Author: Derick Munoz

In a significant partnership, Sumitomo Corp and Liontown Resources have announced their collaboration to investigate the feasibility of producing lithium hydroxide in Japan. The strategic move comes amid the growing global demand for lithium, a crucial component used in electric vehicle batteries and battery storage systems. Liontown Resources is currently advancing the development of the Kathleen Valley lithium mine located in Western Australia. The company is on track to commence production of hard rock lithium concentrate by mid-2024. As part of the agreement, Sumitomo will work closely with Liontown to establish a comprehensive supply chain that spans from mining and…

In a recent interview, Olivier Francois, the Chief Executive Officer of Fiat, expressed the company’s determination to meet the demand for more affordable electric vehicles (EVs). He revealed that Stellantis plans to launch a second lower-priced EV, which will take inspiration from the Fiat Panda and come with a price tag of less than €25,000 (US$27,347). The much-anticipated unveiling of this model is scheduled for July 2024, and it aims to directly compete with Renault’s Dacia Spring, appealing to price-conscious consumers seeking cost-effective EV options. “There’s a real need for more affordable EVs,” Francois stated, underlining the company’s commitment to…

Volta Trucks has achieved a notable rating for its flagship model, the Volta Zero, in the Direct Vision Standard (DVS). The vehicle has received a volumetric score of 32.82m³, surpassing all previous records for any vehicle tested and outperforming the closest competitor by a significant 50%, which scored at 22m³. The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) is the result of extensive research conducted over nearly a decade by Loughborough University, commissioned by Transport for London (TfL) and led by Dr Steve Summerskill. The DVS was developed for heavy goods vehicles operating in and around London, aiming to improve driver vision and…

In July, the United Kingdom witnessed a remarkable surge in its automotive market as a new battery electric car was sold every 60 seconds, according to the industry body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The robust sales of electric vehicles (EVs) have been driving the country’s automotive industry, leading to an optimistic outlook for the sector. However, the SMMT has trimmed its growth forecast for next year by 0.7% to 1.951 million units, citing concerns over the cost of living. British inflation, which peaked at 11.1% in October last year, has been a point of concern, although…

Lithium-ion batteries, known to degrade over time due to various factors, including cracking among cathode particles, may have a surprising advantage. While intergranular cracking or intergranular fracture within battery cathodes can cause corrosion and mechanical degradation, a new study from the University of Michigan suggests that cracking can actually lead to faster charging speeds. The cathode, which serves as the positive electrode in a battery, consists of numerous microscopic particles with varying battery chemistries like lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NCM) or lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA). See also: Tesla-Funded Researchers Discover Surprising Reason Behind Lithium-Ion Battery Self-Discharge Cracks…

In a recent development, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has imposed a fine of $1.5 million on electric vehicle company Canoo Inc., citing reporting failures related to substantial and unreasonable revenue projections. The SEC alleges that Canoo, along with its former CEO Ulrich Kranz and former chief financial officer Paul Balciunas, misled investors about the company’s financial prospects prior to its public merger with a special purpose acquisition company in December 2020. Leading up to the merger, Canoo projected revenue figures of $120 million in 2021 and $250 million in 2022, primarily based on deals for engineering services…

Uber has recently unveiled its plans to introduce a new electrification program in Tokyo, Japan, as part of its Premium lineup. The initiative will involve the deployment of 100 Tesla Model Y crossovers across the city, aimed at promoting sustainable transportation options. By November of this year, Uber intends to have 30 Model Ys operating in the Edogawa, Adachi, and Setagaya Wards in Japan’s bustling capital. The ride-hailing giant is collaborating with taxi company Hinomaru Kotsu to deploy the electric vehicles and set up charging stations to ensure seamless operations. With an ambitious timeline, Uber aims to have all 100…

Tesla enthusiasts and automotive fans have been eagerly awaiting any glimpse of the highly anticipated Tesla Cybertruck, especially when it comes to its frunk size and storage capacity. With Tesla yet to release official details, recent sightings of the Cybertruck at Giga Texas have provided valuable insights. During a drone flyover by Joe Tegtmeyer, the newly built Cybertruck was spotted outside Giga Texas, shedding light on the frunk’s dimensions. Notably, the frunk’s opening spans the entire width of the electric pickup truck, similar to the F-150 Lightning’s frunk. https://twitter.com/greggertruck/status/1687477748024098817 A leaked photo from a few weeks ago caused some concern…

In July, the Norwegian Road Information Authority OFV recorded 6,148 new registrations of electric cars in Norway, reflecting an increase of 20.1 per cent compared to the same month last year. However, this figure represents a significant decline from the previous month, with less than half as many electric cars registered in June. The seasonal trend of weaker first months of each quarter, coupled with the holiday season, traditionally results in a slowdown in Norway’s import-only market during July. In terms of all drive types, a total of 7,525 new cars were registered in Norway in July, showing a 3.8…

GMC and EarthCruiser have unveiled a rendered image providing a clear glimpse of their upcoming collaboration for the Hummer EV. The render showcases more details about the final product, especially when compared to an earlier teaser released this year. The production version of this upgraded Hummer EV is scheduled to hit the market in early 2024. Back in late March, GMC and EarthCruiser announced their joint venture to create an up-fitted overlanding upgrade for the Hummer EV. However, the initial announcement only offered a dark image, revealing little about the vehicle’s appearance. Now, the new render showcases the sleek SUV-esque…

Automotive Cells Co (ACC), a joint venture between Stellantis, Total Energies, and Mercedes-Benz Group, has initiated discussions with officials from Canada and the United States regarding the establishment of a battery manufacturing plant in North America. ACC’s spokesperson confirmed the exploratory talks to Reuters on Tuesday. In May of this year, ACC representatives met with officials from the Quebec government in Canada, as well as with representatives from the mayor’s office in the city of Mirabel, Quebec, and federal government representatives, as per the provincial and federal government lobby registry. The discussions centred around inquiries related to potential direct funding,…

In a recent leak shared on the Tesla CyberTruck Facebook group by user Chane Eckert, a video showcased a pre-production Tesla Cybertruck being manually assembled on the floor of the company’s Gigafactory in Texas. The footage offered a glimpse of the yet-to-be-finished electric truck, surrounded by Tesla employees actively contributing to its assembly. Unlike the automated assembly lines used for other Tesla passenger vehicles, the Cybertruck was observed being moved on a trolley from one section of the factory to another. The video indicated that certain aspects of the vehicle, such as its interior and windshield, were already installed. However,…