Author: Derick Munoz

Swedish battery cell manufacturer Northvolt and its subsidiary Cuberg are reportedly eyeing Canada as a potential location for a new factory, according to a recent media report. While many details have yet to be released, the companies have apparently shortlisted two possible locations: Saint-Basile-Le-Grand and McMasterville in Quebec. The production capacity and timetable for the new facility remain unknown. See also: Swedish Lithium-ion Battery Maker Northvolt Plans $20 Billion IPO The potential move to North America may be due in part to available subsidies. Northvolt CEO Peter Carlsson had previously warned that the company’s factory in Heide, Germany could face…

Canadian electric utility vehicle manufacturer, Lion Electric, has taken the wraps off its latest all-electric Class 5 truck, the Lion5. Boasting an impressive payload capacity of up to 12,500 lbs., the Lion5 is powered by Lion’s newly developed 800V battery packs, which are engineered and manufactured in-house. The production of Lion5 is scheduled to begin before the end of this year. Designed to cater to the commercial fleet needs of Lion’s customers, the Lion5 commercial truck cab chassis boasts a range of innovative features desired in GVWR Class 5. It also offers various configurations from 19,500 lbs. up through 26,000…

The global automotive industry is going through a major transition, with electric and electrified vehicles gaining ground and slowly replacing traditional gas and diesel-powered cars. While individual countries and brands have their own sales records, the big picture can only be seen through global sales figures. And there is one country leading the way – China. China has the world’s largest automotive industry, with a huge population hungry for cars. It is no surprise that the country is selling the most vehicles in the world. However, it is the electric car transition that sets China apart, with unrelenting growth making…

Lordstown Motors, the electric vehicle startup, is facing a critical situation as its funding deal with Foxconn hangs in the balance. The company disclosed on Monday that if the deal doesn’t materialize, it may be forced into bankruptcy. The news sent shockwaves through the market, causing Lordstown’s shares to plummet by over 23% on the same day. According to a regulatory filing made by Lordstown on Monday, Foxconn sent a letter on April 21, alleging that the startup had breached their investment deal. The breach was triggered by Lordstown’s stock falling below $1 per share for 30 consecutive trading days,…

The increasing number of electric vehicles on the roads may be seen as a positive step towards protecting the environment, but it has raised concerns among firefighters. While electric vehicles are less prone to catching fire than traditional gasoline-powered cars, lithium-ion battery incidents can be more dangerous and challenging to put out, particularly in enclosed spaces like underground or multi-storey car parks where larger fire engines cannot access. Once the battery pack is compromised due to an accident or external fire, containing the resulting blaze can be problematic because the energy stored within the cells is released, causing a phenomenon…

Hertz, the renowned car rental company, concluded the initial quarter of the year with a fleet of 50,000 electric vehicles (EVs), constituting approximately 10 percent of their total car inventory. This figure is expected to witness a substantial surge in the upcoming quarters as Hertz has placed orders for hundreds of thousands of EVs from reputable manufacturers like Tesla, Polestar, and General Motors. Towards the end of 2021, Hertz made a significant investment in 100,000 Tesla vehicles, intending for them to comprise 20 percent of their overall fleet by the conclusion of 2022. However, as the latest data demonstrates, the…

Consumers possess a clear understanding that owning a vehicle entails more than just the initial purchase price. They are well aware of the total cost of ownership, which encompasses various expenses such as fuel, maintenance, insurance, and the vehicle’s depreciation. Keeping this in mind, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) has recently announced the winners of its 2023 model-year brand and category awards, specifically recognizing vehicles with the lowest projected ownership costs over a five-year period. Janice Yoell, senior manager of valuations for Kelley Blue Book, emphasized the significance of long-term costs for consumers. “Incredible variations in ownership costs exist between different…

The 2023 Kia EV6 has captivated the electric car community with its remarkable performance and an array of standout features. In a highly competitive market flooded with electric SUVs, the EV6 manages to shine brightly, offering a well-rounded driving experience that justifies its relatively higher price tag of US$48,700. Let’s delve into the four key features that truly set the Kia EV6 apart from its rivals. Onboard Power Generator: Harnessing Power for On-the-Go Convenience One of the often overlooked advantages of a high-output battery in an electric vehicle is the ability to utilize that power for various devices while on…

InCharge Energy, a provider of electrified fleet services, has launched an exciting new range of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) bidirectional chargers. These chargers not only optimize fleet operations but also contribute to bolstering the energy available to local grids. InCharge Energy, located in Southern California, specializes in developing zero-emission solutions for commercial fleets. Their comprehensive offerings include hardware, software, and specific services designed to assist customers in transitioning to electric vehicles and managing them efficiently. In March 2022, InCharge Energy played a pivotal role in supporting one of California’s largest deployments of all-electric school buses. They installed 43 ABB TERRA DC fast…

BMW is ramping up its electric vehicle (EV) production with plans to produce a second fully-electric model at its factory in Regensburg. The iX2 will follow the iX1, which has been rolling off production lines since autumn 2022. By late 2023, BMW aims to hire approximately 500 new employees at the site and invest over €350 million in vehicle production. While it is not clear where exactly the investment will go, it is evident that the German automaker is preparing the plant for a greater number of EVs. See also: BMW starts production of iX1 electric crossover in Regensburg, Germany…

Skoda, the Czech Volkswagen brand, is making strides towards its electric vehicle goals. By 2026, Skoda plans to have six electric models, including four completely new EVs and two updated versions of the Enyaq iV family. This is an expansion from the three electric vehicle models announced last year, which included a small car, a compact SUV, and a seven-seater SUV. Skoda’s compact SUV, named Elroq, is set to be released in 2024. In 2025, revised versions of the Enyaq iV and Enyaq iV Coupé will be released, as well as a small electric car with a base price of…

German automotive supplier Eberspächer has announced the construction of a new production plant for electric vehicle (EV) heaters in Ruse, Bulgaria. The 17,000-square-metre building will supply car manufacturers with EV heaters from the beginning of 2024. The heaters will be used in EVs and plug-in hybrid models for the European market. The new site will include production and logistics areas, an office, and a canteen complex. Eberspächer expects to complete the building in autumn and start production in early 2024. See also: GM, Ford, Google Partner to Establish Standards for Scaling up the use of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) To…