz

Ioncor, the battery business spun off from Valmet Automotive in 2024 and now partially nationalised, has introduced its new Energy Pack Long battery system for electric buses. The cell-to-pack solution, which eliminates the need for traditional modules, delivers 79 kWh per pack and can be combined into larger systems with total capacities reaching 1,000 kWh. Operating at 666 volts, the Energy Pack Long boasts an energy density of 290 Wh/l or 160 Wh/kg — a figure described by Ioncor CEO Roberts Abele as “industry-leading.” The battery packs measure 194.6 x 55.8 x 24.9 cm and are designed to perform in…

French automotive supplier Valeo and battery life-cycle specialist VoltR have announced a strategic partnership to develop and industrialise a joint solution for repairing and reusing batteries used in small electric vehicles across Europe. The collaboration aims to extend battery lifespans, reduce material waste, and support a more sustainable circular economy for the fast-growing micromobility sector. The two companies will combine Valeo’s expertise in electronic battery repair with VoltR’s experience in reconditioning and cell pack manufacturing. Together, they aim to deliver what they describe as “material savings of at least 95 percent” compared to producing new batteries. Their offering will target…

Polish manufacturer Solaris Bus & Coach has unveiled the Urbino 10.5 Electric, a new compact battery-electric city bus that combines advanced technology with urban efficiency. Making its debut at Busworld 2024 in Brussels, the 10.5-metre-long model joins the company’s growing Urbino family and is designed to offer high manoeuvrability, long range, and sustainable operation in dense city environments. The Urbino 10.5 Electric is equipped with Solaris’ modular drive system and features a 240 kW synchronous motor at its core. Depending on configuration, the bus is powered by high-energy batteries with a capacity of approximately 350 kWh, with larger options exceeding…

Polestar Australia has announced pricing and updates for the MY26 Polestar 4, maintaining its position as one of the brand’s most premium all-electric SUVs. Pricing remains unchanged from the previous model year, starting at $78,500 for the Long Range Single Motor variant and $88,350 for the Long Range Dual Motor version. For the 2026 model year, Polestar has replaced the touch-sensitive steering wheel controls from MY25 with physical buttons, addressing customer feedback for improved usability. The company has also made minor adjustments to the option pack structure, including reduced pricing for both the Bridge of Weir leather upholstery and the…

Tesla on Sunday teased an upcoming event scheduled for October 7, fueling speculation that the automaker may unveil a long-awaited affordable model aimed at revitalizing sales growth. Shares of the company rose about 2% in premarket trading following the announcement. In a nine-second video posted on social media platform X, the company showed a car with illuminated headlights against a dark background, accompanied by the date “10/7.” The brief clip offered few details but heightened expectations among investors and analysts, many of whom are anticipating the debut of a lower-cost version of the Model Y or a new entry-level vehicle.…

Electric vehicle drivers in Illinois can now access flat-rate fast charging for $15 per session, following a new pricing initiative introduced by Universal EV Chargers. The program aims to simplify the charging experience by eliminating time-based rates and additional surcharges. See also: Universal EV Chargers Awarded Grants to Expand EV Charging Network Across Illinois Under the new system, drivers can charge their vehicles to around 80% in about 30 minutes for a fixed cost of $15 per session, regardless of charging duration. The network supports both CCS and NACS connectors and does not require a membership to use. However, the…

New Mexico has partnered with GreenPower Motor Company to deploy all-electric, zero-emission school buses in several districts as part of a two-year pilot program aimed at evaluating performance, reliability, and environmental benefits. The initiative, supported by a $5 million state appropriation, will introduce three Type A Nano BEAST buses during the 2025-26 school year. In the second year, two Type D BEAST buses and one Mega BEAST model will be added. The vehicles will rotate across districts in five six-week cycles each year, with GreenPower providing charging infrastructure, driver training, and telematics to collect operational data. Brendan Riley, president of…

California now has more than 201,000 public and shared electric vehicle (EV) charging ports, Governor Gavin Newsom said, marking a major step in the state’s effort to expand clean transportation. The figure represents an increase of 22,631 since March 2025 and nearly 70% more charging ports than gasoline nozzles at service stations. The milestone includes public chargers located at places such as supermarkets, gas stations and park-and-ride lots, along with shared chargers installed in apartment buildings, offices and sports venues, which may have access restrictions. In addition, the state has roughly 800,000 private chargers installed in single-family homes, according to…

Kia Motors temporarily halted production at its Gwangju plant in South Korea on Wednesday after a partial strike at Motras, a subsidiary of auto parts supplier Hyundai Mobis, caused a shortage of electronic module components. The stoppage affected Plant 1, where the EV5 and Seltos SUVs are assembled, and Plant 2, producing the Sportage and Soul, while a third facility remained operational. Local reports indicated that Motras workers began four-hour daily strikes on September 24, demanding full employment guarantees and performance-based pay comparable to other automakers. A Kia spokesperson said, “Motras is expected to resume normal operations tomorrow. The Kia…

Tesla has been granted a U.S. patent (US12420879B1) for an innovative vehicle assembly system designed to enhance production speed, accuracy, and efficiency, particularly for its upcoming robotaxi, the Cybercab. The method, called True Unboxed Process 2.0, replaces traditional piece-by-piece assembly with a “global datum,” serving as a master reference point to ensure every component aligns precisely. This approach prevents small misalignments from accumulating during assembly, which can otherwise cause uneven panel gaps and require costly rework. Instead of relying on numerous clips, bolts, and brackets, the system uses industrial-strength adhesive applied by robots to secure panels. The adhesive compensates for…

RWTH Aachen University’s Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) is working with several European and international partners to develop next-generation battery packs under the Horizon Europe-funded project ‘RESiLiTE’. The initiative, supported with around €6.2 million in EU funding, aims to improve the energy density, efficiency, safety, temperature resistance and sustainability of batteries used in electric vehicles and future electric aircraft. Project partners include Turkish electric car manufacturer Togg, semiconductor group Infineon Austria and the Fraunhofer Institutes EMI and LBF. The research is centred on a cell-to-pack approach using cylindrical 4695-format cells densely integrated into a lightweight housing made…

Kia has launched the EV4, its first all-electric C-segment hatchback, as the South Korean automaker seeks to expand its electrification strategy in Europe. Built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV4 offers up to 391 miles of range on the WLTP cycle and will be produced at Kia’s plant in Slovakia. The EV4 is powered by an 81.4 kWh battery in its long-range version, charging from 10% to 80% in 31 minutes, and paired with a 150 kW front-mounted motor. A standard 58.3 kWh variant will also be available. The hatchback accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in…